Posts Tagged ‘val disere skiing’

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France’s Olympic Swim Team in Val d’Isere

Thursday, September 1st, 2011

Val d’Isere is the choice destination for Olympic athletes!

The France Swim Team are currently in Val d’Isere after competing in the 2011 World Swimming Championships in Shanghai.

Val d’Isere and Tignes are popular locations for national sports teams to recuperate and train as the sports facilities combined with the high altitude make them excellent training grounds.

The team, who are soon to commence training for the London 2012 Olympics, are enjoying the mountain sports which Val d’Isere has to offer such as hiking and mountain biking. They also have some fun activities planned such as white water rafting and spending the night in a mountain hut refuge as a break from their rigorous training schedule. The village are delighted to be hosting them this Summer.

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Our Top Tips when skiing in Val d’isere

Tuesday, August 16th, 2011

Note all information on the back of your ski pass

This is a great way to ensure you can find all the necessary details and key information you will need if you or your kids get into difficulties. Additionally, you boost the likeliehood of your ski pass being returned should you misplace it.

Steer clear of the afternoon ski rush hour

Relax and enjoy that final drink on the mountain while everyone else dashes for the chairlifts around 4pm, however make sure you are on a lift before the ski patrolliers leave for the day!

Make a “liftie” happy

Smile and say “Bonjour” to the ski lift clerk – they are more likely to stop the chairlift from hitting you in the back of the legs!

Do not go too high for lunch

The calibre of a bistro on the mountain is commonly in inverse relation to its elevation

Keep having lessons
The better you get the better you will enjoy the runs. Brief courses are provided by the majority of ski schools and there are coaches who will take care of small groups (all of which we can help organise for you)

Keep your Val disere ski pass

If you present a previous 6-day pass for the Espace Killy region you can often obtain a 10% discount of the price of your new one

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La Scara – Val d’Isere Skiing Championship for Children

Monday, July 25th, 2011

In the Alps children are encouraged to ski from a young age and become proficient very quickly. Competing in races and events is commonplace amongst children in ski clubs and La Scara, established 35 years ago as an international alpine ski race for boys and girls aged between 12 and 15 years is one event many aspire to. It is held at the conclusion of the winter months.

In the past, it was a competition for the youngsters from Val d’Isere as well as other nearby ski clubs, however, more and more newcomers led to the coordinators looking at the format of the race, and enrolling the competition on the International calendar. La Scara is currently regarded in the world of skiing as a genuine “Children’s World Championship” and it is used today as a part of the selection procedure at national level.

The competition was originally opened to boys but in 1990 it allowed girls to compete, and runs over four days. French children need to qualify for the “International races” which in turn take place over the subsequent days.

In the past, the competition has drawn attention to 1,400 competitors; consisting of roughly 300 International skiers coming from 28 countries and 1,100 French skiers. The standard of skiing is extremely high and there are definitely several potential Winter Olympic candidates in the making!

For 30 years, the Val d’Isère skiing club has continued to use the name Scara, and these days it acts not only as a certification regarding racers potential selection at a countrywide as well as global level but it is additionally a part of the inner circle of the five key children’s international competitions including the Pokal Loka (Slovenia), Topolino and Pinocchio Cup (Italy), and the Whistler Cup (Canada).

Original news source: valdinet.com

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Skiing and the Arts Scene – a Divine Combination!

Tuesday, November 23rd, 2010

It may seem an unlikely pairing, but surely I can’t be the only person who loves to mix great skiing with a little browsing around local art galleries, topped up with a hot chocolate or vin chaud now and again? Wherever I go on holiday, I like to view the local art exhibitions if I get the opportunity, to get a vibe of what’s going on and to while away a few pleasurable hours.

Our luxury ski chalets are a work of art in themselves;  beautiful reclaimed wood and local Savoyard stone, and graced with sumptuous textiles and stunning interior decor.

For a glimpse of what’s new and exciting in French art, the galerie Jane Griffiths in Val  d’Isere is well worth a visit, and there’s no place better to stop off afterwards for hot chocolate and pastries than La Maison Chevallot.

It has been said that art or wine can be a good investment during a time of recession. As in all things, you should exercise caution and seek expert advice or become very knowledgeable yourself before parting from your money. Read our article on collecting art for some useful tips. The beauty of wine is you can always drink it if it doesn’t appreciate!

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Skiing Val d’Isere – Special Offers

Friday, November 12th, 2010

We’re very proud of the number of  guests who return to Le Chardon year upon year, and who enjoy a wonderful ski holiday.  However we don’t rest on our laurels, and always strive to improve. This year all the chalets have been extensively refurbished, and we can guarantee you’ll be delighted with the results.

Our special offers on several of our luxury catered ski chalets mean that you can make huge savings in the run up to Christmas. You might be interested in staying on a per head basis rather than booking a complete chalet. This is available at Chalet Mistral, priced  at £995 per person for the week beginning 12th December.

When it comes to group ski holidays, there’s lots of fun to be had catching up with family and friends. However, it’s nice to have a little bit of time out from the group now and then. There’s plenty of space in our chalets so you don’t have to get in each other’s way, but for some light-hearted advice, click on our article ‘group ski travel – top tips’.  Happy reading…

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Skiing Exercises and Ski Fitness

Tuesday, July 27th, 2010

If you’re planning a ski break try to build up your strength, stamina and flexibility from at least 4 weeks before you go. Here are some basic exercises you can do in your own home.

Make sure you warm up with some light cardio exercise, and cool down with stretches at the end of each session. Keep your mind on your core stability by engaging your abs when carrying out these exercises.

  • Beginners: Perform one set of each exercise for 15-30 seconds
  • Intermediate/Advanced: Do each exercise for 1 (or more) minutes and repeat 1-3 times

Ski Jumps
Stand with feet together.  Bend the knees and jump to the left as far as you can – think distance rather than height.   Land with soft knees and immediately jump laterally to the right.  Repeat. Take-off and landing should be on both feet together.

Lunges
Prop right shin on a step behind you and bend left knee, slowly lowering into a lunge.  Squeeze through the heels to raise back up, making sure knee is behind toe and torso is straight, abs in.  You may add dumbbells as you progress.

Hamstring Strengthening

This can be done with heels firmly under a large heavy object, such as a sofa or bed. Place soft cushion under knees, heels locked. Lean slightly forward to a count of 5 and return, repeat 10 times. The hamstrings are important to help stabilise the knee joint.

Back Extension
Lie facedown with a cushion under your hips and lower torso.  Your heels should be under a large heavy object such as sofa or bed. With your hands behind your head, lift chest off the floor, bringing your shoulders up until your body is in a straight line.  Lower & repeat.

Squat Jumps
Stand in front of a step or low bench.  Bend the knees and, keeping the body very low, jump onto the step with both feet, landing in a squat with soft knees.  Step down and repeat, moving as quickly as you can.

Trunk Rotation

Lie down straight, face up and with feet together. Begin with right leg bent, left leg straight and approximately 12 inches above floor at the foot. Hands loosely touching ears, reach for right knee with left elbow and be sure to exhale at the same time. Try not to pull your head and neck forward. Repeat for opposite leg and elbow. Be sure to breathe steadily, exhaling with each cross-over.

You may still get a few aches during your skiing holiday, so why not book a massage with a highly trained physiotherapist or soothe your aches away in the chalet hot tub?

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Chalets winding down as Val d’Isere celebrates great season

Thursday, April 29th, 2010

With the end of an incredible season coming ever closer, our beloved Val is gradually becoming quieter and more serene. However, conditions are still good on many runs especially if you grab the first lift of the day. You can get some great skiing in before the official end of season on 2nd May, and top up your tan at the same time.

The Literary Festival, which runs until 1 May, makes for an interesting diversion when not on the slopes. Finally, from 27 April – 2nd May you can expect some great après-ski, lots of end of season celebrations, including parades and lots of vin chaud.

We’ll be hard at work over the next few months ensuring that our luxury ski chalets continue to be of the highest standard, ready for next ski season. We look forward to seeing you then, and in the meantime will keep you updated with news and snowsport info.

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Chalets Val d’Isere and Late Season Skiing – Pure Magic

Wednesday, April 14th, 2010

Our chalets Val d’Isere are noted as being amongst the best in Europe. We believe that our Mountain Lodges will quite simply offer you the best if you’re looking for something a little bit more special for your skiing holiday. Perfect for both family ski breaks and group skiing holidays, our five chalets offer a personal discreet service and are in the perfect location for ski in, ski out access.

As one of the best snow-sure ski resorts in Europe, Val d’Isere is a gem of a resort for the late season. Work hard, play hard seems to be the general rule, with over 300 kms of amazing pistes to explore, plus, of course, the allure of off-piste for the more adventurous. You’re almost guaranteed bluebird days, and the high altitude keeps the snow in great condition long after lower resorts are beginning to shut up shop.

After your strenuous day on the slopes, take it easy in one of the many bars, clubs or restaurants, many with amazing views over the valley. You can refuel with traditional Savoyard cuisine, carb-rich but oh so good! Alternatively, there are lots of other, lighter options which are not quite so calorific. As part of our concierge service, we can pre-book tables at any restaurants you fancy, and offer some recommendations depending on your requirements. Of course you may prefer to dine in at your chalet Val d’Isere every evening, which is a true gastronomic experience to round off a perfect day.

It is our aim to make your stay in one of our luxury chalets Val d’Isere simply magical!

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Valentine Ski Val d’Isere

Tuesday, February 9th, 2010

Could anything be more romantic than snuggling up in front of a roaring log fire with the love of your life, chilled champagne in hand, whilst outside the snow glitters in the moonlight?

Or, you might prefer to be standing at the summit of a spectacular black run, hand in hand, pledging eternal love to each other before racing each other down the slopes like snow demons!

Or picture yourselves enjoying a sumptious dinner created specially to your tastes, a leisurely soak in the hot tub or swim spa and ready to enjoy a luxurious romantic evening in your own catered ski chalet with unparalleled views across the valley to the mountains.

Of course, everyone’s idea of romance is different, but there are few people who wouldn’t be bowled over by being treated to a luxury break in Val d’Isere, a world-class ski resort with the unspoiled charm of a traditional alpine village.

There are several Val d’Isere chalet companies to choose from, but Le Chardon Mountain Lodges sets the benchmark for quality with its exceptionally high levels of service.  This, combined with the desire to ensure that you are completely delighted with your experience, sets it apart from the others.

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Half-Term Skiing in Val d’Isere

Friday, January 15th, 2010

So, why book a ski holiday in France when the UK has seen the heaviest snowfall since records began?  The Scottish ski resorts are reporting their busiest season ever, with excellent skiing conditions for all levels.

Well, this is exactly the reason why you should still consider going further afield for your annual powder fix.  British skiing is wonderful when you can get it, but the travel time for many of us means that skiing abroad is a more convenient option.  If you then have to queue endlessly for the lifts, the restaurant, it quickly loses its appeal.

A resort such as Val d’Isere is geared up for a massive influx of visitors every year, with over 300 km of pistes and a combination of cable cars, funicular, chair lifts and tows totalling over 100 lifts which serve 135 runs.  Even at the height of the season, queues are virtually non-existent as there are over 78,000 rides per hour to whisk you up the slopes.  Add to this the bluebird days and spectacular scenery, and you’ll be in ski heaven.

If you want to be truly pampered, look at our selection of luxury catered ski chalets for a unique and memorable experience.  The winning combination of luxurious yet welcoming surroundings, fine cuisine prepared to your tastes, hot tubs and ski in, ski out access is unforgettable.  For families, we can arrange nanny services in addition to our experienced and welcoming chalet staff and concierge service.  The resort itself has excellent creche facilities and ski tuition for all levels.

For children, there are endless activities to choose from. Every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday from 5pm, they can ‘airboard’ – a snow bodyboard that gives the sensation of flying above the snow; Snake Gliss -  a “snow snake” sleigh for up to 20 people (minimum age 7); or play 5-a-side snow football.  This all takes place at the foot of the Solaise area.

So, how do you get there?  Val d’Isere travel options include flights to Grenoble, Geneva, Chambery or Lyon from many UK airports.  If you prefer to let the train take the strain, the nearest station, Bourg St Maurice, is only a 20 minute taxi ride from Val d’Isere.

Le Chardon Mountain Lodges

Family Ski Holidays

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