The Winter Olympics were held in Albertville and Val d’Isere in 1992. Valentines Day this year, 14th February, marks the 20th anniversary of the special winter sports event.
Val d’Isere is going to be particularly festive on this day with the festivities in honour of this occasion to include a public open ski race down the Bellevarde Face piste, the piste which featured the downhill slalom event, parties, DJ’s, spectacular fireworks and a light show.
The snowflakes just keep falling in Val d’Isere.
Our December guests had incredible powder snow and sunny days.
Today it is falling thickly again but the blue skies will reappear soon…
Peek at our live webcam: http://www.lechardonvaldisere.com/webcamimages.htm
Le Chardon Mountain Lodges would like to wish you all a superb 2012.
We look forward to an impressive ski season ahead in Val d’Isere.
For some winter sports enthusiasts, enjoying one or two holidays every year is simply not enough. The lure of stunning ski slopes, clear blue skies and the promise of après ski fun after long days on the mountains cause many to seek to further their skiing and snowboarding by indulging in instructor courses. For those who would like to combine their love of skiing in Valdisere with a love of children, the region has some fantastic BASI courses feeding into the demand for children’s ski instructors.
The Espace Killy, and particularly Val d’Isere, is one of the most respected places in the world for skiing. With luxury chalets, a huge variety of evening activities and a diverse range of skiing, there is no better place in the world to indulge in a BASI course. Whilst many people undertaking instructor courses are enjoying a gap year, either from education or their career, Val d’Isere offers an 11 week course that can be utilised by those who may not have an entire year free. The Level 1 and 2 course offers those enjoying Val d’Isere skiing the perfect opportunity to explore the slopes like never before whilst also building their repertoire of skills for the future. With the region specifically catered towards winter sports enthusiasts, skiers will find their every requirement met.
With its vast range of accommodation options, especially with the area noting a property boom, there are plenty of places for a keen skiing instructor to work, sleep and play. Make this season the one where you take up a Val d’Isere ski instructor course – it’ll provide memories and skills that will last a lifetime.
One of the glaciers Grande Motte in the Espace Killy, located in Val d’Isere’s neighbouring resort Tignes, has now re-opened for the winter ski season!
Val d’Isere resort is set to open officially on the 26th November!
Le Chardon Mountain Lodges is looking forward to an excellent season.
There will always be skiing and snowboarding in Val d’Isere and this is what the majority of our guests come to the ski resort for. However, there may be a few members of your party who have come on holiday but would prefer not o ski everyday. A Winter Walking Trail may just meet their needs.
Winter Walking Trails
Even though they are below a lot of snow, it doesn’t mean that the hiking trails in Val d’Isere are not accessible. There are 24km of marked and well-kept trails, which provide a relaxing way to soak up the beauty of the wintery mountains. You are able to obtain daily updates and trail maps from the Val d’Isere Tourist Office, or you can find several walking guide companies who provide half or full day trips.
Please remember to check the weather forecast before you go as conditions can alter quickly within the mountains.
You don’t need any specific gear except a pair of good boots and several layers of snug clothing (which you can remove / put on as required) are recommended. In addition to this, a pair of poles for walking will be helpful in order to provide you with additional balance on patches of ice and also for checking out the depth of snow prior to you carrying on!
Top Tip: Purchase ‘grippers’ to put on to your walking boots; these will stop you from slipping over and may be purchased from the majority of local sports shops in the UK and with the winters we have had these past 2 years mean you can carry on with this activity when back in the UK.
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
Val d’Isere is hosting its spectacular Summer Ball on 14th August!
If you feel like dancing and dining the evening away amidst the Alpine meadows then throw on your tuxedo or ball gown and head to Val d’Isere for this festive annual soiree.
The notable events company Groove Garden are coordinating the event and the night will end in a sparkle with the traditional firework display!
Val d’Isere is also a popular summer destination offering a wide variety of activities. The scenery alone is worth a trip.
Tickets are on sale from the Val d’Isere Tourist Office.
Snowboarding and Val d’Isere have been pals for a very long period of time, just as you would expect from a resort that is “with it.” There is a great deal to please boarders of all ranges in the Espace Killy, whereby children who are only 14 and 15 years of age can be seen expertly turning 360’s within the terrain park.
The Snowpark is among the world’s biggest at 35k sq. metres, and includes two boardercross, quarter pipes, a half pipe, big air, bumps and tables, along with music. There is even a station for board repairs.
Boarders who are seeking to increase their technique have a wide selection of public and independent tuition choices, such as the Billabong Snowboard School that specialises in off-piste. It is possible to board throughout the year on the adjoining glacier at Tignes, with summertime boarding on Val d’Isere’s very own glacier during mid-summer.
You can also visit the Trampoline School, on a snowboard in the summertime.
If you happen to be searching for some high-class French ski chalets to stay in whilst you are on your snowboarding holiday, then Le Chardon Mountain Lodges within an extremely exclusive area of Val d’Isere, can provide you with a selection of lodging choices influenced by how big your group is, each with ski in and ski out accessibility to and from the slopes.
Our accommodation varies in size from Le Kilimanjaro that caters for around eight people to the biggest chalet, Le Chardon, which is perfect for groups of up to 20 people.
Val d’Isere has received another Michelin star to add to its reputation for fine dining.
Restaurant Le Laisinant has been awarded with the prestigious Michelin star becoming one of France’s best restauraunts. The chef, Antony Tempesta who was trained by Marc Veyrat, favours local produce and suppliers to create his exceptional dishes and even uses mountain flowers in his flavours. Signature dishes include mushroom cappuccino and black truffle flakes, wild duck with blueberry chutney and beetroot trilogy and banana brochettes with candied morels and smoked milk ice cream.
The restaurant is enjoying a refurbishment in recognition of this special award however there are no plans to increase the prices. It can be found at the Hotel La Becca which sits by the slopes of the Le Laisinant hamlet and is accessed by the blue run ‘L’ which runs down from Solaise. It’s popular with the locals and ski guides and has been a bit of a secret until now. As well as an evening menu they also serve lunches on a beautiful sun terrace with oustanding views.
Given its blossoming popularity, reserving your table in advance would be a good idea to sample the culinary adventure of this little gem!
Le Chardon Mountain Lodges would be delighted to arrange a reservation for you.