Tignes has been described as one of the most unappealing resorts in the Alps, the “ugly duckling” of the Tarentaise valley. It was indeed built before the French learnt that purpose built ski resorts can also be pleasing on the eye and it is definitely more functional than charming but is it really that bad?

Tignes Le Lac is often said to be a bleak, stark village with apartment block after apartment block with a distinct lack of atmosphere, and I’ve once even heard the Palafour building in Le Lac compared to a cruise ship that has just barged in and parked up in front of the Lake. However I think the benefits of this world famous resort massively outweigh the negatives of the “unattractive treeless bowl”.

The appeal is in fact simple. The resort is one of the highest and snow sure in the Alps.  Tignes is highly likely to have one of the longest, if not the longest, seasons in the entire Alps. The resort is part of the extensive Espace Killy ski area meaning it’s difficult to become bored on your ski holiday as there are plenty of runs to play about on. Tignes also has a fantastic glacier, the Grande Motte allowing year-round skiing. Not too many resorts can offer such a luxury. The lifts are fast efficient and large queues are rarely a problem.

Tignes has long been overshadowed by its famous neighbour Val d’Isere. Val d’Isere is known as the “good-looking” and more “popular” of the two, but the prices to stay there reflect this. Tignes is a lot better value for money and can also be a lot less congested. Most of the Chalets in Tignes are ski in-ski out as access to the slopes is right on your doorstep, wherever you are staying in Tignes. There is accommodation for every type of holiday maker and the range of luxury catered chalets in Tignes is ever increasing.

It is unfair when people say the villages in Tignes lack charm and life entirely. There is a scattering of beautiful French restaurants around Le Lavachet, Le Lac and Val Claret which are all very traditional and welcoming. The night life is not as “crazy” as Val d’Isere but there is enough in Tignes to cater for most people’s idea of “apres-ski”. If you want a few beers on a sunny terrace you can, and if you want to dance the night away until the early hours in the morning you can do that too.

Tignes has obviously taken note of people’s criticism and is currently undergoing a facelift. Old purpose built hotels are being renovated to match the Alpine style most other resorts boast and the new builds are following suit. Over the last couple of years the resort is slowly becoming more and more attractive. Hopefully, this means Tignes will eventually gain some of the credit it undoubtedly deserves.

For more information on chalets, hotels and holidays in Tignes, take a look at the Alpine Answers website or give us a call on 020 7801 1080.

As a recent graduate from Exeter and unsure of what I wanted to do with life I was working a ski season. This one (my second) was for Bladon Lines in Meribel as their MBO (maintenance and building officer). I had to change light bulbs, replace blown fuses, mend broken beds (!!) and generally make sure that the luxury ski chalets of the day were fit to receive guests each week.

My first winter season was taken on my gap year after leaving school when I ‘pot washed’ for a small hotel in Sauze d’Oulx, Italy (well… we all have to start somewhere). Although great fun I didn’t manage too much skiing during that first season – the working hours were somewhat draconian and there was no day off during the week.

So back to Meribel, February 1988…

I used to ski more or less on a daily basis with a small band of fellow seasonaires. We were the type who took their skiing seriously. Sure, we liked to party but we never missed a ski day and a powder day was something to get very excited about. Since the beginning of that winter we had been trying to crack the deep snow thing but it was harder than it looked – these were the days of skinny 2 metre skis don’t forget. The Rossignol 4S were pretty good on piste but like any skis of the day they took some not inconsiderate skill to master off-piste. Since December we had been dabbling with the off-piste beside runs but had yet to venture further afield. However, that day in February was different, and it was to change the course of my life.

As early as we could we took the Creux Noirs chair to the ridge that divides the Courchevel and Meribel valleys and then we climbed and walked and stepped our way South East along the ridge line for about a mile. For the first time ever we were a long, long way from the nearest piste or lift. There was no turning back – the only way was down.

The Aiguille du Fruit is an imposing cliff face that rises to a height of 3,000 metres. Immediately below the cliff face and facing due West is a mile long perfect even steepness powder pitch which ultimately leads down through the Plan de la Tueda Nature Park to the back of Meribel Mottaret , some 3 miles away.

It had snowed a lot that night, two feet or more, but the sun was out and our spirits were high. Of course we were a little scared too – could we? Should we? Dare we? However, like I mentioned it was too late for questions. We were going to ski this slope and that was it. So the four of us made the long traverse through the knee deep snow from the ridge line to the foot of the Aiguille du Fruit cliff face where we stopped and spread out. We were the first skiers there that morning and what lay before us is not experienced that often, even by experienced skiers in Europe. A mile long slope of untouched, pure and pristine deep powder lay before us.

This was the Aguille du Fruit powder slope on a revisit - January 2003

It’s hard to put into words the feeling of one’s first proper fresh tracks powder run. However, I do remember whooping a lot and I also remember my mate skiing beside me saying ‘hey! Simila’ – you got it!’. And get it I did.

Since that February in 1988 there has been no looking back. Off – piste has been the only way to go. I have been lucky enough to complete two further seasons since that one and have taken countless ski holidays around the world over the subsequent two and a half decades. I have been to Alaska twice and also to most of the other off-piste meccas (St Anton, Engelberg, Alagna, Andermatt, La Grave, Verbier, Val ‘Isere, Steamboat, Klosters etc).

I have skied steeper and faster since that day in February 1988 but I will never forget that first time!

Skiing in St Anton with Piste to Powder

]]> http://www.alpineanswers.co.uk/blog/?feed=rss2&p=148 0 http://www.alpineanswers.co.uk/blog/?p=110 http://www.alpineanswers.co.uk/blog/?p=110#comments Tue, 01 Nov 2011 17:11:39 +0000 DavidF http://www.alpineanswers.co.uk/blog/?p=110 Continue reading →]]> One of the upsides to working in the ski industry, and especially to being involved in chalet sales, is that I’m often invited to go out to some major resorts and look around some of our top end luxury ski chalets. After all, you can’t be expected to make sales without an extensive knowledge of the properties you’re trying to flog! If a chalet owner/operator is really out to impress, then they’ll offer a few nights’ accommodation with catering and wine thrown in. Quite a perk, and without wanting to make you feel too jealous, I’d like to run through some of the most incredible chalets I’ve seen and stayed in.

Luxury Ski Chalets I’ve Visited

Remember, this list is anything but exhaustive, it’s nothing more than my own personal experience, but these are 5 of the best luxury ski chalets I’ve ever visited.

chalet nyumba, verbier

If you look closely enough, you'll spot a couple of fox-furs!

Even more amazing is the pool. Not just that a chalet for 14 has its own pool, which is rare enough. This pool has a moveable floor, which can travel all the way up through the water until it sits flush with the surrounding tiles and turns the entire room into a dancefloor. Really handy if you fancy an impromptu party with your mates up at your chalet!

chalet les anges, zermatt

Not far off the Nyumba in terms of quality is Les Anges in Zermatt. It is on a simply epic scale. The double height lounge and dining area features a grand piano, the bedrooms are big enough to land a microlight in and the whole thing is over four floors. This much space for just 10 people, or 12 if you’re prepared to squeeze a couple more in somewhere, I’m sure you’ll find space… My favourite feature in this chalet is again water-related. In the wellness area, between the entrance and the sauna and steamroom, the owners have had a little waterfall and stream installed. You have to cross this stream to reach either the steam room or sauna and in order to do this there are stepping stones. That’s right, first they installed a stream indoors, then they put stepping stones to help you cross it!

chalet grace, zermatt

Although I never had the chance to stay in either of the first two, I was lucky enough to have a few nights in chalet Grace a couple of seasons ago. If your budget allows it, the Grace really is a fantastic chalet for your ski holiday. A simply huge chalet, with great big bedrooms, one huge lounge, separate TV lounge, pool table and bar, not to mention fantastic catering. My favourite touch here was the glass-walled sauna with giant TV on the wall opposite. One night we stayed there was a match we wanted to watch and thanks to this feature we didn’t have to miss out on either our after-ski sauna or the big game!

Chalet Grace and its spectaular lounge

bellevarde lodges, val d’isere

There are loads of luxury ski chalets in Val d’Isere, too many to mention them all so don’t fret if I don’t mention your favourite. Don’t forget, I’m just going from personal experience here. The Bellevarde Lodges rate as my favourite luxury ski chalets in Val d’Isere for a number of reasons. They’re far enough from the town to miss out on the drunken crowds pouring in and out of the main nightspots, but close enough to be walkable. The chalets are superbly fitted throughout and are genuinely ski-in ski-out, with a piste running behind them. All the normal trimmings, like terrace and hot-tub for each chalet, plus a driver service. The real reason the Bellevarde Lodges get my vote is value. The previous three choices I made will probably set you back £1,500pp excluding transport during a low season date and could be over £4,000pp at Half Term or New Year. Bellevarde Lodges come in under £1,000pp including flights on some low season dates. For a true luxury chalet in a top resort like Val, that value is hard to beat!

valdez suite, morzine

For my final luxury ski chalet idea I’ve gone a little into leftfield and plumped for the Valdez Suite in Morzine. For me, it’s always disappointing when articles about luxury ski chalets focus on the same old resorts. I felt as though I might be going down the same road but Valdez has saved me! It’s a rare thing, being a chalet that’s run entirely seperately for four guests. It’s a superb little place, probably big enough for 6 or 8 if the designers had seen fit to squeeze four bedrooms in. The chalet is right in the middle of this charming destination, with lifts and pistes a few minutes away. Morzine is a proper working French town that oozes character and the Valdez Suite is the perfect little chalet for a family to base themselves in to explore.

It’s nigh on impossible to write a piece like this. I could have listed ten or fifteen chalets in Zermatt alone that are simply off the charts in terms of luxurious furnishings, amazing catering and jaw-dropping views. Ditto Verbier, Val d’Isere, Courchevel, Meribel, the list goes on. But I’ve made my choices and I’m sticking to them. If you’ve got any suggestions for any you think I’ve missed out then please let me know!

For more informaiton about any of the chalets featured in this article, or if you’d like to discuss other luxury ski chalets, please call our sales office on 020 7801 1080.

Chalet Atlantique, Courchevel 1850

It is an obvious understanding that the World never ‘sits still’. In our modern life everything is constantly re-inventing and improving itself. Businesses, their products and their services have to evolve in order to survive in a competitive market place. Take the mobile phone for example – in ten short years we have gone from the simple ‘brick’ to a hand-held multi tasking device with enough computing power to put man on the moon. In pretty much the same way the humble ski chalet has evolved as tastes and consumer demands have exerted their pressures. I remember when I first got involved with the ski holiday market in the mid 80′s that a chalet with a nice balcony and valley view was considered luxurious. The 1990′s saw the rush to present chalets with all ‘en-suite bedrooms’ and post millennium the hot tub was introduced as the ultimate chalet luxury. More lately new luxury ski chalets had to have surround-sound, Wi-Fi and MP3 docks.

Chalet Sommet, Verbier

The new luxury ski chalets for this season are a long, long way removed from the luxury chalets of the 1980′s. Today the very best ski chalets in the Alps offer over 1,000 square metres of living space; have indoor swimming pools, spa areas, dedicated cinema rooms, wine cellars and even libraries. Of course they also have state of the art sound systems, enormous flat screen TVs, chefs, hostesses, maids, drivers and ski guides. It’s hard to know where the next generation of luxury ski chalets might take us…heli landing pads perhaps?

Chalet Zermatt Peak, Zermatt

Today we are in a global market place and the product range we offer reflects this. At the very top end of the scale the humble British catered chalet with accompanying cheerful ‘chalet girl’ (first brought to us by the likes of Supertravel and Bladon Lines) has evolved into a product where only multi million pound, international jet set properties will do. Amen to change.

Photo by Leo-seta.

Ahead of the ski season this winter, investors are rushing to develop new properties in the French Alps, and it’s a good thing for everyone looking for a ski chalet! Meribel has particularly benefited from this rush of investment, especially in the light of new transport connections to the region which have bolstered the confidence of many new property developers.

Eurostar have recently reinstated their ski train service, which runs from St Pancras or Ashford International straight to Moutiers, only 25 minutes away from Meribel.

The service will run for the second year running between the 17th December 2011 and 14th April 2012, ferrying holidaymakers and overseas property owners between St Pancras or Ashford International to the French towns of Moutiers, Aime-la-Plagne and Bourg St Maurice. It’s definitely a good way for holidaymakers to travel to the region and get to a ski chalet, Meribel or elsewhere, in good time!

Buses will be laid on to take travellers to the most popular ski resorts including Courchevel and Les Arcs. For those looking for a ski chalet, Meribel has always been a popular choice due to its easy access to a wide variety of different pistes, for all levels of experience and abilities. Hailed as one of the best ski resorts in France by the Daily Telegraph, Meribel, founded by Brit Peter Lindsay in 1983, remains one of the most popular destinations for British ski enthusiasts.

For anyone hoping to take advantage of this winter season in a ski chalet, Meribel is a top choice as the resort continues to go from strength to strength.

Photo by bjorn knetsch.

Val d’Isere has always been popular with families looking for a skiing adventure, and it’s no surprise when you take a look at the wide range of activities that is available for adults and children alike. Once you get out of the chalets, Val d’Isere has plenty to keep the kids busy aside from skiing.

Donkey Trekking

Gentle donkey trekking is one of the most popular activities for families in Val d’Isere and can be enjoyed quite close to the resort’s chalets. Val d’Isere boasts plenty of walks to choose from, and experienced guides will accompany you all the way. You’ll get to take in the beautiful Alpine scenery from the back of a friendly donkey – and the kids will love it! This is a real adventure that is suitable for even the younger children.

Canyoning

If you really want to have an adventure to get you out of the chalets, Val d’Isere is home to the ultimate outside adventure – canyoning, a combination of abseiling, cliff jumping and navigating natural water slides as you try to scramble your way along rivers. As long as children are accompanied by adults, canyoning is fantastic fun and a great way to spend the day. However, it’s not generally recommended for children under eight years old, and a good swimming level is essential. A tip is to go on a warm day if you want to really enjoy the experience – that Alpine water can get a little chilly!

Husky Sledding

This is a fantastic way to see the region a little further afield from your chalets. Val d’Isere has some truly beautiful natural scenery to explore, and what better way than on the back of a sled being pulled along by excited huskies? Take charge of your own team of dogs, or sit back with an experienced guide and dog-handler at the reins, which might be a better option for younger or smaller children.

Photo by masochismtango.

Starting out in any new sport can be a challenge, especially a sport as kinetic as skiing! Val d’Isere caters for skiers of all levels, though there are some great tips for anyone taking to the slopes for the first time. Getting some professional instruction in your native language is always a wise start – learning to ski on your own might seem like a money-saver, but good tuition pays for itself in saving you injuries and time!

Where to Ski

It’s a good idea to start out on long, wide nursery slopes and ‘green’ beginners’ runs, just to build your confidence and develop the correct movements and balance of skiing. It’s a good idea to find accommodation close to the pistes – starting out, the fewer distractions or obstacles to face en-route, the better, so seek out some well-situated chalets. Val d’Isere has plenty close to the pistes and ski lifts.

Dress to Impress

It’s important to select a good jacket: one that’s lightweight but warm, and both windproof and waterproof. You’ll also want a good pair of salopettes – warm, waterproof trousers designed for skiing and other snow sports. You’ll be able to find some good clothing suppliers not far from your chalets; Val d’Isere has plenty of quality retailers. Remember to wear layers of clothing instead of one or two bulky items, and make sure not to forget a hat and waterproof gloves!

Here Comes the Sun

Sun protection is often forgotten amongst the snow and shade of the mountains, but it is actually incredibly important. Once you leave your chalets, Val d’Isere and other Alpine resorts carry a ‘hidden’ risk of sunburn – sunlight is far more intense at such high altitudes, and the reflection of sunlight on the snow can cause a nasty burn, too. Sunglasses or goggles can be a wise choice to protect your eyes, and they look stylish, too.

One of the wonderful things skiers most enjoy about Val d’Isere is the length of the season – the slopes open earlier in the winter and close later in the spring, and the quality of the snow is kept consistent throughout the season. How is this accomplished? With artificial snow-making machines keeping the powder perfect whilst you sleep in your chalets, Val d’Isere never need disappoint.

Origin

The first snow cannon was created by Art Hunt, Dave Richey and Wayne Pierce in 1950, but the technology wasn’t widely adopted until early in the 1970s. Now, many ski resorts take advantage of snow cannons to keep their slopes in excellent condition. It’s good news for skiing guests staying in chalets; Val d’Isere, among many other places, has undoubtedly benefited from Hunt, Richey and Pierce’s invention.

The Technology of Snowmaking

The basic principle of snow making is to force water and pressurised air through the snow cannon (or snow gun) on to the ski slopes. In modern snow cannons, water and compressed air are injected together to form tiny ice crystals, and then further droplets of water are injected into the air stream of the cannon’s fan. The tiny ice crystals form “nucleation points” for the larger snow crystals to form around – the way a pearl needs a smaller object to form around.

Air temperature and humidity affect the efficiency of this process. High humidity means the temperature must be lower for snow to form well, while the air temperature must always be below freezing. The process consumes huge amounts of power and resources – 200,000 gallons of water to cover an acre to a depth of one foot, according to one estimation – making it very expensive to cover a wide area around the ‘ski in ski out’ chalets; Val d’Isere operators consider it worth the expense, however, to provide the best slopes in The Alps.

If you fancy yourself as a celebrity spotter, the next time you visit Verbier keep a look out for any famous faces in the crowd. We all have our secret favourites who we’d love to run into on the piste, but here are a few of the famous faces that have been spotted passing through Verbier:

Diana Ross

An American singer and actress, Diana Ross was named ‘female entertainer of the century’ in Billboard magazine in 1976, and is still performing today. Declared the most successful female music artist in history, she holds a total of 18 American number-one singles. She’s also one of the few recording artists to have two stars on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. You may imagine Hollywood would be a far cry from chalets in Verbier but it seems the fabulous slopes can attract even the music industry’s finest.

James Blunt

A former army officer and musician, James Blunt launched debut album ‘Back to Basics’ in 2005. He is famous among pop musicians for his military background, and previously was an officer in the Life Guards, serving under NATO during the Kosovo conflict in 1999. The attraction of a skiing holiday here probably holds appeal for the luxuries of the chalets in Verbier – a far cry from his time spent in the British army!

Richard Branson

A businessman and entrepreneur, Richard Branson is the owner of the Virgin Group, and the 212th richest person in the world (according to the Forbes 2009 list of billionaires), with an estimated net worth of £2.97 billion. Although with a net worth so high, he could likely buy several chalets in Verbier, he keeps coming back, proving that it’s just not possible to put a price tag on the Verbier holiday experience!

When people visit Verbier, they’re often taken aback by the variety of accommodation available. Far from the usual identical houses, chalets in Verbier are built to cater for a range of visitors; from families who need extra space for children’s play inside, to the single traveller who only needs enough spare room for their sporting equipment!

Living Space

When it comes to chalets in Verbier, while a budget-conscious young family can find exactly the sort of accommodation they need to make the most of their time, a visitor with more luxurious requirements can also find themselves very comfortable here. There are many excellent chalets in Verbier to be found with features such as open fires, steam rooms, exercise facilities, full audio/visual entertainment centres, and all the conveniences you need to really make the most of your down time after you’re finished on the slopes.

There aren’t many properties that would be able to be described as ‘typical’ amongst chalets in Verbier – a testament to the individuality of the resort, and the skiers that visit. The type of amenities on offer is anything but typical when compared to many other ski resorts.

Social Life

For many people, the social aspect of Verbier’s après ski is as important as the actual time spent skiing! Verbier caters for this more than most resorts, and although the night-life highlights deserve a blog post all of their own, there are chalets in locations to suit every taste when it comes to enjoying the atmosphere. Some chalets are close to the action and suited for the party animal, while other chalets are a little further removed for those preferring a quiet holiday with the occasional trip out to enjoy a peaceful meal.