Archive for September, 2016
New in Val Thorens for Winter 2016/17
Val Thorens’ list of superlatives is endless. To name a few, it wins the accolade for being the highest ski resort in Europe (with 99% of its terrain over 2000m no less), the highest part of the 3 Valleys ski area (which also happens to be one of the biggest linked ski areas in the world), as well as for having the longest toboggan run in France, the highest 2-Michelin starred restaurant, the highest ice driving circuits in Europe and the highest mountain zip wire in the world!
November 2016: news just in – Val Thorens has been named the World’s Best Ski Resort 2016 at the World Ski Awards!
Val Thorens – the ultimate ski-in/ski-out, high altitude resort? (image: C Cattin)
The resort of Val Thorens has been undergoing something of a revolution in the last decade, at times seeming unrecognisable from its former self. In the last 5 years alone, it has gone from having zero 5-star hotels to four, three of which were brand new and purpose built with the very best facilities. It’s easy to see why Val Thorens has become so popular as a (very!) high altitude snow-sure resort with a great range of accommodation, plenty of activities, and of course, awesome skiing.
Whilst all this this makes Val Thorens one of the most exciting ski destinations in Europe, the pace of these recent changes means it can be hard to keep up with what’s going on! So here’s a quick roundup of what we can look forward to in Val Thorens for Winter 2016/17. Read the rest of this entry »
New Year Skiing – Our Recommendations
117 days and counting…
It may feel like there’s plenty of time between now and the bells chiming the start of 2017 but we’ll be linking arms and trying to remember anything past the first verse of Auld Lang Syne before you can say Hogmanay.
Fireworks over Val d’Isère (image: Andyparant.com)
Without wanting to wish away the autumn, it definitely pays to be organised and sort out your plans for the 31st December. And where better to see in another year than surrounded by mountains and enjoying some of the very best alpine hospitality? Not to mention a New Year’s Day spent on the slopes, where the effects of the night before always seem to be magically banished.
Here’s a few of our favourite resorts to enjoy New Year skiing in Winter 2016/17:
Now easier than ever to fly to Jackson Hole
Two iconic mountains in the Teton range, legendary ski terrain and an authentic Wild West experience. Now easier than ever, Patrick Nelson from Jackson Hole Mountain Resort gives us the lowdown on getting to Jackson this winter:
While Jackson Hole has long been known as a Wild West outpost, it is actually really easy to access from the UK. Surrounded by National Parks and Wilderness and with the Elk, moose and bison population roughly equalling humans, you might not expect easy flights to Jackson Hole.
British Airways (American Airlines codeshare) and United continue to offer one-stop options through Chicago and Dallas, but new for Winter 2016-17 is a 3x weekly one-stop from Heathrow to Jackson Hole on Delta (Virgin Atlantic codeshare). This flight departs London Heathrow around noon and lands in Salt Lake City around 16:00 with easy customs and quick layover before the short flight to Jackson Hole. Jackson Hole is as remote as ever, but now easier than ever to get to. And the airport is only 15 minutes from the town of Jackson and 35 minutes from the slopes.
If you’ve never skied Jackson Hole, or haven’t been for a few years, it might be time to (re)visit “The Big One.” Read the rest of this entry »
