Archive for ‘France’
What’s New: Igloo Village Les Arcs
The Igloo Village, which is already a popular après and dining spot in the much-loved resorts of Avoriaz and Val Thorens, is set to reopen in Les Arcs this winter. Whether you fancy a soul-warming hot chocolate, refreshing beer on the sunny terrace or a fondue dinner amongst family and friends, the Igloo Village will be the place to be when it open its doors on the 15th of December 2019.
Igloo Village Les Arcs. Image: Manu Reyboz
So how do you create an igloo village complete with a bar, restaurant and two hotel rooms? After accumulating around 3000m₃ of snow, it takes around 5 days to assemble the outer structure. Then the sculpting and decorating begins! Over 10 days an expert team sculpts the different rooms and carves incredible sculptures into the igloo walls. The electricians and sound technicians then add the finishing touches. The result? A 350m₂ ice village full of atmosphere, amazing art and, of course, snow. Read the rest of this entry »
The Ultimate 5 Star Gastronomic Experience
Courchevel 1850 is the ultimate luxury alpine destination. The resort is positively bursting with top quality 5-star hotels all offering unrivalled facilities and outstanding levels of service. Courchevel 1850 is also renowned for its gastronomic scene boasting no fewer than 6 Michelin-starred restaurants.
Hotel Le K2 Palace
The Ski Independence Cheese Route
If you thought the only way to explore the Alps was through skiing or walking then think again! The Savoie Cheese Route invites you to explore the Savoie and Haute Savoie regions of the Alps through visiting farms, shops and restaurants, all with one thing in common – cheese!
By doing so, visitors can learn about more about their favourite Savoie cheeses, including the well-known Reblochon, Raclette and Emmental, and discover the different stages of production, from dairy farm to shop shelf.
What’s new in Europe this year
Despite the hot summer weather, we can’t help but look forward to the upcoming winter season. The addition of several new and exciting properties to our European programme has us daydreaming about being back in the mountains. Whether you’re looking for the ultimate luxury retreat in exclusive Megève, a stylish hotel in family-friendly Avoriaz or spacious apartments in popular Val d’Isère, these brand new properties have got you covered.
We’ve put together our pick of the best hotels and residences opening in time to book for this winter.
Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti, Pinzolo
Set against the stunning backdrop of the Italian Dolomites, the brand new 5-star Lefay Resort & SPA Dolomiti offers fantastic accommodation with truly breathtaking views. The Resort enjoys an ideal location, just 350m from the ski lifts and a 10-minute walk from the centre of Pinzolo, a traditional Italian village oozing charm and authenticity. Among the exceptional facilities on offer are two restaurants, a lounge bar, reading room and 5000m² spa featuring indoor and outdoor swimming pools and no fewer than 9 saunas– perfect for soothing tired muscles after a day exploring the extensive Campiglio Dolomiti di Brenta ski area!
- Unrivalled spa facilities
- Charming village nearby
- Stunning scenery
Read the rest of this entry »
Chamonix for Beginners?
The walk in to La Vallée Blanche, Chamonix (image: Patrik Lindqvist)
The legendary alpine town of Chamonix Mont Blanc is renowned for its steep, extreme ski terrain and its mountaineering legacy. But did you know that Chamonix also boasts a great range of dedicated novice ski areas? What’s more, many of these areas offer special lift pass rates to save you splashing out on a full area pass until you’re ready to venture beyond the beginner slopes. Below is our short guide to Chamonix for beginners: Read the rest of this entry »
Top Tips for a Successful New Year Ski Holiday
Celebrations in Morzine
Along with the partying, eating copious amounts of food and celebrating in the streets, one of the most integral elements of a New Year ski holiday is snow. The start of the year is generally a great time to ski in Europe, however snow cover in late December and early January can vary from resort to resort, so why not pick our brains for information on the most snow-sure destinations?
Our knowledgeable reservations team will be more than happy to talk through your requirements and point you in the right direction. So whether you’re looking for wild après, the ultimate in-resort dining or high altitude slopes, we’ll do our best to make sure you bring in 2019 in style.
La Folie Douce on the slopes of Val Thorens
Here are just a few of our picks for high-altitude early-season skiing in Europe:
Verbier, Switzerland
The highest slopes sit at 3,300m, ensuring snowy mountains throughout the season.
Tignes, France
Great piste-grooming and high altitude make Tignes a dependable New Year resort!
Val Thorens, France
The village sits at 2,300m, making it the highest resort in the Alps and a snow-sure destination.
Our Top Tips
1. Once you’ve decided where to go, make the most of the mountain by letting us organise your instructor. Whether its group or private lessons, we can help!
2. Book your lift pass before you travel. With the majority of our French resorts, we can send your hands-free cards out with your travel documentation to ensure you’re not waiting to get on the slopes. Read the rest of this entry »
10 of the Best Luxury Ski Escapes this winter with Ski Independence
It takes a special blend of ingredients to create an unforgettable luxury ski escape. Beautiful surroundings, luxurious facilities, first-class service and outstanding food – to name but a few.
That said, there’s no ‘one size fits all’ when it comes to luxury ski holidays. Whether you’re looking for a peaceful getaway in an alpine village or an action-packed break in a lively resort, it’s all about finding the perfect 5-star ski holiday for you.
Why not take a look at our pick of the best luxury ski escapes this winter for a little inspiration?
Hotel W, Verbier
Best for: urban decor and stylish après ski.
Our Pick of the Best Family Ski Holidays
Our top 9 recommendations for 2018/19
A family ski holiday is one of life’s great pleasures. There’s nothing quite like being together in the fresh air of the mountains, watching your children grow in confidence and ability. Ski Independence have been a family ski holiday specialist for 25 years and we know from experience that the bet family ski holidays take a lot of careful planning and a good dose of detailed knowledge – so why not leave it to us? We’ve highlighted some of our recommendations for the best family ski holidays for next winter, and if you don’t see what you fancy below we’re happy to recommend a huge range of alternative destinations, accommodation & activities to suit your family. So, in no particular order…
The excellent nursery slopes at Aspen Snowmass
1. Les Gets, France
A short transfer from Geneva and a traditional pretty village are often two sought-after points on a family holiday wish list and Les Gets more than ticks these boxes. The centre of the village is lined with shops and restaurants serving a selection of Savoyard specialities along with a couple of lively bars offering laid back après-ski. Read the rest of this entry »
New for 2018/19 – Ski Independence Update
Find out all about what’s new for 2018/19!
We’re excited to announce that the brand new Ski Independence brochure has arrived, bookings are rolling in and early booking offers are high in demand.
Now is the best time to book and to give you some inspiration here’s an overview of what’s new for our European & North American programmes.
>> Order your copy of our Winter 2018/19 brochure now
Europe
Les Gets is a hotspot for families with its French charm and easy access to the huge Portes du Soleil ski area. Read the rest of this entry »
Two days of luxury at Hotel L’Apogée Courchevel
The wonderful Hotel l’Apogée overlooks Courchevel 1850 from its unrivalled ski-in/ski-out position in the Jardin Alpin area of the resort. Part of the growing Oetker Collection group, each property is unique.
Oetker Collection promise guests will “discover a ‘passion for living’, an appreciation for culture, gastronomy and the pleasures of nature”. One of our Ski Specialists, Karen M, had the chance to experience all of this and more on her recent visit to experience the 5-star luxury at Hotel L’Apogée.
Hotel L’Apogée sits in a prime ski-in/ski-out location in Courchevel 1850
Upon arrival at Geneva airport we were met by one of Hotel L’Apogée’s pristine vehicles and headed up to the mountains. At just two and a half hours, the journey to Courchevel is more than do-able for a short break or not too far if travelling with the family for a week. Once at L’Apogée we were greeted by inviting and friendly faces of the hotel staff and led to the Bar de L’Apogée for a tasty lunch. The bar menu is great for lunch or a light dinner with everything from burgers to ‘fish of the day’ dishes. The barmen here were so attentive and talked us through the wine choice of the afternoon while we waited for our order to arrive. After an early start that morning the hearty burgers went down a treat! Read the rest of this entry »
