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Remake of Wham’s Last Christmas video in Saas Fee
Everyone’s familiar with the well-known “Last Christmas” video from Wham, but fewer people realize the film was shot, more than 20 years ago in the pretty Swiss resort of Saas-Fee
Now the Swiss Acappella Band Bliss has filmed an exact reproduction of the famous video at the original locations used at the time.
Originally shot before Christmas 1984, a group of young people, a romantic cabin in the forest, snow-capped mountains, the sky slightly overcast, lots of snow and fun beneath the Christmas tree. Add a tinge of sadness and the result is the Wham video.
The task to recreate the video appeared almost impossible at the start but has resulted in a sensational, entertaining remake of the classic video, staged and executed to perfection, according to Saas Fee insiders. Even the hairstyles and clothing are right, taking the viewer back to the happy time when shoulder pads, leggings and “mullet” hairstyles were all the rage.
This BLISS video can now be seen on TV music stations and youtube and the band will perform live in Saas-Fee on 6 February 2009 with a full programme to include concert, after show party and autograph session with the Band in the Living Room Bar of the Unique Hotel Dom.
To see the Bliss video take a look at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ENrZQVGsiAk and the classic Wham version is at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3354flS1KJs. The jury's out but at Chalets Direct HQ we do think the George Michael/Andrew Ridgeley original has it's own special magic which is difficult to recreate. We'd love to hear your opinion!
For more holiday accommodation in Saas Fee take a look at: http://www.chaletsdirect.com/saasfee/4strframe.htm
Information supplied by www.snow24.com
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Zinal and La Grave – skiing and snowboarding off piste holidays
Chalets Direct has recently added two world famous freeride areas to their list of winter holiday destinations.
Located at the end of the Anniviers Valley in the Swiss Valais area, Zinal nestles in an impressive mountain range which includes the Weisshorn (4506m), Zinalrothorn, Obergabelhorn and Dent Blanche. The north-east facing slopes ensure high quality snow throughout the season – the resort actually opens at weekends on November 8th until December 13th, when it opens fully. There are 70km of pistes and an extensive freeride area of 100 hectares, known as the Garde de Bordon. The resort also has an avalanche training centre.
La Grave has long been a favourite amongst freeride skiers and boarders, and a frequent venue for ski extreme videos. Located at an altitude of 1500m and dominated by the majestic summit of La Meije at 3983m, La Grave has been a well kept secret, shared by those in the know. It is a true mountain wilderness – reached by one cable car, or by a 20 minute hike from the top of Les Deux Alpes.
Both places are off the beaten track and offer a very different kind of wintersports holiday – pack your arvas, and to get the best out of the area book a mountain guide.
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Les Deux Alpes – high altitude ski and snowboard holidays!
Situated on a sunny balcony at 1650m Les Deux Alpes is a purpose-built resort with snow sure, glacier skiing. In recent years the resort has developed a reputation as an upbeat and lively destination for ski and snowboard holidays, with events such as the Mondials du Snowboard and Freeski, two pre-season events where the public and professionals alike can test all brand new equipment for the forthcoming season. The glacier means that skiing goes on throughout much of the year, and in late October and November Les Deux Alpes is a popular venue for ski and snowboard training camps.
Located in the Southern French Alps, Les Deux Alpes is just an hour from Grenoble, in the area known as the Oisans, between Alpe d'Huez and Serre Chevalier. The Italian border is also a little over an hour's drive, which accounts for the large numbers of Italian visitors, particularly at weekends.
The skiing is located high above the village and it takes around 45 minutes to get to the top – going up to 3600m. At the top you will find the gentle blue slopes on the glacier, with the steeper, more challenging runs heading down from the glacier itself. So the ski area is, in effect, reversed. This means that from very early on beginners can appreciate the high mountain scenery and snow quality, rather than having to spend days on a shady, nursery slope in the resort.
For advanced skiers and snowboarders there is La Grave-La Meije, reached by a 20 minute hike, with legendary off piste and a favourite amongst professional freeriders.
Although purpose-built, you will not find the concrete blocks common in other French resorts developed around the same time. Instead this large village sprawls along a wide main road, with a massive choice of bars, restaurants and shops. Nightlife is lively but there is enough choice to avoid the crowds if you're looking for something more intimate. There are restaurants to suit all budgets and tastes, including Italian (of course), Mexican and local alpine specialities. -
Les Carroz for ski holidays and summer breaks – the Haute Savoie at it’s best!
Just a little over an hour from Geneva Airport is the traditional village of Les Carroz, part of the Grand Massif ski area, with links to Flaine, Samoens and Morillon.
Up until recently the village has been less well known than it’s “ugly sister”, Flaine, around 12km further up the road and 500m higher in altitude, but Les Carroz has been flourishing in recent years, and is certainly a worthy destination in it’s own right.
In 2004 a new telecabine replaced the main bubble out of the village, at a cost of 12 million euros, and a further 15 million are being invested over the next 4 years to make the skiing more accessible, and the experience more enjoyable. Developments include replacing old chairlifts with new high-speed 6 packs, improving the snowmaking network, and enlarging and enhancing reception areas and parking.
The village itself stretches across a limestone shelf and has wonderful vantage points over the Arve Valley below and the Aravis mountain range opposite. The central area has pavement cafes, delightful shops with typical alpine souvenirs, and there is a weekly market selling local produce, including superb saucissons and cheeses from Haute Savoie producers.
There is a good choice of restaurants; the Michelin rated Les Servages d’Armelle for example is an excellent choice for a special night out, and the charming Aux Petits Oignons, just off the central square, has a varied menu and super friendly service – it’s often busy so it’s best to book. Whatever you’re looking for there’s something to suit most tastes and budgets.
The village has a year round life – in the summer traffic is diverted around the central area which becomes the focus for village entertainments, with live music, theatre events, even a travelling circus rolls into town. There are numerous festivals and sports events throughout the summer months, including the VTTticime – a punishing weekend for cycling enthusiasts and professionals alike – with both mountain biking and road racing on the agenda.
So Les Carroz has a little bit of everything – great skiing, village atmosphere, and certainly enough to entertain you. Plus it’s a short hop from Geneva Airport, and one of the closest ski resorts to Calais if you’re driving. There are ski chalets, hotels and apartments on offer for catered and self catered breaks throughout the year.
If you’ve been to Les Carroz, why not tell us what you think of it – or better still add a review about your stay in the resort.
