The Ski Blog

New comedy festival launches in Les Gets this January!

20-24 January, 2020 - Let's Get Comedie in Les Gets

There's a new comedy festival in Les Gets this year which promises to deliver in both French and English, mixing and matching both languages within each event. It's the "Frenglish Festival du Rire"!

Let’s Get Comédie takes place over 4 days with shows that include improvisation, stand up, mime and musical comedy. Venues include the Salle de La Colombier in the resort centre and also The Marmotte Hotel and are split into après ski and evening sessions. Doors and a fully serviced bar will open from 8pm with shows starting at 9pm. Other shows will add to the festival vibe from après-ski right through to the wee small hours in local bars, restaurants and hotels.

Award winning international comics

Headlining acts include Paris based comic and TV funny man Paul Taylor, BBCR4 regular and Live at the Apollo headliner Marcus Brigstocke, Mash Reports Rachel Parris and French musical comedian Redouanne Harjane.

They will be joined on stage by mime sensation Men In Coats, well known improvisers Andy Smart and Ian Coppinger, Sing-a-long virtuoso Kirsty Newton, Stand-Up headliners Phil Darwin, Tom Wriggesworth, Nick Doody and Ian Moore.

There will also be daily après ski music featuring Hobo Chic, The Blakanic Project, Squid Lips and Les Lunettes.

The festival is organised by Les Gets Tourisme and Piste Productions (Taking The Piste Comedy, Piste Bash, Altitude Festival).

Accommodation and festival pass ticket packages are available through the official partner, Chalets 1066.

Full Line-Up and Prices

Ticket price for all shows (limited to the first 100 purchases), €50.00     

APRÈS-SKI Session

• Marcus Brigstocke – Tuesday January 21 - 18h, €10.00 

HEADLINE ACTS

• Rachel Parris – Monday January 20 - 21h, €25.00           
• Marcus Brigstocke & Rachel Parris - Tuesday January 21 – 21h, €25.00 
• Paul Taylor & Marcus Brigstocke – Wednesday January 22 - 21h, €25.00             
• Paul Taylor – Thursday January 23 - 21h, €25.00             
• Redouanne Harjane – Friday January 24 - 21h, €25.00

LATE AND LIVE STAND UP

• Phil Darwin - Tuesday January 21 - 21h, €10.00
• Ian Moore - Thursday January 23 - 21h, €10.00

For tickets and more details letsgetcomedie.com

We're all set for February skiing - fresh snow, blue skies, great conditions!

But don't just take our word for it - here's the latest report from TDC Ski. If you're heading out for half-term holidays you're in for great snow. 

This week is set to remain cold too!

Snow Report 5th Feb 2018 Val d'Isere Tignes from tdc - the development centre on Vimeo.

There's still time to organise a last minute Half Term break check out our Half Term offers!

After the sun - there's more snow on the way! The latest snow report from TDCSki

Snow Report 29th Jan 2018 Val d'Isere Tignes from tdc - the development centre on Vimeo.

Here's the latest report from TDC Ski from Val d'Isere. It's a good summing up of conditions so far this January.

Yes it's been an up and down month with a series of storms bringing LOTS of snow, with swinging temperatures meaning that the rain-snow limit has varied enormously, and with strong winds which has accentuated the avalanche risk at higher altitudes and led to lift closures.

This last week however has brought some sunshine, clear blue skies and excellent piste conditions. 

As if on request Mother Nature will be dumping more snow on the Alps for the start of February - stay tuned for up to date info and photos.

There's still time to book if you're looking for a last minute break - and with the snow accumulations we have now, skiing is sure to be good for Easter and beyond!

This week's snow report from TDCSki

Thanks once again to TDCSki from Val d'Isere. 

December has been a great month in the mountains. Lots of snowfall throughout the month means that resorts all over the Alps now have a good base right down to resort level. This means that if you're skiing for this New Year and through January, you can be sure that snow cover is good right down to low altitudes.

The first week of January is looking mainly stormy - with snow and wind. Temperatures will be dropping for the early part of this week and rising again towards the end of it. It's an unsettled weather party coming this way which generally means lots of precipitation! 

So whenever you're thinking of going you can be sure that this season conditions are good and snow is abundant! If you're tempted take a look at our last minute offers.

Thanks to TDCSKI

The old style of ski school, and ski lessons where you follow your ski instructor around  needed a revamp. TDC have adopted a much more dynamic and personal program of ski coaching and ski improvement. Experience the difference with small, high quality ski coaching clinics, which allows your coach to concentrate on you.

TDCski are a group of highly motivated ski instructors who hold the highest international qualification with full French equivalance. Having all qualified through the British system and with English as a first language, they specialise in high-quality, focused and rersonalised ski coaching. 

With centres in Val d'Isere, Tignes, Meribel and Courchevel. why not get in touch with them to take your skiing to the next level! See their website: TDCSKI

Snow Report 30th Dec 2017 Val d'Isere Tignes from tdc - the development centre on Vimeo.

Snow Report from TDCSki in Val D'Isere

Looks like it's definitely going to be Happy Holidays for Christmas and New Year. Snow depths for this time of year are the best they've been for several years. There's a great base and it looks like there'll be some sunshine over the next few days - a welcome respite from the arctic temperatures and low visibility skiing of last week. If you're heading out for Christmas you'll have a great time!

time!

Snow Report 19th Dec 2017 Val d'Isere Tignes from tdc - the development centre on Vimeo.

Thanks to TDCSKI

The old style of ski school, and ski lessons where you follow around your ski instructor needed a revamp. So TDC have adopted a much more dynamic and personal program of ski coaching and ski improvement. Experience the difference with small, high quality ski coaching clinics, which allows your coach to concentrate on you.

TDCski are a group of highly motivated ski instructors who hold the highest international qualification with full French equivalance. Having all qualified through the British system and with English as a first language, they specialise in high-quality, focused and rersonalised ski coaching. 

With centres in Val d'Isere, Tignes, Meribel and Courchevel. why not get in touch with them to take your skiing to the next level! See their website: TDCSKI

Latest Video Snow Report from Val d'Isere

Here's the latest snow report from TDCSKI - fresh from Val d'Isere this week!

Snow Report 11th Dec 2017 Val d'Isere Tignes from tdc - the development centre on Vimeo.

More about TDCSKI

The old style of ski school, and ski lessons where you follow around your ski instructor needed a revamp. So TDC have adopted a much more dynamic and personal program of ski coaching and ski improvement. Experience the difference with small, high quality ski coaching clinics, which allows your coach to concentrate on you.

Gone are the days of "bend ze knees" - they have the philosophy that you can improve with greater success when you are presented with intelligent, clear and well presented information. Do this in a positive and safe learning environment and the results will be easily seen.

TDCski are a group of highly motivated ski instructors who hold the highest international qualification with full French equivalance. Having all qualified through the British system and with English as a first language, they specialise in high-quality, focused and rersonalised ski coaching. 

With centres in Val d'Isere, Tignes, Meribel and Courchevel. why not get in touch with them to take your skiing to the next level! See their website: TDCSKI

Get first tracks in Breckenridge!

You too can be a ski VIP!

We’re all getting excited about the upcoming ski season & can’t wait to hit the slopes & make some turns. In just a matter of weeks now ski resorts will be preparing to open - there's been the first snow in the Alps overnight!

But have you ever wanted to have the mountain all to yourself? Have you ever wished there weren’t hundreds of people on the same ski slope as you fighting for the fresh snow?

Well now those clever people in Breckenridge have the answer – Be a ski VIP in Breckenridge USA!

When you book a stay in Crystal Peak Lodge, Breckenridge you will get VIP access to the mountain with “First Track’s Fridays”.

Every Friday from mid Dec to the end of March, Crystal Peak Lodge guests will be given access to the pistes in Breckenridge a full hour before the general public, allowing you to ski those fresh lines before everyone else! Skiers & snowboarders will start at the Quicksilver Superchair of the Colorado Superchair & can ski or ride to the Mercury Superchair. This gives access to blue / intermediate runs so skiers & snowboarders should be at intermediate level or above.

See you on the slopes bright & early!

Bon Appetit - a gourmet food service for self catered skiers

Bon Appetit is a gourmet frozen food company designed to take the hassle out of your holiday. They have created and developed an extensive international menu to suit all tastes and dietary requirements. Their team of experienced chefs use locally sourced fresh ingredients to make each dish exceptional, delicious and authentic.

Prepared and frozen on the day of production to lock in the flavour and quality, Bon Appetit allows you the flexibility of a restaurant quality meal at any time.

Martin Clare, Head Chef, has this to say: 

“I started Bon Appetit 2 years ago after wanting a complete lifestyle change. 

With my wealth of knowledge from having skied and cooked extensively around the world, I decided to look at the way people eat while they are on a ski holiday. I realised several things: not everybody wants the constraints of a fully catered chalet, nor do most want to eat out in restaurants every night, not to mention the costs.

After a busy day on the slopes who wants to cook or indeed wash up?  Buying everything from scratch?   ‘No thanks’.  

With that in mind Bon Appetit was launched.  I wanted to create a meal that was packed with nutrients and substance whilst not containing any ‘nasties’ in the process. Bon Appetit only sources the highest quality ingredients and we do not use any additional additives or preservatives that you may ordinarily associate with a supermarket ready meal”.

Starting a new business is never easy or plain sailing as Martin well knows from his previous successes back in the UK.  Starting in the Savoy Hotel to setting up one of the largest and well known event catering companies in London we asked him what trials and tribulations he has encountered starting a new company in France:

“It’s not been easy! There are many differences here in France that one simply couldn’t have foreseen.   Two of the largest hurdles for the business so far have been one; getting away from the preconceived ready meal ideology, you really can have a delicious frozen meal  and secondly; getting the word out that this service is available in many resorts and can be delivered directly to your door! 

Meals you can re-heat in 15 minutes - what could be better than that for someone with a busy lifestyle whether skiing or working?

Now moving into our third year Bon Appetit is operating from a fantastic new factory kitchen and this coming season we will be in over 15 ski resorts and 20 supermarkets in and around the French Alps. We have an online delivery service available in many resorts and are looking to work closely with more owners/operators to improve their customer experience.

If you can’t see our name in your chalet then just ask your rep or visit us online at: www.bonappetitalpes.com”

Meribel She Rides Freesessions - bigger and better for 2014!

Photo by Dan ReesBack in 2011 a group of seasonnaires in Meribel got together to create the first She Rides event. Their aim was to build confidence amongst female skiers and boarders and to provide coaching in park technique - so that girls could enjoy and be part of it as much as the boys. For the 2013-14 season She Rides is still going strong and promises to be bigger and better than ever. 

Here, Claire of AktivExperience in Meribel gives us a bit of the history of She Rides and tells us what's new for 2014.

"The ethos of She Rides is to encourage female skiers and snowboarders to enjoy the mountains, gain experience, confidence and have fun on the hill no matter what your standard.

She Rides Freesessions was born out of a love of riding the mountains & parks of Meribel. Fed up of feeling the parks were dominated by the guys, it was time to encourage, instruct and build confidence in the female seasonaires to hit the parks.

She Rides Freesessions was founded in Meribel in 2011, when the first She Rides day was held in the Moon Park of Meribel, a girls-only shred day. It was aimed at seasonaires from Meribel and beyond with local snowboard school Cab9 taking on the coaching and judging of the competition. The day included tuition to gain confidence and new skills then after lunch a bit of a comp to show off those skills and pick up some swag!

Since 2011 the day has returned in 2012 & 13, and with each passing year it is growing in size, popularity and reputation. 2014 will see the She Rides come back bigger and better, not just one day in March but there will be several half days for the female seasonaires to pop along to and try out something new."

This year AktivExperience are hosting their first ever She Rides Freesessions week, where girls who can`t make a season can still enjoy the whole She Rides experience, with the aim being to improve riding skills and have fun.

This unique camp for women takes place during the week of the big She Rides day (16-23rd March), so guests are entered free into the comp with a chance to win some amazing prizes (last year there were boards, boots, bindings, clothing plus more to give away). For more details on what's included take a look at their Chalet du Fruit - a great setting for a week of fun and the opportunity to learn new skills with like-minded females.

For more information about She Rides take a look at their Facebook page and for more information about AktivExperience see their website!

Get the taste of your last ski holiday!

Enterprising Meribel ski chalet company, Fish and Pips, have come up with the definitive answer to all those guests who want the recipes for the delicious dishes they had on holiday. They have put all their favourite recipes in a cookbook. The cookbook, A Portion of Fish and Pips, came out late 2009, and inspired them to then enter The Times chalet chef competition, which saw them walk away as winners.

Holly Fisher, one half of the Fish and Pips partnership, has been kind enough to answer a few questions:

What made you decide to publish a cookbook – and when did you first have the idea?

We have been thinking about doing it for a while now, probably 2 years ago or so.
It’s something that I have always wanted to do. The final decision was prompted mainly at the request of so many of our guests and also by one of our staff members who said we’d be mad not to. The more we thought about it, the more we thought that it wasn’t such a bad idea not only would it be a new challenge, but also a great piece of marketing and no one else in the chalet industry had done it before.

We’re really proud of the final product, but never in a million years could we have predicted how much work would be involved and I take my hat off to anyone would publishes a book! I think taking on a new resort will actually be less work than producing a cookbook, but that hasn’t put us off and we’re looking to bring out ‘A Second Helping of Fish&Pips’ next year. It has been worth it though in so many ways and really enjoyed working with our fab little team on it.

Did winning The Times chalet chef competition inspire you this season – and did many guests comment on it?

Actually it was the other way round, the cookbook inspired us to enter The Times chalet chef competition! If it wasn’t for the cookbook then the journalist from The Times would never have prompted us to enter the competition. It’s amazing what a little 120 page book can do.

I hope people have really enjoyed the book, we’ve had good feedback on it so far. They made really good Christmas presents especially for people who have stayed with us or worked with us, we had some guests buying up 10 at a time!

Who is actually responsible for the recipes in the book?

It was an almighty team effort. The recipes are representative of the food we produce in the chalets and are a combination of mine and Philippa’s, the chefs and even some of hosts who often make better cakes than the male chefs! We couldn’t have done without the help of the team.

A Portion of Fish and Pips is available to buy from their website at just £20. So why not get hold of a copy and try out some of those fabulous recipes!