The Ski Blog

Ski Life Stories: Alpine365, La Plagne, France

Continuing with our Ski life Stories series, which brings you the faces behind the places. Get to know the people who decided to risk it all and head for the mountains! This week we're in the Paradiski region of France, home to Alpine 365, the dream of Duncan and Toorna Salmon. Back in 2007, Toorna was an absolute beginner and had never skied! Fast forward fourteen years, with two daughters born and bred in the Savoie, the mountains are definitely the family home.

Duncan & Toorna Salmon, Alpine365

When I first had a conversation with my boyfriend, Duncan about ‘our dream jobs,’ little did I know that in 2 years’ time, we’d be married, giving up our marketing and advertising jobs in the UK and running a ski chalet in La Plagne! Although Duncan had skied since he was 8 and absolutely loved it, I’d never even been on a winter holiday in the mountains, let alone skied. My (Indian) mum was bewildered as to why anyone would want to go on holiday somewhere so cold! But I had always wanted to live in a different country, run my own business such as a B&B, and what better, than combining two passions and running a ski chalet?

We went on a chalet holiday in Les Arcs in 2007 to check that I enjoyed skiing in the first place! Luckily for us (and our relationship!), I fell in love with it – the skiing, the mountains, the views and the lifestyle. On the last day of the holiday, Duncan proposed on the Grizzli chairlift in Vallandry (thankfully not with the real ring!) and Alpine365 soon became a reality.

Montchavin and Les Coches in La Plagne are wonderful resorts – beautiful tree-lined skiing, really friendly, family-oriented and simply the best place to be located to ski both La Plagne and Les Arcs.

We were delighted when we found our first chalet in Les Coches, and after a hectic 6 months where we got married; spent our honeymoon on a ‘gourmet cooking course for chalets’ in glamorous Milton Keynes and set up a website and business in France, we finally moved to France in 2008.

The first year was tough – the financial crisis of 2008 hit, destroying the sterling-euro rate. Neither of us came from a cheffing background but we wanted to have first-hand experience in running the chalet ourselves. We were keen to serve the nicest food we possibly could, so we spent a lot of time stuck in the kitchen! In between guests, we were trying desperately to get bookings (many hours spent on Chalets Direct Solution Room!), our French was rudimentary – and of course, we didn’t get that much time on the slopes.

We quickly made the decision to get out of the kitchen ourselves and employ professional chefs with restaurant experience to look after our guests, and over the years we’ve had the pleasure of working with chefs that have worked under Michelin starred chefs or in prestigious hotels – one of them was even on Masterchef the Professionals!

13 years later, we live all year round in nearby Bourg St Maurice, with our 2 daughters, Tia and Lyra, both born and bred in France – true Savoyards! We have 6 chalets in Montchavin Les Coches and we have purposefully kept the number of chalets manageable so that Duncan and I can still pop in and visit our guests during the week, some of whom have been staying with us since we first started.

Covid has obviously been disastrous for the ski industry but bookings for next season are looking extremely promising. We’ll be ready to welcome guests again as soon as we can!

Keen to find out more? Check out Alpine 365 here!

 

Traditional Coq Au Vin - recipe from Bon Appetit

If you're planning an alpine getaway to the Morzine, Les Gets, Samoens area this summer, or next winter, and don't want the hassle of shopping, cooking or always eating out, then there is a great solution available.

Bon Appetit is a gourmet frozen meal service which will deliver superbly-cooked dishes to your door, so all you have to do is heat and eat. You can order online in advance of your holiday or even order when you're in resort for next day delivery. The menu is broad and mouthwatering, with dishes ranging from traditional Tartiflette to Thai Green Curry.  

Bon Appetit is the brainchild of Martin Clare, a professional chef from London who has always had a love for the mountains. Now based in the Northern French Alps, Martin can combine his two loves of skiing and creating wonderful food. 

Martin has shared with us here the recipe for one of his favourite dishes - a traditional Coq au Vin with a twist. As the British summer is on hold for a few days, why not give it a try! 

Coq au Vin

• 1 bottle of Burgundy or pinot noir,
• 6 chicken legs in two,
• 1 small leek in rounds,
• 2 sticks of celery in sticks,
• 2 carrots in thick long slices,
• 3 springs of thyme,
• 3 bay leaves

Marinate all the above overnight in a saucepan.

Remove legs from liquor and lightly sauté in butter till golden brown, pop back into the pan with 350ml chicken stock, 1 pinch of pepper and a good pinch of salt.

Take the saucepan to the heat, bring to a simmer and let it tick over for about 45 mins.

You will now have time to sauté 250g sliced button mushrooms, 24ish baby white pearl onions, 200g lardons.

When the leg meat is nearly falling from the bone, remove from liquor and set aside.

Lightly thicken with 30g of cornflour. 

Chefs tip: add 2 beef OXO cubes, a dash of balsamic vinegar and 30g good very dark chocolate, this will cut the acidity and give it richness and depth of flavour.

Add back the chicken, mushrooms, onions and lardons. Bring back to the heat for 5 mins, finish with roughly chopped parsley and serve from the pot. Serve with mash or dauphinoise and green beans, Dijon on the side. Bon Appetit!

Click through for more information about Bon Appetit where you will see full details of their menu and how to order.

 

 

 

 

 

Big snowfall forecast this week and excellent ski offers available for March and April!

This winter has been special so far, with fantastic snowfall in January, great conditions in February and now March is looking set to bring us some excellent skiing!

It's a snowy week ahead, with some areas due to receive half a metre or more, so it's a great time to look out for your next ski break. There's a lot to be said for a spring ski holiday - longer daylight hours, leisurely lunches on sunny terraces, great weather to enjoy piste picnics - and this year there are some unbelievably good offers available! 

If you're flexible check out the Last Minute offers - there's a lot of tempting deals including free lift passes, free Eurotunnel crossings, free airport transfers and some great reductions.

Whilst Easter weekend is later this year, you can find some excellent offers for the school holiday period starting at the end of March - so if you want to treat yourself and the family, you can get some great prices. You can see our Easter offers here!

We're on the final stretch of this ski season but the skiing is great and with the big dumps that are forecast conditions are going to be great through to the end! So if you're hovering why not just take the plunge and get out to the mountains!

Get away from it all this spring!

 

Vegan Ski Holidays in January in Paradiski

 

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Have you heard of Veganuary? Veganuary is a charity which is hoping to inspire people to try a plant-based diet in January. There are lots of good reasons to try a vegan diet - not least of them for health, humane and eco-friendly reasons. Take a look at the Veganuary site for more details

Hidden Alps are taking it one step further and, for one week in January, are offering a vegan catered ski week in their Mountain Maison in Les Arcs.

We think it's a great opportunity to get back to a healthy diet after the festive period - and accompanied by fresh mountain air and exercise it's a great way to kick start your year!

Vegan Ski week runs from 19th - 26th January and it’s only 575€ per person catered, including return airport transfers from Geneva if you book direct with Hidden Alps. Sunday to Sunday stays are also possible, and the chalet is adults-only that week too!

To get more information and to get in touch - click here

La Folie Douce comes to Avoriaz! Opening party 15th December!

 

Everyone in Chatel and the whole Portes du Soleil is super excited about the opening of the La Folie Douce Avoriaz this winter, with the opening party on 15 December bound to go off with a bang and set the tone for the rest of the season.

With great live acts and DJs planned, all La Folie Douce Avoriaz needs to get the party started is for the skiers of the Portes du Soleil to get their dancing shoes on everyday from 2pm.

If you haven't yet experienced La Folie Douce, it really is something special! With locations in Val d'Isere, Meribel, Megeve and more, the Folie Douce experience takes apres-ski to a whole new level. It's all about live music, DJ's, dancers, great food and fun - all in one exciting venue with amazing views.

What to do to after La Folie Douce - Apres-Ski in Chatel

Juliet of Snow Situations has compiled this handy guide for the best apres venues in Chatel.

If you want to continue partying when you are safely off the mountain, Chatel has something for everyone when it comes to Apres Ski. A lively but not rowdy town with a great live music scene. Here is our round up of the best bars:

Best For:
Cocktails and DJs: Nazca: A great sun terrace and fabulous selection of cocktails this is a bar providing a fun and chilled vibe with live music early evening from Saxaphone to reggae; post dinner this becomes the place to see and be seen attracting some of the best DJs in the area.

Happy hours and happy people – Bar l’Avalanche: With happy hour starting at 4.30, this is a hub for post ski beers with everyone in great spirits discussing the day's adventures. A real pub in the alps, it is a gem of a place which is also great for those big rugby and football games.

Late lunch and real Ale – A good location to stop off before making your way back from La Chapelle d’Abondance (the bus takes 10 minutes if you have too many real ales to ski back!) if you are into beer and ale with a fantastic micro brewery and huge, tasty, good value bar snacks.

Live Music and Open Fires - Chevy Bar: With a beautiful central open fire and comfortable sofas, this is a great place to end the day when the weather is closing in or you have had an epic day and want a relaxed vibe with acoustic tunes and great service.

Rum – Bar L’Isba: Yes, that’s right – Chatel even has a rum bar!

Pub games – Le Chaudron: Great for teenagers as well as those adults who can’t resist, this place has bowling, table football, pool and live sports. Also serving a good selection of beers and pizza.

Clubbing –Sloopys: The best nightclub by default as it is the only one. With the great DJs at Nazca and Avalanche, you will probably be ready for bed by 3am if you don’t want to miss fresh tracks in the morning but if you really can’t resist the opportunity to experience a nightclub in the French Alps (which is quite an experience!) – Sloopy’s is the place taking us back to the days where techno met cheesy 80s pop.
 
EVERYTHING - The Exclusive Chalet Chatel by Snow Situations: With the best service in Chatel, in house bar, excellent sound system, an extensive wine list, private hot tub, balconies with panoramic views and sunbeds, quality musical instruments, TV room with all sports, large lounge with comfy sofas and armchairs, reading area and board games by the open fire – Why go out at all?  

One of the largest ski areas in France, the Portes du Soleil is a great place for your next winter holiday! Check it out!

Off Piste Awareness Tour - Autumn 2018 dates

Henry's Avalanche Talk have announced dates and venues for this year's Off Piste Awareness tour. If you're tempted to try the off piste, or have tried it and are unaware of the potential dangers, then these talks are an excellent way to get up to speed and learn what to look out for, what not to do, and how to prepare.

There are two different talks. The Essentials is a must-see and includes all the "essential' information for skiers/boarders of all levels. If you've already seen the Essentials talk then there is the in-depth talk, Ride Hard, Ride Safe - where Henry will go into detail on the how and why avalanches are triggered. 

With the development of equipment over the last 15-20 years, venturing into off piste areas has become more accessible for the less experienced skier. Nowadays, a strong three week skier, on the right skis, could tackle an off-piste descent whereas 20 years ago, on narrow skis with no rocker, this would have been out of his/her league. However the three week skier has not had the time to learn mountain craft and what to look out for in these situations - nor do they know what might endanger themselves or others. 

Henry’s Avalanche Talk (HAT) was founded by Henry Schniewind. HAT has been around for 25 years and grown into a team of off-piste professionals. They have given talks and courses to tens of thousands of people, presented at international snow science conferences and published many papers and articles, often in the British press.

There are two types of skiers they help. The first are experienced skiers who go off-piste, take risks they don’t understand and could easily suffer an avalanche accident. The second are regular skiers who are reluctant to go off-piste because they think it is dangerous and scary due to avalanche danger and the hazards of navigating unfamiliar terrain.

The talks are a great way to learn. The talks take place during late October, throughout November, and in January, at various venues across the UK. You'll find all the information on dates, venues and how to book on their website!

 

Backcountry Ski Holidays in Ste Foy - try it this winter!

 

Backcountry Snowboarding in Ste Foy with The White Room Chalet

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Are you tempted to head off-piste on your next ski holiday? Do you need a good nudge and a bit more confidence to do it? Then why not try a specialised Backcountry ski or snowboard holiday aimed entirely at getting you safely to the secret stashes that skiers and snowboarders dream of!

The White Room Chalet, based in Ste Foy, have been running snowboarding backcountry weeks for a few years already. This coming winter they have their inaugural backcountry week for skiers which will take place from 16th - 23rd March 2019 and will be run by local guide Patrick Bidwell.

Intro to Backcountry course for snowboarders

If you're new to the backcountry there is an intro week for snowboarders starting 2nd March. This course is aimed at riders who are confident on reds and blacks and have a fairly good technical ability and want to dip in to off-piste riding. It involves a good bit of avalanche training which is taught practically.

The week starts with getting comfortable with off piste and then as the week progresses you will do more and more technical descents.

The Intro weeks also give you some technical training to improve your riding abilities. 

Classic Backcountry Weeks

The classic backcountry courses are aimed at people who already have some experience of off-piste snowboarding or skiing - they are not intended as "intro to off-piste" weeks.

The idea is to do as much good riding as possible, not to spend a lot of time learning the technique. The more confident snowboarder and skier will be taken to far flung parts of the mountain so whilst you don't need to be an off-piste expert, you shouldn't be a total beginner either. You should be happy on the steepest pistes and should have spent at least a few days exploring between the pistes or beyond the resort boundaries.

While the week is based in Sainte Foy, the proximity to the other resorts in the valley means there is always the chance to ride the best terrain and snow to suit the conditions. This could include the Grand Col at Les Arcs, the Fingers or the Col des Vés in Tignes, the Couloir des Pisteurs or the Col Pers in Val d'isere or the Bella Valletta in La Thuile.

There is also a Girls-only backcountry course this year running alongside the BC Intro week.

What's included

These weeks include chalet accommodation, food, drinks and your guide for the week. They are guided from Monday to Friday, and if you don't have your own avalanche equipment you will be able to rent it there.

It's classic chalet board, with afternoon tea and cakes, dinner with wine or beer on 6 nights, and breakfast everyday.

Last year was an epic year for snow in the Alps - check out the gallery from last year's backcountry weeks.  

So why not take the plunge and make this winter the time to try it out? Going with a guide means you'll be sure to find the good spots, and you'll be able to learn a lot about snow conditions, what to look out for and what to avoid. See their Backcountry Weeks section and find out all about dates and prices! Places are limited so book soon!

 

Here's a Top Tip for your first Family Ski Holiday

The children’s book all skiers have been waiting for!

Any parent with children who ski will tell you that the first week is crucial and not without stress and worry. 

Will they take to skiing? How will they cope with the equipment, the cold, the environment? What if they hate ski school and refuse to go back? The first week or two is make or break - it could either mean a future of great family ski holidays or zero family ski holidays.

A trio of British ski instructors, all ex-GB team racers, have come together to tackle this problem and have published a great little book for children called "Jacob's First Ski Holiday".

The book which is aimed at 4 to 8 year olds is guaranteed to bring extra excitement in the build up to a child’s first ski holiday.

Written by the founders of Maison Sport, they have used their experience of ski teaching and love for the sport to create a book that will increase the chances of a successful and enjoyable ski holiday for young children.

The book features illustrations and descriptions of various key techniques the children will learn during their first lesson, in a subtle and exciting way. It also aims to show how much of an adventure the children will go on during their holiday, taking away some of the unknowns that can make the experience daunting for a child.

Nick Robinson, one of the team behind the book explains:

"Sometimes the first hour of a children’s skiing experience can be quite challenging, they often have no understanding of what skiing is and more importantly why they now have to walk around in giant shoes (ski boots), with ridiculously slippy planks of wood stuck to their feet (skis). They then spend the next hour trying to walk around with said planks of wood attached to giant shoes, sliding and slipping everywhere. This can be disheartening and that’s why the book tries to show them all the adventures they will discover once they can ski. 

We have huge passion for the industry and have great memories skiing as a child, we feel this is a great way to pass this on." 

With beautiful illustrations the book helps to paint a picture of what a child can expect on their first ski holiday and helps to get them excited and looking forward to the experience, whilst familiarising them with some of skiing basics. The idea is to give them the book before the holiday so they can start to learn what to expect.

To find out more and how to purchase the book take a look at https://jacobsadventures.com/ !

 

Try a ski holiday in La Tania!

It's in the massive 3 Valleys ski area, it's got it's own special feel and Ski Amis have got all the information about it here! Try La Tania - you won't be disappointed.

La Tania is a small and pretty resort surrounded by trees and beautiful forestry. This resort was originally built to house journalists for the 1992 Albertville winter Olympic Games. The resort centre itself is a third generation purpose-built resort. The apartments were made to have eye-catching chalet style designs, rather than the normal concrete rectangles. La Tania has great access to the Three Valleys with neighbouring resorts like Courchevel and Meribel that you can access via lifts, skiing, car or bus.

Activities in La Tania

There are plenty of non-skiing activities in La Tania to keep you busy if you fancy a day off from the slopes, or a member of your group isn’t keen on the idea of skiing! Here is just a few things you could get up to:

• Dog sledding
• Snow blading
• Snow shoeing/Cross Country Skiing
• Torch Lit Descent 

The Torch Lit Descent is a true alpine classic across all resorts and is a must see if you are in the mountains during winter. The members of the ESF ski school come down the slope with flaming torches in their hand and create a line of fire into the town. This is followed by fireworks and free Vin Chaud, not to be missed!

A little bit of shopping – why the hell not?! 

Shopping in La Tania is actually quite limited, with few shops, a post office, a bakery and a sherpa - all you need for getting the essentials. If you are a shop-o-holic, then take the free shuttle bus for a trip over to Meribel or Courchevel to get your fix. 

Events for the 2018/19 season

• Opening parties (everywhere)
• Christmas Party and Santa skis into La Tania
• New Year Mayhem and Fireworks Party
• Kids Fortnight with special events for children of all ages
• La Tania Family Charity Fete
• The 3 Valleys Charity Day 
• Music Festival 
• Closing parties (everywhere)

New and Shiny

• New Grangettes Gondola that takes pedestrians and skiers between Courchevel 1550 and 1850. This upgrade will be more comfortable, more reliable AND the new 10 seater cabins means shorter and quicker queues for 2018/19
• 5 new pistes across the Three Valleys – improving, the already great, ski area! 
• Courchevel Luge run which will stretch to 3km long. This will be a great evening activity for the children (and the adults of course)

Where to Eat in La Tania

• Snack Bar Le Snow Food – great for a quick bite. You can also take-out sandwiches, paninis and pizzas
• Restaurant La Ferme De La Tania – a homely place which serves everything from Crepes to local Savoyard specialities
• Restaurant Les Chanterelles – they are famous for their savoury crepes and other dishes that includes “cripites” which is a thin pizza variety
• Restaurant Les Marmottons – they serve up Savoyard specialities and every Thursday night there is a special meal of Mussels and chips – which is perfect if you’re hosts day off lands on a Thursday - and if you like Mussels of course!
• Le Farcon – this is top of the list of restaurants as it has been awarded a Michelin star for providing a new twist on the regional French cuisine

Relaxing your muscles whilst in La Tania

If you are looking to wind down and relax after a day of skiing/snowboarding then you can head on over to the “Le Montana” and the “Christina Apartments”. They have fitness centres, saunas and solariums to offer. The Montana also has a heated swimming pool (plunge pool) which has great views of the slopes outside, a steam room and a Jacuzzi – it is free for guests staying at the hotel but for others there is a fee. The hotel also has a masseur available to provide treatments.

La Tania Bars and Après

There are a handful of bars in La Tania which are normally very lively places to be, especially with the Brits. 

• Le Chrome Bar – they are usually buzzing thanks to the happy hours and live music that they have on all season. They also serve fast food for lunch and dinner to get down with your pint!
• Pub Le Ski Lodge – People call it the “Most well-known meeting point for the English community in the 3 Valleys” and they also run happy hours, concerts and also theme nights – including a shots raffle on Mondays where you could be in for a chance of winning a brand new pair of Skis. It’s usually very busy and closes around 2am. Also serves food for lunch and dinner.
• La Taiga Lounge – This place is more of a sophisticated cocktail bar rather than your local pub setting so if you’re looking for something a bit more refined then this is the place to be and it also serves up some lovely food if you want to gather round with some friend/family and enjoy the night.

Why Ski Amis love this beautiful resort

• Great skiing throughout the trees
• Excellent location and speedy access to the Three Valleys
• Plenty of places to eat and drink
• Lively and friendly atmosphere
• Loads of Events and Activities to choose from

Where to stay in La Tania

There are many catered chalets and self-catered properties in La Tania – you have a wide choice of companies to pick from! Tour Operator Ski Amis have 6 catered chalets in this resort, as well as an extensive list of self-catered options. Each catered chalet has its own quirks and they can sleep from 8-28 guests – room for all the family! They are all very close to the lifts, 5 minute walks at a maximum and some you can ski back to the door through the trees. 

Ski Amis have brought back their SUMMER SIZZLER discount for the whole of July. Book ANY of their catered chalets for ANY week of the season and receive 15% off! Offer must end on 31^st July. Check them out!

 

Winter 2017/18 - December to April and non-stop snow

Hope you enjoy our gallery of scenes from this winter as much as we've enjoyed taking them!

 

Winter 2017-18

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