Tag Archives: France

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 1)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-4A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I am back in Val Thorens

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

It’s Always A Great Pleasure

returning to Val Thorens! The road is a bit long (I’m carsick). As we drive up to the resort, there is more and more snow. I am euphoric … and also a little worried watching the overcast sky (lol). During my previous visits, I learned that the weather could change very quickly. 

We head to the Club Med Val Thorens which I did the opening. This time I am invited by France Mountains to discover the Skiing into Spring: an important operation to make you want to ski in the spring (and during the Easter holidays for families), with special offers and events in different French resorts.

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ski & Sun

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My First Slopes

Quick lunch at Club Med restaurant. I barely had time to change me that I’m on my first green and blue slopes at the Deux Lacs and Cascades … 

My ESF instructor and Aliette, managed to convince me to follow them! What a wonderful view and fullness feeling! For the first time in my life, I finally slide! It’s just magical! On the photo above: a resort view from the Deux Lacs.

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-6A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing Into Spring

By late afternoon, I go to the press conference organized by France Montagnes, the Club Med and various ski resorts, held in one lounges of Club Med (photos below). Why skiing into spring?

For the very good snow, sunshine, longer days and the best argument (in my opinion): there are “fewer people on the slopes.” If like me, you hate when slopes become congested highways …

Participating stations offer great special offers, for example: free stays for children, or free ski lessons for dummies. I highly recommend you to visit this page: http://www.skiingintospring.com/offres.

The participating stations : Alpes d’Huez, Chamrousse, Châtel, La Clusaz, La Plagne, La Rosière, Le Grand Borgnand, Les 2 Alpes, Les Arcs Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Les Carroz d’Araches, Les Gets, Les Menuires, Morzine, Orcières Merlette, Puy Saint-Vincent, Saint-François Longchamp, Serre-Chevalier Vallée, Val Cenis Valloise, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Valmeinier, Valmorel, and Vars

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Snowshoeing and Yoga

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Zen Fog

The day after my arrival, just before leaving the Club Med, I participate in an output Snowshoeing and Yoga. I join Brigitte Ruff, the founder of Nature Raquette and Anita, a yoga teacher I meet for the first time.

Snow and fog thick enough (almost zero visibility, pictured above), but the mind is Zen. We will not go far … enough to have the feeling of being in another dimension. Very good breathing work! Enjoy!

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

https://youtu.be/8baeHlJQG8A

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

France MontagnesSkiing Into Spring Club Med Val Thorens Sensationswww.valthorens.com

What I’m wearing: a First Heat Wed’ze ski vest. I use the large pockets as a complementary bag, hence my yeti silhouette (lol)! First Heat Wed’ze ski pants (warning, wide cut and the size is a bit larger than average, but the fabric is resistant and easy to wash). Quechua Forclaz 500 waterproof hiking shoes (Decathlon). Plus an Yeti underjacket and my favorite Sun Valley beanie.

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to France Mountains, Club Med Val Thorens Sensations and Val Thorens Tourist Office. As always, these opinions are my own.

Val Thorens, France: le retour (1)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-4A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

De retour à Val Thorens

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

C’est toujours un réel plaisir

de retourner à Val Thorens! La route est un peu longue (suis malade en voiture). Au fur et à mesure que nous montons, la neige est de plus en plus présente. Et l’euphorie gagne… un peu inquiète aussi en observant le ciel couvert (lol). Lors de mes précédents séjours, j’ai appris que le temps pouvait changer très vite. 

Nous nous dirigeons vers le Club Med Val Thorens dont j’ai fait l’ouverture. Cette fois, je suis invitée par France Montagnes à découvrir le Printemps du Ski : une importante opération pour vous donner envie de skier au printemps (pour les familles, durant les vacances de Pâques), par des offres et événements spéciaux dans différentes stations françaises.

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Soleil et ski

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-5A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Mes premières pistes

Déjeuner sur le pouce au restaurant du Club Med. A peine eu le temps de me changer que je suis sur mes premières pistes vertes et quelques trançons sur les bleues, aux Deux Lacs et Cascades…

Mon moniteur ESF et Aliette, ont réussi à me convaincre de les suivre! Quelles magnifiques vues : un sentiment de pleinitude! Et pour la première fois de ma vie, j’ai enfin glissé! C’est juste magique! Sur la photo ci-dessus : la station vue des Deux Lacs. 

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-On-The-Road-6A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Le Printemps du Ski

En fin de journée, je file à la conférence de presse organisée par France Montagnes, le Club Med et différentes stations de ski qui se tient dans un des salons du Club Med (photos ci-dessous). Pourquoi skier au printemps?

Pour la très bonne neige, le soleil, les jours plus longs et l’argument incontournable (à mon avis) : il y a “moins de monde sur les pistes”. Si comme moi, vous détestez lorsque les pistes se transforment en autoroutes embouteillées…

Les stations participantes proposent des offres spéciales très intéressantes, comme par exemples : des séjours gratuits pour les enfants, ou des cours gratuits pour les nuls. Je vous recommande de visiter cette page : http://www.leprintempsduski.com/offres.

Les stations participantes : Alpes d’Huez, Chamrousse, Châtel, La Clusaz, La Plagne, La Rosière, Le Grand Borgnand, Les 2 Alpes, Les Arcs Bourg-Saint-Maurice, Les Carroz d’Araches, Les Gets, Les Menuires, Morzine, Orcières Merlette, Puy Saint-Vincent, Saint-François Longchamp, Serre-Chevalier Vallée, Val Cenis Valloise, Val d’Isère, Val Thorens, Valmeinier, Valmorel et Vars

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Départ Raquette & Yoga

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Brouillard zen

Le lendemain de mon arrivée, juste avant de quitter le Club Med, je participe à une sortie Raquette et Yoga. Je retrouve Brigitte Ruff, la fondatrice de Nature Raquette, accompagnée d’Anita, la prof de yoga que je rencontre pour la première fois.

Il neige, brouillard assez dense (visibilité quasi nulle, photo ci-dessus), mais l’esprit est zen. Nous n’irons pas très loin… suffisamment pour avoir la sensation d’être au bout du monde. Très bon travail respiratoire. Enjoy!

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-10-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

https://youtu.be/8baeHlJQG8A

France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Montagne-Club-Med-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Snowshoeing-and-Yoga-9-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

France Montagnes, Le Printemps du SkiClub Med Val Thorens Sensationswww.valthorens.com

Ce que je porte : une surveste de ski Wed’ze First Heat, dont les grandes poches me servent de sac, d’où cette silouhette de yeti (lol)! Un pantalon de ski Wed’ze First Heat (attention, coupe large qui taille grand, mais matière resistante et peu salissante) et des chaussures de randonnée imperméables, Quechua Forclaz 500 (Decathlon). Plus une sous-veste Yeti et mon bonnet fétiche, Sun Valley. 

Autres articles : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Un grand merci à France Montagnes, le Club Med Val Thorens Sensations et l’Office du tourisme de Val Thorens. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

The Koh-I Nor in Val Thorens, France

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Room-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

My Room

During this long weekend in Val Thorens, I was really happy to discover the Koh-I Nor. The 5-star hotel overlooks the station. And in the morning I looked at the fog from my room balcony (photo 4 on the photo montage above). I was about to cancel my ski lesson, thinking there was no visibility on the slopes. While I equip myself, (obviously) fog disappeared!

The day before I went out until late. And as it was snowing, I couldn’t recognize the way back to the hotel (epic)! Fortunately, thanks to the impeccable bedding, I slept like a baby a few hours. The well-damped room is very comfortable. 

I also liked the woodwork, the view (beautiful late afternoon light on the mountains) and the Cinq Mondes amenities. Photos: 1. the hotel logo, 2. bedroom and 3. in the corridor, the carpet “surfs” between rooms. Fun!

The Spa

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Spa-Wellness

A Customized Massage

I arrived tired and tense at my spa appointment, without any idea of I wanted. I finally chose a facial massage and let my therapist, Manon decided what kind of treatment.

She mixed some: “ko bi do (the ancient technic of Japanese beauty), Chinese medicines and dermapuncture (acupuncture where needles are replaced with thumbs) technics” and a massage to relax the nervous system, with the Cinq Monde cosmetics. 

Fantastic! I felt asleep! Upon awakening, my face and neck are super relaxed. And my traits are deeply subsided, all tension is gone. This excellent massage is incredibly relaxing, thank you Manon!

Dinner @ Le Diamand Noir

Val-Thorens-France-Koh-I-Nor-Ski-Hotel-Diamand-Noir-Restaurant-Dinner-French-Gastronomy-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Divine cuisine

For dinner, I joined a friend at Le Diamand Noir, one of the restaurants of the Koh-I Nor. Without being the finest gourmet, I appreciate novelty and originality: what about that dinner? Delicious!

What a pleasure to discover the cuisine of the Michelin starred Chef Eric Samson mixing different fine flavors with aromatic mountain herbs. The dishes are beautiful to look at and the service and decor are really good.  

As a starter, I took the seared foie gras with a lychee sorbet, the combination of the two is to die for! For the main course, fish with carrots and potimaron (photo 1 on the above assembly). And dessert, a beautifully presented chocolate-lychee ice cream (photo 4).

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés. Photo 2 du premier montage photo, et photo 2 @ Koh-I Nor.

Informations  

Koh-I Norwww.valthorens.com

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the Koh-I Nor and Val Thorens Tourist Office for this very nice stay! As always these opinions are my own.