Tag Archives: Holidays

Ski And Cocktails In Meribel, France

Posted on January 30, 2016 | Leave a comment

Skiing Among The Fir Trees

In The Late Morning

I arrive in Meribel and quickly discover the beautiful resort, with finely carved wooden houses, under a thick blanket of snow and blinding sun. Time to drop off my luggage at the hotel and get my skis and you can find me on the slopes with my globetrotter buddy and emeritus skier, Helen.

Sunny day, I am amazed by discovering the stunning surroundings: mountains and slopes lined with firs (just for us or so, there are not many people, we are off season)! I get used to Val Thorens, where there is no tree on the edge of the slopes. Skiing among the fir trees is magical!

At the end of the afternoon, we stop atop Tougnète (at 2405m, fantastic panorama), at the mountain restaurant, Les Cretes. As I am not really hungry, I choose a walnut tart with tea. And VIP treatment, we go down to the resort into groomer (a big thank you to the team of trackers)! What an thrilling experience!

Cocktails & Dinner at The Savoy

A Break In My Hotel

to enjoy a super long shower, I’m exhausted. Towards 8-8.30 p.m. I join the bubbly Elizabeth for a cocktail at the bar of Le Savoy and then dinner at Le Resto. I immediately liked the chiaroscuro lighting and colors of the very cozy lounge.

Comfortably sat in a deep sofa, with a glass of champagne vaguely listening to another lounge music mix. Hovering after a busy day of skiing! The atmosphere is relaxed and a little chic. I really enjoy the fireplace (lol).

The interior design of Le Resto is really nice too. On the photo montage below, some details that I really liked and the entry of Ravioles de gambas dans un jus de citronnelle et bergamote (Prawn ravioli in a lemon and bergamot juice). Quite a journey … To be continued …

Back To The Hotel

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Informations

www.meribel.net, www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Meribel Tourist Office for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

Posted on January 28, 2016 | Leave a comment

Ice Driving

Wow Wow!

My baptism of ice driving! I really wanted to do it! On a previous trip, I discovered the circuit de glace Alain Prost in Val Thorens (the highest ice-racing track in Europe) at the Trophée Andros race. I like motorsport, but I couldn’t test with a pilot last time.

So this time, when I was invited to this little session of controlled “steering, counter-steering, braking…” on ice, I was thrilled! The principle is simple. Christophe, a professional driver drives the race car explaining how to take turns (the most interesting for me).

Time to do few turns and the session is already over … Next step: the ice driving course… Photos below: I extend the experience of being a passanger in the classy Mini of the Val Thorens Tourist Office (you guys rock!).

The Lunch

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Lunch in this famous alpine chalet located in between Val Thorens and Les Menuires. We have a little trouble finding the parking … The restaurant is accessible by ski or by car (you will have to walk and it climbs a bit, lol).

What a great surprise! The place is clear and warm. And we followed the chef’s suggestion: chicken and pasta with truffles and cheese cake. A delight! Gargantuan portion (photo above). And as a light dessert, I chose a chocolate ice cream! LOL!

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

Warning, Gourmets! The Vallée des Belleville is a breeding ground for the Michelin starred chefs! During a lunch in the resort at the Montana Restaurant, I had the chance to taste the bubbly and delicious cuisine of Chef Jérémy Gillon (photos below).

Ooops, I don’t remember the exact names of our different dishes, but the photos (below) speak for themselves! It’s beautiful, colorful (to the eye and palate) and delicious!

A Nice Boutique Hotel

In The Center of The Resort,

facing the slopes, you can stay at Le Val Thorens hotel with cool friends. Lovely interior design with a few art works (picture 4 below), the style is a mix of contemporary mountain and minimalist Scandinavian design.

The architecture of the lobby is a bit surprising, but the furniture creates a warm atmosphere (photo 5 below). I loved the view and the cozy atmosphere of my room (too bad the bathroom is very narrow). I felt so good that I skipped the dinner to not leave my bed!

Well, I still made the final push to join some friends for a drink … The breakfast room is also very nice. Unfortunately I haven’t enough time to discover the pool and spa. I have to finish my suitcase for the next resort …

Val Tho Party

Informations

www.valthorens.com, www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and Val Thorens Tourist Office, for all of these stunning surprises, including the ice driving. As always, these opinions are my own.

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 1)

Posted on January 26, 2016 | Leave a comment

I am back in Val Thorens

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.

Ski & Sun

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.

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

Snowshoeing and Yoga

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!

https://youtu.be/8baeHlJQG8A

Informations

France Montagnes, Skiing Into Spring Club Med Val Thorens Sensations, www.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.

Tag Archives: Holidays

Ski And Cocktails In Meribel, France

Skiing Among The Fir Trees

In The Late Morning

Cocktails & Dinner at The Savoy

A Break In My Hotel

Back To The Hotel

Informations

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

Ice Driving

Wow Wow!

The Lunch

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Or Try The Gastronomic Brasserie

A Nice Boutique Hotel

In The Center of The Resort,

Val Tho Party

Informations

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 1)

I am back in Val Thorens

It’s Always A Great Pleasure

Ski & Sun

My First Slopes

Skiing Into Spring

Snowshoeing and Yoga

Zen Fog

Informations

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