Tag Archives: Mountain

Courchevel, France: Outdoors, Art & Chocolate

Posted on March 1, 2016 | Leave a comment

Snowshoeing At The Lake de Rosière

Stunning Nature

My “real” first snowshoe walk, 2:30 in the powder … We are going through a pine forest, the dream! Beautiful landscape and hike level rather easy.

Especially at the beginning when the path goes down, but on the way back to go up, the steep is harder. I focus on breathing and keep my own pace (without stopping).

We are a group of ten people, including the monitor of Raquette Evasion, with all levels and ages (from 20 to more than 70 years old). And the most enduring aren’t the youngest … as I noticed during my hike to Serra da Estrella.

What a shock while discovering the shores of the lake! I feel like being in an unreal world and am euphoric. The photos speak for themselves. Enjoy!

A Lunch At 2732 Meters

Breathtaking Views

I am invited by the White 1921 Courchvel, with my friend Lorène to have a lunch at Le Panoramic. This mountain restaurant is located at 2732 meters, on top of the Saulire … with views of Mont Blanc!

I am captivated by the mountains, slopes and this incredible brightness! I imagine being an eagle flying over the white tops of mountains … As we aren’t really hungry, we choose a very good steamed vegetables. Plus a chocolate ice cream for me (LOL).

I can spend the afternoon in a deck chair in the sun …

What To Bring Back Home From Courchevel?

Chocolates!

Yes, 100% organic chocolates (home)made in Courchevel! With new flavors developed by Florencia Malbrán, owner and chocolatier of Piste Noire. If you are a chocolate lover, you must try!

Photo montage above : the facade of the White 1921 Courchevel, one of the wolves of the sculptor Orlinski, in the context of the exhibition “Art Over The Mountain Tops“. A tasting box of different chocolates, Piste Noire. And a white carriage for all the (shopping) princesses (LOL!) …

Informations

White 1921 Courchevel, Office du tourisme de Courchevel, www.les3vallees.com

Related posts : HOTEL REVIEWS & DESTINATIONS

Many thanks to the White 1921 Courchevel (and its great team), Tourist Office of Courchevel and 3 Vallées for this beautiful invitation. As always these opinions are my own.

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.

The Koh-I Nor in Val Thorens, France

Posted on December 28, 2015 | 1 comment

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

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

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).