Tag Archives: Mountain

Ski And Cocktails In Meribel, France

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-14-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Skiing Among The Fir Trees

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-13-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-16-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-15-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Meribel-Chaudanne-Slopes-17-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Cocktails & Dinner at The Savoy

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Savoy-Meribel-Bar-Restaurant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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 …

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Savoy-Meribel-Bar-Restaurant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-Hotel-Le-Savoy-Meribel-Bar-Restaurant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To The Hotel

France-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Meribel-Ski-Resort-By-Night-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.meribel.netwww.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL 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

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

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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.

Weekend in Val Thorens: Activities

Val-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-2GF1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Snowmobile

Going up the ski slopes by snowmobile, making our way among the skiers and snowboarders: awesome! Too bad the way to the famous mountain bar La Folie Douce, was pretty short!

I really like this first snowmobile experience! I even thought I was on the set of Ms Jamie Bond (LOL)! As in skiing, the downhill is better. 

Val-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KVal-Thorens-France-Snowmobile-Ski-Slopes-Motoneige-Pistes-de-Ski-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Segway 

Val-Thorens-France-Segway-Cross-View-To-Val-Thorens-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Visit of The Ski Resort

in segway : very nice with friends! Gabriel Delenclos that monitors the activity, convinced me to join the outing. First the prospect of an on iced snow ballad didn’t excite me!

I started tense, but very quickly I mastered better my segway and I had fun! I discovered the ski resort from a new angle. Very nice stroll at the end of day! 

Val-Thorens-France-Segway-Cross-View-To-Val-Thorens-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Snowshoeing Without Yoga

Val-Thorens-France-Snowshoeing-Outdoor-Activties-Ski-Resort-Mountain-1AA-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Zen

Since last spring, I like hiking – again (LOL!). That why I really wanted to try snowshoeing. And guess what, it’s physical (cardio training) mostly when you leave the tracks to walk in the powder snow (great sensation). 

I follow Brigitte Ruff, the passionate zen founder of Nature Raquette. We go down, then go up in the endless white panorama … From time to time she explains me how to recognize some animal tracks. I have a feeling of being one with the scenery! Invigorating! 

Val-Thorens-France-Snowshoeing-Landscape-Detail-Frozen-River-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ski Therapy

Val-Thorens-France-Ski-Lesson-Ski-Carpet-Lift-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Me & Skiing

A love-hate relationship! Let me explain, when I ski properly, happiness! But at the top of a blue slope, surrounded by some crazy ski racers, I’m in panic mode. And as I don’t ski enough, my beginner level is not improving!

I took a ski lesson tailored to women, provided by Marion Levasseur (super cheerful and patient). She’s a great instructor of the Sky-cool ski & swonboard school. We took over the bases with work on breathing and concentration, to regain the pleasure of skiing. Photos above and below: ski carpet and my skis. 

Val-Thorens-France-Ski-Lesson-Equipement-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  Val-Thorens-France-Ski-Lesson-Ski-Carpet-Lift-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Apres Ski @ La Folie Douce

Val-Thorens-France-La-Folie-Douce-Après-Ski-Spot-Party-Clubbing-Bar-Restaurant-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Ready for clubbing?

Have you ever tried an “apres ski” on the slopes? Under a blinding sun, I arrive with a friend by snowmobile (sorry not sorry), to La Folie Douce that fills slowly but surely.

4 p.m.: the party really starts with a good House music and Electro, Piper champagne and the view, the view, the view … the sound! People dance, good vibes!

Val-Thorens-France-La-Folie-Douce-Après-Ski-Spot-Party-Clubbing-Bar-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés

Informations  

www.valthorens.com

I wear :  a Wed’ze First Heat ski jacket and Wed’ze First Heat ski trousers with Quechua Forclaz 500 hiking shoes (Decathlon). Plus an Yeti under jacket and a Sun Valley bunny. 

Related posts : DESTINATIONS & HOTEL REVIEWS

Many thanks to Val Thorens Tourist Office to have organized these awesome activities, and to the providers for these lovely experiences! As always these opinions are my own.