Tag Archives: Skiing

French Alps, Les Arcs: Ski, Lounge & Fooding

The Village Igloo Les Arcs

When I Arrived 

at the hotel Taj-I Mah the day before, I tasted the dark siver macaroons of the Michelin Starred Chef Eric Samson (first photo of the article). This morning, I head with Lo, my gorgeous “snow BFF”, to the Village Igloo Les Arcs. 

Ten minutes walk from the hotel with an amazing blue sky! What a pleasure to walk on the footpaths of the freshly groomed empty ski slopes! I really enjoy the beginning of the ski season! No crowd, so calm!

Fairy Ice Cavern

    

Upon Entering,

I was just expecting the traditional ice bar plus few tables. What a surprise to discover an ice cavern of 150 m² too! You follow more or less narrow corridors adorned with sculptures inspired by Nordic legends.

We had the chance to meet the team of sculptors at work. You can extend the magic by spending one night in one of the two rooms (no sanitary facilities on site). You feel out of time …

    

Between Two Skiing Sessions

Lunch at l’Atelier d’Eric

During this relaxing weekend, I took my two lunch with beautiful views of the slopes at l’Atelier d’Eric (located in the hotel Taj-I Mah): each time, excellent! If you follow me on this blog, you know how much I enjoy the inventive simple light cuisine of the Chef Eric Samson. In your plate, you can recognize each flavor.

Photos below: left, first day, first lunch with tuna and Japanese mushrooms. To the right, second day: tuna and Walnut St. Jacques with a tian of vegetables. And for the two lunchs, the same Valrhona chocolate and pear dessert, I love it! 

And if you don’t know where dining, I recommend you the Diamond Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of Chef Eric Samson.

The Apres-Ski at The Arc 1800

Tea time at The Lodge

We drive to the Arc 1800. Picture above: the classified buildings of the famous architect Charlotte Perriand. Then we take the cable car to Mille8, where the Lodge, a restaurant-café with modern decoration and Scandinavian influences, is located.

Here, no partying vibe like in la Folie Douce, but I immediately liked this place for the space, interior design, atmosphere and view. Thank you Lo! You feel as good inside as on the terrace. It was hard for us to leave, lol!

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations

Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the Taj-I Mah and the Tourist Office of Les Arcs for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.

France, Arcs 2000: Hotel Taj-I Mah

A Room With A View

The Pleasure of Mountain

Long live the skiing season! Few years ago, I’d never imagined I could like the mountain and ski as much! I am back in the French Alps, for the inauguration of the Taj-I Mah, the first 5-star hotel of Les Arcs 2000 at the foot of the slopes.     

Blue sky, snowy peaks bathed in bright light. It’s pretty difficult to leave my terrace. The air is invigorating with hypnotic view. The comfortable room is well soundproofed, a cocoon with impeccable bedding. The interior design reminds me the rooms of the Koh-I Nor in more intimate version (the same owners).  

The bathroom with its deep large bath, opens onto the bedroom and mountain view (a large sliding glass door allows to separate the two spaces, picture left above). I like the separate toilet in the entrance of the room.

  

Lunch at L’Atelier d’Eric

Between Activities,

I sit down at one of the hotel’s outside terraces (great!). Picture above: the long terrace of the lounge, where I am rocked by the warm rays of the sun. It quickly becomes really complicated to leave (LOL)! Except for discovering the menu of L’Atelier d’Eric, one of the two restaurants of the Taj-I Mah, under the leadership of the Chef Eric Samson.

I had lunch there a few times (pictures below): tasty simple inventive cuisine nicely presented. Excellent tuna prepared with scallops. I love  the Valrhona chocolate with pear dessert (picture below), a treat!

A Massage at The Spa

The Swimming Pool and Jacuzzi

have a panoramic view to the slopes and the peaks! The last two days, I made a long stop at the Cinq Mondes and Carita spa: 400 m2 including a sauna, hammam, jacuzzi, salt wall, showers, relaxation area and treatment rooms. The icing on the cake is the Cinq Mondes facial massage (inspired by Shiatsu) that relaxed my tensions in the neck and shoulders.

Dinner at The Diamant Noir

Voluptuous Dessert

The second evening, I have a dinner with a journalist friend at the Diamant Noir, the gourmet restaurant of the twice starred Chef Eric Samson. We start with an apetizer of raw tuna with egg yolk and cream. 

I don’t take any first meal. While reading the menu, I recognize one of the Koh-I Nor’s first meal I really recommend you: Grilled foie gras acidulated with the passion fruits and Savoy wine, Mango and Litchi. A surprising extremely fine dish! So delicious!

I choose the Supreme of Farm Poultry filled with foie gras, Périgueux sauce and potatoes. Really good and not greasy. When the dessert The Chocolate Caraïbe at 66% in Different Textures arrives, I capsize! It looks like a haute couture piece and tastes fantastic! Gorgeous!

  

The Ski

Finally!

Energic wake-up to the aurora and meditation on the empty icy main terrace of the hotel. I am happy, I will ski from 9 am to 11. I haven’t had the opportunity to discover the Paradiski ski area (which includes Les Arcs) yet. The previous days, I visited as a pedestrian a bit of the Arcs 2000 (altitude 2100 meters) and 1800

I couldn’t leave without making at least a morning of skiing! After being equipped at the ski shop of the hotel (picture below), I follow the ski instructor on slopes. First, we head to Les Arcs 1950 and cross the village in ski. Then we take the chairlift to the Col de la Chal (altitude 2600 meters). From where we ski to the Arc 2000 surrounded in a beautiful panorama. To be continued…

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations   

Taj-I-Mah, Les Arcs

Related posts : DESTINATIONS, HOTEL REVIEWS & BEAUTY

Many thanks to the team of the Taj-I Mah and the Tourist Office of Les Arcs for this beautiful invitation! As always are my opinions.

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.