Tag Archives: Snow

Courchevel, France: Outdoors, Art & Chocolate

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Snowshoeing At The Lake de Rosière

France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-7-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Snowshoe-Walk-Lake-Rosière-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Lunch At 2732 Meters

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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 …

France-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Courchevel-Ski-Resort-Le-Panoramic-Altitude-Restautant-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

What To Bring Back Home From Courchevel?

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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!) … 

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Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

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.

La Tania: Skiing & Gastronomy

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Skiing-Slopes-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Igloo & Snowmobile

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Courchel-Aventure-Igloo-3A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

It Is Minus 8 Degrees Outside

and as there is wind, it is freezing cold! If you need keep action between ski sessions, go to Courchevel Adventure! Among many activities you can participate in the construction of an Igloo. Or drive a snowmobile on the Courchevel heights, overlooking the small airfield …

Picture below : the view of the entrance, from inside the igloo where the temperature is better than outside.

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Courchel-Aventure-Igloo-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Courchel-Aventure-Igloo-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K
France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Courchel-Aventure-Snowmobile-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

I finally drove a snowmobile!

When I put on my helmet, I’m a little impressed, but soon I found my rhythm. I confirm: driving is a thousand times more exciting and fun! In addition, it’s very nice here because the snowmobile circuit is pretty “flat”. 

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Courchel-Aventure-Snowmobile-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Courchel-Aventure-Snowmobile-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Gourmet Lunch at Le Farçon

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Back To La Tania

to discover the inventive cuisine of Michelin-starred chef Julien Machet (one star for ten years), who started as a pastry chef (pictured below, my favorite dessert!). The restaurant Le Farçon is located both in the resort center and near the slopes.

The food is original and delicious! While tasting, first you can identify each aromas that mingle in the mouth. The plates are also beautiful to look at. A graphic modern presentation that reminds me of the “Japanese style” (photos above).

If the chef has no favourite ingredient : “the favourite ingredient is the right ingredient”, he likes using an unusual ingredient, the hay in sorbet, syrup, beer and even chocolate! “The hay has a strong smell. I wanted to taste it.” he prosaically adds. Being honest, my brain was unable to classify this ingredient in the “I like”, or “I don’t like”: too unique! Quite disturbing!  

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Julien Machet cooks with quality natural products from Savoie. He also enjoys travels: “It’s not good to be too chauvinistic” (below: a black and white portrait in the kitchen). Recently, he was inspired in Vietnam by a dish based on banana, coconut and tapioca that he added in his restaurant menu. 

He founded the Chef de Cœur four years ago. Each year, for this special event he cooks with other chefs and the profits are donated to the Banque alimentaire savoyarde (Food Bank of Savoy) to fight against hunger in the Savoie region. “My grandmother who came from Italy, has always shared the food. She had known hunger.” Do not miss the fifth edition next May with seven chefs. 

On the below third picture : the beautiful ceramics of Lorène Herrero, on the wooden walls of the restaurant Le Farçon. I don’t know why, they remind me Laponia (where I haven’t been yet). Check out the work of this gifted young artist! 

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-3A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Gastronomic-Restaurant-Le-Farçon-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Julien-Machet-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Alpine-Chalets-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Let’s go skiing!

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Skiing-Slopes-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

After The Festin,

I’m back to my ski training (need to burn millions of calories, lol)! Yesterday, it was cross country skiing, today skiing! I join Julian Malandrone, an ESF instructor for a ski lesson on the slopes of La Tania. If in Méribel, I was unable to grip a ski tow, in La Tania no problem. In fact it is pretty easy!

After assessing my level, we go skiing on almost empty slopes lined with fir trees! Magical! Go skiing excluding school holidays, especially if you are a beginner! You avoid the crowd and the stress. Occasionally, Julian shows me how skiing a bit in the fresh powder. Awesome! The sky clears revealing the mountains, there is no noise. See you at my next stop (coming up post) … 

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Skiing-Slopes-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-French-Alps-Skiing-Slopes-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.latania.comwww.les3vallees.com  

For cross country skiing or skiing lessons, you can contact the ESF La Tania : +33 (0)4 79 08 80 39 and Julian Malandrone : +33 (0)677789353.

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and La Tania Tourist Office for this exciting invitation. Many thanks to the chef Julien Machet and his team, and Julian Malandrone and the ESF La Tania. As always these opinions are my own.

Skiing & Driving a Ski Trail Groomer in La Tania, France

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The Arrival @ La Tania

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Small Resort That Rises

ideally located between Courchevel and Méribel. When I arrive from Meribel, it snows a lot. The drive was fast. And I decide to do a walking tour in the station crossed by the slopes and surrounded by fir trees (pictures below). I love fir trees! A real addiction!

I discovered La Tania or La Tagna meaning “the den of bears” in Savoyard dialect. The resort will celebrate its 25th anniversary in April. This is the newest of the 3 Vallées, the largest ski area in the world. Less known than Courchevel, but very near Courchel, La Tania offers accommodations at more affordable prices.

 I really like the area of wooden chalets, all different from each other (photo above). As the surfaces are large with modern amenities and concierge service, renting a chalet with friends or family is interesting. In the first picture of the post: the view, firs, snow from a superb chalet … isn’t it beautiful?   

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Cross Country Skiing

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Magic of The Landscape

The last (and unique) time I did cross-country skiing, I was a pre-teen! So when in early afternoon I pick up my equipment, I was so surprised by the light weight of my boots and skis! Then I joined Adeline Girard, my ski instructor which is a former ski champion.

We drive to Meribel Altiport / La Tania, where we park in front of Le Blanchot restaurant, the starting point of the routes in the forest, with trails of various levels (blue, red … like in Alpine skiing). Nature is fantastic! And Adeline immediately knows how to put at ease.

What a fantastic afternoon in cross country, everything is magic! I also learnt that cross-country ski trails are groomed (in the pictures below, you can see the rails on each side of the track). And when I lift my head, I can admire the top of trees … Even cross country skiing is more physical than skiing, you forget the effort in the scenery. And we ski until the dusk.

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-8-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-11-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Cross-Country-Skiing-Nordic-Skiing-Meribel-Altiport-12-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K  France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Driving The Ski Trail Groomer

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The New Experience!

Yes I did it! Around 6 p.m., I meet the professional driver of a ski trail groomer to have a ride and see in real conditions how tracking the ski trails and driving a 700,000 Euros machine (if I correctly remember)!

I am like a kid, super excited to be behind the scenes! And when the driver asks me if I’d like to drive the machine, I was so happy! So I start driving on trails that lead to Courchevel. I am so focused (a bit too much, lol!) … And the machine is so sensitive that I dare not step on the accelerator!

Then around 8 p.m. I go back to La Tania through deserted slopes! I’m SO tired that I let the restaurant and directly go to bed! It was an exciting endless day!

France-La-Tania-Ski-Resort-Ski-Slope-Machine-Snow-Groomer-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.latania.comwww.les3vallees.com  

For cross country skiing or skiing lessons, you can contact the ESF La Tania : +33 (0)4 79 08 80 39 and Adeline Girard: +33 (0)6 30 36 56 13.

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Many thanks to the 3 Vallées and La Tania Tourist Office for this exciting invitation. Big thanks to Adeline Girard and the ski trail groomer driver. As always these opinions are my own.