Tag Archives: Vacation

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.

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).

Informations

Koh-I Nor, www.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.

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Posted in "On the road again", Beauty-Full/Beauté, Fooding & Bars, Hotels

Tagged 5 stars Hotel, Activities, Chef Eric Samson, Cinq Mondes, Cuisine, Dining, Dinner, Europe, Exclusive Photos, Exclusive Pictures, Foodies, France, Gourmet, Gourmet Restaurant, Hotel Review, Hotel Reviewed, Inventive Cuisine, Koh-I Nor Val Thorens, Le Diamand Noir, Leisure, Lifestyle, Long Weekend, Luxury Brasserie, Luxury Hotel, Massage, Mountain, Restaurant Review, Restaurant Reviewed, Room, Ski Resort, Spa, Spa Treatment, Tested, The 3 Valleys, Tourism, Travel, Vacation, Val Thorens Tourist Office

Weekend in Val Thorens: Activities

Posted on December 23, 2015 | Leave a comment

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.

Segway

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!

The Snowshoeing Without Yoga

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!

Ski Therapy

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.

The Apres Ski @ La Folie Douce

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!

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.

Tag Archives: Vacation

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

The Koh-I Nor in Val Thorens, France

My Room

The Spa

A Customized Massage

Dinner @ Le Diamand Noir

Divine cuisine

Informations

Weekend in Val Thorens: Activities

Snowmobile

Segway

Visit of The Ski Resort

The Snowshoeing Without Yoga

Zen

Ski Therapy

Me & Skiing

The Apres Ski @ La Folie Douce

Ready for clubbing?

Informations

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