Tag Archives: Val Tho

Back To Val Thorens, France (Part 2)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K 1

Ice Driving

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!).

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

The Lunch

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Le-Montana-Brasserie-Restaurant-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Jeremy-Gillon-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

A Nice Boutique Hotel

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

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 … 

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KHotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Val Tho Party

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.valthorens.comwww.les3vallees.com

Related posts : DESTINATIONSHOTEL 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.

Val Thorens, France: le retour (2)

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K 1

Conduite sur glace

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Activities-Ice Driving-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Wow wow!

Mon baptême de conduite sur glace! J’en avais très envie! Lors d’un précédent voyage, j’ai découvert le circuit de glace Alain Prost à Val Thorens (le plus haut d’Europe) lors du Trophé Andros. J’aime les sports mécaniques, mais je n’avais pas pu faire d’essai avec un pilote.

Aussi cette fois, lorsqu’on m’a invitée à cette petite session de dérapages contrôlés sur glace, j’étais enchantée! Le principe est simple. Christophe, le pilote professionnel conduit en m’expliquant comment prendre les virages (le plus intéressant).

Le temps de faire quelques tours du circuit et la séance est déjà terminée… Prochaine étape : le stage de pilotage sur glace, à suivre… Photos ci-dessous : je prolonge l’expérience en passagère de la superbe Mini de l’Office du tourisme de Val Tho (classieuse).

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KFrance-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Mini-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Pause déjeuner

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-1A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Chez Pépé Nicolas

Déjeuner dans ce fameux châlet d’alpage, situé dans entre Val Thorens et les Ménuires. Nous avons un peu de mal à trouver le parking… Le restaurant est accessible en ski ou en voiture (il faudra marcher, ça grimpe un peu, lol).

Le bonheur en arrivant, l’endroit est clair et chaleureux. Sans poser de questions, nous avons suivi la suggestion du chef : poulet et pâtes aux truffes, avec une galette au fromage. Un délice! Portion gargantuesque (photo ci-dessus). En dessert pour faire léger, j’ai choisi de la glace au chocolat! LOL!

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Chez-Pépé-Nicolas-Restaurant-2A-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

L’alternative gastro au Montana

Gourmets tremblez! La vallée des Belleville est un vivier à chefs étoilés! Lors d’un déjeuner dans la station, j’ai eu la chance de découvrir au restaurant Montana, la pétillante et succulente cuisine du chef Jérémy Gillon (photos ci-dessous).

Je ne me rappelle plus les noms exacts de nos différents plats (oups), mais les photos (ci-dessous) parlent d’elles-mêmes! C’est beau, coloré (à l’oeil et en bouche) et excellent! 

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Lunch @ Le-Montana-Brasserie-Restaurant-Michelin-Starred-Chef-Jeremy-Gillon-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Un boutique hôtel sympa

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Au centre de la station,

face aux pistes, on vient à l’hôtel Le Val Thorens entre amis cool. Déco simplissime, égrenée de quelques oeuvres d’art de-ci de-là (photo 4 ci-dessous), entre moderne classique montagnard et minimaliste design scandinave.

L’architecture du lobby est un peu surprenante, mais le mobilier crée une atmosphère conviviale (photo 5 ci-dessous). J’ai aimé la vue et le cadre douillet de ma chambre (dommage que la salle de bain soit très étroite). Je m’y suis sentie tellement bien que j’ai zappé le dîner pour ne pas quitter mon lit!

Bon, j’ai quand même fait ensuite l’effort ultime de rejoindre des potes pour un verre… La salle du petit déjeuner est aussi très agréable. Malheureusement je n’ai pas le temps de découvrir la piscine, ni le spa : je dois finir ma valise. Prochain arrêt à…

Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le KHotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-3-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-4-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-5-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K Hotel-Le-Val-Thorens-France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-6-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Val Tho festif

France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-1-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K France-Val-Thorens-Ski-Resort-Nightlife-Bar-2-Photo ©Mademoiselle Le K

Photos : © Mademoiselle Le K – Tous droits réservés.

Informations  

www.valthorens.comwww.les3vallees.com

Autres articles : DESTINATIONSHOTEL REVIEWS & LIFESTYLE

Un grand merci aux 3 Vallées et à l’Office du tourisme de Val Thorens pour ces très jolies surprises, dont l’Ice Driving. Comme toujours, ce sont mes opinions.

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.