by Lulu Sheard
The Kulm Hotel St. Moritz and luxury skin brand Valmont have joined forces to offer unparalleled spa experiences in the heart of the Engadine resort in Switzerland.
Their new program includes ‘Escape to the Summit’ a unique treatment that specifically targets guests’ needs during their winter trip in the mountains.
by Lulu Sheard
Undeterred by Covid19, bookings for Severin*s’ winter season are coming in thick and fast, with New Year 2020/21 nearly fully booked.
Severin*s – The Alpine Retreat, is a luxury boutique ski hotel located on the outskirts of the Alpine town of Lech – around one hour’s drive from Zurich and 90 minutes from Innsbruck.
Eurostar will not run its iconic Ski Train this winter. A campaign, Save the Ski Train, has been launched in an attempt to persuade the cross channel railway service to reinstate this service.
Since 1997, the train has run twice weekly from London and Ashford to the Tarentaise region of the French Alps, dropping skiers at Moutiers, Aime la Plagne and Bourg St Maurice stations, a short hop by bus or taxi from 16 major ski resorts, including Méribel, Courchevel, La Plagne, Les Arcs, Tignes and Val d’Isère.
With life being slower than usual and while we are not travelling yet, why not start getting inspired and take a look at the resorts which make Aosta Valley in Italy a skier’s paradise.
The Aosta Valley boasts spectacular scenery, world-class skiing and snowboarding, food of the highest quality and a history stretching back to Roman times. At the heart of the Alps and bordered by France and Switzerland, Aosta valley is surrounded by some of the highest peaks in Europe: Cervino, Monte Rosa, Gran Paradiso and the king of them all, Mont Blanc.
At an extraordinary meeting on 16 March 2020, the Federal Council in Switzerland took the decision to introduce more stringent measures to protect the public. It has declared that an ‘extraordinary situation’ now exists in Switzerland in terms of the Epidemics Act.
The Tyrol Tourist Board has issued a statement about resorts in the area. It says: With the announcement of the state of Tyrol on March 12, 2020, additional precautionary measures to contain and combat the spread of the coronavirus have been implemented for all of Tyrol.
British snow sculptors Justin Scott and Martin Sharp are feeling on top of the world after completing their stunning likeness of Sir Elton John on the slopes of Ischgl in the Austrian Tirol.
Ready to make a start
The two Yorkshiremen are frequent visitors to Ischgl to take part in the resort’s annual Shapes in White competition – in fact Justin met his wife Jasmina there – and with this year’s theme being 25 years of Top Of The Mountain rock concerts, it was the perfect opportunity to create a homage to Sir Elton John, who has twice performed open air gigs in Ischgl.
Les Carroz in the Grand Massif has come up with a unique package to help visiting skiers and snowboarders get the most from their trip. Petra Shepherd went to ski with the boss to find out what it’s all about.
The recently formed Mountains 4 All group, which advocates inclusive, accessible mountain tourism, has teamed up with Courmayeur to offer adaptive skiing with trained, specialist ski instructors at the Courmayeur Ski & Snowboard School and the Mont Blanc Ski School.
Skier & Snowboarder editor Frank ‘Scoop’ Baldwin goes for a ski in the French Pyrenees – and ends up getting his feet wet
WATER WORKS: Relaxing in Ax les Thermes after a day on the slopes
Here’s a bit of après ski with a difference in the French Pyrenees. After a day’s skiing the 80km of slopes in Ax les Thermes, come down in the gondola which drops you off right opposite one of the main squares in the town, cross the road, order yourself a beer from one of the atmospheric bars, take your boots and socks off – and jump in the free bath.
Have we found the brainiest chalet owner in the French Alps? Austria loving ROB REES overcame his lifelong aversion to French skiing to make a long overdue return to The Three Valleys after 27 years away with a stay with the marvelous Ski Talini
Skiing in Japan has been on the radar of dedicated powder skiers and snowboarders for a number of years. Lisa Young went to sample Hakuba and Naeba
The snow that falls upon Japan’s resorts has to be some of the best in the world. It is light, dry and very often chest deep. With a season that lasts from December to May, snow addicts are going the extra distance to try out the near-perfect conditions.
The Austrian ski resort, Schladming-Dachstein in Styria, has opened a new 10-seater gondola replacing the old six-seater lift on the Planai ski area.
The new gondola can transport up to 3,800 people per hour – increase of over 70% (capacity of previous gondola was 2,200ph) – which means that waiting times for winter sport enthusiasts are a thing of the past.
Klagenfurt Airport, Easyjet and two of the leading ski resorts in southern Austria have joined and have come up with a money saving offer for skiers and snowboarders who want to make a low-cost fast trip to the Alps this winter.
Trentino, the region of northern Italy that stretches from Lake Garda up into the Dolomites mountains, becomes a winter wonderland during the ski season with several ski resorts offering hundreds of kilometres of piste for beginners through to experts.
Even guests who regularly experience 5-star service cannot fail to be impressed by the attention to detail at The Alpina Gstaad, and LISA YOUNG was surprised and heartened to discover the family that runs the luxury hotel in Switzerland also supports companies, artists and talents engaged in social and sustainable activities in the developing world
The charming village of Samoëns in the Grand Massif area in the French Alps is a picture-perfect destination to spend time with the family over Christmas. The resort has a tranquil family-friendly feel, with a pretty village centre.
Rob Freeman goes back to school in Morzine – and can only ski in his break
I was in a ski resort, having intensive lessons. But not skiing lessons.
This was French language school and I was experiencing the toughest few weeks I have in the mountains for many years. It’s not easy going back to school.
Mark Nicholls skis across the Swiss-French border for some ‘rock’ on the pistes
Against a backdrop of stunning mountains, rock is the order of the day.
The Dents du Midi – the seven defining peaks of the region – are jaggedly formidable against the skyline.
Do you want some old school ski lessons? Is a techno music festival your thing? Or do you just want some peace and quiet mixed in with a bit of culture. Then look no further than the Isère region says Petra Shepherd