PHOTO © Andy Parant
Some 20 years ago a new mountain village concept was born, pioneering and innovative. An entirely pedestrian resort, ski-in-ski-out, with only the swish of skis on snow to break the silence. This was the visionary gamble of Canadian promoter “Intrawest” renowned for its Whistler and Mont Tremblant projects.
The French resort of Les Gets claims to be the first in Europe to ban smoking both on and off the slopes – except in five designated areas.
The ban came into force on 17 December and Benjamin Mugnier, who is in charge of the project, said: “We want to showcase our number one asset which is the clean air of the mountain. This is why thousands of people visit us every year.”
Travelski Express has added more packages to its programme and now includes the popular resorts of Val Thorens, Courchevel and La Rosiere.
Val Thorens
Skiers and snowboarders can choose between a range of accommodation in the three resorts with deals starting at £646 pp for a week in La Rosière – this price includes return direct Eurostar train travel, accommodation, local area lift pass and transfers to/from accommodation.
Les 2 Alpes claims it will be the first French resort to open its glacier for summer skiing this year. The slopes can be used from 28 May, the earliest the Isère ski area has ever opened its glacier.
Les 2 Alpes also claims it has Europe’s largest skiable glacier and SATA, the lift company, has been carrying out some work in the snowpark.
The traditional ski and snowboard season may be over but during the rest of the year, French ski areas still have plenty to offer those who love being in the mountains – and especially those who enjoy their food.
Many resorts extended their seasons this year to cater from the huge demand from skiers and snowboarders following the lifting of covid and travel restrictions.
PHOTO: Les 2 Alpes – Onevalefan/English Wikipedia
But for those who still need another ‘fix’ of skiing and snowboarding, there are still opportunities during the summer.
With travel restrictions to France easing for UK-based skiers and snowboarders, MARK NICHOLLS reports on what awaits you in Les Menuires this season
The view from La Masse is inspirational. I had travelled up from Les Menuires which nestles more than 1,000m in the valley below.
The lifting of the restrictions on British skiers and snowboarders visiting France has seen new bookings to French ski resorts go through the roof. Many of the resorts have been quick to update the Skier & Snowboarder magazine with their latest news which you will find below. Make sure you check back to this website regularly as we will be adding more info as it comes in. Plus, go to our Holiday Offers page where you will find great bargains to French resorts being added all the time
Arc 1950 Le Village, the most recent addition to the Haute-Tarentaise resorts, enchants its French and international visitors every season by offering access to the Paradiski slopes from a selection of colourful 5* ski-in-ski-out residences, together with a combination of high-end services, car-free streets, pretty shops, varied restaurants, and its exceptional entertainment programme. A true ‘art de vivre’ of winter sports.
Travelski Express, which this season reintroduced a ski train service to the French Alps, issued a recent statement concerning the travel situation to France which said: “With the continued restrictions on travel between the UK and France Travelski regrets to confirm the cancellation of the Travelski Express departure planned for the 21 January.
The pretty French resort of Saint-Martin-de-Belleville in the 3 Valleys is a foodie heaven and this season there is another new restaurant on the menu.
The Maya Altitude is located on the slopes at the top of the Tougnète ridge. From here diners can enjoy a spectacular panoramic view from the terrace at 2,400m.
From 7 January to 4 February and from 7 March to 1 April, 2022 the Chamonix-Mont-Blanc valley is offering its guests FREE group ski lessons
For all ages and all levels of expertise, guests will be able to benefit from free lessons in downhill skiing (both on and off-piste), cross-country skiing, ski touring and even kinder garden skiing.
Researched and refined by VIP SKI’s guests over 30 years, Bear Lodge is a brand-new signature complex located at Arc 1950.
The 30-bedoom hotel, Bear Lodge, can accommodate 60-80 guests each week, and Bear Suites can cater to a range of 4 – 14 guests.
European tour operator Travelski (www.uk.Travelski.com) has launched rail inclusive packages from St Pancras station direct to six major ski resorts in France.
The Travelski Express train will leave St Pancras on Friday evenings arriving into Moutiers and then Bourg St Maurice the following morning.
What do you call a group of journalists? A press pack? A herd of hacks? A nightmare?
Whatever it is, on the first day of September, several ski writers came out from behind their laptops, changed out of the PJs they have been wearing for the last year while working from home during covid, and donned some glad rags.
Couples, husbands and wives, or even families which are divided by those who ski and snowboard and those who don’t could find the solution to a satisfactory holiday together surrounded by the snow covered mountains in the French resort of Méribel, part of the world famous Three Valleys.
The Chalet Company has added more properties to its portfolio in Meribel and to give you a taste of what you can expect they have put together some virtual tours on their website – you can even hook them up to a VR headset, to really feel like you’re right in the chalet.
The village of Megève in the French Alps is a ski (and snowboarder) lovers paradise. With over 400km of immaculately prepared runs, catering for all abilities, it is easy to see why visitors return to the medieval cobbled streets of Megève year after year.
The British Association of Ski Instructors (BASI) acted quickly to distance the organisation from a national newspaper report claiming there had been an outbreak of covid among a group of 26 British skiers on a BASI course near Chamonix in mid-January.
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.