Winter highlights from Heaven Publicity
With snow beginning to settle on the mountains and the Ski & Snowboard show on the horizon, winter is definitely on its way.
This year, as well as the usual modifications, skiers and snowboarders can make the most of state-of-the-art gondolas and developments, new and exciting programmes and fresh accommodation (from the affordable to the opulent).
So, start waxing your skis or snowboard for what will be an exciting season ahead. Here is a selection of the highlights.
NEW: Kids ski free in France, with Madame Vacances
Families can enjoy an early Christmas gift this festive season, with children under 18 entitled to a free snowy escape on the same basis as their parents this winter, whether on B&B, half board or all-inclusive rates. And Madame Vacances is even throwing free ski hire for the under 18s into the bargain. Anyone enjoying an Alpine adventure to the high-altitude resorts of Méribel-Mottaret and Les Deux Alpes – before 28 December – can take advantage of this family-friendly offer when staying at two of the operator’s most well-located properties: the recently renovated ski-in, ski-out Hotel Le Mottaret and the stylish Hotel Ibiza in Les Deux Alpes, complete with family suites and an indoor pool. To ‘unwrap’ the promotion simply quote code ‘KIDS’ when booking. Prices for a family of four taking advantage of this offer at the Hotel Ibiza start from £115 pp (£458 total). The price is for seven nights’ B&B, arriving 10 December 2016. Flights, transfers, lunch and dinner, lift passes (for parents) and ski hire extra.
Madame Vacances (01273 358 071, www.madamevacances.co.uk)
NEW: Brand-new beginner area in Val d’Isère, the French Alps
December 2017 sees the opening of an innovative gondola that rises from the heart of the resort. It’s the biggest innovation in France’s top resort for a decade, transforming mountain access in Val d’Isère for all standards of skier. The opening of the Solaise Gondola is the final phase of the two-year €16 million redevelopment of Solaise, one of the resort’s two iconic mountains, reached from the front de neige base area. The new, secure, beginner slopes created at the top of the gondola – and served by three covered magic carpet lifts – have been re-graded to provide the perfect pitch for beginner skiers or snowboarders. Beginners can swiftly progress from these slopes to the easy, rolling terrain reached from the adjacent Madeleine chair-lift. A week’s stay this winter costs from €174 / £147 pp (€350 / £293 total) for a studio flat sleeping two. Return flights (London to Geneva) cost from £45 pp with easyJet.
Val d’Isère (www.valdisere.com)
NEW: Sport Resort Hohe Salve in Hopfgarten, SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental, Tirol, Austria
Opening in December 2016 the Sport Resort Hohe Salve introduces new accommodation and a new healthy way to holiday in the SkiWelt Wilder Kaiser-Brixental. Working in co-operation with the Institute for Sports Science at the University of Innsbruck and experts from the sports programme, professionals will work with the guests and help to put together an exercise plan that can be rolled out on their trip and continue beyond the holiday. The plan looks at activity and recovery, performance and health, nature and technology and is an ideal starting point for a sustainable active lifestyle or to increase current sporting performance. The service is accessible to all ages and fitness levels and encourages guests to get active and immerse themselves in the outdoor lifestyle in Brixental Hopfgarten. There are 104 rooms and eight suites with access to a large indoor ‘movement’ area with private yoga room, gym and outdoor training area, spa and regeneration zone and pool.
Prices start from € 85.00 – € 475,00 per person per night on a half-board basis and include access to the “move & relax ” area and facilities. Price list valid until 6 April 2017.
Tirol region (www.visittirol.co.uk)
NEW: Stay at the top value Moontain hostel
New for Winter 2016/17, the ski in, ski out Moontain Hostel will provide skiers with a convivial and top-value place to stay in the centre of Oz-en-Oisans, which is linked to Alpe d’Huez by a cable car. Close to a number of restaurants and bars, the Moontain will offer a range of room sizes to suit varying budgets and preferences of skiers: shared rooms (sleeping from four to 12, from €23 per bed per night), premium shared rooms (sleeping four, from €30 per bed per night), private rooms (sleeping two or three, from €30 per bed per night) and premium private rooms (sleeping two to from €36 per bed per night). Shared facilities include covered parking, laundry room, luggage storage, ski room, relaxation area with TV, terrace area and campfire and library. Guests can also enjoy affordable breakfasts, packed lunches and evening meals.
Oz en Oisans www.oz-en-oisans.com
NEW: Explore the incredible backcountry terrain in Kiroro, Japan, with Ski Safari
Located on Hokkaido, the northern Island of Japan, Kiroro offers deep powder, quiet slopes and fantastic off piste. Although it has been under the radar for many years, Kiroro is becoming more popular with foreign travellers, especially since it was declared that skiers and snowboarders could use the lifts to access the unrivalled backcountry terrain.
Built in 2001, the modern resort receives more consistent snowfall than Niseko and Rusutsu, and is a wonderful place to escape the crowds. The nine ski lifts and 21 runs plus a dedicated powder zone and plenty of tree runs, means there is never a dull moment.
Plus, make the most of the extra activities, consisting of snow rafting, snowmobiling and snow shoeing. A seven-night stay at the four-star Kiroro Tribute Portfolio Hotel costs from £1,595 pp for two adults sharing a twin room. Price includes return flights (London to Sapporo Chitose) transfers or car hire and breakfast every day. Lunch, dinner, ski pass and ski hire extra.
Ski Safari (01273 224067, www.skisafari.com)
NEW: VIP SKI introduces The Manoir in Morzine to its collection of luxury chalets in the Alps
Brand-new to VIP SKI’s first-class portfolio, The Manoir (sleeping 15) features intricate mosaic floors, grand towering ceilings and metre-thick walls alongside walk-in showers, roll-top baths, flat-screen TVs and Wi-Fi. Situated in the heart of Morzine, France, just 200 yards from the piste, guests can make the most of the two lounges, magnificent dining room and hot tub after a day on the slopes. Plus, everyone staying at The Manoir will be treated to VIP SKI’s Platinum Service, which includes valet parking, private taxi transfers, personal menus, a complimentary mini bar and an indulgent breakfast every morning. A seven-night catered stay costs from £1,619 pp including return flights (London Gatwick to Geneva), valet parking, private taxi transfers, personal menu plan and champagne and canapé reception each evening.
VIP SKI (0208 875 1957, www.vip-chalets.com)
NEW: A hassle-free Happy Families ski holiday to Courmayeur or Val Thorens with Butler & Lloyd
Bespoke family-travel specialists, Butler & Lloyd, now offers hotels in Courmayeur, Italy and Val Thorens, France, ready for the 2016/17 ski season.
The Grand Hotel Courmayeur is close to the town centre and features modern well-equipped bedrooms, a large indoor heated pool, a spacious gym and a relaxing Elysium spa. And the luxurious ski in, skiout Hotel Altapura in Val Thorens has spacious bedrooms, a choice of three restaurants, and the Pure Altitude spa. Make the most of these five-star residences and wonderful resorts with your family during February half term or Easter 2017, with Butler & Lloyd’s brand-new ‘Happy Families Programme’. This includes staying at either Grand Hotel Courmayeur or Hotel Altapura on a half-board basis, with a private shuttle bus to take you to the lifts each day, coach transfers to the hotel, concierge service (to organise ski and boot hire, ski passes, babysitters, booking restaurants for lunch etc.) and children’s clubs on site. Plus, Butler & Lloyd has also chartered a private return flight from Farnborough airport, Hampshire (to Geneva/Grenoble/Turin/Chambery)for guests during the half term and Easter. The brand-new ‘Happy Families Programme’ to Courmayeur or Val Thorens (11-18 February / 25 March to 1 April / 1-8 April 2017) is priced from £2,300 pp (£9,200 total) for a family of four (two adults and two children), and includes half-board accommodation, return flights (Farnborough to Geneva/Grenoble) and coach transfers. Lift passes and ski/board hire extra.
Butler & Lloyd (01252 411749, www.butlerandlloyd.com).
Pierre & Vacances, Snowboxx and Avoriaz invite you to join them for Snowboxx Festival 2017
18-21 March and 22-25 March 2017
After four sell-out years, Snowboxx festival will be taking place for its fifth year and returning to the resort of Avoriaz from 18 to 25 March 2017. Join Snowboxx’s trusted partners Pierre & Vacances at the festival to experience excellent skiing and top electronic music from artists including Basement Jaxx, Wilkinson and Hannah Wants.
Snowboxx offers festival-goers an eclectic range of world class DJs, igloo parties, bottomless brunches and extreme snowball fights, set against the stunning mountain backdrop of the Morzine Valleys in the Alps.
NEW for 2017: due to the high popularity of previous years, the festival has nearly doubled its capacity for 2017 making it one of the biggest festivals on snow in Europe and the ultimate all-round ski holiday experience for music-loving skiers, thrill-seekers and revellers. The increased capacity will see a much bigger Festival Village, even more music and festival entertainment, and more accommodation options to suit all budgets.
Including wristband only – £228 pp
Including wristband & Avoriaz only lift pass for five days – £308 pp
Including wristband, lift pass and flights from London – £423 pp
Winter 2016/17 marks the 50th Anniversary of both Avoriaz and Pierre & Vacances
Pierre & Vacances (0870 0267 145, www.pierreetvacances.co.uk)
