Hiking in the French Alps – Best Day Hikes in La Tania

Think the French Alps are just for winter holidays? Think again. The mountains are just as stunning in the summer as they are in winter. Lush greenery, beautiful lakes at the base of mountains and tons of activities to keep you busy. One of our favourite ways to enjoy the Alps in summer is hiking. […]

What To Expect on a Catered Ski Chalet Holiday

Ever wondered what the whole catered ski chalet concept is all about? Maybe your friends go away each year and you want to know what the fuss is all about. Or maybe it’s on your radar for next winter and you need some more info. Catered ski chalet holidays take a lot of the hassle out of a ski trip. With your meals prepared for you, you’ll have more time to relax and spend your time doing what you came out for – to ski and spend time with family and friends.

What is a catered ski chalet holiday?

A catered ski chalet is a great option for skiers and boarders who want more time to relax after a long day on the slopes. You stay in a chalet near the slopes, either fully booked out by your party or shared with other holiday-makers, where board is included and served in-chalet by dedicated staff. Normally board includes hot breakfast, afternoon tea, and a four course dinner in the evening – with one or two days off during the week.

Catered Ski Holiday Large Group Ski Holidays

Why choose a catered ski chalet?

Firstly, you’re going to save time. And on a one-week holiday, time is precious! Loads of skiers and boarders choose a catered ski chalet because it gives them more time to spend with family and friends, more time to relax after a day’s skiing, and less to worry about. No need to go to the shop and buy all the basics for one week. No need to try and figure out what that packet says in French…

And aside from the catering experience, staying in a chalet is a must for any trip to the Alps. Unlike a hotel experience, you’ll feel homely and cosy in your own space. You can spread out, put your feet up in the lounge each evening, and be in the privacy of your own party at the chalet you call home for the week.

Self-catered chalets or apartments are also a great option if you’re looking for more flexibility. They also give you the opportunity to spend more evenings trying the local fayre in nearby restaurants.

What’s Included

Firstly – it says what it does on the tin – catering! Normally your board will include breakfast every morning with hot options most days, afternoon tea and homemade cakes waiting for you when you get back from skiing, and full dinner service – all hosted by your chalet host and cook. This is what we offer here at Ski Dazzle. Here’s a bit more detail about our food service.

There is usually one or two nights per week where the staff have the evening off. This is a chance to explore a local restaurant and perhaps get in your fill of fondue or raclette whilst in the Alps.

catered ski chalet dinner

Daily Schedule

8:00 – Breakfast is waiting for you when you wake up! Saunter into the dining area and feast on fresh croissants and bread, yummy jams and spreads, cereal, and 5 out of 7 days – a hot option (a full English is definitely on the menu once a week!)

9:00 – Head out on the mountain and enjoy your day on the slopes.

Lunchtime – Try out some of the great restaurants the area has to offer. Le Bouc Blanc is a great option for affordable yet delicious mountain food – based right here in La Tania. Or opt to have a packed lunch prepared by our team. You’ll find various picnic areas around the mountain, the perfect pit stop on a sunny day, and stunning views are included!

Late Afternoon – Head back to the chalet and dive into the homemade cake or biscuits waiting for you.

7:00 – Enjoy canapés and an aperitif in front of the fire before dinner service.

7:30 – Dinner is served. Four delicious courses to fill you up after a hard day’s ski. A variety of international dishes are on the menu along with a paired wine each evening.

After Dinner – Cap off the evening with a Nespresso coffee and petit fours in the lounge.

What about the kids?

Bringing little ones with you? More often than not, younger ones will have the option to have an earlier tea. This will be something homemade and tasty but catered to children’s tastes. Classics like spaghetti bolognaise and homemade pizzas usually make the menu.

catered ski chalet for kids

Sound like the kind of ski trip you want to have? We can help! Check out our beautiful catered chalets in La Tania and book you catered ski chalet holiday now. You can find availability here.

Latest news from the Three Valleys.

We’re into June already and after a cold, wet May, it is starting to feel like summer is finally on it’s way. The lifts shut in La Tania on 22 April, and a what a great season we had for snow and sunny days too which is always much appreciated in the winter months.

FOLYERES PISTE 22 APRIL 2019

As usual there’s lots going on this summer. The resorts are open in July and August and once again the lifts are free to use in the Courchevel Valley, which is a great way of getting around to explore the area whether on foot or by bike.

There’s plenty of sporting events to look forward to – Ski Jumping in August, Cycle races, Trails, Golf Tournaments to name a few.

We’ve already had our first cycle race on the new Col de La Loze track and there’s lots of building projects going on too.  Here’s a brief round up of what’s happend so far since the lifts shut and some exciting news for La Tania.

Col de La Loze Cycle Race

There was a cycle race in May on the the new paved cycle track up to Col de La Loze, Courchevel.   The distance from the bottom of the valley is 22.6km and at 2,300m it is the 11th highest paved Col in France and the third highest pass in the Savoie after the Iseran and Galibeir.  The fastest time was one hour and eight minutes.  Not bad going considering it was a pretty miserable day for weather, and low temperatures higher up.

A path is being made on the Meribel side too, with plans to link all the way to Val Thorens.  Rumour has it that they hope that with this new path for cyclists, it will lure the Tour de France back to the area, so watch this space…

 

(photo credit Courchevel Officiel)

Alpinium Building and the World Cup 2023

Work has started again on the new Alpinium building in Le Praz.  The old gondola building has already been bulldozed and they are taking out the old plyons this week by helicopter.  The new high speed gondola up to 1850 will take less than six minutes.

The building is part of the resort’s preparations for the 2023 World Alpine Ski Championship, which Courchevel is hosting jointly with Meribel.

The men’s downhill run will start near the top of the Bouc Blanc piste here in La Tania and then cut across on to Jockeys and down to Le Praz. The Women’s and Team events are being held on the Roc de Fer piste in Méribel.

A new grandstand will be built for the world cup event and the new multi-purpose building will house a medical centre, tourist office, sports facilities and underground parking for 500 cars.  Work is expected to be completed by December 2019.

New Green Run in La Tania

A new green piste back to La Tania is planned for hopefully next winter.  The existing piste, Plan Fontaine is not ideal for beginners as it crosses two red runs and is quite steep in places.

The new piste will have a gentler incline and it will not cross any other pistes, which will make it much safer and a more enjoyable experience for beginners.  The piste will follow much of the existing track through the forest to the left hand side of Folyeres.  (see photo below)

In addition, there will be a new beginners’ area, with two new magic carpets and an underpass for pedestrians. Work starts this summer.

Future Developments

The new hotel/apartment complex for La Tania looks like it is going ahead.  This will be built on the existing car park as you come into La Tania.  The planned for chair lift is not going ahead,  but instead they are going to update the existing gondola in La Tania, similar to the improvements made on the Mont Vallon gondola.

So, lots of improvements and exciting developments to look forward to. More news to follow in the coming months, but in the meantime if you would like to book for winter 2019/2020 do get in touch!