VIP SKI Blog

"I'm not terribly interested in awards"

"Now I must make a confession. I am not terribly interested in, and certainly not influenced by awards." States James. "One person’s best hotel is often not someone else’s – people are different and each has separate requirements." 

James was staying at Bear Lodge whilst on his ski travels, so asked himself "Why Bear Lodge was voted No 1?".

Read the full PlanetSKI feature >

First the facts...

• It has taken 7-years in the planning and building – it opened last season, and is exclusively the preserve of VIP SKI.
• It is a mixture of suites (12) and hotel rooms (30).
• There are a selection of photos of the rooms at the end of this article.
• It features twin rooms, family rooms with bunks (children in bunks pay half price), or adjoining rooms for parents and teenage kids.
• Bear Lodge includes:
• A proper sized pool you can swim in and do some lengths:
• A spa with plenty of steam:
• A decent sauna too.
• And massage:
• And if you like an exercise room:
• A piste-side kid’s space for the little ones:
• A private cinema:
• It also has conference facilities and much else besides.

So far, so good but many other new hotels across the Alps are probably offering similar facilities for this winter.

After 3 days what did James think?

After 3-days in Bear Lodge I can see why it has been a contender for the award as The World’s Best New Ski Hotel – and won it.

Almost everything is perfect, down to the finest details.

Almost everything?

James's only grumble was the choice of rental skis on offer. But he himself admits he's rather particular about what skis he uses (some say unnecessarily so).

"Bear Lodge is more than 80% full for the rest of the winter. That single fact speaks volumes. In my opinion it would be hard to argue it is not at least one of The World’s Best New Ski Hotels – the World Ski Awards have concluded it is the best and I wouldn’t disagree." States James.

Read the full PlanetSKI feature >

PlanetSKI

PlanetSKI has a simple aim; to entertain and inform skiers and snowboarders about life in the mountains. Most importantly it aims to do it with passion and a love for everything to do with skiing and snowboarding.

It carries news stories, features, video reports, superb photos and a few surprises too. It’s not influenced by glossy press releases and free trips, but rather the unbiased opinions of its writers.

It’s about life in The Alps. Real life.

Head over to PlanetSKI to read the full feature on Bear Lodge, and also James Cove's review of the Les Arc ski area.

Who will you choose?

All guests will have the opportunity to ski with Graham Bell or Chemmy Alcott during their respective weeks. Groups of varying ability will be organised to maximise the enjoyment for all guests. Chemmy will also be providing a post ski yoga class and a ski fitness class.

Both Graham and Chemmy will be on hand to offer advice throughout the week, will join groups for dinner and will also give a talk about their career and host a Q&A session on one evening. To top it all off there will be an end of week prize giving hosted by these incredible skiers.

Ski with Graham Bell in Les Arcs

The former downhill racer, who took part in five Winter Olympics, will be taking time out from his hectic winter schedule to spend it with us hosting this exclusive week-long holiday.

The Graham Bell ski week will take place on 19 March 2023 at Bear Lodge, recently voted “Best New Ski Hotel 2022” at the World Ski Awards™.

The cost of the trip is from £1359pp (based on 2 sharing).

Ski with Chemmy Alcott in Val d’Isere

Chemmy Alcott is a one of the UK's most successful downhill ski racers, having competed in four Winter Olympics and been British Champion seven times.

The Chemmy Alcott ski week will take place in Val d'Isere week commencing 16 April 2023.

The cost of the trip is from £1088 pp (based on 2 sharing) staying in Bellevarde Lodge.

Tempted?

You can see more details regarding each individual trip by clicking on the images above, but we're here to answer any questions you may have, just drop us an email or give us a call.

Who we're looking for

The successful applicant will be confident, self-assured, motivated, empathetic and obsessed with detail. You must be willing to travel overseas on regular occasions. We’re a really friendly bunch and this is a lovely place to work but employing and managing 150 overseas staff is not for the feint hearted or inexperienced. You must easily empathise with our absolute commitment to our guests and be effortlessly able to convey this to your teams. You will need a keen interest in skiing and must understand the unique chalet working environment. We will be back to you in minutes if you can demonstrate a strong background within people management and if you have experience within the ski chalet industry.

The role in brief

Find, select and build your teams, deal effortlessly with the relentless and complicated employment paperwork (mistakes not allowed) and provide administrative, emotional and welfare support throughout the operational season.

Tempted?

If you think that this could be your dream job, and have the human qualities, work skills and industry experience to make it easy then please read the job specification and then apply by emailing ella.nowell@vip-chalets.com attaching your CV and covering letter stating clearly why you are the right person to join the VIP SKI team.

Husky Sleigh Rides
Get a taste of Alaska on a husky powered sledge whilst taking in the breath-taking mountain scenery. This activity takes place every day in the resort of either Tignes or Ste Foy and only on Thursdays in Val d’Isère. Booking early is essential.

Snowmobile / Skidooing
Once the ski runs have closed for the day, try your hand at driving these 500cc two-seater motorbikes built specially for the snow. With the rear wheel replaced by a caterpillar track for momentum and the front wheel swapped for a pair of skis for steering, these snowmobiles are incredibly quick. After some expert instruction you will soon be out on an open country trail enjoying the buzz and adrenalin rush of being in control of a snow scooter.

Ice Karting
Go karts and cars! The perfect way to have fun on the ice! From 10 am to noon and from 2pm to 8pm. Depending on the weather conditions. The circuit is located in Val d’Isère in the Les Crets area.

Paragliding
Want to try something new? Tired of having your feet firmly on the ground? For the ultimate exhilaration, experience the silence and taste the freedom of flying in perfect safety. Paragliding can be experienced in numerous interesting and beautiful places worldwide but it truly has to be said none more beautiful than the Alps.

Ice diving
Explore the underside of the ice covering the local Tignes mountain lakes. You will go down through a hole cut in the ice (always tethered to the surface - you won’t get lost!) and spend around 15 minutes by the side of the instructor, exploring the magical ice formations. No previous diving experience is necessary, all divers, however, must be a minimum height of 1m50.

Ice climbing
For the true mountain enthusiast, why not scale an amazing frozen waterfall? The waterfall is located at the entrance of Val d’Isère and is 40m wide and 200m high. A mountain guide will teach you the basics of climbing with the aid of ice axes and crampons. During the day by sunlight, or at night by floodlight.

Helicopter rides
For a truly amazing, thrilling and exhilarating panoramic bird’s eye view of the mountains choose a sightseeing scenic helicopter tourist flight. Hover over the slopes or tour around the Olympic resorts in a helicopter, marvelling at the wonderful scenery beneath you.

Snake Gliss
Finally available to earthlings these contraptions from the future, resembling something between a bobsleigh and a tramway, may be enjoyed with no-limits in groups of 2 to 20 people. These bizarre sledges that couple together may be enjoyed by all ages from 7 to 77 years. Gloves are compulsory and ski boots are not allowed. It takes place late afternoon on the Savonnette Nursery slope.

Massage & treatments
MassageMe offer a full mobile massage service to all our guests. For maximum convenience, qualified therapists will visit you in the privacy of your own chalet bedroom and offer a range of massage options. Appointments can be made at times to suit you. Whatever your needs, the highly trained masseurs have a treatment to soothe aching limbs and replenish energy levels, leaving you looking and feeling your very best and therefore helping you to get the most from your precious week’s holiday.

Farm
Xavier will happily welcome you and your kids to his farm and show you around. Try cheese making, visit the farm and discover the animals on a guided tour.

Walking and snowshoeing
Xavier will happily welcome you and your kids to his farm and show you around. Try cheese making, visit the farm and discover the animals on a guided tour.

Swimming Pool & Sports Centre
The leisure centre, by the Olympique lift, is a world of nothing but stone, wood and glass that lets the mountains and the light of Val d’Isère come right up to the water’s edge! For water babies this 800m² aquatic centre offers plenty for everyone: play pool, fragranced pool, current stream, water cannons, massage jets, bubble bed, paddling pool, 25m x 10m swimming pool... For those who prefer to stay dry the leisure centre also offers a range of facilities including basketball, table tennis, volley ball, badminton, squash courts, aerobics, yoga, gymnastics and a climbing wall.

Ice Skating
Val d'Isere has an open air ice rink in the resort centre just behind the nursery slopes…keep the kids happy for a while, somewhere to behave like a kid for a few hours or a romantic skate at dusk with a loved one before dinner.

We can help pre-book activities in Val d'Isere

There are numerous choices of companies providing these activities and many more so please speak to our Concierge Team once in resort for further details.

With all extreme sporting activities please ensure you check your own insurance policy to see if you are covered to take part.

First choose your chalet

If you haven't already selected your accommodation for your Val d'Isere ski holiday we have a selection of Val d'Isere chalets for you to choose from. From cosy 2-bedroomed chalet appartments to larger chalets sleeping 24 guests we hope we have something perfect for you. If you need help deciding or if you have any questions at all about our chalets and service please do give us a call. 

Season greetings from all at VIP SKI

Christmas marks the end of another year but the beginning of another season. 

Wherever you find yourself this Christmas season, we wish health and happiness to all of our customers, friends and family.