VIP SKI Blog

Andy Sorenti (the older brother)

What's your favourite resort for snowboarding?

A - "My favourite resort is Coronet peak in New Zealand on a powder day. If that’s a little too far to travel for your weeks skiing, the Arlberg ski region is a close runner up."

What's your all time favourite ski run?

A - "There are honestly too many to choose from but it’s safe to say the 5pm run down from la Folie Douce in Val d’Isere to la Daille is a firm favourite."

Jonnie Sorenti (the younger brother)

So, which is your all time favourite resort?

A - "My favourite ski region would have to be the Portes du Soleil area and especially Morzine and Avoriaz. With lots of likeminded boarders out on the mountain, plenty of tree lined runs and the Stash snowpack in a Avoriaz it’s a great place to board."

Do you think its easier to learn to ski or snowboard?

A - "I would say snowboarding. As a skier come snowboarder I am definitely a convert. The learning process was slower to begin with but I found once it clicked I progressed very quickly and never looked back."

What are the advantages of snowboarding?

A - "The boots for a start! And when the snow gets a little slushy and tiring on skis snowboarding gets better! It’s less tiring on your legs and more fun. And let’s be honest, it’s far easier to dance on the tables in snowboard boots."

Your favourite après place?

A - "I really enjoy apres at Ronnies in Meribel, I think that has to be my favourite venue."

Whether you are looking for a holiday for a large group or small family, want to try snowboarding for the first time, or are a seasoned pro. If you’re looking to explore the slopes in France or Austria, we have plenty of fabulous chalets to choose from.

 Call Jonnie & Andy today on 0208 875 1957 to discuss your next snowboarding (or skiing) holiday.

Alpe d'Huez

Last snowfall 14 November - 12cm due in next 3 days

Known by locals as L’Ille au Soleil (Island in the sun), Alpe d’Huez never fails to disappoint in sun or in snow. Just an hour and a half from Grenoble and with seven piste-side properties, a holiday in Alpe d’Huez is as seamless as can be.

Portes du Soleil - Avoriaz & Morzine

Avoriaz

Last snowfall 16 November - 50cm due in next 3 days

The pedestrianised streets, horse-drawn sleighs, ski in/ski out chalets and a baffling 350 km worth of skiing, make Avoriaz a worthy crowd pleaser. The striking architecture designed to make the town blend into the mountain-side makes it all the more charming and intriguing.

 

Morzine

Last snowfall 16 November - 50cm due in next 3 days

Having drawn on its past, Morzine has successfully retained its tradition of hospitality which, combined with modern facilities, fantastic access to dizzying heights and just an hour and twenty minutes from Geneva, makes it a brilliant option for beginners and experts alike.

 

Three Valleys - Meribel & Courchevel

Meribel

Last snowfall 22 November - 151cm due in next 3 days

Sitting gracefully in the heart of the Three Valleys, Meribel ticks so many boxes. Offering a quintessential ski holiday, Meribel boasts beautiful scenery and ample activities both on and off the slopes.

 

Courchevel 1850

Last snowfall 22 November - 92cm due in next 3 days

Courchevel 1850 was built in a woodland setting, shortly after World War 2. It’s chocolate box chalets, luxury boutiques and fabulous sking have transformed a previously purpose-built resort into one which oozes character, elegance and charm.

 

Paradiski - La Plagne

Last snowfall 14 November - 55cm due in next 3 days

Aside from consistently reliable snow records, la Plagne can guarantee one thing, you won’t get bored! The Paradiski region is a vast snow sports’ playground with 425km of pistes. It may not be renowned for its aesthetics but that can be forgiven thanks to its convenience, altitude and magnitude.

Espace Killy - Val d'Isere

Last snowfall 15 November - 95cm due in next 3 days

Val d’Isere has earnt and maintained its world-famous reputation for excellent snowfall, a vibrant après scene and an altitude that reaches up to a whopping 3465m! Full of life and character, Val d’Isere is a firm favourite amongst returning guest.

Arlberg - Lech, St Anton & St Christoph

Lech

Last snowfall 14 November - 27cm fell

Lech is known as one of the finest ski resorts in Europe, and rightly so. It is timeless and effortlessly picturesque, whilst also delivering an impressive record of snowfall.

 

St Anton & St Christoph

Last snowfall 14 November - 23 cm fell in St Anton and 23cm in St Christoph

St Anton is often referred to as the ‘Cradle of Alpine Skiing’ due to its role in inventing the sport! With a wealth of history and a huge character, St Anton is not one to miss. Five hundred metres above is St Christoph. This traditional and refined resort was recognised in the 14^th century when a hospice was set up and thus the tradition of hospitality began and continues to be deeply instilled today. St Anton, St Christoph and Lech sit comfortably within the Arlberg region, an area which averages nine metres of snowfall each winter!

 

With a wondering eye constantly ending up on the webcam pages, we are eagerly awaiting for the season to begin!

If you’re interested in any or all of the resorts above, call us today on 0208 875 1957 to speak to our knowledgeable sales team and find out which of these resorts would be the best fit for your next ski holiday.

Why we endorse January skiing...

1. Undoubtedly your primary concern when choosing a skiing holiday is the snow. With temperatures at their coldest and slopes at their quietest, it’s safe to say good snow conditions are almost guaranteed. Thanks to those temperatures, snow maintenance and artificial snow are readily available should they be required.

2. New year, new gear! For those of you renting equipment and/or clothing, you can be sure to find some brand spanking new hire ready to carve through that fresh January powder.

3. If you’re looking to avoid the hustle and bustle of school holidays, you’ve hit a jackpot. The slopes are empty and the queues short!

4. Wanting to avoid the gloomy return to a banal routine following the hype of Christmas and New Year is reason enough!

If you’re unsure about January, mid-March skiing could be for you…

1. March has an excellent track record for snow fall and you’re pretty much guaranteed to spend most lunch times soaking up the sun! March can offer the best of both worlds with fresh snow and blue bird days.

2. Similarly to January holidays, March is often far quieter than December and February periods. Remember, the sooner you can get up those lifts, the soon you can wizz down the freshly groomed pistes.

3. Contrary to popular belief, dancing on tables at après is almost as exhausting as a day’s skiing. I think we can all agree that the longer the day lasts, the more time you can spend at après.

Whether you’re looking to escape those lingering January blues, or you would like to return from a ski holiday in March with panda eyes we’re confident we have a ski holiday perfect for you.

Don’t wait though, book before the end of the month to save £100 pp. Call us now on 0208 875 1957 to discuss your next chalet holiday!

Harry worked in Morzine and sent us this amazing picture of Lac Montriond. The perfect spot for an afternoon of paddle boarding, swimming, or simply relaxing with a good book. 

Tim and Andy also spent the summer in Morzine and managed to fly down the slopes on their skis AND their bikes. They both loved being able to pop over to Les Deux Alpes to ski the glacier in the middle of summer, though had to watch out for serious goggle tans.

Matt, our executive chef, spent his summer cooking and rock-climbing in Val d'Isere. This view of the lake at the bottom of valley shows the last vestiges of the immense 2017/18 season snowfall. 

The biggest thrill of the summer came when the Tour de France passed within touching distance of our Alpe D'Huez chalets this July. Geraint Thomas won the stage, and eventually the whole event, for Team Sky. He might have missed these views on the epic climb, but Andy took a more relaxed approach and stopped to capture the lake.

The Manoir terrace is the ideal spot to enjoy spectacular alpine sunsets before an alfresco dinner. Chef Tim caught this snap between evening prep.

With that it's sundown on another amazing summer.

If you've been inspired to visit the Alps next summer then contact the sales team to discuss our flexible approach. Whether you'd like the ease of a catered holiday, the flexibility of B&B or the freedom to self-cater we will have a property to suit your requirements.

Call us on 0208 875 1957 for more information.

Eden Blanc

Boasting an incredible ski-in ski-out location at the top of the village, right beside our other Alpe d’Huez chalets, the Eden Blanc property has been built to replace the previous well known Beau Soleil hotel.

We have snapped up two fabulous chalet apartments in this brand new property, Eden East and Eden West. Our interior designers are yet to complete the fixtures and fittings, so our photos are computer generated but rest assured, our CGI guys know exactly how we build and furnish and everything you see is to exact scale.

Sleeping four guests in two en suite rooms, we’re certain Eden East will be a popular choice for families and couples choosing to ski in Alpe d’Huez. The position is sensational, piste and lifts right outside the building, and only 100m from the shops, bars and restaurants. There are flat screen TVs in each bedroom as well as WiFi and an open fire.

Eden West is the bigger sister of Eden East, sleeping 6-8 guests with three en suite bedrooms, one of which has additional bunk beds, providing an ideal space for two families or a group of friends. There is private lift access and stunning views of piste and mountain from the living room and bedroom balconies. The chalet is comfortably and elegantly furnished with a spacious open plan living area, warm your toes in front of the open fire or curl up on the squashy sofas.

Huge plans for the future of Alpe d’Huez

Let’s not forget that there are huge plans on the horizon for this fabulous resort. 350 million Euros of investment has been confirmed to upgrade Alpe d’Huez in the coming years which includes linking the resort with Les Deux Alpes by 2021.

The gondola ride will take less than 20 minutes, and will open up the ski areas to a total of 475km making it comparable to the well-known Tignes and Val d’Isere or the Paradiski area.

Special launch offer

We’ve already seen significant interest in these fabulous new properties so don’t delay! If you book before the end of May, you can save £50pp. 

Call our team on 0203 892 4060 or email ski@vip-chalets.com.