Help us solve an office debate: Skiing or Snowboarding?
We are too often guilty of generically referring to ‘ski holidays’ when in fact our portfolio of chalets and hotels, across ten varying resorts, are just as suited to snowboarders as they are to skiers.
The majority of our London office team are skiers. However, our Sorenti brothers, Andy and Jonnie, are avid (and very talented) snowboarders. We asked them a few questions about theirsnowboarding holidays…
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."
Skiing or snowboarding, which is easier to learn?
A - "I found skiing easier to grasp initially but I struggled to progress. Unlike skiing, once I started snowboarding my confidence and ability grew far quicker."
Why do you love snowboarding?
A - "Just the sense of freedom it gives you, just strap on the board and go, there are no rules in snowboarding!"
Which is your favourite après venue?
A - "That's an easy one, I've got to say Taps/KK’s in St Anton."
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."
Favourite run?
A - "Wow, too many to choose from but the run from the top to the bottom of the Prodains cable car is good fun, it combines all sorts of terrain in one uninterrupted run. I love it."
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.
The snow is falling in abundance and it doesn’t look like it will come to an end any time soon. We’re fewer than 10 days away from opening the doors on Winter 2019/2020 and we couldn’t be more excited!
Here are some beautifully snowy photos captured in recent days. Surely it’s enough to tempt you, but the hardest decision...which resort will you choose?
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 14th 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.
We don’t think an excuse is required, but here is one of many great reasons why you should book your next ski holiday now – our saver week discount is coming to an end! All of our holidays are discounted by £100 per person on every week inJanuary and on 15th March week.
Though most of our January and March bookers return faithfully year on year on the same weeks, other, like-minded skiers are sometimes more hesitant.
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!
The UK sales team recently had the pleasure of meeting with Vivienne, Oxygene’s Marketing and Communications Co-ordinator, to discuss some of their initiatives.
Oxygene strongly believe that skiing should be accessible to everyone...
...as do we. Their goal is to allow anyone and everyone to hit the slopes with their friends and family in an inclusive and comfortable environment. Whether you have impaired vision, you are an amputee, injured or able-bodied, incredible advances in technology and tailor-made instruction are making snow sports increasingly available to everyone. Adaptive skiing is also a great option for elderly guests or recently injured travellers who had originally planned to ski.
Not 1 but 4 types of adaptive skiing!
Stand-up Adaptive skiing
Irrespective of your ability, if you can stand independently on one or two legs and you have good coordination, Stand-up Adaptive skiing is a great option for anyone requiring assistance.
Solo Sit-skiing
Whether you are a wheelchair user or you struggle to coordinate your lower limbs, Solo Sit-Skiing is a fantastic discipline for beginners to off-pisteurs alike.
Piloted Dualskiing
Piloted Dualskiing is geared towards people with limited independence. It’s a versatile experience allowing you to enjoy the same sensations as solo sit-skiing with the help of a highly qualified adaptive skiing instructor.
Taxi Skiing
If you’re unable to ski without aid, then taxi skiing is certainly worth a try! Attached to your guide’s skis, the practice gives you the ultimate feeling of gliding down the mountain without a care in the world.
Oxygene work with Tessier to provide good quality gear and ensure they are using the most up-to-date technology. Their adaptive ski programme lessons can be booked in timeslots ranging from 2 hours to a full day (or any length in between). Book ahead of your holiday or in resort (subject to availability).
So what's next?
If you have booked or you are considering booking a holiday to Val d’Isere,la Plagne,MeribelorCourchevel, we can pre-book all Oxygene ski lessons on your behalf.
Oxygene’s ski school instructors have a particular affinity and a wealth of experience with children and adults, beginners and experts alike. Call us today on 0208 875 1957 to discuss ski school with our knowledgeable sales team.
Skiing since the age of five and passionate about all things snow. On a mission to bring you the latest updates, news and features from all of our resorts.
“Which ski school would you recommend?” is a question our sales team field countless times over the course of the winter. We know what you’re looking for: small class sizes; friendly, English-speaking instructors and a wide range of ski lessons tailored to specific abilities and ages. This season we are thrilled to have teamed up with Parallel Lines, who operate exclusively in Meribel and tick all the boxes our guests have come to expect.
Where it all began...
Parallel Lines was established 19 years ago by Phil Bell and Ed Wooley, both of whom still direct the ski school to this day. John Hendry completes the trio of directors who can all still be found teaching lessons throughout the winter. Since 1999 they’ve recruited a team of 17 ski instructors, hailing almost exclusively from the British Isles, and now run the largest British ski school operation in Meribel. All their instructors have been hand-picked based on experience, personality and passion for the mountains.
It's all in the detail
Last season the team invested heavily in a dedicated beginner area complete with magic carpet lift. This facility has already proved to be worth its weight in gold. Gone are the days when new skiers would have to expend precious energy walking up the nursery slopes. Beginner lessons today are a slick operation with most skiers graduating to the Altiport Zone by day 2 of their holiday. There’s even a complementary 2hr afternoon session offered on the first day to ensure that you begin day 2 with confidence. It’s details like this which make Parallel Lines stand out from the crowd.
This season the team are offering a kids’ lunch club option to extend the day to 4pm, giving parents time to really explore the extensive Three Valleys without having to keep an eye on the clock. This service is fully flexible and bound to be a hit with our little guests.
Lessons for advanced skiers
Advanced skiers needn’t feel left out. No matter your level it’s always worthwhile investing in a set of eyes on the ground to pinpoint any minor issues with your technique. Private ski lessons start from €119, with meeting points all over the Meribel and Courchevel valley to maximize your time on the mountain.
Those looking for group lessons can sign up to the Off Piste or Technical Improver Courses. These week-long courses are ideal for adults whose skiing has reached a plateau point. Of course Parallel Lines supply everyone going off-piste with a full safety kit; including probes, transceivers and shovels. Check out this video from last season for a taster of what you can expect:
What else sets Parallel Lines apart from other Meribel ski schools? It’s the personal touch and attention to detail which still sits at the heart of their business. Esme, Michelle and Zoe in the office know all returning clients by name and always go the extra mile to ensure that the they book the class which will prove to be the perfect challenge.
We could spend all day detailing every lesson on offer. Suffice to say there’s something for everyone throughout the season, all protected by Parallel Lines’ commitment never to cancel due to small group sizes.
Call the team on 0208 875 1957, or email ski@vip-chalets.com, to chat through everything on offer and discover the perfect lesson for your ski holiday to Meribel.
Marketing Assistant 
