VIP SKI Blog

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.

...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.

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).

If you have booked or you are considering booking a holiday to Val d’Isere, la Plagne, Meribel or Courchevel, 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.

A: is for Altitude

At 1850m Val d’Isere is among the highest resorts in Europe. What’s more, the skiing altitude spans from 1550 – 3465 m and offers a staggering 300km of pistes.

B: is for Beginner

Val d’Isere has a reputation for being a resort for expert skiers, but with recent improvements it is incredibly beginner friendly. The original nursery slope with a free chair-lift is on the Front de Neige in the village centre, there is another beginner area at La Daille. However, the 2 year redevelopment of the Solaise ski area now provides a fantastic area for beginners served by 3 magic carpet lifts.

C: is for Cocoricos

You will find this popular après ski spot in the heart of Val d’Isere right on the nursery slopes. A live band gets the party started each day before a DJ takes over from 6pm - 8pm. You will definitely spot your chalet hosts here on their day off.

D: is for Dicks Tea Bar

For those looking to party into the early hours then you must visit the infamous ‘Dicks’. The after dinner club kicks off from 11pm with a music mix from the resident DJ, often accompanied by live sax and electric violin players.

E: is for Exceptional snow record

Val d’Isere has a consistent snow record but it is also one of the largest artificial snow making operations in the world, which allows it to offer a long season from late November right through to May.

F: is for Folie Douce

One of the most popular après ski venues in the Alps. This place provides an open air party, on the piste. Check it out from 2pm to enjoy live musicians, cabaret and an après-ski party like you’ve never experienced before! Dancing on the tables is expected…

G: is for Grand Motte

Pick a clear day and head over to Tignes where you can access the Grand Motte Glacier. The cable car takes you up to 3453m where you really will feel like you’re on top of the world.

H: is for Hot tub

There’s no better way to finish a day skiing than in sat in a warm bubbling hot tub with a glass of something cold.

I: is for Ice driving

Go karts, bikes and cars … on ice! If you fancy testing your driving skills, tearing around an 800 meter circuit with 16 twists and turns, then this is definitely for you.

J: is for Jealous

Quite simply what your friends will be when you share your Val d’Isere holiday snaps.

K: is for Kids

There’s plenty to keep the whole family entertained on and off the slopes with husky sleigh rides, skidooing, ice skating, swimming pools and even an igloo evening! Our private nanny service will also ensure parents get some well-deserved ‘me’ time and just as importantly, that the children have a fun and enjoyable holiday.

L: is for Leissieres

Nicknamed the ‘up and over’ chairlift, Leissieres connects Le Fornet with Solaise. This is a must do experience if visiting Val d’Isere, it’s a real tummy turner with breath-taking views as you journey over the peak of the mountain.

M: is for Marmot

Everyone’s favourite alpine critter, marmot spotting is a sure-fire way to keep everyone entertained, how many can you spot from the chairlifts?

N: is for Night skiing

If a day’s skiing is not enough then maybe you’d like the unforgettable experience of skiing by moonlight. This is a unique experience which can be enjoyed by all levels of skier.

O: is for is for Oxygene

We have partnered with Oxygene for years. They’re a highly respected and professionally run ski school, with a refreshingly forward thinking and innovative attitude. Remember, you’re never too cool for (ski) school.

P: is for Pamper

We partner with Ski Physio in Val d’Isere to offer an in chalet massage service. Mix and match techniques from the most soothing to incredibly brutal, to focus on aches and pains or simply for a luxurious full body treatment.

Q: is for Quarterpipe

Generally found in the snowpark a quarterpipe is carved into the snow and used for often massive and impressive aerial tricks. Those who dare can pull off flairs, twists and backflips.

R: is for Rosé

Spring skiing is not complete without Rosé wine and where else should you stop for a glass of rosé than at Rosee Blanche. This is a firm favourite with the VIP SKI Sales Team with a large terrace and a superb atmosphere. You’ll find it at the bottom of La Daille pistes.

S: is for Snowpark

The snow park is worth a visit even if you’re not brave enough to take part. It’s fascinating to watch those who dare pull tricks and jumps off the half pipe, kickers and rails.

T: is for Tignes

Tignes is the neighbouring resort that makes up the expansive Espace Killy ski area. If you are exploring Tignes be sure to visit the L’Aguille Percee (eye of the needle) the striking rock formation sitting at 2800m and the perfect picture spot.

U: is for Unforgettable memories

These 3 ski phrases sum it up perfectly; “Skiing is more than a sport, it is a way of life”; “A pair of skis are the ultimate transportation to freedom.”; “You can’t buy happiness, but you can buy a ski pass”.

V: is for Vallee Perdue

If going off piste feels a little too daring then seek out Vallee Perdue… an adventure that finds you winding through the vallee, squeezing through rocks, navigating lumps and bumps and emerging victorious at the other end.

W: is for Walking (snow shoeing)

Snow-shoeing is a great way to explore the mountains. You can truly find yourself in another world, with nothing but the sound of a marmotte scurrying in the undergrowth and maybe a mountain spring trickling by.

X: is for XV (Bar 15)

Rugby-lovers will be right at home at The XV Bar, which is half-mountain hut and half-rugby club dressing room. The rugby theme continues through to the rugby ball-shaped beer glasses, while matches are shown on large screens dotted around the bar.

Y: is for Yoghurt

Cooking a cake at altitude can be tricky business due to the reduced air pressure. The secret of a perfect cake for afternoon tea lies in the intriguing ingredient of yoghurt!

Z: is for Zzz...

At the end of a week skiing, partying and exploring all that Val d’Isere has to offer, there’s no doubt you will be in need of some sleep!

What are you waiting for?

Check out our Val d'Isere chalets or call the team today on 0208 875 1957 to chat about your next ski holiday.

Aspen House will be our new home in the older part of town, carefully constructed in traditional Alpine style and set to become the new Number 1 address in town. The front door is less than 150m from the edge of the piste and, better still, there are no hills to contend with in your ski boots.

Whilst the building is brand new, each of the apartments is sumptuously designed creating a timeless aura with classic furnishings and a rich decor. The suites sleep from 4 to 10 guests and each will provide a sensational home for a week’s skiing.

There’s an elegant concierge area and even a small spa downstairs, something which we have long bemoaned the lack of in Aspen Lodge.

Although we’ll miss walking through the sliding doors from the high street into the familiar surroundings of Aspen Lodge we’re sure that Aspen House will feel like home in no time. All 8 suites are on sale now for winter 2019/20. Once the finishing touches have been signed off over summer our photographer will be first through the new front door to bring you real images of all the details, but until then enjoy the CGI images taken directly from the architects’ plans.

The whole team was lucky enough to take a trip to Val d’Isere at the end of the season to admire the new building firsthand. We all walked from door to piste and checked out the views, so give us a call on 0208 875 1957 to chat through the details.

Val d’Isere is open and tdc - the development centre coach Colin was up there is check out the conditions.#valdisere #tdcski #skilessons Things looking good for our Early Season December Clinics pic.twitter.com/7loyv808Hp

— TDC (@tdcski) November 24, 2018

More snow is forecast over the coming weeks, making the early-season period in the lead up to Christmas the perfect time to book a ski holiday. The slopes are quiet and there is a 10% discount on Val d’Isere/Tignes lift passes for guests staying on the 2^nd, 9^th and 16^th December. The last spaces in our TDC clinics are flying off the shelf, so if you fancy a tune-up prior to Christmas then don’t delay.

Elsewhere, Alpe d’Huez plans to open on the 1^st December, the Portes du Soleil will kick the season off from the 15^th December while the Arlberg ski area is gearing up for it’s opening weekend next weekend. We’ll keep you up to date with all the action from our 10 ski resorts, so keep checking back for updates as the season progresses.

“If I had to describe Meribel in three words I’d pick beautiful, energetic and traditional. A contradiction in terms perhaps, but the old French buildings hum with energy throughout the season. On a bluebird day I used to love catching first lifts to the top of Saulire and skiing down Creux, a long blue run which winds its way over to the Courchevel valley. Whilst you’re round there the hammocks by the Altiport are a lovely spot to stop and soak up some sunshine, before hopping back over to Meribel and ending the day with apres in Ronnie’s.”

Libby is new to the VIP SKI family but brings a wealth of experience to the sales team, having gained a BASI level 2 qualification in Val d’Isere. We’ve already booked her instructing services for our end-of-season staff trip and can’t wait to be pulled up on the bad habits we’ve all picked up over the years.

“My season in Val d’Isere was a blast from start to finish. After a long day of training we’d all pile in to Blue Note, a seasonaire bar which has to be the best kept-secret in Val d’Isere. If you go between 5pm and 6pm they lay on free dips and nibbles which you can enjoy alongside a beer pêche. The hill above the Folie Douce was another favourite spot for a picnic and hours of hilarity watching the madness which would ensue from 2pm every afternoon.”

With girls now outnumbering the boys in the office 7:3 we’re lucky that Andy Sorenti has also rejoined us, fresh from a summer season in Morzine. If you’re looking for a summer chalet holiday then call Andy for the low-down on mountain biking, parapenting, hiking, road cycling, swimming…he really did cram everything in to the summer and needs a few months behind a desk to recover!

Between the team we’ve been to every resort, stayed in every chalet and can confidently steer you towards the best option for your holiday. We love nothing more than a good chat about all things skiing.

Libby, Andy, Katie, Lou, Lottie & Jonnie are ready and waiting to pick up your calls on 0208 875 1957.