Not only is there plenty of snow on the mountains at the moment, it is snowing heavily now and we are due another 50cm on Thursday with 20-30cm either side of Thursday!

Have a look at our trusty snow forecasting website provided by http://www.welove2ski.com/jsp/index.jsp?lnk=530&id=228

We do have some availability left in January still so please visit our special offers page to make the most of a fantastic deals that we have out there at the moment which include prices from £315pp – BOOK BEFORE IT IS TOO LATE!

francesca@powdernshine.com +44 845 163 7596

The fantastic offer we made the most of was the €25 per person lunchtime offer, which is aimed at “lovers of skiing and gastronomy”. This three course delight was attentively served, with each course clearly well thought through and tasty in its own right. The starter, a “fromage de tete”, essentially a terrine with vegetables, was delightful – the horseradish quenelle which came with it providing a lovely hint of heat to accompany the ample supply of bread.

The main course of roast pork en croute with a light and fluffy pomme puree was also delicious, and the extensive wine list provided a beautiful Chassagne Montrachet Premier Cru, which went excellently with all courses (albeit at no small extra cost!).

Interestingly, the final course was something of a 1990s throwback of a Swiss roll! In this case, however, it was made with wild strawberries and accompanied by a very good crème anglaise, which finished the meal with aplomb – not to mention the multiple petits fours which came afterwards.

All in all, Powder N Shine would be delighted to recommend this little restaurant to our guests, which can be reached in little over an hour from the village.

The route we took was the following, which took us about an hour and half:

Roc des 3 Marches 2 chairlift from Les Menuires. Take  ‘Mouflon’ down to Mottaret -  a red run that turns into a blue into Mottaret. Take the Pas du Lac 1 bubble to the midway station, from where you can ski a blue run called ‘Chardonneret’  down to the (slow but pretty) Loze chairlift, which takes you over to La Tania. At the top of Loze, take the black run called Dou des Lanches which brings you to a choice of blue or red runs down to La Tania village, where you can eat and drink very well indeed!

Fantastic conditions all over the alps at the moment and I can vouch for the Three Valleys. Despite there being some serious snowfall on a daily basis, and hence the visibility not perfect, who are we to complain?! After a horrendous lack of snow last year, this is simply beautiful and there is a fantastic amount on and off the pistes, which bodes well for a great winter season in Reberty Village!

We have a a few beds left for New Year at an amazing price for the late bargain hunter – 8 nights from December 30th – Jan 7th for only £500pp.

I have managed to get out a couple of times, and here are a few snaps of the snow conditions:

The girls waiting for the boys

There is snow ALL week in Reberty Village, Three Valleys and there is no doubt that the pistes will be open for business, so for those of you who started to panic, there is no need to anymore

Here are some pictures from this morning and I will post more this evening after more snow!

Come and stay with Powder N Shine this winter and make the most of some fantastic early skiing offers!

As anyone who has skied in their life knows, the first time can be extremely daunting – and that is before you even see any snow! Many first-time skiers are unsure of what essentials they will need to buy, beg, borrow or steal before making their way to the snowy mountains, so Powder N Shine have put together a list of basics to aid the novice skier before departure:

• Ski jacket

These are very warm, but breathable jackets that often contain a number of pockets for things such as lift pass, iPod, wallet, snack bars etc. Classic makes are brands such as The North Face, Helly Hansen and Spyder, while at the trendier end of the spectrum you have the likes of Burton, Quiksilver (Roxy) and Oakley. Branded jackets can be as expensive as £400 (Snow & Rock is a good place to start), whilst budget brands such as Dare2Be (in TKMaxx or online) can start at just £35.

• Ski pants (also known as salopettes)

Made by the same manufacturers as jackets, ski pants are warm, but often zip-vented for comfort in warmer conditions. Again they often have multiple pockets for storage and are fully waterproofed. Prices are similar to jackets and of course, all the rage of late are the combined one-piece suits or “onesies” as an homage to the 1980s piste-style, though I wouldn’t recommend these for absolute beginners.

• Ski gloves

Hands are one of the first places to feel the cold, and a good pair of gloves are essential. This needn’t mean breaking the bank, but the best gloves (or the even-warmer mittens) are fleece-lined and can cost in the region of £80-100 from the same sort of retailers as the above merchandise.

• Thermals

Thermal base layers are definitely required when it is cold, but most people wear them all of the time on the slopes. You can buy lycra-style fitted base layers these days – known as compression garments (e.g. Nike Pro or Under Armour), whilst the older-fashioned undergarments are more cotton style thermals. For thermals, you should budget from around £30.
Thermal ski socks are also vital and can be snapped up for about £7 per pair.

• Goggles (and/or sunglasses)

For novice skiers, goggles are a good way of protecting the eyes (a must) from the cold, the glare of the sun and wind. Virtually interchangeable with sunglasses, goggles are more compatible with helmets – which are essential for learning to ski, but can be hired for the week – but a pair of sunglasses is preferable at lunchtime.

Goggles begin at around £20.

• Layers

Many skiers like to wear around 4 layers, including the items mentioned above, so it is important to have enough clothes. A standard person might wear a thermal base layer, a t-shirt, then a fleece/hoodie and then their ski jacket. It is necessary, therefore, to bring a suitable number of each on a skiing holiday, for example one thermal layer, a number of t-shirts, one or two long-sleeved fleeces and a ski jacket. Thermals and ski pants usually suffice for the bottom half.

• Scarf/snood

In colder weather, the face can feel rather exposed, so it is a good idea to have a scarf or snood at the ready to keep your neck, chin and sometimes nose a bit toastier!

These are the basics of what you are likely to need. Once you have done a few weeks’ skiing, I would suggest the next thing to consider is buying your own ski boots as these are the most personal item of skiing equipment, and should be tailored to your own feet. However, at first you should ensure you enjoy the sport and want to do it regularly before forking out £300+ on a pair of ski boots! Hire shops tend to have very up-to-date boots which are plenty good enough for you to get your ski legs and the same can be said for the equipment they stock. Only when you have truly caught the ski bug should you start to look at buying all the kit.

Having then well and truly succumbed to the snowsports bug, I went again a couple of years later. The budget had slightly increased, so this time the accommodation of choice was a catered, shared chalet, albeit in the somewhat unattractive Tignes Les Brevieres. Once again, this was marvellous.

Since those days, I have been to various places and stayed in essentially all types of accommodation, including: Whistler (stayed in a condo owned by a friend of my brother); Val D’Isere (hotel in Sainte Foy); Alpe D’Huez (self-catered apartment with a large group of friends – miles from the nearest lift!) and Mayrhofen (chalet-hotel). These trips were all extremely enjoyable in their own ways and have given me a good insight into what to look
for in terms of accommodation.

However, my most recent ski trip before undertaking Powder N Shine was a work’s ski trip in a catered chalet – the destination: Reberty Village in the Three Valleys. To my absolute delight, there was no bus to the nearest ski lift or piste. There was no lengthy walk, lugging equipment on my shoulder to the closest patch of skiable snow (I can only imagine the horror of having to walk around a resort: a) in ski boots, b) with a group of children or c) both!). Instead, the morning routine involved merely booting up, walking out of the door to the piste which was a matter of 20 metres and going! Add to that the fact that from the afore-mentioned piste I was able to ski to a number of fast and efficient lifts that give access to the whole Three Valleys and the prospect of ever staying in non ski-in/ski out accommodation was instantly vetoed.

Finally, I had discovered the pure joy of staying in accommodation right next to the piste. Add in the option of being cooked for in a beautiful catered chalet, cleaned up after and basically pampered all evening, and I believe you have all the ingredients for the perfect ski trip. These elements make up the basis of Powder N Shine and we strive to excel in every part of our service provision, with excellent food and wine, personal service – given that we run the business ourselves and unparalleled access to the world’s largest skiing area, the Three Valleys, from Reberty Village based at an altitude of 2000m.

As an aside, I will offer my opinion (for what it is worth) on the subject of ski-in/ski-out accommodation; I believe that this exists only when you can ski to and, perhaps more importantly, from the chalet/village to a ski lift or number of ski lifts. Being in the vicinity of a ski lift, for example at the bottom of a run somewhere near a lift, does not class as ski-in/ski-out (it is merely ski-in!). Therefore, having seen some accommodation providers that falsely claim to be ski-in/ski-out, my advice to people looking for accommodation would be to really ensure that this aspect is fully explored prior to booking, so as to avoid being disappointed.

Steve

]]> http://www.powdernshine.com/the-joy-of-staying-in-a-catered-chalet-which-is-ski-in-ski-out/752/feed/ 0 http://www.powdernshine.com/pre-xmas-short-breaks-from-150-pp-in-reberty-great-discounts-on-ski-passes/739/?utm_source=rss&utm_medium=rss&utm_campaign=pre-xmas-short-breaks-from-150-pp-in-reberty-great-discounts-on-ski-passes http://www.powdernshine.com/pre-xmas-short-breaks-from-150-pp-in-reberty-great-discounts-on-ski-passes/739/#comments Thu, 20 Oct 2011 17:20:55 +0000 Francesca http://www.powdernshine.com/?p=739 Skiing before Christmas is a real treat! We have some fantastic deals pre-Christmas available in our Reberty  chalets inbetween December 3rd – 16th 2011. We have short breaks (3 or 4 nights) available but we are also quite flexible if the dates we are offering are not convenient for you.

Last year, the snow in the first two weeks of the season was very good, thanks to our high altitude in Reberty and we hence benefit from some excellent conditions throughout the season.

There are some great deals to be found with ski passes at this time of the year, so a 6-day Three Valley pass will cost you 157 Euros (3rd - 9th December) or 181 Euros (10th – 16th December) as opposed to 241 Euros normally!

To check availability and dates for the short breaks in Reberty Village, please visit: http://www.powdernshine.com/prices-availability/special-offers/

We have a great feeling about the snow fall this winter, so why not consider coming to stay in one of our beautiful catered chalets in Reberty Village for a pre-Christmas short break?! Due to our high altitude at 2000m, Reberty Village is one of the best locations for a catered chalet experience throughout the whole winter season. Val Thorens is easily accessible from Reberty in case you want to ski even higher.

We have limited availability in our accommodation for pre-Christmas breaks, but we can offer you the following:

Flocon des Neiges:

• December 3rd – 7th (4 nights) @ £220 per person
• December 7th – 10th (3 nights) @ £165 per person
• December 10th – 16th (6 nights) @ £438 per person – 10 beds available (1 x family suite (sleeps 4), 3 x twin / double ensuite’s)
• Dec 10th – 17th (7 nights) @ £459 per person – 7 beds available (1 x large double ensuite, 1 x small double ensuite, 1 x family suite (sleeps 3)
• December 10th – 13th (3 nights) @ £219 per person – 17 beds available
• December 13th – 16th (3 nights) @ £219 per person – 10 beds available (1 family suite (sleeps 4), 3 x twin / double ensuite’s)
• Dec 13th – 17th (4 nights) @ £250 per person – 7 beds available (1 x large double ensuite, 1 x small double ensuite, 1 x family suite (sleeps 3)
• December 16th – 22nd (6 nights) for 4 people in Family Suite Altesse @ £399 per person

Le Chamois:

• December 3rd – 7th (4 nights) @ £220 per person
• December 7th – 10th (3 nights) @ £165 per person
• December 10th – 13th (3 nights) @ £219 per person – 12 Beds Available
• December 13th – 17th (3 nights) @ £265per person

You are currently looking at 85 Euros – 230 Euros one way to Geneva from London. Flying into Lyon is currently cheaper with costs ranging from 100 – 150 Euros one way.

Why not consider travelling to the Three Valleys for yourski holiday in the following ways:

• COACH all the way from London, Dover or Folkestone to Les Menuires

The current price for this return journey for Half Term week is £165pp. The added benefit is that there is no extra charges or limits on luggage, ski bags, boot bags etc. If you think you can handle an overnight coach service to get you to resort early afternoon on the Saturday 11^th, then I would definitely suggest this cost-effective solution. To
learn more visit www.snowexpress.co.uk

• TRAIN from London St Pancras to Moutiers.

The current price for this return journey for Half Term week is £339p. There are less than 10 seats available for the morning train left so book NOW! www.eurostar.com

•  DRIVE across France to the Three Valleys in the Alps

Depending on your group size, this is definitely as viable option, as you are looking at a cost of 500 Euros return for a full car (standard 5 seater). Crossings available from Dover, Portsmouth, Le Havre and others. One of the benefits of driving to the alps means that you can put everything into your car and not worry about any queues (other than on the road perhaps!), extra charges for luggage and sports bags etc

Ferry companies include: http://www.seafrance.com/, http://www.poferries.com/, http://www.norfolkline.com to
name a few.

Alternatively hop onto the Eurotunnel: www.eurotunnel.com

If you are interested in booking a ski week with an off-piste guide then Powder N Shine is here to help! Our partner Dominique from Ski School Les Menuires is a specialist off-piste guide who lives and breathes off-piste in the Three Valleys (all off-piste days are supplied with relevant avalanche rescue equipment and training on how to use it)

Prices will vary depending on group size and how many days you would like to have an off-piste guide, so please contact us for a personalised quote outlining your requirements.

Ski Off Piste in Les Menuires, Three Valleys

There is an enormous area of easy, gently sloping off-piste skiing on the west facing slopes above Les Menuires. This is suitable for the relatively inexperienced.

The advanced-expert skier will find  two black runs off Mont de la Chambre: Les Pylons and Leo Lacroix. These two runs are black runs, and the area of most interest are the steep ungroomed sections near the top. These are enjoyable, but fairly short bump fields.

The Becca lift also gives access to the Cote Brune off-piste in the Meribel Valley.

La Masse

Whatever your standard, intermediate or higher, you should enjoy a visit to La Masse. To get there from Reberty Village, take the Boyes Piste all the way down to the bottom of the mountain leading towards the main La Masse lift. Alternatively from Les Menuires, head down the home slopes into the square formed by the building. In the far right-hand corner ski across the bridge over the main road then turn sharp left. A wide path leads to the main La Masse lift.

On a sunny day, we would highly recommend taking the lift right to the top of the mountain to experience the wonderful panoramic views (bearing in mind that the two runs from the top are a red and a black so not suitable for beginners)

Having said that, La Masse has nothing particularly severe on it. In normal snow conditions advanced-expert skiers will find the runs interesting rather than challenging. The best is perhaps the Lac Noir area which provides varied easy gully skiing. There are numerous variations so that the weak advanced skier will be able to pick out a relatively easy route while the expert will find sufficient small drop-offs, steep walls and narrow gullies to maintain interest. The broken terrain is sufficiently interesting to tempt you to return and do it again.

Aside from the main runs on La Masse there are two long itineraries that in good visibility can be attempted without significant difficulty, “Les Yvoses” and “Lou”.
. Les Yvoses starts from the top of Lac Noir and returns to Les Menuires via Le Bettex chair (check on the indicator board at the foot of Masse I that the chair is running as you set off up La Masse). Lou starts from the top of La Masse and drops down into the valley between La Masse and Cime de Carron. The only significant difficulty is crossing the stream before coming out at the Plan de l’Eau lift. Here one can choose either to go up the lift into the Val Thorens skiing area or to return to Les Menuires via a rather flat path.

Cime de Carron at approx. 3200m provides the highest skiing in the Trois Vallées and it really requires at least two visits to do it justice.  

From the top, there are only two pistes, one black, Combe de Carron: one red, Mediene de Carron. Both are straightforward and of average difficulty for their grading. The slopes are mainly north-facing and so the snow tends to stay good. If you have time ski either of these pistes before trying one of the two itineraries. Weak advanced skiers may then wish to attempt the relatively easy itinerary dropping down into the Vallee du Lou. This is straightforward and brings one back to Cime de Carron (via Boismint), or down to Les Menuires.

There is plenty more off piste throughout the whole of the Three Valleys, so if you are interested please do let us know and we can provide you with a quote for some off-piste days.