Ski Blog | Travel
Luxury for all the senses is now again possible in the Italian UNESCO-DOLOMITES.
Stay safe, stay well!
Tucked away from the crowdy and busy cities, to find peace somewhere - also during this After-COVID19-period - seems strange, but it is possible!
We must admit, the last months weren’t that easy for anybody of us, no matter where we are from, North or South, East or West. We had to face extended time within our own houses, and for those who had gardens or at least a terrace or balcony, life suddenly seemed to be more comfortable.
Here in the Italian Dolomites, we experienced the same as you did in the UK, even if we were perhaps that lucky that the British people are, who are living in the countryside. In March, April and May, the days were sunny, and we were looking out of our windows – or balcony or terraces. Even if our hearts were a little bit sad because of the entirely white, but empty slopes of our Skiing Mountain Kronplatz – Plan de Corones, but finally we saw nature growing. The landscape was becoming green, strangely sooner than ever.
It is true, living in the mountains was a slight, comfortable advantage during COVID19 period. We could walk first around our houses, then to jog in the fields, and finally walk in the surroundings of our Hotel and our Moutain Lodge. After a while, we could go further and use the hiking paths and forests, lying just right behind our houses, and afterwards, when the authority did allow it, finally climb up our Mountains again.
It is true, we live in an ideal ambience, very near to the UNESCO-DOLOMITES, with lots of opportunities to explore, experience, enjoy and relax.
What we appreciated most: be in nature, more ofter with nobody around us, and in case we did meet somebody, we did use and still do use all security rules in order not to get the Virus. Who actually “has gone” from our Italian Province South-Tyrol – Südtirol - Alto Adige. And we hope, forever.
We have good news: we have reopened our doors for our tourists!
To pamper your palate with finest Mediterranean and Alpine culinary creations in stylish dining rooms - in the perfect distance one from each other - or come to balance with healthy, fresh cuisine, prepared with locally sourced ingredients, all this is again possible!
As we have our SPA area and stylish wellness embedded in nature, it is again possible to enjoy top-notch spa amenities in a great variety of vast open spaces and within a unique combination of luxury, design and exclusive concept.
5 STAR PREMIUM SPA HOTEL Winkler and also – in an even more exclusive ambience – our LUXURY MOUNTAIN CHALET with 5 Suites, Butler- and Concierge Service PURMONTES offer a wide range of sports and leisure activities and now in summer two private outdoor guides, in wintertime – again from December 2020 - ski programs in the Dolomiti Superski Area, at Kronplatz – Plan De Corones or in the Ski Resort 3 Peaks Dolomites or even in Alta Badia, as you like, and finally ski-free explorations of nature in winter.
Hikes and bike tours in summer, springtime and autumn are a must, and for children and teenagers, we are famous for offering a special one-year entertainment program.
With our being very serious and aware in general, we think that we can help you in recovering soon from this extraordinary hard period lived during the last mounts. We hope that you will trust us in that we will do our best in making your holiday in the Italian South Tyrol and UNESCO-DOLOMITES with our appreciated cousin, definitely a memorable one!
Independent Ski and Snowboard Hire
Altitude's ski rental partner Skimium are one of the largest ski providers in Europe. But despite their size and market leading prices, they maintain a personal touch. And by booking with the code ALTIT17 you can save a massive 60%!
The stores that are affiliated to skimium.com are independent stores located in the heart of the ski resorts. At these winter sports specialists, who all have a great reputation, you’ll find a wide range of the highest quality material that is available for either sale or rent. You can also find a variety of technical clothing and accessories and the men and machines that provide a highly professional workshop service. In the true mountain spirit, you’ll be looked after and advised by professionals that are passionate about their sport!
skimium.com in a few words: it’s EASY, it’s the COMFORT of ordering from your own home and the BEST PRICE advantage through ordering on the internet (up to 20% discount off the public prices that are communicated in the stores), but it’s not only that...
SKIMIUM IS EVEN MORE:
A wide selection of all the different categories of equipment in order to satisfy the requirements of all types of people, all types of ability and all types of desire.
An on-line Advice Guide enabling you to select the material that is the best suited to your ability, your desire and to what you want to do.
Only 25% deposit required, no administration fees.
Get the most of your skiing holiday with your family and friends with at least a further discount of 5% off the store prices for any reservation that includes at least 4 (or +) pairs of skis or snowboards.
Benefit from the Professional Advice to get the most out of your equipment.
A Commitment to guaranteeing your Safety, through our on-line advice service.
A Direct and Personal Contact with your rental store.
THE STORES THAT ARE AFFILIATED TO SKIMIUM.COM ARE COMMITTED TO:
Operating a Transparent Pricing Policy:
Benefit from the most advantageous prices by reserving on the internet
A Technical Charter:
A selection of the most reputable brands
Up to date material (no more than 3 seasons old)
Equipment that is checked and prepared before each individual rental (sharpening, repairing of bases and waxing of boards; shoes are dried out and treated)
The equipment is adjusted by professionals according to what you are going to do, your ability and your size
A Customer Services Charter:
A friendly and personalised service
Expert advice
A product range dedicated to Women
Your kids treated like little Champions
Comfort for the duration of the rental period
HOW DOES IT WORK?
RESERVING YOUR SKI EQUIPMENT ON SKIMIUM.COM IS VERY EASY AND ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES:
Today:
Select a skimium.com store in the resort where you will be heading to and indicate the date of your first skiing day along and for how many days you want to rent the equipment for.
Choose your material from a wide selection of skis, snowboards, shoes, boots and helmets.
You can consult our ‘How to choose the right equipment’ guides to help you find the material that is best adapted to your ability and to what you want to do.
Validate your selection and enter the personal details about yourself (height, weight, sizes...) and your preferences so that your material can be personalised just for you.
Confirm your reservation by paying a deposit of only 25 %. A confirmation email with the reservation form (with all the details concerning your order and other practical information) will be sent to you immediately.
Print and retain your reservation form and start getting ready for your holidays with peace of mind that your equipment will be waiting for you when you get there.
When you get there:
With your reservation form and a proof of identity, go along to the skimium.com store to settle the balance and collect your material that has already been prepared for you, once the adjustments have been checked.
Your skimium.com advisor will be extremely happy to welcome you and advise you on the use of your material.
Get your skis on and make the most of your holiday!
For further information, feel free to refer to our General Rental Conditions
Skimium.com is a partner of Decathlon
Reserve your skis online !
Where Did I Park My Car?
Weather report by Mark Fielding of Huski, Bourg Saint Maurice.
I arrived in Bourg two weeks ago to tales of a disastrous early season last year. Calamitous accounts of “grass” and “walking” instead of skiing, such was the lack of snow. Rest assured this year will not be the same. It hasn’t stopped snowing for three days now. Here in Bourg Saint Maurice (the gateway to the resorts of the Tarrantaise) cars are being buried, roads are being ploughed, trees are bending under the weight of fresh snow. And we’re only at 800 metres, so you can imagine what it is like further up the mountain.
Our Huski drivers are already delivering to early opening resorts of Tignes and Val d’isere and setting up routes across the Three Valleys. Their reports?
- Val d’Isere – white out, snowing.
- La Plagne – white out, snowing.
- Tignes – white out, snowing.
- Les Arcs – white out, snowing.
- Ste Foy – white out, snowing.
It’s like this all across the Alps. Shops are selling out of snow chains. A metre of fresh sNow. And with freezing temperatures and more snow forecast, the conditions going into Christmas and New Year are set to be some of the best in years. Our Huskies are literally chomping at the bit for those lifts to open next weekend.
If the covering of snow in England has got you all hot under the collar about a last minute skiing holiday but last year has made you doubt the conditions, let me alleviate those fears with some photos.
FOOD & DRINK IN THE PRYENEES
This is a guest blog by Amber W.
I've been visiting France for many years and have always been surprised by the cuisine. I understand France has numerous world famous restaurants and chefs, it is known as a country of high quality dining and I've therefore been disappointed at the lack of variety in the meals available.
My ski holidays have been mainly in The Alps so the usual fondue, raclette and tartiflette on offer are no doubt delicious but - in my eyes - not particularly adventurous.
In other parts of France the menus I've seen are usually meat or fish with one vegetable on the side or a salad. There's nothing wrong with what's on offer - it just doesn't excite me.
Vegetarians have a notoriously difficult time eating in France, either a cheese omelette or salad and chips seem to be the staple options there. And vegans had better take their own supplies if they don’t want to live on chips all week!
In the Pyrenees the food was much more interesting to me, it was based on a lighter diet - more Mediterranean I felt. There were far more vegetables and I felt the dishes had more flavour.
To go off menu to suit a vegetarian or vegan diet appeared far easier and more acceptable than in a lot of the rest of the country. The impression I got was that in the Pyrenees the people in the kitchens were experienced chefs who were passionate about their menu, versatile and eager to please their diners.
The food we were served in every single case appeared to have been prepared with care, to our specifications and with quality ingredients.
This is highly rated wine area and this was certainly reflected in the wine we were offered. In short the food and drink here was delicious, fresh and of fantastic quality.
When I first arrived in the Pyrenees. I was surprised by the endless Bio (organic) shops we passed. They are everywhere, in tiny mountain villages, in the middle of nowhere as well as in the towns. Having spent a week here I now understand this better; there is a definite air here of people wanting to do their best for their health and the environment. The population and clientele here appear to take care over what they are eating and drinking - particularly where it's sourced from.
THE SECRET NATURAL HOT BATHS - SHHHH DON’T TELL ANYONE! [VIDEO]
This one is a bit of a secret and you won’t find any leaflets in the tourist office about it but if you are in the area and in any way like a little adventure ask a friendly local about the natural baths of Meren.
It’s just outside Ax, you’ll need a car as it’s a ten minute drive and then a ten minute walk but it leads to some fabulous natural hot baths in the middle of the woods.
It’s a bit of an adventure but one that is well worth it - just make sure you don't tell anyone else about it!
Ax 3 Domaines in The Pyrenees - The Secret Natural Hot Baths
DISCOVERING LES ANGLES
WE'RE ON A ROAD TRIP IN THE PYRENNES AND ARE MOVING ON TO LES ANGLES…(read the about the whole trip here)
PART 3 - LES ANGLES
We are on the move again as we drive to Les Angles – it’s an easy drive of around 20 minutes from Font Romeu and we’re surprised at how large the town looks as we approach it. It seems to have a more Alpine feel to it as the runs come down to the resort through the trees.
We meet Antonia from the Tourist Office and head up the mountain to ski. The weather is back to its weird 2017 showing and it feels like spring! But the pistes are empty, so empty it feels like a private ski resort. The views here are stunning and you feel higher than in Font Romeu which you can see from the top along with Spain and Andorra.
The vertical is more and the pistes are in great condition with the recent fresh snow on the base of artificial snow they have been producing – nearly all of the runs are within the trees which bodes well should there be bad weather and apparently makes for some fabulous off piste – when the conditions are good which sadly they aren't right now.
Late afternoon we go dog sledding – I am always dubious about this and not 100% sure the dogs are happy but once more I am swayed that they are and that they do love running – here there is a mix of dogs, they are not all the expected huskies and include a labrador and collie! In the capable hands of Guillame we head out into the forest and he explains how the dogs work together, some you can see take a rest and don't work that hard, they place the stronger ones at the back where it is heavier and they command the dogs with very soft words from the back. To make them turn at the right time he calmly calls out “a droit” or “a gauche” and he is always giving them some form of encouragement and they respond immediately.
We see some deer in the forest – it’s a protected area and hunting here isn’t allowed – they aren’t daft! Through the forest, alongside the lake it’s a beautiful journey and back at the centre we get to pet the dogs who are all friendly and do seem very happy.
Dinner is at the hotel Le LLaret and we have just one day left in the Pyrenees – the forecast is at last for a lot of snow but with it stormy winds and so we’re not sure we’ll be skiing tomorrow.
It’s gone from French Riviera spring weather to Siberian winter overnight and there are hardly any lifts open – skiing is off the agenda, We’re neither brave nor stupid enough to head up so instead set off to see more of the incredible history of the area.
We visit a walled mediaeval city Mont-Louis which is a UNESCO heritage site and then the thermal baths at St Thomas. Back in resort later we venture out into the wind and discover a very cute little bar - Le Comptoir Montagne which doubles as a shop and we warm up with a vin chaud.
Restaurant Le Llaret feeds us again on our last night – great food and excellent service that feels very different to the usual Alpine resort food.
READ MORE ABOUT OUR ADVENTURES HERE....
PART 1 - AX 3 DOMAINES
PART 2 - FONT ROMEU
CAN YOU SKI ON YOUR BIRTHDAY?
I’ve always envied people who can ski on their birthday – I learnt to ski when I was 8 years old and yet have never been able to ski on my birthday.
One of my sisters has a March birthday and has regularly skied on her birthday – including her 40th in Whistler!
My girlfriend only learnt to ski two years ago and has already skied on her birthday – celebrating in St Anton!
She did ski as well as apres! 
Me – I have a November birthday so it’s not as easy as it may sound.
I mean it’s easy if your birthday is between December and April – the European and North American season are underway and you’ll have lots of opportunities.
If you have a summer or autumn birthday June to October and you’re prepared to travel you’ll find some options in Argentina, Chile or New Zealand and if you’re lucky Australia!
Even glacier skiing in somewhere like Tignes you could have skied from 2nd July to 28th August this year.
So it’s really only a couple of months that it gets a bit tricky! Yes I know a glacier will be open somewhere in Europe if I really wanted to but even Deux Alpes was closed on my birthday this year being open from 22nd October 2016 to 1st November 2016 and then again from 3rd December.
So this year after 30...er...ahem... something years I finally got to ski on my birthday! I was on a road trip in the US and right at the end managed to get to Mammoth and get a days skiing in! With a visit to a ski outlet shop and hire kit I cobbled enough together to ski!
They only had about 6 lifts open and the conditions weren’t great and the lift pass still cost a whopping great full price 99US$! Well unless it’s your birthday and they give you 50% off!
Nice birthday present and I SKIED ON MY BIRTHDAY!! 
So is November the worst birthday month to ski or are there other months that are as bad?
Skimium, the exclusive ski hire partner of Altitude Holidays. Save over 50% off ski hire this winter
WHO ARE WE?
Skimium.com is a partner of Decathlon
The stores that are affiliated to skimium.com are independent stores located in the heart of the ski resorts. At these winter sports specialists, who all have a great reputation, you’ll find a wide range of the highest quality material that is available for either sale or rent. You can also find a variety of technical clothing and accessories and the men and machines that provide a highly professional workshop service. In the true mountain spirit, you’ll be looked after and advised by professionals that are passionate about their sport!
skimium.com in a few words: it’s EASY, it’s the COMFORT of ordering from your own home and the BEST PRICE advantage through ordering on the internet (up to 20% discount off the public prices that are communicated in the stores), but it’s not only that...
SKIMIUM IS EVEN MORE:
· A wide selection of all the different categories of equipment in order to satisfy the requirements of all types of people, all types of ability and all types of desire.
· An on-line Advice Guide enabling you to select the material that is the best suited to your ability, your desire and to what you want to do.
· Only 25% deposit required, no administration fees.
· Get the most of your skiing holiday with your family and friends with at least a further discount of 5% off the store prices for any reservation that includes at least 4 (or +) pairs of skis or snowboards.
· Benefit from the Professional Advice to get the most out of your equipment.
· A Commitment to guaranteeing your Safety, through our on-line advice service.
· A Direct and Personal Contact with your rental store.
THE STORES THAT ARE AFFILIATED TO SKIMIUM.COM ARE COMMITTED TO:
Operating a Transparent Pricing Policy:
· Benefit from the most advantageous prices by reserving on the internet
A Technical Charter:
· A selection of the most reputable brands
· Up to date material (no more than 3 seasons old)
· Equipment that is checked and prepared before each individual rental (sharpening, repairing of bases and waxing of boards; shoes are dried out and treated)
· The equipment is adjusted by professionals according to what you are going to do, your ability and your size
A Customer Services Charter:
· A friendly and personalised service
· Expert advice
· A product range dedicated to Women
· Your kids treated like little Champions
· Comfort for the duration of the rental period
HOW DOES IT WORK?
RESERVING YOUR SKI EQUIPMENT ON SKIMIUM.COM IS VERY EASY AND ONLY TAKES A FEW MINUTES:
Today:
· Select a skimium.com store in the resort where you will be heading to and indicate the date of your first skiing day along and for how many days you want to rent the equipment for.
· Choose your material from a wide selection of skis, snowboards, shoes, boots and helmets.
· You can consult our ‘How to choose the right equipment’ guides to help you find the material that is best adapted to your ability and to what you want to do.
· Validate your selection and enter the personal details about yourself (height, weight, sizes...) and your preferences so that your material can be personalised just for you.
· Confirm your reservation by paying a deposit of only 25 %. A confirmation email with the reservation form (with all the details concerning your order and other practical information) will be sent to you immediately.
· Print and retain your reservation form and start getting ready for your holidays with peace of mind that your equipment will be waiting for you when you get there.
When you get there:
· With your reservation form and a proof of identity, go along to the skimium.com store to settle the balance and collect your material that has already been prepared for you, once the adjustments have been checked.
· Your skimium.com advisor will be extremely happy to welcome you and advise you on the use of your material.
· Get your skis on and make the most of your holiday!
For further information, feel free to refer to our General Rental Conditions
Start saving now with Altitude Holidays and Skimium!
Why A Ski Weekend?
There are many people I’ve known over the years who’ve caught the ski or snowboard bug and went off on a few ski holidays during their late teens or early twenties, but then suddenly stopped going.
There are a few factors involved, including financial ones that often involve starting a young family; but another major reason is time. Now this of course is completely understandable. With the fast paced work culture that we now live in, we are working longer hours and having less time off. Our Holiday allowance from our employers is treated more sacred than a cow in a Hindu temple - and is used wisely.
With summer holidays taking centre stage and a contingency plan put in place for any days needed for unpredictable events such as weddings and elaborate, over the top stag or hen do’s, a ski holiday for some can be lower down the list than they would ideally desire.
For most, the perception of a ski holiday is a week’s long trip to Europe, or at least ten days spent across the big pond in Canada or the US. But what about a long weekend?
With increased air links, budget airlines, fast roads, Eurostar and the Channel Tunnel, Europe has gotten smaller and it is now virtually as easy to pop over to the Alps as it is to take a weekend’s break in the UK.
For example, you can fly out to Geneva from Gatwick in just over an hour and then it can take less than two hours drive to get to some of the main resorts in the French Alps from the Airport. Can you imagine looking out across the runway from the airport lounge, dark grey clouds blanket the sky and driving rain pounding the tarmac? Then, only within a few hours, breathing in that Alpine air and looking across the snow covered mountains! The vast ski areas of Three Valleys and Paradiski are also very accessible and easy to get to.
Spending a long weekend at a French ski resort is a quick and affordable way to spend a few days out on the slopes, getting your ski or snowboard fix like an adrenalin needle to the heart. Combine this with a spot of Après ski straight off the slopes, then that really describes the perfect weekend. Just a tad better than getting a Saturday night take-out while watching the X-Factor or I’m A Celebrity!
To make the most out of the weekend, flights are on a Thursday evening and you return on Monday. Lift passes are pre-booked and handed out on arrival so no hanging around in a long queue at the Ski Lift pass centre in the morning; just head straight out onto the slopes after breakfast.
Of course, time is not the only issue and for many a ski trip seems like an extravagant expense and hard to justify while juggling finances. This is another reason why a ski weekend should be considered.
With the cost of flights being heavily reduced over the last few years, flying has become very accessible for those on a budget. Another alternative is to travel by luxury coach. For those of you who are on the wrong side of 40, the words ‘ski trip’ and ‘coach’ may stir the feeling of fear as memories flood back from a school ski trip back in the eighties. I know I spent 17 hours travelling to Austria in a coach that looked like it was a relic from the soviet eastern bloc.
Times have moved on and modern Luxury coaches are now an enjoyable and relaxing way to travel. The coaches travel through the night so you can kick back and relax watching a film before putting your chair back and having a snooze.
Imagine waking up as you arrive at Brides Les Bains in the Three Valleys! Brides Les Bains is situated just under Meribel and is an ideal base to explore one of the biggest ski areas in the world.
Now, because you have travelled through the night, here is the best part, when you arrive at the resort in the morning, check in, throw your stuff in your room, get changed, collect your hire equipment (if you need it) and head out on the slopes!
In traveling by coach, not only are you saving loads of cute penguins and polar bears by cutting down on your carbon footprint, you actually have more time to enjoy on the slopes. This is an important factor as you will want to squeeze every last blissful minute out of your couple of days on the slopes.
Another thought to leave you with when considering a coach trip is because it is overnight travel, the whole trip is only over three days and best of all, only one work day.
If we go right back to the initial question of why a ski weekend, surely the question should be ‘Why not?’ Even if you have spent a week sliding down the mountain already this season, you do not need to stick to the stigma of only having one ski trip a year. There is no better way to unwind than sneaking off for cheeky ski weekend to breathe in that mountain air and shred the white stuff. If doctors prescribed a ski or snowboard trip to everyone who was over stressed, all the shrinks would be out of a job!
So, no more excuses about ski holidays costing too much, you don’t have enough holiday days allowance to justify it, or that you simply haven't got enough time. I don’t even want to hear that you have already been skiing a week; go dust down your skis or snowboard, find your ski clothes from the back of the wardrobe (they will probably be in Narnia by now!) and book yourself a ski weekend.
If I was a shrink then this advice would have just cost you more than the total price of a ski weekend!
Mark Barber
Five Reasons To Travel To Your Ski Holiday Resort By Coach
Guest Blog by Patrick Thorne
Although (or perhaps because) it offers the cheapest way to go skiing, coach travel can be seen as the poor relation of flying, or even self-drive or rail to the Alps.
But that can be a mistake if you’re prepared to consider the full realities, and benefits, of going on your ski holiday by coach.
