Our Recommended Snow Sports Gadgets for 2017

Snow sports have been around for years and luckily, modern technology has advanced enough to allow us to experience the slopes in the best possible way.

Whether you're a pro on the skis or you're more into snowboarding, these handy gadgets are sure to make your time on the powdery white peaks just that extra bit more unforgettable!

Here are Our Recommended Snow Sports Gadgets for 2017

• Dahu Ski Boots
  Incorporating the tough durability of a traditional ski boot with the comfort and convenience of a pair of walking boots, the Dahu Ski Boots give you the same performance. Equipped with waterproof and insulation, your feet will feel comfortable whether you're on the slopes, walking or driving. They come with men's and women's designs and are one of the lightest designed boots currently available.
  
  
  
  
  
• GoPro Hero 5
  This incredible camera will make sure all of your holidays snaps are picture perfect and action filled! It includes all the usual waterproof and noise reduction features but this model combines these already key benefits with voice control, video stabilisation and touch display meaning you can capture all those exhilarating moments on the slopes to look back on in the future. 

• Trace Activity Monitor
  The Trace Activity Monitor is the ideal gadget for any budding or professional sports enthusiast. The monitor records all stats from action sports such as skiing, snowboarding, surfing etc. Using advanced GPS tracking and sensors, this device will capture every movement, flip and jump you make whilst recording speed, height, distance and rotation so you can look back on the app on your smartphone.

• Peepsnake Smartphone Scarf
  Trying to access your phone whilst on the slopes can be a bit of a nightmare. This multi-purpose scarf will not only keep you nice and warm but provides a convenient touch screen window so you don't need to take it out. There's a back camera lens window to allow you to be able to take photos and videos on the slopes.
  
  

• eGlove Heli Snowboard Touchscreen Gloves
  No longer will you have to choose between your smartphone and warm hands. These waterproof gloves feature high-grade leather and are also windproof inside and out. A removable wrist support and easy exits for fingers and thumbs.

• Smith Optics I/O Goggles 
  Including interchangeable lenses, these amazing googles provide an incredible field of vision, fog-free technology as well as ultimate comfort. Compatible with most helmets and a fully adjustable silicone strap, you are able to customise to suit your size and fit.
  

• Dakine Baker Pack
  A very handy and convenient back pack, the Dakine Baker pack includes a hydro sleeve to ensure your water stays drinkable (not frozen!) and a goggle pocket. In case of any emergency, the pack contains an integrated rescue whistle as well as a dedicated snow tool pocket for any tools.
  
  
  
  
  
• Celestron Elements Firecel+
  There's not many things that annoy us more than being out on the slopes for a couple of hours to find our phone battery has died. Keep yours charged up with the Celestron Elements Firecel+. Not only will it charge your phone but it also includes a hand warmer as well as a little torch to help find your way in the dark. The high quality aluminium shell provides the required durability to withstand rough falls and impact.

• POC Receptor BUG Communication Ski Helmet
  This excellent ski and snowboard helmet provides a solid outer shell, protecting you from sharp objects and falls. With built in Dr. Dre headphones, you can adjust the volumes of music, take phone calls and use your radio all from the one cord. 

• Suunto Ambit 3 Peak Sports Watch
  This top of the range sports watch has up to 200 hours battery life, something no other GPS watch on the market can compete with. As well as providing you the time, this watch can monitor your heart rate and connects to a host of apps which can map your location, track calories burned and link up to other sports and fitness enthusiasts. 

A Helpful Tip Before Your Trip:

• Protective Cases: The slopes aren't always the safest place for your gadgets and this can mean that there is always a risk! Most products also do their own range of protective equipment or cases to keep everything safe from moisture and rough landings.

Even more tempted to visit the slopes over the Easter break?
Have a look at our exclusive portfolio of luxury chalets and villas in this truly beautiful part of the world. 

www.elegant-ski.com

Courchevel's Latest Addition!

Aquamotion – the latest string to Courchevel’s bow – is an extensive and exciting new leisure centre and spa. Featuring 7 different pools, water slides, a spa area and even an indoor surf zone, where you can take surf lessons in the mountains, it is a great addition to this world-famous resort.

The main pool area has both indoor and outdoor heated pools, and huge windows with beautiful mountain views. Diving boards and water slides complete the main area.

Upstairs is a large spa area, with a balneo indoor/outdoor pool and outdoor hot tub, all heated to a bath-like 34 degrees – perfect for a peaceful afternoon! A saltwater grotto is softly lit and plays soothing music with beautiful nature photography projected on to the wall.

If saunas are more your preference, there are 3 different saunas, including a Finnish sauna complete with icy plunge pool, a hammam and also a caldarium – the shower area has a bucket of ice and icy water for once you get out!

Downstairs a whole corridor of treatment rooms and hairdressers offer a vast array of treatments, to complete your relaxation session.

If you are lost for something to do on a bad weather day, or with children, or even if you just fancy something a little different in a ski resort, we would definitely recommend a visit!

Next Stop, Courchevel 1650!

It’s like coming home – that is the feeling you get on arriving at the beautiful Portetta Mountain Lodges. After winding your way up the mountain to the exclusive Belvedere area of Courchevel 1650, you are greeted with a warm welcome into these fantastic chalets.

 Set along the piste – all are either ski in/ski out or piste facing and just a couple of steps from the slopes – the quiet enclave is just one row of chalets nestled onto the slope. The sense of space and privacy is peaceful and unusual in chalets of this calibre, with space at such a premium in the best resorts. 

The Lodges are 4 chalets, each named after a local animal – Chamois, Blanchot and Marmotte, and not forgetting the delightful PetiteMarmotte. With a range of sizes from the 7 en suite bedrooms in Chamois to the romantic one bedroom Petite Marmotte, there is a chalet for every party! The chalets’ decor has an emphasis on local woods and stone, with the theme of the chalet name running throughout – chamois print cushions on the sofa in Chalet Chamois and rabbit carved legs on the dining table in Chalet Blanchot – and showcases the owner's love of taxidermy; artworks in themselves.

Everything has been thought of here; each chalet has its own outdoor hot tub, and with the exception of Petite Marmotte all have a sauna, massage bed and cinema room. The mezzanine of each chalet is a dedicated children’s area, with two single beds for the little ones and a selection of toys and books, all themed with the chalet. On each child’s bed is a handmade toy in the shape of the chalets namesake – a wonderful touch.

What really stands out at these chalets though is the service; nothing is too big or small a request. The staff are fantastic, anticipating your needs and going above and beyond to make your stay outstanding. With chefs trained in some of the best restaurants in the world, the food is exceptional as well!

To top this all off, when we arrived the snow finally started falling – and it didn’t stop! It was a shame not to be able to enjoy the beautiful views, but it’s a small sacrifice to make for the powdery ski days!

To book one of these fantastic chalets contact our experienced team at Elegant Address Ski today:

ski@elegant-address.com 

+44 (0) 1244 629 963 

MOUNTAIN LOVERS - Elegant Address Ski want you!

We have an exciting opportunity for you ski lovers out there to become a part of Elegant Address Ski! 

We have a position available for a Ski Consultant where you can combine your love and passion for the mountains & an exciting career within an award winning company.....

. 

Elegant Address Ski is part of the Elegant Address Luxury Property Group - A property consultancy specializing in luxury chalet rentals across the European Alps. Our team of expert consultants is expanding, and you could be a part of it!  

Chalet Grace - Zermatt 

 Chalet Grande Corniche - Les Gets 

Chalet Mon Izba - Verbier 

Place Blanche 2 - Verbier 

We offer fantastic opportunities and incentives (as we speak one of our employees is currently on her way to Courchevel to view some of the world's most luxurious chalets, not bad hey?) 

We are delighted to offer these incredible trips for our team, as it enables them to have an up to date knowledge of the market, ensuring we are offering our clients unsurpassed levels of service. 

Combining your passion with our training, you'll be a valuable member of the team! 

We are excited to be expanding and can't wait to have some new additions!  

To be a part of our lively & friendly office, contact us today and it could be the start of an exciting new adventure! 

Email: lucy@elegant-address.com 

http://elegant-ski.com/

We look forward to hearing from you! 

    

Elegant Address Ski In Verbier

I'm lucky enough to have these fantastic opportunities to travel and see some of the worlds most luxurious chalets.....

  Following on from my first experience of the Alps with Elegant Address Ski in September in the beautiful region of Zermatt, I was delighted to find out we would be travelling to Verbier for the opening of the ski season!

Not only were we lucky enough to see Verbier just before Christmas, but had the pleasure of staying at the lovely Chalet Marais Rouge. 

The chalet is in walking distance to the Medran lift and centre of Verbier, it's a wonderful stand-alone property that is perfect for those looking for a cosy and relaxing retreat to Switzerland. Offering an outdoor hot tub, sauna and cinema room, the chalet is also great for those who prefer not to ski and are looking for a winter escape. 

This chalet includes both a host and chef, who will take very good care of you during your stay. Your meal plans can be catered to your liking and needs, and the food certainly does not disappoint. There is nothing nicer than returning to the chalet after a long day skiing to be greeted by homemade cakes, fresh bread and an array of teas and coffee!

During our first full day in Verbier, we spent our time viewing chalets. A standout duplex apartment for us was Chalet Skye with its large reception room, eclectic furniture from all around the world and just a three minute walk to the Medran lift. It would be all too easy to enjoy a cool glass of champagne on the spacious south-facing balcony. 

If you are looking for absolutely breath-taking views, Apartment Alhena is the one for you – I could not quite believe my eyes! Just 100m from the Savoyleres lift, this wonderful apartment offers a mix of contemporary and alpine style, along with a driver service to take you around Verbier. 

When we returned to Marais Rouge, it was time for another incredible meal of Caprese salad, chicken stuffed with vegetables and stilton then an impressive crème brulee ice cream to finish. All this was served by our wonderful host and chef, along with a fabulous selection of hand-picked wines.

On Saturday it was time for some skiing! With fantastic conditions for a day on the slopes, we ventured 3,329 metres up to Mont Fort – one of Verbier’s most challenging and exhilarating runs. After taking lots of pictures that could not possibly portray the beauty we were seeing, off we went on our descent back down to the centre – obviously with an obligatory hot chocolate stop halfway!

Verbier is the perfect place for those looking to relax, treat themselves to some shopping, enjoy wonderful food and drinks in the local restaurants and bars…..oh and let’s not forget the absolutely amazing skiing! It was safe to say I did not want to say goodbye to Verbier, but will definitely looking forward to going back. 

Written by one of our luxury ski chalet consultants - Sophie Dobson

Toblerone's Hidden Message

The Toblerone bar is a much loved holiday treat, usually picked up at the airport on the way back from a ski holiday as a last minute gift – but did you know this Swiss chocolate has a secret symbol?

During this Christmas there will be tonnes of Toblerone hanging in stockings before being demolished in front of the TV or around the fire as an evening treat but next time you break off a triangular chunk– have a look at the packaging. The famous Toblerone logo has an image of the iconic Swiss mountain; the Matterhorn in Zermatt, but if you look closely there is secret creature in the mountain shadows….A bear!

The hidden bear is in reference to the town of the creator Theodor Tobler and the chocolates origin – Bern – which has a bear featuring on its coat of arms. The triangular shape of the Matterhorn in the Swiss Alps is commonly believed to have given Theodor Tobler his inspiration for the shape of Toblerone. However, according to Theodor's sons, the triangular shape originates from a pyramid shape that dancers at the Folies Bergères created as the finale of a show that Theodor saw.

News just in! The Toblerone shape has been CHANGED!! The UK isn’t happy about it, as they are reducing in size with less peaks, Scandal! What do you think?

We highly recommend visiting the beautiful resort of Zermatt and seeing the Matterhorn Moutain in it's glory. Our award-winning ski specialists (who have lived in Zermatt!) would be delighted to organise your ski trip with our incredible portfolio of luxury chalets in this prestigious Swiss resort. 

5 reasons to visit Val d’Isere This Season

Val d’Isere is the ideal ski resort with amazing terrain and beautiful traditional town – No surprise then that it is the UK’s favourite winter ski destination! If that wasn’t enough reason to visit Val d’Isere, we have come up with five great excuses to head to the French Alps this season to discover this fantastic luxury ski resort.

Traditional town

Starting off as just a 17^th century church and a couple of farm houses, Val d’Isere has developed remarkably whilst still keeping it’s traditional charm. There is even a strictly-enforced no parking policy on the town's roads and mature trees line the main street where cars once parked. New for the 2016/17 season is the Solaise gondola, a state-of-the-art lift to replace the old Solaise Express chairlift. The 10-person gondola, complete with heated seats and wifi to share those enviable, snow-filled shots straight fresh from the mountain!

The resort is home to a selection of the world's most prestigious shops, exclusive bars and Michelin star restaurants, there certainly won't be any shortage of things to do and the après ski is fantastic with ski in ski out bars nestled within the glistening slopes. Olympic Avenue is a must see, especially for your dining needs during your luxury ski retreat.

Skiing and Off-piste

Val d’Isere and the incredible Espace Killy ski area has some of the most varied, longest and best off piste skiing in Europe. There is a large selection of off-piste to explore and enjoy with each skiing area of the resort having something different to offer.

The advanced terrain is for confident skiiers to venture off to test their skills. It goes without saying that we highly recommend viewing the avalanche safety page for tips and hire an off piste guide who has the best local knowledge and tracks down the mountain. Val d’Isère is famous for its huge amount of back country skiing but it's also great for families and has 19 ski schools, many of which are multilingual.

Après ski

Val d’Isere is known for having some of the liveliest nightlife in the Alps with dozens of bars and nightclubs to choose from. There is the perfect balance for both party animals and those who prefer only the very best champagne or a quiet beer. Val d’Isere has great après ski options for everyone.

The famous La Folie Douce starts the party from 3pm at the top of the slopes and has a brave gathering of people dancing in their ski boots on the tables well into the evening! La Folie Douce also has a fantastic restaurant attached called the Fruitiere which offers a relaxed atmosphere with superb food and a good wine list.

At the bottom of the slopes, as well as plenty of lively bars offering happy hours, there are quieter options such as the sophisticated Rosee Blanche at the end of the piste in La Daille which is the place to be when the sun is out as it has a great deck to sit out on and the best vin chaud in town!

Linked to Tignes

Two ski resorts for the price of one! Val d’Isere is linked to Tignes to provide an amazing ski area totally 300km of pistes and 94 lifts! Unlike other resorts that claim a giant ski area, the pistes of Val and Tignes are naturally linked without the need for long and boring connecting trails or lifts. The standard of piste grooming is extremely high and the lift system is constantly being upgraded.

Val d’Isere itself has high quality, snow-sure slopes that are brilliant for both complete beginner up to veteran powder wizards. The season lasts from end of November all the way to the first week in May!

Incredible chalets

Chalet Le Chardon, view here: https://goo.gl/nGMjF8 

We have many beautiful Luxury chalets in Val d’Isere each offering the very best in alpine skiing you will be spoilt for choice, so to make the search process easier for you let our expert consultants take care of it for you. Choose from a variety of unique, resort centre or more private locations in the stunning village of Val d’Isère in the French Alps. Most of our chalets have luxury facilities such as indoor pools, Jacuzzis, private spas, private chef and more!

Chalet l'hotse, view here: https://goo.gl/YEmzEA

Chalet Marco Polo: https://goo.gl/5iB7LQ

Chalet Le Rocher: https://goo.gl/t8j5Dp