Top Fitness Tips Ready for the Slopes!

Fitness is incredibly important before a skiing trip as injuries are common to the unprepared whether you're a beginner to the slopes or a more advanced skiing fanatic.
As skiing uses different muscle groups to more conventional cardiovascular exercise, it's good to know how you can prepare yourself and prevent an injury from ruining your Alpine escape.

Here are our Top Fitness Tips Ready for the Slopes!

The majority of experts would advise to start around 2 months before your trip to really build up your strength, stamina and techniques. Doing this will allow you to build up your general cardio fitness which will help your body deal with less oxygen at those higher altitudes.
Being generally fit isn't the only thing that will make the most of your time on the slopes but having ski specific fitness is a must.

Cardiovascular Fitness

Just 20 minutes to an hour's worth of decent cardio training 3 times a week will definitely build your general cardio fitness and you'll start to feel the benefit in approximately 6 weeks.

Cycling is a preferred method of training for World Cup skiers as not only is it great for raising your heart rate but it also provides great practice for balancing.
Cross trainers break up what can turn into a monotonous training regime with a bit of variety.
Circuit Training is fantastic for short bursts of high impact exercise and also brings a wide range of exercises so you won't get bored of the same things.

Running is great for a high paced aerobic workout but it can be high impact on knees and swimming focuses more on your upper body strength.

Core Exercises

Your core is also incredibly important whether you're carving into the slopes or just trying to keep your balance! Your abs, obliques, lower back and hips are all part of your core muscles and will need some attention before heading out on your trip. Balance training such as Pilates or balance ball exercises are great ways to build up your strength.

Flexibility

Colder temperatures, like the ones you'll experience in the European Alps, make muscles stiffer, lack the range of movements and are slower to react than when we're at a normal altitude. Regular stretching before your trip as well as any time you plan to ski will not only lessen your chances of injuries but will also improve your ski performance.

Strength & Power

Your quads (the front of your thighs) and gluteals (the back of your thighs) are your main power muscles during skiing or snowboarding.
Exercises to help you train up include lunges, split squats, step ups or cycling. Try to avoid wall squats as these can translate to you skiing with weight going into your heels.

Weight Distribution

Your weight should be balanced over the centre of your skis to avoid any loss of control or injuries.

1st Time Skiiers

For the beginner skier, the thought of zooming down snowy slopes can not only be incredibly exciting but also daunting! The sensation of standing on a moving object is quite a strange one and definintely takes time to adjust to. Activities such as ice skating or roller blading will make this movement a lot less confusing and will still help you with the stance and balance you'll need for a successful ski.

Balance Boards are also a fantastic resource to help you train up for the ski season. They can be easily made at home or from specialist stores.

Advanced Skiers

For the more advanced skiing fanatic, there are more than enough activities to keep your skills up to par. Horse riding, mountain biking or gymnastics help hone in on your co-ordination and of course, balance.

Dont' forget there's always a chance to ski all year round at indoor ski slopes which are an ideal way to practice and really develop your skills ready for a successful skiing or snowboarding trip.

Want to try out the slopes for yourself? Our experienced and dedicated luxury ski chalet experts are on hand to help you find your perfect property during your stayContact us today:

+44 (0) 1244 62 99 63

ski@elegant-address.com

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

Research to Zermatt

For my first trip to Zermatt and Switzerland itself, Chalets Les Anges, Chalet Grace and Chalet Maurice were certainly impressive properties to start with. Little did I know what fabulous service, food and all round opulence was awaiting me!

Setback from the main town in Petit Village, the three properties are all within a short walk of each other making them perfect for large parties looking for peace and tranquility yet easy access to all the many amenities Zermatt has to offer. All the chalets boast the most stunning views of Zermatt below, with the majestic Matterhorn as an impressive backdrop. Whether you wish to lounge on the terrace with a glass of champagne or unwind in the outdoor hot tub, these impressive chalets offer you that unforgettable view that is impossible to ignore.

Chalet Grace's stunning living room with views of the Matterhorn

During my visit, I had the privilege of staying at Chalet Grace. With soft and elegant furnishings, grand open fireplace, wonderful spa facilitates and games room, this chalet is simply a dream. After a fun-filled day on the slopes, this is the perfect property to come home to and relax with an afternoon tea of delicious pastries, cakes, arrays of exotic fruits and every kind of tea imaginable! As I settled into my impossibly soft bed, I do not think I had ever felt so content.

Chalet Maurice jacuzzi deck looking out to a snowy Matterhorn in Winter

Chalet Maurice, with its private funicular for those looking to enter their chalet in style, is the epitome of modern luxury. Boasting six bedrooms over four floors with an internal elevator, this fantastic property would certainly not disappoint. With sauna, sunken jacuzzi and separate cinema room, you have everything you need for evening entertainment!

Chalet Les Anges looking stunning lit up at night!

Last, but by no means least, is Chalet Les Anges. There is no way you cannot be wowed as you walk into this beautiful chalet, with its unique and dramatic style. I was lucky enough to experience a magnificent 7 course dinner at Les Anges during my stay; with every course just as amazing as the last along with the outstanding service of our hosts who attend to your every need with no trouble at all. The most impressive part of the chalet has to be the wellness centre, with its spa, hammam, and sauna that opens onto the outdoor plunge jet pool. Even the water feature has been presented to the highest standard.

Whether you choose Maurice, Grace or Les Anges for your escape to Zermatt, you are guaranteed to have a stay you will never forget....

Written by one of our award-winning ski experts after her trip this September, Sophie Dobson

Why book your winter ski trip now for 2016/17?

Every year we receive last minute calls from our clients, explaining their disappointment in losing out on their dream chalet from trying to book too late. Our most in-demand luxury chalets often get booked for peak weeks as early as the end of August!

Chalet Maria, Courchevel

Booking early and getting ahead of the game means that you will have prime choice of the most incredible properties, including some of the World’s best ski chalets. We can also easily match you with the most perfect chalet for you and your group’s requirements and any special requirements!   

Le Chardon, Val d'Isere

Abi, one of our fabulous ski specialist’s comments, “Now is not a natural time to start thinking about winter and definitely not natural to try and think about a snowy Christmas! But I can’t urge enough that it pays off to be organised when booking your ski trip this year. I always have a number of clients that try to book last minute but due to popular peak weeks being booked, they have to sometimes compromise. They are always the first to call to book their ski trip the following year!!  At this time of year availability is good, there is a large selection of beautiful chalets for you to see and we have plenty of time to organise your perfect luxury ski break.”

Abi on her fam trip to Meribel last season

It always feels good to be organised (and slightly smug) when it comes to booking holiday’s. Imagine just sitting back and relaxing for the rest of the year, not worrying about a last minute search but knowing your perfect chalet is waiting for you and your guests.

Chalet Le K2, Courchevel

To get started on the search for your dream luxury chalet for this winter, contact us today. We also have a selection highly private VIP chalets that are not on our website, get in touch for more details.

What age is the best to learn to ski?

When is the best age to ski? A very tricky question! This question is usually asked when parents are considering entering their children into ski school for the first time, we will breakdown how to decide whether it’s time to strap of some skis and start mastering the snow plough!

It is natural for parents to worry they will push their children too soon into trying to learn to ski but they also don’t want their children to be left behind and miss out on mastering a new skill whilst having a fun! So when is the best time for the kids to start skiing?

Too early?

How early is too early? When you see very tiny children whizzing down the slopes and around adults, it may seem that they were born with skis attached but this is a rare occurrence and goes against the general rule. There is also the increased risk that children can be put off a new hobby or ski by starting too soon. So when should they start?

Realistically, the very earliest that kids can ski is from three years old. Children under three will struggle to co-ordinate and control their skis as well as lack the strength to stay up and balance. There is also the issue of more limited communication, concentration and the need for toilet stops!

Too late?

Wondering whether you have waited too long to start teaching your child to ski or sending them to ski school can be the bigger concern for some parents. The main thing that you must remember is that progress should be measured in terms of enjoyment and happiness for the young skier not in terms of technical accomplishments and trophies.

Like most sports, an early start can help but mainly if you want them to become an international sports star. Then again, a lot of the most competent skiers didn’t learn at a very young age. Skiing, like any skill, gets mastered through a combination of natural ability and a lot of practice! With getting a lot of practice or having a natural talent for skiing means that you can start at any age.

My first experience of skiing was at the age of 15 and although I might not be shredding down the black slopes, I have a decent level of ability and absolutely love my time in the mountains! So don’t worry to those parents worrying about when to start skiing. As long as your child is enthusiastic on the slopes and loves putting on planks; they will be skiing by your side in no time!  

Our Favourite Family Friendly Ski Chalets

Chalet Nyumba, Verbier

This beautiful chalet has stunning views over the valley, a magnificent spa, outdoor hot tub and massages for mum and dad with the option of having professional nannies and babysitters on hand to entertain the kids in the chalets indoor pool or fantastic playroom with a real tepee!

Chalet Elephant Blanc, Val d’Isere

This beautiful ski in/ski out luxury chalet comes with a complimentary nanny services included in the rental for off-peak weeks! There is also a kids TV snug, plenty of toys, games and sledges to keep the children amused whilst you take on the mountains.

Mont Tremblant, Meribel

This outstanding chalet in the heart of Meribel is a child's (and grown ups!) dream with a fantastic cinema room, separate living room just for kids to hang out and play table football, table tennis and plenty of games!