The end of March and the start of April were once times that dedicated skiers would try and avoid the slopes. But over the last few years, these six weeks have seen an increase in big fresh dumps of snow. The snow that falls in spring may not stay around as long, but it is light, fluffy, and often accompanied by blue skies when it falls.
Outrageous tan lines
A goggle mark has always been more of a statement than a lax sunscreen application approach. But why stop at a goggle mark when there are T-shirt lines to collect on your arms, neck and rear. And the best time to get yours is during the spring months.
The sighting of Marmots
To some these are mythical creatures that only exist in souvenir shops or the name of the piste where you were meant to meet your partner after their ski lesson. To others, the appearance of these giant rodents is a sign that spring is here and summer is on its way.
Mini Festivals
The alpine festival is a growing trend. Méribel alone can boast of the Ronnie Loves Music Festival and the Folie Douce Courchevel festival. Once the posters for these start to go up, we know that we are in for a good time and spring has arrived.
Rocks
Rocks are a part of the spring experience, and other than the ptex manufacturers, no one enjoys their appearance. First, the big ones that form the landscape start to appear, then slowly, smaller ones start to pop up on the lower slopes and busy intersections. By the season’s final week (if it hasn’t dumped), part of the game is to dodge the rocks.
Sunbathing lifties
An iconic ski resort image in spring is the sunbathing lift op. Over the years, the resorts have become more customer-focused and the role of the lift operator more responsible this sight happens less and less. But when it does, you can’t but think…. “I’d quite like that job”.
Puddles to skim
You know the drill. You spot a puddle or melted pond, point it out to your group, and watch someone effortlessly skim across it on skis. The challenge is on. One of your group heads back to the chalet early to dry off. In some resorts, this is now a major event. Don’t let your mate enter!
Sunshine, smiley faces, parties, funny goggle marks and more snow than you might expect. Just a few of the things we love about Spring skiing in the Three Valleys.
In fact, Méribel in the spring comes with more than just a few perks.
In this blog we’re taking a closer look at the pros of a late season session on the slopes that’ll have you searching for all the Spring Ski deals and stocking up on the Factor 50 before you can say ‘have I got any annual leave left?’
Spring skiing is all about Location, Location, Location
Méribel’s enviable position, at the centre of the largest lift-linked ski area in the world with over 600km of marked pistes and 200 ski lifts serving a 110 square mile area, is a great base for exploring the tail-end of a season. Méribel, like La Tania, is of course well connected via lft and piste to the third valley of Val Thorens.
With 99% of its ski area above 2000m, it’s Europe’s highest major resort and one of its most snowsure from the start of the season right through to May. It even comes with a snow guarantee…
With a winter’s worth of snow as a base, accumulations on Méribel’s upper slopes can regularly reach depths of 2 meters by March and April. We took a look at the spring snowfall records for the last five years and found that an average of almost 50cm fell during the last six weeks of the season, easily matching the snowfall recorded in December in those same seasons.
With the warmer temperatures and stronger sunshine though, snow quality can be more unpredictable, but fear not! Spring skiing just calls for a little pre-planning. We recommend taking to South facing runs such as Jerusalem in the morning and switching to the North facing ones, such as the Cote Brune, in the afternoons.
Skiing on a bluebird day in the spring takes on a quality different to that of the winter. It becomes less about the standard adrenaline-fuelled stuff and more about an awe-filled exploration of the mountains.
The longer, warmer days mean that you can take the time to ‘smell the flowers’ as it were. There’s a sense of new growth, a natural unfurling of the summer to come which brings with it the inevitable buzz and potential of a seasonal shift. And this is what those mountain-top bar terraces were made for…
A World Away from the Piste
If you do get the odd day where conditions are less than perfect, it’s handy to know that there are some great alternatives to the slopes.
There are some really good non-ski activities that include paragliding, Ice skating, water parks and Ice Karting on offer in Meribel and The Three Valleys. And oh, did we mention the lovely, sunshine-filled Apres?
There are a lot of parties
There’s always something going on in the Three Valleys but it’s March and April that see the focus lie heavily on parties, charity music events and top notch festivals. Firm favourites such as March’s Ronnie Loves Music Festival and the legendary Three Valleys Charity day in April are just two great examples that complement a whole host of closing parties and the inevitable ‘drink the bar dry’ nights that see the season drawn to a very merry close.
Spring time skiing in Meribel and the Three Valleys is basically about excitable early mornings on the slopes and leisurely lines back towards an especially awesome apres scene that starts in the afternoon and continues late, late into the night.
What is it really like to go skiing in Meribel with the Covid Travel Requirements?
We went skiing last weekend to find out!
Flying, transfers and arriving in resort.
We travelled through Geneva, had to show a Covid Vaccine pass and complete a simple Swiss, Passenger Locator form. It is as an emailed PDF document with a QR code. It can be stored on your phone or printed, whichever you choose. These were all checked Gatwick (in our case).
The boarder at Geneva into France is soft and people are rarely stopped. As long as you are fully vaccinated or have a recovery pass then you don’t have to test to come into Geneva (as of 22 Jan). You will need a test within 24 hours to enter France. (Chambery, Lyon, Grenoble and Eurotunnel) and a sworn declaration here
Once at the chalet, Alpine Action will deliver lift passes to your chalet, there is no need for you to go to the lift pass office with your Covid passes, hassle free!
On the slopes in Meribel – 3 Vallys
There are no facilities at the lifts for checking Covid passes but there are random spot checks. You could be asked to show your Covid QR code (the NHS QR code is fully accepted on their handheld verification app which is used).
You will be asked to lift your snood or mask from your face while gaining entry to a lift or gondola.
Bars and restaurants all use the same app to verify your Covid QR code and most will ask for this as you enter through the door.
Returning to the UK from Meribel
To return to the UK you will need to have booked a day 2 test (prices from £14.50 see here). You will get a reference number needed for the UK passenger locator form. This can only be filled in 48 hours before you come home. Tests are not required to enter the UK after 11 Feb.
Overall, the process was not very difficult, the atmosphere in the resort was buzzy, the conditions were excellent with blue skies and sun.
We don’t need to remind you this is some of the best skiing in the World! So what are you waiting for?
To book call us 01273 977677
MORE DETAILED INFORMATION ABOUT TRAVEL ON OUR WEBSITE
If you find your time away from the slopes too long, then you might want to know where you can watch skiing and snowboarding on the TV.
What’s the longest you can go without thinking about skiing? If you are like us, it might not be very long.
So in the long months between spring and winter, we have to get our fix online and on TV.
Here are some of the best places to find and watch skiing and snowboarding on TV and online.
Skiing and Snowboarding on Netflix
If you have a Netflix subscription, you probably won’t find your ski fix here but can get a small dose of alpine life watching the documentary Mountains. There are some feel-good ski based movies to watch such as Chalet Girl and Eddie the Eagle.
There is also The Chalet a revenge thriller where a group of friends head to a chalet in the French Alps for a wedding, or there is The Frozen Dead a police crime investigation mystery based in the Pyrenees.
Skiing and Snowboarding on Amazon Prime
Prime subscribers have a wider selection of more traditional ski and snowboard movies that feature actual skiing and snowboarding. For the race fan, there is the documentary Streif about putting on the classic Hahnenkamm race in Kitzbuhel.
Other ski films include White Wedding, Antagonist, Gunni Season and Japow.
For snowboarders, there is a little less to watch on Amazon Prime with just Yugen and Travis Rices’ Roadless of note. However, there is MXP: Most Xtreme Primate a film about a snowboarding chimpanzee and few episodes of Paw Patrol that feature the pups boarding.
Skiing and Snowboarding on Redbull TV
For anyone looking for a serious does of incredible skiing and snowboarding movies and TV shows look no further than the free online and digital channel from the energy drink company.
This is the media house that brought the world the game-changing Art of Flight, also on the channel are all of Rices’ other movies including The Fourth Phase.
There are load of ski films on there too, as well as live streams and replays of events like the Kings and Queens of Corbets. Dig deeper and find athlete session and behind the scene clips. There is also a documentary about an alpine search and rescue team called The Horn.
Obviously, there are endless ski, and snowboard viewing opportunities to be found on YouTube but to save you searching too much here are three recommendations.
Quicksilver: The clothing brand has a great channel with some seriously good snow flick in amongst the surfing.
During the winter the Freeride world tour is streamed live on various platforms including Facebook. And they also leave them there so you can watch full competition whenever you fancy.
Don’t forget Eurosport. During the season it shows wall to wall winter sports events live. Many homes will get the channels free with Sky or Virgin media.
It is also available on smart TV and online for £39.99 a year.
When you are ready for some real skiing, give us a call or check out all our chalet holidays in Meribel and La Tania.
This is an Alpine Action ski holiday.2016/17 prices out now…!www.alpineaction.co.uk/prices-winter-16-17.htmMéribel – La Tania – Three Valleys – The world's biggest ski area#LoveMeribel #LoveLaTania
Posted by Alpine Action on Thursday, 21 January 2016
The 3 Valleys will make your holiday look good on Instagram and there is nowhere more Instagramable than the mountains!
From La Tania’s picture-perfect chalets hidden in the trees, traditional Savoie food to the trendy apres ski scene of Meribel. There are enough selfie spots to make your followers drool.
If you like your feed to look a bit more extreme than cozy chalet photos and chairlift poses then there is pleanty of slopes, off-piste terrain and extreme experiences to capture.
That is the intro… now for some more Instagram inspiration.
Location is the key to a beautiful Insta feed and the towns in the 3 Valleys proved that perfect backdrop.
La Tania is an alpine dream. The sunny village is below the tree line and many of the traditional chalets are located in the spruce forest with branches heavy with snow to make the perfect winter wonderland.
Meribel has strict planning regulations, with guidance on height, materials and style. Which may sound dull but the result is a very aesthetic and traditional alpine town.
Then there is the town of Courchevel 1850, home to the mega-rich and some of the most stylish hotels in the Alps. You may not be able to afford to stay there but you can always pretend.
Here are some selfie facts: Snow makes you look cool (literally). Snowsports make you look cool. Goggles, hats, and sunnies make you look cool. Ski and snowboard clothing make you look cool. Being on a mountain/chairlift/skis makes you look cool. Being in a ski chalet/mountain restaurant/ski resort makes you look cool. In short a ski trip is cool.
The 3 Valleys is so Instagram perfect it even provides selfie spots!
Instagram your 3 Valleys Chalet
All our chalets are Instagram compatible. Some are postcard perfect with rooms that ooze alpine style. While others have incredible views to post your morning wake up.
And don’t forget the mountain hot tub update!
Food is also important to us as which is why we put feed ready food put in front of you during your stay. Also, don’t forget to capture the fondue for your friends when you eat out!
If you’re in the mountains in the winter you will be on the slopes. So get snappy and show that you’re out there doing one of the best sports in the most stunning location.
For intermediate and advanced skiers, the beauty of Méribel is that it’s a perfect springboard resort for the Three Valleys Ski area as a whole, the largest ski area on earth in fact, with over 600km of accessible pistes.
But that’s not to say those new to skiing are overlooked or left too far behind. With a wide choice of English speaking ski schools, two separate nursery areas, 8 green runs and 25 blues to tantalise. There is plenty of places to practice those turns and work on technique.
“The master has failed more times than the beginner has ever tried”
It’s also worth saying that the friendly, welcoming and easy-going nature of the resort in general, lends itself well to those strapping on their ski boots for the first time. Because everyone’s gotta start somewhere…
The two designated beginner zones are found in the centre of Meribel Mottaret (Zen Zones) and at the Altiport area in Meribel itself. In Mottaret, the beginner-only area has its own magic carpet and drag lift, and the Combes chairlift serves the great fun green run known as Little Himalaya.
In Meribel there’s a magic carpet lift at Rond-Point and the quiet and safe slopes of the Easy Rider beginner area are great for children and adults alike to practice.
Think Snow Parks are out of bounds for beginners? Think again! Both Méribel’s Elements Park and Mottarett’s DC Area 43 have specifically designated learner zones, and they’re not just for kids!
Sourcing a Great Ski School
It goes without saying that ski schools get particularly busy during peak times and school holidays so it’s worth doing some research before you arrive and get yourself or your kids signed up. Check out our guide to some great Méribel Ski School here, all of which are English speaking and run by highly experienced skiers that know Meribel and The Three Valleys inside out.
Consolidating those skills.
After the nursery slopes comes the gentle greens, of which there are several to choose from. We love the wide, tree-lined Blanchot piste, accessed by the Rhodos Bubble Lift from the Altiport; it’s great for newbie skiers and snowboarders alike. You can return to the top via the draglift or, if you’ve had enough of falling off those for the time being, there’s a chairlift too! And remember, regular pit stops and time-outs on sunny terraces are highly recommended!
Our top tips for beginners:
Catered Chalets over Self Catering
For those coming skiing for the first time, booking a fully catered chalet is by far and away the better choice. Ski resorts can be overwhelming. Having the helpful advice of chalet staff on tap is a huge benefit. Check out our Meribel and La Tania catered chalets here.
Physical Fitness
If you can, spend some time prior to your holiday doing some preparatory exercise. We’re not talking hours in the gym here, but taking the stairs over the lift, walking the dogs a bit further and faster, and practising the classic ‘flat back against the wall with bent knees’ pose, will all help build the stamina and endurance that six days straight on skis will call for.
Practice on an Indoor Ski Slope
For those of us that like to have a teeny bit of experience before our first lesson in resort, there are 100’s of indoor slopes dotted around the UK, some big and some very small. You can find a full list of slopes on the Ski Club of Great Britain web site.
Be prepared for the cold
We’d recommend for first-timers, that wherever you can, it’s best to borrow kit rather than shell out a lot of money on clothing, helmets and goggles you may not use again (Ok, you will probably use it again, because one ski trip is rarely ever enough, but, you know, just in case). However, you need to make sure you are fully prepared for the extreme temperatures. Because nobody wants to cut short their slope time due to frozen fingers. Check out our in depth guide here.
Watch some videos
From full-length films and YouTube Ski Technique guides and tips, there’s a wealth of ski and snowboard related content out there. You could even subscribe to our channel and get a proper feel for an Alpine Action catered chalet experience. All of this will get you super keen and excited to get started on your own skiing or snowboarding journey.
(Just don’t overdo the ‘Best Ski Fails of All Time’ vids…)
Check out our current pricing and availability for your Merbel or La Tania catered Chalet holiday here.
Looking forward to seeing you shredding it very soon…x
Our guide to what’s on in Meribel & the Three Valleys this season.
7th December: The Three Valleys ski area opens for the winter.
The day also includes a laser and light performance to mark the opening from 5 pm.
25th December: Christmas celebrations kick off on the night before Christmas with fireworks, a torchlight descent and an appearance by Father Christmas.
31st December: Straight from the slopes there are parties at the main lift areas in Meribel and Motteret from 4.30 pm. Then wrap up warm for the open-air late-night party down at the Chaudanne area until 1.30 am. Or find a bar you like and party there.
28th & 29th January: Men’s Europe Cup, Giant Slalom. GS races held over two days on the 2023 World Cup slope. Winners of the event will be eligible for the WC circuit.
30th January: Winter Film Festival. An evening of short films from legends like Jeremy Prévost. The showings take place at the Auditorium by the Tourist office.
1st February: Yooni Moon Trail Run. All the best ski resorts now have a night time trail running race and Meribel is no exception. Get your head torch charged and choose between the 8km and the 15km trail. Register here https://www.meribel-sport-montagne.com.
7th March: Have you ever wanted to have a go at competitive skiing? If you have why not try the Roc de Fer. Live the life of an alpine racer by entering this competition and turning your hand at Super G, GS and Slalom. Enter here… https://salomon.win-in-sports.com/rocdefer2020/
9th – 13th March: Piste Bash Festival. A 5-day festival packed full of music, comedy and freestyle action. Acts are still being confirmed, but if we go based on past performers, it will be a great week.
14th March: The streets of Meribel get turned into a snowpark for the Jib Sessions.
27th March: The mogul’s competition is always impressive during the Olympics, but if you are in the resort this week you can watch the French Championship live in Motteret.
5th April: The Enduro des 3 Vallees is not what it sounds this is an inclusive event aimed at giving everyone to take part in multiple activities, From Biathaoln to boardercross, there are events for everyone.
Our guide to how you can help your body recover from a day skiing or snowboarding : Get the most out of your ski trip.
Do you plan to get ski fit for your next trip only to put it off and then suddenly you’re on a plane and you haven’t done any relevant exercises?
Skiing and Snowboarding work parts of your body that you don’t use in everyday life.
If you aren’t “ski body” ready there are going to be parts of you that will ache after a day on the slopes.
There are things that you can do during the evening in your chalet to make you feel ready for the next day on the slopes.
Stretching
Stretching is one of the best ways to help your body recover after skiing, it will help you to avoid sore muscles the next day.
Stretching after a day of riding helps muscles return to their original position by removing the tension.
During your post ski stretching the circulation of blood will return to your muscles allowing them to recover and repair. Make sure that you focus on stretching your leg muscles, glutes and lower back.
Here is a handy warm down guide from ski expert Warren Smith.
Warm up
Warming your muscles up a few hours after exercises can really help ease the pain and get your body back to it’s full potential.
In most of our ski chalets you will find a hot tub or a sauna. Don’t mistake these for novelties that add a level of sophistication to your holiday, these are important bits of kit that can help your post-ski recovery.
Warming your body in a hot tub or sauna increases blood flow and allows more oxygen get to your muscles.
Experts advise that you wait for several hours before hopping into a sauna or a hot tub after skiing or snowboarding and to make sure that you are thoroughly hydrated.
Many sports therapists also suggest that you should wait until your a few days into your trip before indulging your muscles as the heat can also inflame your muscles and slow down the recovery.
… & in the morning
If you are an early riser or you don’t rush out onto the slopes you may want to use the time to warm up in the hot tub, sauna or shower. Warm muscles are less likely to be damaged during exercises.
A great way to make sure you are ready for the next day on the slopes is to get a sports massage that works on the soft tissues around the most worked parts of your body.
A massage after skiing should focus on your lower back and knee area. Having your body looked after like this will aid your relaxation and increase your recovery.
Ice Bath
Out of all the techniques, this is probably the best at ensuring your muscles recover overnight.
The chances that your chalet will have enough ice on hand to do this is unlikely but don’t worry.
All you need is a bath at normal cold tap temperature, between 8°C and 10°C. The cold temperature will slow the inflammation and help get the recovery process working faster.
You should go for two sessions of five minutes with a warm-up in between. If there is a fresh dump of snow you could always jump in that.
Stay hydrated
All the above will be a waste of time if you don’t hydrate effectively at the end of the day.
We all know that at altitude you lose water from your body faster than at sea level. If you are then taking part in a strenuous activity such as skiing or snowboarding you will become dehydrated even quicker.
Your body needs liquid to help with repairing muscles as well as to extract the nutrients from your food during the digestion process.
Taking a drink directly after skiing will also lower your heart rate faster and ensure that you don’t spend the evening feeling fatigued. Please note that chalet wine is not an acceptable way to hydrate yourself!
As we mentioned at the start one options is to be ski fit for your trip.
Discover what is new in the 3 Valleys this winter – Season 2019/20
Every year the resorts across the Three Valleys bring new upgrades to their ski areas, resorts and event offerings.
The 2019/20 winter season is no different with new runs, lifts and entertainment.
New runs in the Three Valleys
Meribel is opening two new red runs open in the Roc de Fer area at the top of the Olympic chairlift.
Up until now, this area has been served by blue slopes and the notorious black fun Face. The new runs will be called Gypaete and Daguet which can also be accessed from the Cherferie lift.
As more and more of us want freeride to be easier to access and safer Courchevel and Meribel are introducing such zones.
Meribel is upgrading its “Back to the Wild” freeride zone that can be found on the north-facing Mont de la Challe sector. Skiiers can access area that is area via the Roc de Tougne chair.
Courchevel is revamping the Creux Noirs area that was closed for the 2018/19 season.
It will reopen as an ungroomed controlled freeride area under the name The Freeride Lab and will be accessed by a new 350m drag lift that replaces the very dated chairlift.
Starting at the 2700m peak will be two red runs and one black run, but it also means better access to some of the areas best off-piste. This is a welcome return.
New Ski lifts in the Three Valleys.
In addition to the new Creux Noirs new drag lift Courchevel are making it easier for skiers to commute from Le Praz.
A new €27 million lift will depart from Le Praz and arrive directly into La Croisette complex in Courchevel centre. This will make it easier for skiers to get to the Plantrey chairlift, the slopes and the resort
The base of the lift will also feature a multi-use centre that includes parking and a children’s activity zone.
St Martin de Belleville is upgrading Saint Martin 1 gondola that is the main lift out of the village.
It will replace all the old cabins and increase lift speed further, and capacity will rise from 1,800 to 2,400 people per hour.
More snowmaking in Meribel
To serve the growing army of snowmaking machines that keep the ski slopes white more water is needed.
Meribel has expanded two reservoirs to help increase snowmaking on the Bouvreuil Rouge, Mûres Rouge, sections of Combe du Vallon, Choucas.
New for Families in the Three Valleys
The Yeti park in Meribel-Mottaret has introduced a no skis area so children can run around, play blow Himilyan horns, have a snack and chill out.
And in the Family Cool area near the Meribel Altiport, there will be a load of free entertainment during the school holidays.
Activities will include eagle shows, ice carving, biathlon taster sessions and other surprises.
More picnic areas in the Three Valleys
After the success of the log cabin picnic spot, Cabane des Trappeurs, Meribel are introducing the Refuge at the bottom of the Lagopède piste.
Its worth remembering that the Cabane des Trappeurs doesn’t just provide seating there is also glove-warmers and smartphone chargers.
New Bars in the Three Valleys
Val Thorens is opening a new Igloo village that will be home to an ice bar for drinks and a restaurant serving mountain classics like fondue.
Meribel welcomed the return of the popular Jacks bar. It’s absence last winter was noticed by all.
This winter it will open in a new home across the road from the Chaudanne in the building that previously housed the Meribar.
If you are thinking about skiing in the Three Valleys this winter take a look at our accommodation in La Tania and Meribel.
Find out how to stay warm on the slopes this season
We have over 25 years of experience providing catered chalet holidays and whilst we obviously share the poet Edith Sitwell’s love for a cosy home, an open fire, quality time with friends and family and fantastic food, we differ slightly in her assertion that it’s the only place we want to be.
Winter is, naturally, our favourite season. We start counting down the days from spring! Then after a long wait, it snows and it is finally time to get outside and play! There’s stunning scenery to be explored and fluffy powder crying out to be skied!
“Winter is the time for comfort, for good food and warmth, for the touch of a friendly hand and for a talk beside the fire: it is the time for home.” Edith Sitwell
But all this fun comes at a cold price and if, like us, you want to squeeze out every last second on the slopes during your ski holiday, staying as warm and dry as possible is paramount. Nobody wants to cut their day on the hill short because of the cold.
With this in mind we’ve put together some handy tips to help you stay warm and comfortable on the slopes the whole day long.
Courchevel Jan 2019
Food is Fuel
Start the day right with a good breakfast. However keen you are to get going, you need to put some fuel in the tank first! And eating makes you warmer!
Essentially, you are adding energy which serves to warm up the body. And the bonus is that you don’t have to worry about storing that energy as fat, as you’re sure to burn it all off in the day on the slopes. (Ah, the joys of a guilt-free full English or continental breakfast feast!)
Breakfast might be the most important meal of the day, but with all that shredding planned, you’re going to need to keep refuelling.
Go for something nice and warm but avoid an afternoon energy-slump by skipping anything too rich or particularly carb heavy (we know you won’t), save that for dinner at the chalet!
Layer Up
Verb: To dress in multiple layers before heading out. Done to protect oneself from cold elements or just to look mad fresh. (UrbanDictionary.com)
We’re talking here about urbandictionary.com’s first definition here, but hey, if you want to look ‘mad fresh’ in the process who are we to judge. We’ve seen all sorts of trends come and go!
Seriously though, layers help trap small pockets of air and multiple layers are always better that one chunky ski jacket. Start with a Merino wool thermal layer which, unlike cotton, will still trap air even if it gets wet, then add a down filled mid-layer and a waterproof shell jacket.
Make sure you do up your jacket’s powder skirt and tuck in all those layers carefully, to avoid the dreaded shovel-full of snow up your back when you fall over (hey, it happens to the best of us).
Extremities in Extreme Cold
Cold head, hands and feet are the skier or snowboarder’s nemesis and sometimes, however good the conditions are, can be cause-enough to abandon slope. Combat really cold hands with a combination of mittens along with a silk glove liner and consider using a pair of hand warmers. They’re small, inexpensive and easily inserted into ski gloves and even boots.
Ski socks have come along way from the extra-thick chunky variety that ultimately restricts your circulation and it really pays to invest in some good quality thinner pairs. When it comes to feet, think merino wool again. With its excellent wicking properties, it will help your feet to keep dry and regulate body temperature. And of course, if you have them, make use of your chalet’s boot-warmers! It’s so important to start your day with dry-as-a-bone kit. If you don’t you’ll find it impossible to get warm.
Let’s face it: there are always going to be people that look great in any hat they put on their head and those that, well, just aren’t. But whichever group you fall into, some form of headwear is imperative on the mountain.
There are traditional wooly hats, helmets, snoods, buffs and balaclavas to choose from and the most important thing is that they help you conserve body heat and protect those ears from the wind chill. You can also try neck gaiters to keep out the drafts and snow.
Take A Break
If you’re out on the slopes and you can feel the cold creeping in uncomfortably so, despite good eating and good dressing, we highly recommend taking a break for a hot choc or a vin chaud. Or maybe just take yourself off to the new Legends Chairlift that runs from the Chaudanne area up to the top of the Elements Park. It has covered and heated seats!
