How are we getting home?

Dragons have been breeding over the summer

In an area as big as the Three Valleys it's a good idea to have a plan for getting home at the end of the day. Being based in Les Allues we are lucky to have choices so don't always end up on the same "home run" every afternoon, We can pick up the bus or Gondola in Meribel, catch the bus from Meribel Village or when conditions are good ski home or ski to Raffort. 

Having said that we do love a ski through the Altiport area in the afternoon sun so getting there from the Courchevel side often finds us at the top of the Col de la Loze. The Boulevard de la Loze is prone to avalanches and therefore closures which leaves the choice between the black run or the blue graded Pic Bleu. The blue run naturally takes most of the traffic and due to a sunny aspect can be rocky at times making it less than ideal. 

We walked to the top of the Col de la Loze this week and are pleased to report than the conditions on this run will be improved this year thanks to the installation of over 30 new snow cannons. For the Dragon spotters there are also more Dragons. Dragon Hammocks and a new Dragon house have been added to the run for those who need a rest before the final push through the Altiport. For those with Children this Dragon themed run links nicely with Piste des Animaux with plenty of distractions for the young and young at heart.

New Dragon Chalet just off the Pic Bleu

Autumn in Meribel

After a long Australian winter staring at Computer screens we have managed to secure early release from desk bound work and have escaped to Meribel 5 weeks earlier than usual. Whilst there is always lots to do in the Chalet to prepare for our guests, this year we have time to stop and admire the scenery in between getting ready for Winter.

We have posted before about the many walking tracks around the area which can be enjoyed in Winter if your legs need a break from skiing, some are even "groomed" by the mini piste basher machine to make the going easy. The range of walks expand before the snow falls so we have our map at the ready to see how many we can complete.

Lac Tueda - Mottaret

The weather is currently sunny and the autumn colours against the snow capped peaks are stunning so we took the opportunity to walk to Refuge du Saut. Positioned at the base of the Glacier de Gébroulaz the Refuge can be reached from Lac Tueda in Mottaret. Achievable during winter but certainly easier at this time of year the trail is well marked and takes you from lakeside to the base of the glacier.

Aiguille Du Fruit  

Seeing the Aiguille du Fruit up close as opposed to from some distance whilst skiing is fascinating and brings a new appreciation for how hard it is to ski down by those who leave the off piste tracks in the snow during winter.  

Early snow on the peaks

Some people consider the ski lifts to be scars on the landscape but to us they represent the lifeblood of the area, without them there would not be as many visitors or as much employment in the area. Looking at ski runs and lifts before the snow arrives is interesting and allows you to see the terrain type, pitch and angle much more clearly. In some cases this is not good, the pitch on Mont Vallon, usually one of my favourite runs, is scarily steep when seen from below.

News on what is planned for the coming season in The Three Valleys will be covered in our next post - in between walking of course.

Refuge du Saut

Spending the night in a Refuge

We are lucky in Meribel with a handful of Mountain Refuges which can be reached relatively easily on foot or via off-piste. At New Year we walked up to the Col de la Lune which is just above Les Allues and decided that this Season we really did have to try out one of the Refuges for the night. So that is why this week after a day skiing we set off late in the afternoon as the snow was falling to walk to The Refuge du Christ.

We were under no illusion that the refuge we had chosen was a typical Mountain refuge. En suite bedrooms, fully catered, sauna and even a wood fired hot tub. What a lovely way to relax after a hard day.

Hot tub while the snow fell

The rooms are comfortable, warm, and spacious. Sleeping 13 in total in a combination of double and 4/5 person rooms. Perfect for couples, families or groups of friends.

Lovely double room with private bathroom

Dinner was plentiful and delicious, served in the dining/kitchen alongside the open fire. An exceptional wine list is available to accompany your dinner. The hosts are welcoming, friendly and have a wealth of local knowledge.

Perfect setting for a lovely dinner

After a great sleep a breakfast which would set anyone up for the day, including  a range of homemade Jam and Marmalades. As the sun broke through the clouds across the valley the view from the breakfast table was stunning.

The view from our breakfast table

The view from our room was not too shabby either. From the back the Meribel Valley, from the front Mont Blanc.

The view from our balcony

Mont Blanc rising from the clouds, the view from our front door

The walk back to Chalet Vache Bleue was a little easier than the walk up to the Refuge although the snow was deeper. We didn't spot any of the local wildlife just their tracks. Perhaps another time - as if we need an excuse to visit again. We will definitely be back.

Refuge du Christ

More information about the Refuge du Christ

Self Catering the easy way

Chalet Kitchen delivery

We love to cook, love exploring French food stores and know enough French to get the right cut of meat from the Butchers. We are also lucky enough to spend enough time in the Alps that our kitchen is fully stocked with all the things you need to turn raw ingredients into something special for dinner. This is not the situation that many of our guests find themselves in, here for a week or two their time focused on enjoying the outdoors rather than trying to plan, shop and prepare nutritious food to give their bodies the fuel they need.

For groups who like the flexibility of self catering but are put off by the hassle of keeping everyone fed there is an alternative. Chalet Kitchen provides breakfast and evening meals to the Chalet door each morning. Meals are prepared in a professional kitchen in Les Allues, all you have to do is pop them in the oven 35 minutes before you are ready to eat. Each delivery arrives with a Menu Card including instructions. It really does not get any easier.

Despite our competence at feeding ourselves we road tested Chalet Kitchen so we are able to recommend with confidence. We loved our meals, they were all tasty, well balanced and nutritious. No waste, no mess no fuss. Exactly what most people want on their holiday.

Follow the simple instructions, eat and enjoy

Delicious treats to round off your evening meal

So how much does this cost? Amazingly for a group of 4 or more adults €129 per person will provide your group with breakfast and evening meals for 6 days. It is hard to make accurate comparisons but we are sure that most groups spend more than that shopping for themselves and of course which poor person ends up doing the cooking?

Time to simplify your holiday and make sure your group are well fed without leaving a Chalet  full of unused ingredients? Take a look at Chalet Kitchen or contact us at Chalet Vache Bleue to find out more.

A break from skiing

A combination of dry and unseasonably warm weather has resulted in many ski areas in Europe being closed or only partially open. The Three Valleys has extensive snow making and a large proportion of pistes high enough to take advantage any snowfall and colder temperatures. The snow is not perfect but there is still plenty to ski on and every night the Pisteurs do an amazing job. 

A combination of the conditions, New Year week and day visitors from other resorts have resulted in busier than normal Pistes especially after mid morning so we have been taking advantage of the many walks available from our front door. The most demanding is probably the track up to the two Refuges above Les Allues - Le Refuge de la Traie and Le Refuge du Christ. The climb of approximately 1.5 hours is on a well marked, wide track and the reward of reaching the plateau is that you can get lunch, hot drinks, cold drinks (including wine) and if things are really desperate a bed for the night.

The views on the way up to the Refuges are stunning especially on a clear sunny day.

If you have the legs continue past the Refuges for another 20 minutes to the Col de la Lune where you will be rewarded with more open views of the Meribel Valley and then views into the Belleville Valley.       

If you are lucky you may spot wildlife whilst walking, we were not lucky this time probably because one of the Village dogs decided to accompany us (uninvited). She spent a lot of time chasing scents here, there and everywhere and an equal amount of time burrowing in the snow no doubt seeking a local wildlife snack of her own. Despite many other walkers she stuck with us, waited patiently while we ate lunch and when we were within sight of Les Allues on the return leg she bounded off no doubt happy that her work as a Mountain Guide was complete for the day.

Dogs who take themselves for a walk is definitely one of the nice things about French Alpine life.

                

Merry Christmas

Wishing everyone a very Merry Christmas and a happy, safe 2016