La Plagne 6000D Mountain Race

The winter season is not yet over but already momentum is building for the legendary mountain race – The 6000D.

The race which is “run” in July each year was pioneered some 20 years ago as a cross country race over undulating terrain.  This has now been finely tuned to take runners through all of La Plagne’s villages (Plagne Montalbert, Campagny en Vanoise, Montchavin-Les Coches and La Plagne’s high altitude villages).  The race passes through 10,000 hectares of forests, valleys and trails and crosses the Vanoise National Park.

Nowadays there are two choices – the Original 6000D over 55 km and a 3000m total ascent and a new challenge, the Ultra 6000D which is over 110km and a 4600m total ascent.

There is also a children’s race “The 6D Kids”.

Registration for the races will be later this month (April) with on-line entries at www.la-plagne.com

So …………………. if you fancy a really adventurous summer break then look no further ………… and after all that hard work what better way to recover than in a beautifully appointed chalet in a traditional farming village with views of the La Plagne valley and mountain side.

If you have the team – we have the accommodation – Chalet Le Passeu – just drop us an email and we will do the rest

Merry Christmas

The snow arrived on Christmas day and we had a truly White Christmas.  We thought this photograph taken from the Peisey 74 lift in Les Arcs describes it far better than we could.

or the wonderful words of J B Priestly ” The first fall of snow is not only an event, but it is a magical event.  You go to bed in one kind of world and wake up to find yourself in another quite different, and if this not enchantment, then where is it to be found?”

Snow Forecast This Weekend!

The news is that there is a big snowstorm heading for the Western Alps this weekend with France and Switzerland likely to receive the most snow.  The snow is predicted to be heaviest on Sunday and Monday according to Snow Menu.  The snowfall will be followed by a sharp drop in temperature so that snow should be falling at 1500 m in most areas.  By Tuesday it is expected that the freezing level will be down to around 600m so it will be very chilly in the mountains!  Source Snow Menu

It’s Been Snowing

When we left Les Arcs on Tuesday 3rd November snow had fallen in the village of Moulin at 1400 metres. 

It has continued to snow all week with the glaciers receiving the most new snow.  In Tignes on the Grande Motte Glacier up to 30 cm of snow has fallen so glacier skiing is superb right now.

Elsewhere the fall in temperature has meant that snow cannons have been in operation preparing the pistes for the coming season.

With Chalet Le Passeu now full for Christmas and other peak weeks check out our availability and get your booking in place (if you need flights use our skyscanner planner to help find the cheapest flights when you want to travel.  Just choose your destination airport from our menu e.g. Geneva, Lyon, Grenoble and it’s a simple as that.

We hear that Ryan Air are offering ski carriage for free if you book before midnight on Wednesday 11th November (return ski carriage is normally £80)  Ryan Air fly to Grenoble from Stanstead and Birmingham.

Skiing in Tignes Saturday

Tignes in France opened for Skiing on the Grande Motte Glacier on Saturday 29th September 2009.  The conditions are reported as being great with firm snow under foot and bright sunny skies up above.  Similar conditions can be expected at all of the open European “summer” skiing resorts thanks to temperatures remaining relatively low on the glaciers.  Source  Weekly Global Snow Report Snow Menu

Ryanair Slashes Europe’s Lowest Ski Fares

 FLY TO EUROPE’S BEST PISTES FROM JUST £24.99

Ryanair, the World’s favourite airline, today (1^st Sept) launched its Winter Ski Programme 2009/10 which offers 50 weekly flights from 7 UK airports to ski destination in Cuneo, Grenoble, Lourdes, Salzburg and Turin at the lowest ski fares in Europe this year! 

 

Ski routes from Birmingham, Bristol, East Midlands, Edinburgh, Glasgow (Prestwick), Liverpool and London Stansted are available now from just £24.99 one way (incl taxes and charges) on Ryanair.com.

Ryanair’s Stephen McNamara, said:

“Ryanair will once again get British skiers straight to the slopes for much less than any other airline.   With great value ski fares starting from just £24.99 one way, we guarantee the lowest fares and no fuel surcharge to Europe’s best ski resorts. Even those feeling the financial pinch this year can get away for a great week on the piste. With fares this low seats are bound to be snapped up so passengers should book their winter ski break as soon as possible on www.ryanair.com.” 

Your Passport to the Piste

Check out SnowJet http://www.snowjet.co.uk

With more airlines making money by charging extra for every little thing we are delighted to let you know that SnowJet who fly into Chambery – the gateway to The Alps – allow you a 20Kg bag FREE.  If you book before 31st August 2009 your skis also go FREE.  (British Airways are charing extra for skis if they are not within your weight allowance this year)

Chambery is very convenient for Les Arcs and flies from London Gatwick, London Stanstead, Bristol and Manchester throughout the ski season.

There is no better time to book your winter holiday with Alpine Ambiance and get the best deal on your flights at the same time

www.alpineambiance.co.uk

News courtesy of snowmenu

August already …… but it is nearly winter in The Alps

If you have just had your summer holiday or are about to have your summer holiday but can’t wait for the snow to arrive ……. the first snow has been falling in the Alps.

Here is a reminder of what the pistes look like after fresh snow and those all important “First Tracks”

First Tracks

If you would like to share this with us this winter from our luxurious chalet in beautiful Moulin just visit our website www.alpineambiance.co.uk  or view our chalet photos here http://tinyurl.com/c6q7za

Chris & Susan

Last Week of Summer Skiing

This is the last week of summer skiing in Espace Killy ……. but at least there is the winter skiing to follow. 

Snow has already fallen ………..

Views from The Vanoise Express

We are used to seeing the Vanoise Express from the chalet balcony but the view from the Vanoise Express in the Summer are just as spectacular as in the winter.

The Vanoise Express is the biggest cable car in the world .  It is a unque technical exploit taking 200 people across the valley at one time on two decks.  Passengers travel in two independent cars.  The views both winter and summer are stunning.

Just to compare here is the Vanoise Express in the Winter

Vanoise Express in Winter

Read all about the history of the Vanoise Express here http://tinyurl.com/6fec7t