Last Monday saw all of the big wigs of Val d’Isère join together for the annual cocktail party, and the team here from Val d’Isère Chalets were lucky enough to be in attendance. Hosted in the Mountbatten Room at the exclusive Royal Automobile Club on Pall Mall, it was a wonderful event hosted by the Mayor Marc Bauer, with Champagne flowing and lots of tasty canapes.

Image courtesy of Grifco Pr

The Winter Events Calendar for the 2013-14 season were discussed, and there were some interesting nuggets of information to be gleaned from the speeches:

·         The resorts opening weekend is just a week away now, on the 30^th November, and it is a great opportunity to come to the annual ski and snowboard equipment tests

·         La Critérium de la 1ère Neige returns for its 58^th installment for the week commencing on the 13^th December – a fantastic week to enjoy the World Championships, with Men’s and Women’s ski racing

·         From the 15^th January you can enjoy the sixth Polo Masters Tour stop in Val d’Isère, hosted outside the Balme de l’Ours hotel – an interesting wintery interpretation on the traditional British sport

·         For a bit of culture, there is the 21^st Classicaval Festival, commencing on the 21^st January and the 18^th March, which is a chance to celebrate the most talented and acclaimed classical artists

·         The 28^th February kicks off the Yoga and Well Being Festival – there will be around 35 yoga courses over 3 days

·         You may or may not be aware of the golf driving range, situated in the Manchet Valley during the summer – well not this year as Val is hosting a winter golf programme, starting on the 25^th March

·         And if you fancy a spring ski holiday, the Hot Ice festival on the 15^th April will be filled with special offers on accommodation, ski passes and tuition from the tourist board

Add to this other activities such as Paragliding, Dog Sledging and Ice Climbing, and it is abundantly clear that this year in Val d’Isère is not just about the skiing. Only one week to go until it all gets going again!