RAYMOND BLANC’s SEASONS SKIING
slopes, head to the intimate piano bar at the
historic Chesa Grischuna hotel (right)—but bear
in mind that après-ski in Klosters is a more staid
affair than in many resorts.
Getting there
The nearest airport is Zurich, which is 94 miles
away and about a two-hour drive or train journey.
You can fly direct to Zurich from the UK with
easyjet (www.easyjet.com), British Airways (www.
ba.com) and Swiss (www.swiss.com).
Where to stay
Hotel Walserhof
www.walserhof.ch
00 41 81 410 29 29
record due to its high altitude (3455m at its Getting there
highest point). More than 190 miles of pistes are Served by airports at Grenoble, Geneva and
generously served by 90 lifts—a new six-seater Lyon, which are all about three hours’ drive away.
chair is due to open this year in La Daille, the Tiny Chambéry is the nearest, at a two-hour
gateway to the Bellevarde ski area where you’ll drive. Alternatively, you can get the overnight
find a wide range of skiing opportunities and a Snow Train from London St Pancras to Bourg-
terrain park and half-pipe for snowboarders and St-Maurice (www.raileurope.co.uk or call 08448
freestylers. But why stick to downhill? If you fancy 484 088); then it’s a 20 mile bus or car journey.
a change, there’s husky sledding, ice climbing,
snowshoeing, skating or the new Comfort Zone
spa at Hotel Barmes de l’Ours to occupy your
well-earned holiday time. Where to stay
In recent years, the resort seems to have Descent International
been a magnet for celebs—Hugh Grant, Jemima www.descent.co.uk
Khan, Cameron Diaz, Robbie Williams and Kylie 0207 384 3854
FRANCE
MInogue have all been spotted here. More than
Over in the French Alps, Val d’Isère will be buzzing 50 per cent of visitors to Val are British and the
from 3-15 February when the world’s best skiers town, made up of seven hamlets, is well-known
schuss into town for the World Alpine Skiing for its lively après-ski scene—Dick’s Tea Bar,
Championships. Cheering on the competitors with its international DJs and bands, is always
will no doubt be local-boy-made-good Jean- a favourite but also try the hip Café Face where
Claude Killy who was brought up in the resort. A you can relax on a comfy sofa and listen to some
triple gold medallist in the 1968 Winter Olympics, funky music.
he subsequently had the surrounding ski area And there’s no shortage of top-of-the-range
named after him. accommodation. According to The Sunday
Along with Tignes, Val d’Isère makes up the Telegraph, Descent International is, ‘the most
Espace Killy, which is regarded as one of the luxurious chalet operator in the world’. The
world’s best—and most fearsome—terrains for company has eight beautifully decorated chalets
experts, although there’s plenty to challenge and the largest, Chalet Montana, was voted Best
intermediates. The area has an excellent snow Chalet in the Alps by The Sunday Times.
www.raymondblanc.com RAYMOND BLANC’s SEASONS 139
RBS19_skiing.kj.vp.indd 139 1/12/08 11:16:26 am
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