Snow place like home… Selling ski apartments in Arc 1950

Bethan Stacey, our newest recruit, is lucky enough to be running the Erna Low Property office in one of our favourite resorts: Arc 1950.

Time for a word from the Erna Low property office in Arc 1950…  Alice (the boss!) and I had a beautiful afternoon’s skiing yesterday with her parents, who have just arrived for a short stay in the Village, very much in time for the beautiful weather – the last few days have been gorgeous with cold temperatures keeping the snow in a good condition and blue skies all day (how skiing should be really!).   The other good thing to note is how few people there are on the slopes right now!  If anyone has the choice to come when it’s lower season, not being restricted by school timetables, then I think that there is no better time than now for a ski holiday to Arc 1950 - the snow is guaranteed to be great and queues for ski-lifts non-existent.

Alice and Charles on the slopes of Les Arcs

So yesterday was just a quick jaunt as we needed to be back in the office for the end of the afternoon.  To keep the sun with us we popped over to Arc 1800 side of the resort to do a quick run down to the brand new Arpette chairlift.  Anyone having skied around Les Arcs in previous years will appreciate how this much speeded-up, larger chairlift can make a huge difference to your skiing day; it having been one of the ‘lifts to avoid’ despite being quite an important liaison lifts between Arc 1800 and Arc 2000.  But, hurrah! – one lift further away from a bum-numbing, wind whipped 20 mins being an obligatory part of the day! 
We then decided to head to the Peisey Vallandry ski area : a favourite part of the Paradiski domain thanks to its fantastically large, beautiful, tree-lined slopes .  Amazingly, to get all the way to the village of Vallandry from Arc 1950, it takes only one lift and then you’re skiing non-stop for several pistes, taking in blues, reds or forest runs, as you fancy.  Quick ‘shot’ of coffee at the bottom of the slopes and then it was back over to Arc 1950 to do some work, this time taking one chairlift and then the Transarc from Arc 1800 all the way to the top of the Arc 2000 slopes.
Bit less skiing involved in the office today (!) but tomorrow should be interesting as Alice and I are heading off to the Southern Alps to see property for sale in Serre Chevalier, where we have a property project, and Les Deux Alpes, another ski property spot.
So far so good then in my new role as Property Sales Assistant with Erna Low Property– getting to see plenty of the Alps, finding out more about ski property for sale,  and getting plenty of skiing in (of course!).
Until next time,
Bethan

Arc 1950 before Mont Blanc

Getting the family started in Les Arcs!

Louise Povah, our longest running seasonnaire and resident yummy mummy of Les Arcs, reports on life in the bustling resort…

We are back for our seventh season in Les Arcs and so far it looks like it’s going to be a great one.   Cold weather and lots of snow mean that the mountains are looking beautiful blanketed in snow and the skiing is fantastic.
The recent snowy weather meant that tree skiing was the best option and best visibility with some great runs winding down like a roller coaster through the tightly wooded areas of Vallandry.   My Mum, who prefers the gentler slopes, loved the Foret run which is a relaxing blue cruise from the top of the Grizzly chair all the way down into Vallandry.
This year, we are here with our 2 small sons, Luka and Oliver.  Luka is two and a half and had his first go at skiing the other day.  It was a great success and he keeps asking to put on his ski boots.  There is an excellent children’s area in Arc 1800 (free of charge) with a magic carpet to get the children up the small slope – I think that is the main attraction for the little ones.

Little Luka makes his way around Arc 1800

I spent yesterday afternoon in the picturesque mountain village of Arc 1950, organising discounts for our Erna Low clients in the village shops, bars and restaurants.   It is one of our most popular destinations for ski holidays and also a great place to buy a ski property.  The village is always alive with street entertainment, people skiing through and no cars to get in the way.  Yesterday there was a torchlit descent and food stall for the Orthodox Christmas.
There is more snow forecast for tomorrow so it should be another great week in the mountains!

Daddy struggles to keep up as little Luka hits the slopes of Arc 1800

Latest snowfalls in La Plagne

Tim, our resort manager for La Plagne, reports in the current conditions out in resort…the pictures speak for themselves!

After some unsettled weather and even some rain over the week of New Year, the Alps are back in full winter mode. The last couple of days have seen some of the best skiing conditions of the season so far, with blue skies and fresh snow.

view of the Mont Blanc from the Aiguille Rouge in Les Arcs

I used my day off to do a tour of Paradiski starting in Plagne Bellecote and heading to les Arcs. The views from the summit of the Aiguille Rouge were phenomenal and from there we undertook the longest run in Paradiski, non-stop to Villaroger. Some beautiful pistes through the trees that I’d never done before and the snow low down was surprisingly reasonable.

I paid a brief visit to our Erna Low Property office in Arc 1950 to see how fellow employee Alice was getting on before heading back home to soak my tired legs in the bath!

January is a great time to be here, with empty pistes, hardly any queues and great conditions. Accommodation prices are also significantly cheaper than the holiday periods so why not come and see for yourself?

buried car... spot the wing mirror!

The Alps catch up… with massive snowfalls in the past couple of days!

First day of December and already plenty to get excited about!!  Not only did I bag the first choccy in the advent calendar but a quick look at the resort webcams and we’re jumping for joy. Perhaps all the early predictions of snowiest season ever could be spot on… here’s hoping anyway!
Falling hard since Sunday night, take a peek at our favourite alpine resorts from the webcams this morning.

Serre Che this morning

Serre Chevalier – 1st December 2009
Staying true to its reputation of sunniest alpine resort, Serre Chevalier got over 20cm of snow in the last couple of days and the sun is making it look lovelier. This picture is taken from Monetiers side of the mountain on the Bachas piste. Where are my skis!?

Arc 1950 – 1st December 2009
The village is opening this weekend in time for the first European Film Festival which is taking place in  Les Arcs all next week. The producers and directors are all staying in Arc 1950. We’re hoping all the celebs won’t be wrapped up too warmly… could hinder our star spotting activities!

Val d'Isere this morning

Val d’Isere – 1st December 2009
I’m heading out there next week so of course am keeping a close eye on the snow levels… the skis will definitively be coming out for this one!

Now…. stay put please!

WitwooFlybaboo! France Ski Flights Just Got Easier via Oxford-Geneva!!

Can’t believe  we can avoid Gatwick this winter and fly from Oxford to Geneva.  I AM ON CLOUD NINE! Someone pinch me!!! 

Flight operator, Flybaboo, has just announced that they will operate a twice daily flight from Oxford Airport to Geneva from 19 December 2009 until 13 March 2010.  Flights will leave Oxford at 12.20 and 14.05 (so civil … no battling the Oxford ring road rush hour)! Flybaboo says if there is enough demand, they’ll extend the route through Easter which falls between 2-5 April next year.

For those of us who live in Oxfordshire and the surrounding areas, this news will transform our ski holidays.   Between the cost of a car to London airports or the slog of taking a bus (with skis anyone?) and the simplicity of checking in at a smaller airport , the time saved and the hassle avoided is an early Christmas present. 

Watch Flybaboo’s flight finder in the next week or so for the newly announced Oxford-Geneva route!   Then match it with one of our many nearby destinations in France or Switzerland.   Witwoooooooooo Flybaboo!!!

Le Tour comes to Bourg

Sappho packs herself off to Les Arcs to meet the cyclists coming in…

When we were told earlier this year that Bourg St Maurice had been named as the arrival town for the 16th stage of the Tour de France, we immediately started looking into our flights. So imagine our excitement when we heard that 14 teams of the Tour would be starting in our beloved Arc 1950… Lance Armstrong and Bradley Wiggins included!

This called for some serious planning, not to mention an extra quick crash course on the world’s most watched race.
So I packed off, with a couple of journalists in tow, on Monday 20th July to Arc 1950, (Erna Low’s bestselling holiday destination as well the location for the Erna Low Property french office) and what a trip it was.
The village was looking its finest, the sun was shining, the cows were mooing and the whole village was buzzing with the knowledge that the cyclists fast approaching.

Les Maillots Jaunes proudly decorate sunny Bourg

On Tuesday 21st, after a morning of white water rafting from Bourg St Maurice to Moutiers along the Isere river, we took out seats in the ‘tribune’ seating area at the arrival in Bourg perfectly positioned under the big screen to watch the cyclists ride in from Verbier/ Martigny in Switzerland through La Thuile (Italy) and down from La Rosiere.
While ducking and diving for the freebies being hurled into the crowds, the crowds grew more and more excited at the cyclists descended. They made it look so effortless but we were reminded how dangerous it can be as one of them slipped coming down from La Thuile and had a nasty fall. Ouch!
Mikal Astarloza riding for the Euskatel Team was the first to come in with a time of 4h14m20s, swiftly followed by five other riders all making it 4h14m26s. For full table of results, please see here for the full results table.
The overall ranking was unaffected however with Contador (in the ‘Maillot Jaune’ for fastest overall time), Hushovd (in the ‘Maillot Vert’ for most points), Pellizotti (for most ‘climbing’ points), A. Schleck (fastest overall youth) and Astana (best overall team) still leading the way.
It was quick dash after the prize giving back up to Arc 1950 in order to beat the team’s trucks and entourage who would soon be making the slow climb. We sat in George’s Bar, drinking our beers in the sunset as we played cyclist celebrity spotting as they all made their way to their apartments. We saw Mark Cavendish making his way to Auberge Jerome and word on the village street was that Lance Armstrong was in Prince des Cimes and having dinner in Chalet Luigi that evening. Some of the Russian teams apparently travel with their own chefs to ensure a good nutrition but the rest were obviously out for the evening as the village restaurants were full to burst!
The village had relaxed their ‘pedestrian only’ policy for the evening as the streets where packed with the team trucks and thousands of pounds worth of bikes all strapped to the roofs of the branded cars.

Entourage in Arc 1950

After having breakfast in Le Brasserie 1950 on Wednesday 22nd, at the next table form Richard Virenque, the trucks and teams departed Bourg to commence the 17th stage of the circuit. The gruelling mountain stage from Bourg to Le Grand-Bornand through Beaufort, Megeve, Sallanches and Cluses. 
I now realise I hadn’t quite grasped how much more the Tour was than a few men crazy enough to cycle round a country but what it also means for the fans and the towns that welcome them. The buzz and excitement it brings with it is infectious and I can safely say I have been converted to a dedicated follower… now where’s the 2010 schedule?!

To view all the photos, become a fan on the Erna Low facebook page!

Sappho Barkla is the PR and Marketing Manager for Erna Low Holidays and Erna Low Property.

Summer stays are available in Arc 1950 from just £336 for a family of four in a luxury self catered apartment for 7 nights, includes free activity pass, self catering basis, no travel http://www.ernalowsummer.co.uk/ 0845 863 0525
Winter prices at Arc 1950 start from £533 for a one bedroom apartment for a week (up to two people sharing) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexi Plus. www.ernalow.co.uk 0845 863 0525

Getting into the Spirit at Arc 1950

Surrounded by seasoned skiers and boarders at Erna Low, Laura from Admin recounts her experience catching up on the slopes…

As one of the only members of staff that does not ski or snowboard at Erna Low, I absolutely jumped at the chance to have a ski lesson during the end of season ski weekend. I had always been a bit scared of trying it, as I am a bit of a wimp and a bit scared of hurting myself. Luckily, one of the students working at Erna Low was a skiing virgin too so we were able to do the lesson together.

So here we were, all kitted out with skis, boots and poles, attempting to drag them to the Spirit 1950 ski school meeting point for our lesson. As Arc 1950 is such a small resort, all the ski school groups meet in the similar place, however there are posts showing which group needs to go where.

Laura conquering the mountain

We found our group, and it turned out I was the only one who didn’t speak French – this was not a problem as the ski instructor said he would be explaining things in both French and English which was extremely helpful during the 2 and a half hour lesson. 
We were both a bit apprehensive of what we were going to do – having no idea how to even stand up on skis!! First thing we did was to push ourselves along with the poles – easy enough, and a good way to learn how to keep your balance. We were then told to put our poles down – what?! Our little safety blanket to keep us upright! Snow plough was next, easy enough in theory, but putting into practice was a little difficult. After a couple of attempts, most people had sort of got the hang of it. We were still in the Arc 1950 village which does not have a lot of room to practice, so we got the pedestrian lift up to Arc 2000, which literally takes a few minutes.

For the remainder of the lesson, we spent the time shuffling up a little bit of slope and then coming down and attempting to snow plough. We also got shown how to turn, and stop at the same time. The lesson was really enjoyable, even though not everyone spoke the same language, everyone helped each other out, if it was helping them to get up to slope, or grabbing on to someone when you felt yourself slipping a little bit! Although I only had one 2 and a half hour lesson, I can imagine that having the full week’s worth of lessons would be such fun, and would learn so much! The instructor said that the lesson the next day, he would be taking the group onto some slopes, so quite a quick progression. I do believe this is the only way to learn, get stuck in as quickly as possible.

Overall, I had a fantastic time on my ski lesson, I would however say to any beginners, be prepared to have some very tired legs! How wonderful that we had the afternoon at the Spa at Le Village to relax and put our feet up! I am now planning on heading out to the Alps next winter and having a week’s worth of lessons – I will be joining my colleagues on the slopes in no time!

Laura Mann, Administration Assistant, Erna Low

Prices at Arc 1950 start from £533 for a one bedroom apartment for a week (up to two people sharing) including return Eurotunnel crossings with free upgrade to Flexi Plus. Erna Low Ski holidays www.ernalow.co.uk