Our Arc 1800 property evening at the Ski Club

Alex, our Erna Low Property intern, reports on our evening at the Ski Club of GB to promote ski property for sale in Les Arcs…

We all had a fabulous night on Tuesday at our EdenArc event at the Ski Club of Great Britain headquarters in Wimbledon, and hope that those of you who were able to make it did too! Located in the Ski Club’s lovely library, we were surrounded by various awards, ski books from every era, and all sorts of ski memorabilia perfect for the set the atmosphere for the evening!

EdenArc event at the Ski Club of GB

 To begin, everyone happily mingled– discussing everything from the new development, to French property laws, to of course all of our passion for skiing!! Next came the daunting presentations… I always feel so nervous for the presenters, but every speaker was calm, collected, informative and each managed their talk very well. Who knew learning about mortgages and taxes could be interesting?? The various photos of EdenArc were also wonderful to see, and they really showed how incredible this new resort is going to be. The surrounding views of Mont Blanc and the Paradiski domain are spectacular, and the residence itself has massive windows to further enhance the experience of the beautiful scenery – even when behind closed doors! I especially enjoyed seeing the different floor plans that exemplified just how thought out and spacious the apartments will be. Luckily, my excitement for the project could be shared with everyone else after the presentations were completed when the wine started to flow (for a second time that night!) and the chatter picked up again.

Not only a very enlightening evening, but also a really fun one that had a heightened sense of enthusiasm from the moment the words “EdenArc” were said. A HUGE thank you to the Ski Club for graciously hosting us, and hope to see you all soon at our next ski property sales event!

Top tips to get the most out your ski holiday to Les Arcs

With half term now in full swing and lots of our clients already out for their ski holiday to Les Arcs, Louise shares some valuable tips and seasonnaire secrets for the best way to enjoy the slopes!

• The morning sun shines on the runs of Villaroger and the Col de la Chal area of Arc 2000, so, on a sunny day, head to these areas first to enjoy the warmth of the sun and first tracks bathed in sunlight.
• If the clouds close in and the visibility is poor, head for the trees.   The fantastic tree lined runs of Vallandry are well protected from the elements and the trees provide a great contrast in flat light.
• To avoid the queues in the busy weeks, ski through lunchtime (12-2pm).   You will almost have the runs to yourselves, even on the busiest of weeks and you avoid overcrowded restaurants.
• Avoid the ski school start times (9am and 2.30pm in February) on the lifts out of the villages.  Villards in Arc 1800 rarely has queues and is right next to the very popular Transarc.
• Try and include a Saturday in your ski holiday to enjoy empty runs.
• There are free lifts in all of the resorts on a Saturday and Sunday.   They are:  Pierre Blanche in Arc 1600,  Chantel  in Arc 1800 and St Jacques in Arc 2000.  These are great for beginners or to get a few runs in on your first day without spending out on a full day pass.  Beginners can continue to use these lifts after the weekend with a points card.  Each trip will cost 1 point at 3.50€ a point.  Cards can be bought with 1, 5, 10 points for use on any day in your holiday.
• If any lifts have to close in poor weather (usually those giving access to the other side of the mountain), use the buses.  There is a free bus service running every 20 minutes between the resorts giving you easy access to the whole mountain wherever you are staying.  Often it will be completely different weather on the other side of the mountain and you can still access sheltered tree runs even if the linking lifts are closed.

Own a home in the snow! New properties for sale in Arc 1800

We are all very excited that sister company, Erna Low Property, has launched brand new apartments for sale at EdenArc 1800, one of our favourite resorts. Located just above the MGM residence, the 4 * development will consist of 252 apartments ranging from one to four bedrooms each. The prices start at 189,000euros for the one bedroom and the apartments can be brought on the French leaseback scheme thus allowing purchasers to waiver the VAT – a significant sum at 19.6% in France. The larger apartments (the 3 or 4 beds) can also be bought on the classical purchase which means it can be used as much as you like but you will pay the VAT for that privilege!
Les Arcs is a hugely popular destination, and since a link to neighbouring La Plagne was made in 2004, the resort and combined area of Paradiski, has gone from strength to strength.  With Arc 1800 property for sale in short supply, it’s fantastic news for those wanting to take their passion for the Alps to the next stage…

Interested in hearing more? The ski property for sale specialists can be reached on +44 (0) 207 590 1624 or property@ernalow.co.uk

EdenArc - the new development in Arc1800

‘Bend ze knees…!’ Taking ski lessons at Arc 1950

Bethan Stacey, is spending the season working in the Erna Low Property office in Arc 1950 and has been testing out the local ski school…

Last week was the most beautiful week of the season so far – sun every day, cool temperatures to keep the snow good but not too cold (only one day of not feeling your toes at the end of your ski boots) and a small amount of fresh snow when it was needed.  And as I start in the ski property sales office every day at midday (jammy!), I decided to make the most of it by taking some ski lessons.  I’d taken a handful of private lessons before but never group ones, so it was going to be a little bit different and I wasn’t sure what to expect. But the bonus with the ski school in Arc 1950, ‘Spirit 1950′  is that it’s an ESI (International Ski School) and so the groups are limited in number so we were only 8 in total.

Bethan getting ready to go in Arc 1950

Although we were a level 3 group, in reality our ability was quite mixed but our instructor, Alex, coped well by giving us lots of different technique lessons so everyone had a different thing to work on depending on our capability.  We also took some pistes and off-piste routes that I’d never been to, despite having already had many ski holidays to Les Arcs, and I know that the rest of the group were also discovering areas they didn’t know existed.

We had a day where we went to the top of the Aiguille Rouge – the highest point in the Les Arcs domain – and did the run part of the way to Villaroger, so almost 7 km of black and red pistes without a chairlift!  We had a lesson on moguls and off-piste and did lots of fun tree runs around Peisey Vallandry and Arc 1600, which always test your technique, and then did technique to try and improve our general piste skiing – short turns and longer carving turns.

On the lift with Spirit ski instructor, Alex

All in all it was a really fun few days : great to be part of a group and fantastic to ski with an instructor who has all the local knowledge to guide you to places that you wouldn’t have known to explore alone.  Private lessons are great for really improving your technique and always working at your own pace but group lessons are a real laugh and you get to learn from other people too.  Not to mention the price advantage of course – adult group lessons cost 160€ for 6 mornings of 2 ½ hours.

Safe to say I would definitely recommend group lessons and also the Spirit 1950 Ski School in Arc 1950!

Family life in Les Arcs…

Louise, the Erna Low rep in Les Arcs, updates us on the conditions in resort…We’ve had a mixed week of weather but the sun was shining today so this morning we put on our snow boots and headed out for a mountain walk.  There are some lovely trails running from Arc 1800 to Peisey Vallandry, gently undulating through the woods, opening up at a clearing called Barmont, where there is a little hamlet and then on down to the bottom of the piste and the bars, restaurants and shops of Vallandry.  

Louise making her ways through the woodland runs of Les Arcs

 There is no need for snow shoes as the trails are well packed however, for a bit more adventure and to really get out into the wilderness, you can rent them at one of the Skiset shops in les Arcs for just a few Euros and get off the beaten track.  The ski schools also offer guided snow shoe walks which is a great idea as the guide can point out and name the various wildlife tracks and also mountains in the views around you.   The variety of walking trails and also amount of lifts available to pedestrians makes Les Arcs is a fantastic destination not only for people looking for a great ski holiday but those who don’t ski (like my Dad!)

Skating pro Luka!

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

Our Pick of the Best Christmas and New Year Ski Deals

Thinking of heading out last minute? I was in Val d’Isere and Tignes last week and was honestly skiing in some of the best conditions I have ever experienced….but more of that later! In the meantime, take a peek of our round up of our best deals this week – including 40% off New Year in La Rosiere and Les Arcs and 60% off Christmas in Val d’Isere and a huge 70% off Christmas in La Plagne.  Why not beat the British Airways cabin crew strike action and drive to your destination? All offers below include Eurotunnel crossings for your car (or two if you’re going to La Rosiere!)

60% Off Accommodation at Val D’Isere This Christmas
Erna Low is offering a week in Val D’Isere over Christmas for £155 (reduced from £362). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the Chalet Tutel on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 19^th December. The apartment sleeps up to 9 people and is located a short 8 minutes from the resort centre, and 10 minutes from the slopes. 

Everything You Want For Less in Val Cenis This Christmas
Erna Low is offering 8 nights in Val Cenis over Christmas for £163 (reduced from £246). This price includes 8 nights accommodation at the  Les Alpages de Chantel on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 18^th December. The one bedroom apartment sleeps up to 4 people, and is a ski-in ski-out residence with many facilities including an outdoor heated swimming pool and fitness room.

Ski Paradiski for 1/3 of the Original Price
Erna Low is offering a week in Plagne Soleil over Christmas for £106 (reduced from £308). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the   Les Chalets des Alpages on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 19^th December. The chalet apartment is for up to 10 people, and every apartment enjoys great access to the extensive skiing being very close to either the St Esprit lift or the Melezes chair lift.

A White Christmas In Morzine
Erna Low is offering 8 nights in Morzine over Christmas for £286 (reduced from £352). This price includes 8 nights accommodation at the L’Aiglon de Morzine on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 19^th December. The 2 bedroom and cabin apartment is for up to 7 people, and is a part of the newly-built luxurious residence in the centre of Morzine.

High altitude but not high prices a Week in Arc 2000
Erna Low is offering a week in Arc 2000 this New Year for £246 (reduced from £400). This price includes 8 nights accommodation at the Chalet Altitude on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 26^h December. Just 100m from the pistes and 500m from the centre of the resort, this apartment chalet can house 10 people, and enjoys the benefits of a complex with swimming pool, sauna, pub and mini-market.

Save Money and Ski In La Rosiere This New Year
Erna Low is offering a week in La Rosiere this New Year for £243 (reduced from £396). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the Chalet Altitude, Le Refuge on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade for two vehicles, departing on 26^th December. The apartment for up to 12 people is a top quality residence only 150m from the pistes, with access to indoor heated swimming pool and sauna.

Perfect Location, Prime Prices – New Year Skiing in Serre Chevalier
Erna Low is offering a week in Serre Chevalier this New Year for £213 (reduced from £260). This price includes 7 nights accommodation at the Best Western Premier Chantermerle on a self catering basis and includes return Eurotunnel crossing with free FlexiPlus upgrade, departing on 2 January. This apartment suite for up to 12 people is located in the centre of Chantemerle, just 5 minutes and across the road from the ski lifts and near to shops, bars and restaurants.

If you would like to discuss these or any other of our special ski offers, then just call our sales team (Rob, Andy, George, Kirsty or John) on 0845 863 0525  or email us on info@ernalow.co.uk

Happy Shopping!
Sappho

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!!!

X-factor events in the Alps this ski season! Superslide me!!!

Our pick of the best events to be seen at this winter… Hope to see you there!

It looks set to be an exciting upcoming ski season in the Alps from world-class Superpipe competitions and giant Slalom contests to car racing on ice and prestigious film festivals. I hope you can take the time to experience some of these action-packed moments to come.

Take part in the ultimate season opening in Les Deux Alpes from 28th November to 5th December 2009 with the NJR Powderweek, which offers fun and action for any young skier or snowboarder. Depending on snow conditions, the complete ski region will be open to explore, meaning 220 km of wide pistes and a fantastic 240,000 m² large snow park! Check out this site for more details.

having a little too much fun girls?

I am particularly excited about the Winter X Games taking place in Tignes from 10th – 12th March 2010; the first X Games to be held outside the United States. Several world class sport athletes will be invited to France to compete in 8 different events over the 3 days including Ski and Snowboard Superpipe and Slopestyle. For more details go here.

Hop on over to Val d’Isere for the Superslide week starting on 12th March 2010 and enjoy 5 days devoted to all the different ways one can travel down the mountain on various contraptions. Go here for more info.

Two amazing events taking place in April 2010 are the Flying Kilometre in Les Arcs and the Val Thorens Luge Cup. Be part of the spectacular sporting contest of speed skiing in Les Arcs where contestents travel as fast as possible along a kilometre-stretch of piste with a near vertical run-up or take a trip to Val Thorens where the resort arranges a unique tobogganing competition with six kilometres of track; the longest tobogganing course in France, with different competitve categories for children, adults, couples and professionals.
For more on the Flying Kilometre go here or if the Val Thorens Luge Cup takes your fancy check this out .

News – brand new 6 person chairlift coming to Les Arcs

We are very excited about the new Arpette chairlift being built in Les Arcs.  It will be a high speed 6 seater, whisking 3000 people an hour from 2028m to 2416m in just 5 minutes.  This will enable a smooth transition up the mountain to the Arpette area above Arc 1800 near the snow park.
A welcome improvement for the forthcoming season to one of our favourite resorts!

work is already underway!construction under the alpine sun