A ski haven here in the UK…SnOasis – plans revealed!

At least clouds of ash, strike-happy cabin crews and eye-watering euro rates won’t stop us enjoying the snow here in the UK… if we can wait until 2014 that is!
See YouTube vid below:

Hurry! Snow (and prices!) are falling in the Three Valleys!

We are overjoyed with the recent news that the 3 Vallees – generally renowned for its expensive prices – has had a change of heart by adapting their food and drink prices to better represent the current economic market. The prices of beverages, snacks, and meals in various resorts around the French ski area are becoming more competitive, making it possible for skiers to not only enjoy the thrills of the slopes, but also the comfort of a hot chocolate or warm meal at the top of the mountain without breaking the bank! Such resorts participating in this new ‘low price’ campaign include favorites like  Les Menuires, St Martin de Belleville, La Tania, Courchevel, Méribel and Val Thorens. With so many options to choose from, skiers can now take fantastic ski holidays to the 3 Valleys with prices to suit all budgets and tastes. The process is ongoing and is still only in its initial stages, but prices have already fallen exponentially with 27% of 3 Vallees resorts having lowered their prices for this winter season! Val Thorens has persuaded 85% of bar and restaurant owners, so far, to change their coffee prices from €2,20 to less that €2.00; though this may seem minimal, we all know how quickly money adds up, and with all that saved change, why not purchase a beer – now less than €3 in 40% of the restaurants! Méribel, too, sets a good example for other resorts, with restaurant owners now applying VAT cuts on at least 8 leading products, such as pasta, fizzy drinks, coffee, children’s menus, and dishes of the day! Furthermore, half of the resorts participating in the price cuts are charging only €10 (or less!) for each main course, and 35% of restaurants will be applying the VAT reduction. With all these fabulous deals, skiers are given yet another excuse to enjoy a family lunch overlooking the snowy mountain tops. Seems that they have the right idea and hopefully other resorts won’t be far behind! Happy skiing!

mine's no longer a tap water!

Ski Property With the Imagination of Edwin Lutyens!!!

Our little secret is out… The New York Times and International Herald Tribune have spotted one of our most exclusive property opportunities. It’s a wonderful article…have a read!

The spectacular Ferme du Lavay

We’re off skiing….in Scotland!

Francois, from our Erna Low Property office, is heading up north this weekend in hunt of more snow… Och aye!

With all the recent snow fall in UK, it just urged me and my girlfriend  to head to the slopes, so we have decided to go for a weekend skiing in… Scotland!
We have family in Edinburgh so we thought we will pay them a visit and hit the slopes of Aviemore on Saturday and Sunday and back to London on Sunday evening! Apparently there is a lot of snow over there, and hopefully the extra caterpillars needed to unblock the roads to the station will do wonders overnight!!! This BBC article has made me nervous. Yikes! 15 ft snow drifts! Alps eat your heart out!
Check back on Monday for the news and pictures on my trip… hopefully showing off the wind burn on my face and not me stranded at the airport!

This was my last trip to the slopes... am hoping the scots will be more welcoming!

Christie’s and Erna Low fundraiser for the British Olympic Teams

a date for the diary…

Christie’s Auction House, (our South Kensington neighbours…and fellow vintage poster fans!) have teamed up with Snowsports GB to throw a fantastic event next week to raise money for the British Olympic Alpine Ski and Snowboard Teams dreaming of gold medals at Vancouver 2010.
Erna Low has got together with numerous other top ski companies to provide some fantastic prizes for THE FUNDRAISING AUCTION on Tuesday 19th January where lucky bidders can win vintage posters, spa treatments, skis and bindings, driving days as well as ski holidays to Vars, St Moritz, Couchevel, Meribel and Whistler. Tickets for this fabulous event are £20 each and ALL proceeds from the tickets sales and auction will be donated to the British Olympic Alpine Ski and Snowboard Teams.
Christie’s will also be exhibiting their upcoming vintage ski poster sale which will be on private view for all attendees. Tickets are extremely limited so please simply email sappho.barkla@ernalow.co.uk with your postal address, stating how many you would like and she will send you a pack with details on how to make payment.

Event details: Christie’s, 85 Old Brompton Road, South Kensington, London SW7 3LD
Tuesday 19th January – Champagne and après ski from 6.30pm to 9.30pm (auction at 7.45pm)

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!

Party your way to the slopes… as Oxford airport flies to the Alps this winter!

Any new way of getting to the Alps is alright by us and that is why we are all very excited about the new ‘full frills’ service operated by Baboo Airlines. Starting on the 19th of December, Baboo will fly every Saturday between Geneva and Oxford Airport with seat prices from just £89 one way, including taxes, luggage…and even ski/board carriage! the perfect way to start your ski holiday!

Check out www.flybaboo.com for more details and reservations.

Why not join us as we celebrate the launch of this new service?
We have teamed up with Baboo and prolific ski website www.welove2ski.com to welcome guests at the VIP lounge at Oxford Airport for drinks, canapés and masses of prizes to be won including 2 return flights OXF-GVA, a week’s accommodation in the Alps, a pair of specially fitted Daleboots, a custom fitting ski boot fitting (both courtesy of Outdoor Traders, Abingdon) and plenty of goodies from our friends at www.welove2ski.com. All monies raised from the event will be donated to the British Ski Cross Team, who are in final preparations for the 2010 Winter Olympics in Vancouver.

Taking place on Thursday 26th November from 6.30pm at Oxford Airport, the event is completely FREE and open to EVERYONE… so do pass it on to family and friends in the area who may want to join us.

Just RSVP to Alex (alex.yellowlees@ernalow.co.uk) so we can keep an eye on numbers.

Baboo takes off from Oxford this winter

Looking forward to seeing you there!
Sappho x

Mass snows in Snowmass!

‘I’m talking about a little place called Aspen!’

Everyone knows Americans like things BIG and their snowfalls are no exception! After receiving over 60cm (2 feet) of snow last weekend, Aspen/Snowmass is hotting up (well, not literally) to open in 9 days time.
Opening weekend sees have the return of the FIS Alpine Women’s World Cup race on Aspen Mountain and it’s a great way to kick off the season and combined with great terrain, events, snow, restaurants and nightlife, Aspen sure looks inviting this season…. And not too heavy on the purse strings either…

Ski holidays to Aspen start from £881 per person, based on double occupancy in a Ridge View room at The Stonebridge Inn. Price includes 7 nights lodging including daily continental breakfast from 01 December 2009, direct flights with British Airways from LHR-DEN, shared shuttle transfers to resort and all applicable taxes and surcharges. Please note: flights into Aspen airport can also be arranged at a supplement if preferred, subject to availability.

mass snowmass snows Photo: Jeremy Swanson

Snowy Downtown Aspen Photo: Daniel Bayer

Snowy Downtown Aspen

Getting to the Alps by train…at a glance!

Victoria, our admin manager, looks into the benefits (and the all important price tag!) of travelling to the Alps by train this winter.

I read an article in ‘In The Snow’ yesterday about a company called www.snowcarbon.co.uk who are dedicated to getting to the Alps by train and it got me to think about it all a bit more.

So I’ve read up a bit on what the trains are like and what routes they do.  The TGV only has seats and is therefore good for day trains, but a cheap option for night trains too, while the Corail Lunea doesn’t run as many trains but has a nice reclining seat or couchettes.

Am I leaving a carbon footprint?

Just to give you an idea of an indirect train price check this out for the 19th Feb return 27th Feb 2010 currently available… it certainly seems really easy and a great idea for the eco friendly travellers among us.

Outbound: London St Pancras 17:55, arrives in Paris Nord 21:17 > change to Paris Austerlitz departs 22:34, arrives next morning into Bourg St Maurice at 06:39.
For standard class seat on Eurostar and reclining seat on a Corail Lunea train from £90
For standard class seat on Eurostar and bed in a six berth couchette on a Corail Lunea train from £215

Inbound: Bourg St Maurice 21:30, arrives Paris Austerlitz 06:21 > change to Paris Nord departs 08:07, arrives London 09:36
For standard class seat on Eurostar and reclining seat on a Corail Lunea train from £65.50
For standard class seat on Eurostar and bed in a six berth couchette on a Corail Lunea train from £76.50

Personally I’d be quite happy with a reclining chair!

I’m going to be heading on my ski holiday to Arc 1950 by this type of train in March so I’ll be an expert at train travel when I return, sales aren’t yet open for me but I hope I can bag a bargain like this when they do!

If you want to book or simply find out more, talk to Victoria directly on  0845 863 0525 or check out www.ernalow.co.uk