Jetsettersblog

The world’s largest land predator has long been adored in films and documentaries however, long-haul travel specialist, Canadian Sky, can now offer one better with a six-night polar bear expedition to Churchill, Canada. For those wanting to learn about and observe these formidable creatures in their natural habitat The Great Ice Bear Tour is an experience not to be missed!

Taking place in October and November 2009, it is undoubtedly the most diverse polar bear viewing package as it combines a number of polar bear expeditions at the Seal River Lodge, aerial tours and a Tundra Buggy adventure. As all the 2008 tours were sold out, holidaymakers are encouraged to book early to avoid disappointment.

Highlights include a stay at Canada’s most exclusive Polar Bear Lodge where guests are flown in by helicopter and a full-day Tundra Buggy adventure where intrepid explorers are transported across the Tundra on large rubber tired buggies. Bear watchers are positioned 10 feet above ground and with a rear viewing deck and large windows the buggies offer a truly unique vantage… and picnic spot!

It is this ability to see polar bears in the most natural setting possible combined with the luxurious wilderness lodge and an unobstructed view of the northern lights in the night sky that sets The Great Ice Bear adventure apart from any other packages.

Canadian Sky (www.canadiansky.co.uk  0870 904 0930) is offering a once-in-a-lifetime experience on their Polar Bear Adventure Tour with departures throughout October and November 2009 from £3,999 per person. Based on two sharing, the price includes return flights from London Heathrow with Air Canada, two nights’ accommodation in Winnipeg on a room only basis, a five-day guided tour on a full-board basis with air transfers to Churchill and a float plane transfer to Seal River Lodge.

15 Trophy-winning Properties, 4 New Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux

In exclusive partnership with prestigious brands, Relais & Châteaux has just revealed the list of the winners of the Relais & Châteaux Trophies which are awarded every year in recognition of expertise and excellence in the art of hospitality and fine dining.

Welcome Trophy with Moët & Chandon
The art of receiving is one of the fundamental virtues of Relais & Châteaux; ensuring your stay is unforgettable is always the priority in these properties.

Hotel Jagdhof Glashütte - Germany

Grand Chef Trophy with Taittinger
Amongst the Relais & Châteaux members, the contemporary elite of fine dining are grouped within the family of the Grands Chefs Relais & Châteaux. Passion, creativity, experience and expertise are the essential criteria for admission to the highly select circle of these Grands Chefs.

Firmin & Philippe Arrambide
Les Pyrénées - France

Jonathan Gushue
Langdon Hall Country House Hotel & Spa - Canada

Christopher Brooks
Blantyre – United States

Jason Robinson
The Inn at Dos Brisas – United States

Rising Chef Trophy with All-Clad
We single out young chefs whose creativity, imagination and commitment earmark them as the future grand masters of fine dining in the world.

Davy Tissot
Villa Florentine - France

Art de la Table Trophy with San Pellegrino
The arts of the table, atmosphere and decoration are all part of our philosophy of “receiving well”. They reflect the soul of our properties and express their personality.

Ristorante Le Calandre - Italy

Spa Trophy with Laurent Perrier
There are 5 categories of spa: Spas de Charme, Spas de Rêve, Thalassotherapy, Thermalism and Beauty.

Georges Blanc & Spa - France

Woman of the Year Trophy with Pommery
A disciplined approach to work organisation, exacting standards, the giving of themselves and a sense of welcome and detail make these women the flagship ambassadresses of our family.

Johanna Maier
Hotel Hubertus - Austria

Passion Trophy with Hennessy
Launched in 2004, the Passion Trophy is awarded to Relais & Châteaux owners who know how to make your stay truly unique: harmonious setting, perfect service, remarkable style.

Sam Beall
Blackberry Farm – United States

Corporate Trophy with Glenmorangie
Relais & Châteaux launched this trophy in 2005 to single out property owners who have distinguished themselves through their high-performance meeting facilities and the quality of the welcome afforded to business meetings or residential seminars.

Sheen Falls Lodge – Ireland

Lounge Trophy with Grand Marnier
With the Lounge Trophy, Relais & Châteaux pays tribute to the expertise of these friendly settings, a real invitation to tasting.

Eden Rock - St Barthélémy - France

Environment Trophy with Orlane
This award pays tribute to properties which have shown tenacity, commitment, impressive initiatives and respect for the environment and the natural setting.

Longueville Manor – United Kingdom

Garden Trophy with Rozes
This pays tribute to properties which have succeeded in reconciling abundant nature, expertise in enhancing the horticultural heritage and respect for the original beauty of the landscapes.

Las Mañanitas Hotel Garden Restaurant & Spa - Mexico

Innovation Trophy with Nespresso
To guarantee unique experiences and intense moments of discovery, each Relais & Châteaux member must know how to reinvent itself and be innovative.

Thierry Marx
Cordeillan-Bages - France

About Relais & Châteaux

Relais & Châteaux is an exclusive collection of 480 of the finest charming hotels and gourmet restaurants in 56 countries. Established in France in 1954, the Association’s mission is to spread its unique art de vivre across the globe by selecting outstanding properties with a truly unique character.

Furthermore, Relais & Châteaux is also a family of hoteliers and Grands Chefs from all over the world who share a passion for and a personal commitment to ensuring their guests are privy to moments of exceptional harmony, an unforgettable celebration of the senses.

From the vineyards in Napa valley to the beaches in Bali, from the olive trees in Provence to the lodges in South Africa, Relais & Châteaux offers all the stops on the finest route for discovering each special place and country.

Fort William launches 2009 Mountain Festival programme

The best of the best in the fields of climbing, kayaking, and skiing and much more are flocking to Fort William from Friday 06 to Saturday 14 March for the 2009 Fort William Mountain Festival. The launch of the festival today, unveiled a programme that will put the Outdoor Capital of the UK - Fort William and Lochaber - at the centre of Scotland’s events programme in 2009. Presented with The Nevis Partnership, the week long celebration promises a varied and entertaining programme packed with mountain sports, films, lectures, guided walks, skills workshops and fringe activities for all those who want to learn about and celebrate mountain culture.

Highlights of the 2009 Fort William Mountain Festival include:

Fast and Light in the Himalaya - the world renowned mountaineer Adrian Burgess, a pioneer of high-altitude climbs will join forces with Slovenian climbing superstar Marko Prezelj, known for his impeccable style on spectacularly difficult routes, to share the passion that drives them to keep exploring ever-higher and more exhilarating climbs. Following these empowering talks the winner of the second Scottish Award for Excellence in Mountain Culture, sponsored by Rio Tinto Alcan, an annual award to celebrate outstanding contributions to Scotland’s mountains, will be announced.
Paddle Sports evening with Lee Kelly, the legendary whitewater kayaker, photographer and filmmaker.
Snowsports Evening with Myrtle Simpson, the first woman to ski across the Greenland icecap, who will trace the rapid development of Scottish Skiing from an occasional aid to winter mountaineering to the weekend recreation of tens of thousands.
Dave MacLeod, a local climber at the forefront of the modern sport who is opening a new chapter of world-class climbs on Ben Nevis, will host a Climbing Evening. He will explain his unique high-risk, high-stakes approach through inspiring chat and the screening of two incredible films of his recent climbs.

The Best of Banff Mountain Film Festival World Tour & International Adventure Film competition evenings - the most inspiring mountain films from the UK and around the world will once again be the festival hot tickets. From jaw dropping action to fascinating mountain culture and wildlife; two nights of thrilling entertainment guaranteed. This year organisers are offering a special Film Buffs ticket that will insure entry to both nights.

Mike Pescod, Chairman of the Highland Mountain Culture Association, organisers of the festival; said: ‘The 2009 Fort William Mountain Festival encompasses the ethos of the Outdoor Capital of the UK - to promote the mountains as an attractive, accessible and above all enjoyable place to be by pulling together adventure, sport, culture and the environment; all the ways people experience and love the mountains.

‘Our 2009 programme is bursting at the seams with exciting and inspiring events and workshops guaranteed to get you into the mountain mood. We are delighted to be welcoming a superb line up of guests from the worlds of mountaineering, paddling, music, poetry, writing and broadcasting including Adrian Burgess, Marko Prezelj, Dave MacLeod, Cameron McNeish, Linda Cracknell, Hamish MacDonald and the 4-MALITY Percussion Quartet to Lochaber to showcase their work and share their passion for the outdoors.’

This year’s ambitious programme of new events and old favourites sees a wide selection of cultural and sporting events and activities throughout Fort William and Lochaber during the best winter walking and climbing conditions of the year. Residents and visitors of all ages, from extreme adrenaline junkies to outdoor enthusiasts, can discover the excitement of extreme whitewater kayaking, the drama of Dave MacLeod’s envelope-pushing climbs, the fascinating story of Scottish skiing, the secrets of high alpine climbing and the rich heritage of the working mountains in the 21st Century; whilst celebrating the iconic Nevis name and enjoying the very best in mountain films from around the world.

The festival will kick off in style with the ‘Party at Nevis Range’, the official opening ceilidh at the Snowgoose Restaurant at the top of the Nevis Range mountain gondola. Further highlights include an evening exploring the little known yet rich heritage of the Working Mountains in Lochaber. With the help of early photographs and archive material the history of Rio Tinto Alcan, one of the area’s biggest employers, will be explored; from the harnessing of Lochaber’s water power, one of the most ambitious projects of the industrialization of Scotland, in 1929 to supply new aluminium smelters at Fort William and Kinlochleven, to the amazing innovator it continues to be today.

Nevis Connections, a whole day of themed walks, talks, music and adventure, presented by The Nevis Partnership, to celebrate the iconic Nevis name makes a welcome return to the 2009 Festival programme. During the day there will be a choice of two guided walks, one the North Face Walk up the Allt a’Mhuillinn path with stunning views of the majestic North Face of the UK’s highest mountain and the other a winter ascent of Ben Nevis. The 4-MALITY Percussion Quartet, one of the world’s most compelling and innovative percussion quartets who have command of over eighty drums, gongs, cymbals and tuned percussion, will spend the day working with local school pupils and young people to produce Rock and Rhythm, a piece of mountain music inspired by the Nevis landscape. The final multi-media piece will be performed as part of the Nevis Connections Evening, an evening of poetry, prose, photography film and music.

Children and adults will have the opportunity to try out new activities and learn new skills through an expanded programme of daily mountain skills workshops. New for the festival in 2009, world-renowned climber Dave MacLeod will be offering free bouldering master classes for one day only! Highly experienced and fully qualified guides from Abacus Mountaineering, in conjunction with Nevis Range, will lead full day courses in avalanche awareness, winter walking and winter climbing. Kinlochleven’s Ice Factor Indoor Climbing Centre will be offering taster sessions in indoor climbing and ice climbing throughout the festival. For those keen to explore their creative ideas in a stimulating environment the John Muir Trust and Nevis Partnership will be hosting a Writers’ Walk and Workshop afternoon with poet and writer Susan Richardson. Beginners ski and snowboard packages and Back Corrie tours, for the more experienced, will also be on offer at the Nevis Range ski area throughout the festival.

BC’s Kootenay Rockies is all about snow. And while award-worthy ski slopes abound, there’s much beyond the mountains to tempt one to take it outside.

A winter wildlife safari? A candlelit dinner served in the cosy confines of an igloo?

Take a walk on the wild side with the folks from Spirit Trail Adventures.

 Located just outside of Kimberley, Martina Danzer and Charlie Sims head this adventure-focused operation which offers eco-friendly and educational excursions;

their guests can indulge in an array of cool climate pursuits, including cross country ski and snowshoe excursions, old-fashioned toboggan rides and romantic sleigh rides for two.

Wildlife Safaris will tour, with a guide, through the traditional wintering grounds of the area’s resident critters, while more sedate experiences will see couples breaking bread over romantic four-course menus in igloos before bunking down for the night. (Accommodations include snug sleeping bags, plenty of hot chocolate and the soft hue of candlelight, while mornings promise a leisurely mug of coffee and a re-hashing of the previous day’s exploration.) Should the urge to make a few tracks take hold, head to nearby Kimberley Alpine Resort for a shush through the slopes.

With over 70 runs and scenic open glades, the resort proves a favourite for families seeking a bit of fun both on and off its snowy scapes.

Whether you choose to make tracks or find respite within an igloo, this is one destination sure to stir the spirit.

http://www.spirittrails.com/; www.skikimberley.com

Skiers and snowboarders booking flights to Canadian Rockies International Airport (YXC), serving the Kootenay Rockies “Powder Highway,” who book before Jan.15, 2009, will receive deep savings on airfare. One-way tickets from many major U.S. cities are priced from $139 to $159. “These are great savings for those who want to experience all our area has to offer,” said Laurie Reed, coordinator of Air Partner Programs. “Travelers booking flights now will save on airfare into 2009 and find numerous other ‘Delta Deals’ upon arrival.” To take advantage of great seat sale rates, book tickets through Delta’s website at www.delta.com. Travel agents can also access great rates. Flights to Canadian Rockies International Airport are available through April 5, 2009. All flights go non-stop through Salt Lake City (SLC) and flight time from SLC to YXC is just under two hours.

The Kootenay Rockies’ “Powder Highway” is home to eight world class lift-serviced ski resorts including Fernie Alpine Resort, Kimberley Alpine Resort, Kicking Horse Mountain Resort, Panorama Mountain Village, Revelstoke Mountain Resort, Whitewater Winter Resort, Red Mountain Resort and Fairmont Hot Springs Resort.

Additionally, the region is home to a multitude of helicopter and cat-skiing operators and has been a favorite powder-skiing destination for years. Other great non-ski activities in the region include dog sledding, snow shoeing and snowmobiling and or soaking in one of the regions many natural hot springs.

For more information, visit www.KootenayRockies.com/deltadeals

The first comprehensive inventory of sea and land animals living in Antarctica’s South Orkney Islands has revealed the icy archipelago to be richer in underwater marine species than the Galapagos, with more than 1,200 species counted, including five new to science. Peregrine Adventures visits the South Orkney Islands, plus other exciting new sites both wildlife enthusiasts and history buffs alike will enjoy, during a voyage around The Falklands, South Georgia and Antarctica. Similarly, at the top end of the globe, Peregrine’s Svalbard in Depth expedition voyage offers extra highlights too, including a visit to Kvitoya Island, the final resting place for members of Sweden’s ill-fated 1897 Arctic balloon expedition to the North Pole.

The Falklands, South Georgia & Antarctica: 24-night voyage departing Ushuaia 6th November 2009

Peregrine’s most comprehensive Antarctic adventure yet promises an in-depth and unforgettable experience cruising around the wildlife-rich Falkland Islands, diverse sub-Antarctic islands and the remarkable Antarctic Peninsula area. Possible new additions to the itinerary include, in the Falklands, Steeple Jason Island, home to the world’s largest black-browed albatross colony and Sea Lion and Bleeker islands, in addition to King Haakon Bay, Cape Rosa and Peggotty Bluff in South Georgia. In 1916, Shackleton and his five companions famously entered King Haakon Bay having miraculously survived a tortuous 17-day journey in a small lifeboat, the James Caird, following the abandonment of the stricken Endurance. They landed at Cape Rosa and a few days later at Peggotty Bluff where they sheltered in the upturned James Caird.

The voyage costs from £7,640 p/p including transfers, ship-board accommodation, port taxes and/or landing fees at Ushuaia, Stanley and South Georgia, all meals, onboard presentations, all shore excursions and a highly experienced expedition leader, crew and lecturers.
Flights are not included.

Svalbard in Depth: 14-night expedition voyage departing London 20th June 09.

Join Peregrine’s Polar expert, Alex Burridge, on a fully escorted expedition voyage exploring the magnificent islands of the Svalbard archipelago. Experience dazzling glaciers, icy fjords, snow-capped mountains and amazing wildlife – polar bears, walrus, whales and vast seabird rookeries. Peregrine’s expedition voyage departs from the township of Longyearbyen, on Spitsbergen, the major island of Svalbard. The Peregrine ‘small ship experience’ allows travellers to choose their level of adventure - from sea kayaking and hiking ashore, to zodiac explorations of ice-filled bays and rugged coastlines. The expedition visits the ice-domed island of Kvitoya, the place where Swedish explorer Andrée and his two companions perished in 1897 during an attempt to fly over the North Pole in a hydrogen balloon.

The voyage costs from £5253 p/p twin share including scheduled flights from London to Oslo, and Oslo to Longyearbyen return charter flights, 2-nights pre-tour and 1-night post-tour accommodation, ship-board accommodation, all meals onboard, photography and art workshops, onboard lectures, videos, slide and film shows, all shore excursions, and a highly experienced expedition leader, Alex Burridge.

No fuel or currency surcharges will be added to expedition voyages departing during the 2009 Arctic and 2009-2010 Antarctic seasons..

Peregrine Adventures
01635 872 300
sales@peregrineadventures.co.uk
www.peregrineadventures.co.uk

World Expeditions’ Top 10 Active Adventure Trips for 2009

Make it your 2009 New Year resolution to get fit and healthy on an active adventure holiday with World Expeditions, the trekking and adventure holidays specialists.

From our Classic Mont Blanc Ascent to Alaskan trekking and kayaking, cycling the Glens of Scotland, or trekking the remote wilderness of Bhutan with Rebecca Stevens - the first female to ascend Everest; with World Expeditions’ unbeatable 2009 prices you’ll find our Top 10 New Year Active Adventure Trips for 2009 hard to resist.

You don’t need to be a top-class athlete to join our fun and affordable, all-inclusive holidays. At World Expeditions we have tailored a wide selection of active adventures to suit nearly every level of fitness. Whether you’re looking for an active family adventure or relaxing vineyard amble, a moderately active walk or cycle journey, or a challenging mountain trek or summit ascent, our experienced travel advisors will ensure you plan the right Active Adventure Trip for 2009.

World Expeditions’ Top 10 Active Adventure Trips 2009

1.Experience the highest peak in the European Alps by yourself, or with your family. Join the Classic Ascent of Mont Blanc on a 7-day guided trip. Price from £1,275 pp. Or, a Mont Blanc 7-day Family Adventure from £560 per adult; £430 per child.

2.Trek the un-trodden trails of China’s Yunnan Province and experience Zhongdian, the real Shangri-la, on our 15-day Yunnan Meili trip . Price from £1,350 per person.

3.Not all great adventures have to be a flight away! Cycle the Great Glens of Scotland on an 8-day self guided cycle trip. Price from £670 per person.

4.Looking for a new Himalayan trail? Trek the remote paths of the Manaslu Circuit in Nepal, on a 25-day guided trip. Price from £1,440 per person.

5.Climb the ‘Mountain in the Sea’ on our Crossing Corsica, 7-day self guided walk. Price from £685 per person.

6.Trek the Bhutan Circuit with Rebecca Stevens; the first British woman to ascend Everest (14 days, 9-day trek) Price from £2,495 per person.

7.Discover Italy’s 15th century walking trails high above the sea in Cinque Terre, on an 8-day self guided walk. Price from £455 per person.

8.Spoil your Valentine with a Wine Lovers Burgundy, 8-day self guided cycle trip in France. Price from £995 per person.

9.Trek and kayak the pristine and rugged Wilderness of Alaska, on a 12-day guided trip this summer. Price from £2,190 per person.

10.Climb to the roof of Africa. Experience Kilimanjaro by the remote Shira Route, on a challenging 10-day trip. Price from £1,420 per person. All inclusions.

For more information on our Top 10 Active Adventure Trips for 2009, please visit www.worldexpeditions.co.uk  or call our experienced travel team on 0800 074 4135

France’s pre-eminent outdoor destination is set to get its first four-star deluxe hotel. The prolific opening of the Best Western Premier Chantemerle also reflects the region’s recent status as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The 51-bedroom hotel will open at the beginning of February 2009 – its design sympathetic to the local surroundings and the interiors stylish and uncompromising on luxury. The Best Western Premier Chantemerle is set to appeal to young urbanites along with discerning seasoned travellers and families in search of year-round outdoor activities.

During the winter months the hotel is set to become the benchmark for local hospitality: the first four-star deluxe hotel and just metres from ski lifts and the area’s 250 km of slopes.

During the summer months the hotel will become a base for outdoor enthusiasts – from those in search of mountain solace, hill running and walking, to the more intrepid traveller in search of adrenalin-infused outdoor adventures including whitewater rafting!

Located in the idyllic village of Chantemerle and just five minutes’ drive from UNESCO World Heritage Site Briançon, the hotel is easily accessible from Turin, Grenoble and Lyon airports with direct flights from all major international airports; the property is also at the heart of Europe’s train network.

The hotel is the first project by entrepreneurial developer, the Space Group. Claire Lacassagne, Director of Sales said: “We recognise Serre Chevalier as a very unique destination – all the more so during the spring and summer. The possibilities are limitless, from hill running and mountain biking to paragliding over some of Europe’s finest surroundings. We are very excited at being able to develop some truly unique packages to appeal to today’s traveller who is searching for new and exciting experiences.”

Ski Freshtracks, the market leaders in adventure skiing, are offering the perfect solution for single skiers this season.

Every Ski Freshtracks holiday is graded by skiing standard which means everyone on the holiday skis and socialises together – ideal for those wanting to hit the slopes, when friends otherwise engaged.
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For the 2008-9 season Ski Freshtracks is offering nine holidays where everyone gets their own room at no extra cost. On all other holidays there are a small number of rooms which can be booked for single occupancy. The holidays with no single supplement include an instructional week in Courmayeur, Italy, a week in the chic Swiss resort of St Moritz and a testosterone-free girls’ weekend in Grindelwald, Switzerland.

For those keen to take advantage of the amazing early-season snow conditions there is still availability during Christmas week in La Plagne and a New Year off-piste week in Flaine.

Caroline Boileau, General Manager of Ski Freshtracks explained the secret to Ski Freshtracks’ success: “All our holidays are ideal for those who don’t necessarily have friends or family who ski at the same level as them, or maybe don’t even ski at all. Anyone can come on our trips and ski at the level that suits them, meaning their skiing nearly always improves and at the same time they make new friends.”

Ski Freshtracks offers 54 off-piste adventure and improvement courses as well as a large ski touring programme and heliskiing trips. Other trips on offer include Action holidays at varying levels of ski standard, weekend trips and a large ‘Peak Experience’ programme aimed at skiers over 50 years of age.

For more details and for booking visit www.skifreshtracks.co.uk  or call 0845 45 807 84

Enjoy Luxury For Less With 33% Off 4th January Holidays With Indulgent Chalet Company The Alpine Club

OFFER 1: Enjoy an indulgent winter holiday at a Sunday Times ‘Super Chalet’* for only £515pp - saving 33% off brochure price. Holiday week 4 Jan.

OFFER 2: Save £100pp on selected dates in Jan. Offer available for all chalets. Holiday weeks 4,11, 25 Jan & 1 Feb.

Gourmet food, luxury accommodation and some of the best skiing and scenery in the Alps make booking an Alpine Club holiday the ideal tonic to the bussle of Christmas, the economy blues or just simply because you deserve it!

Call The Alpine Club on +33 (0)6 30 22 62 15 or book online www.thealpineclub.co.uk to make your booking today

5 sensational reasons to choose The Alpine Club for your winter holiday:

• Fine dining from professional chefs as standard
• La Ferme de Belleville is a Sunday Times ‘super chalet’
• The Alpine Club put personal service & attention to detail first
• The Alpine Club’s stylish chalets come with en-suite as standard
• The picturesque village of St Martin de Belleville is the jewel of the Three Valleys with 600km of skiing on its doorstep

Terms & Conditions:

• Offer subject to terms and conditions. Offer may not be combined with any other offer or discount and is only available on full price bookings for new holiday bookings only. Offer subject to availability. Offer expires 31/12/08

• The holiday price includes seven nights accommodation; cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés and gourmet four-course dinners on six days; carefully selected wines served with canapés and dinner; fluffy towels, bath robes and toiletries, DVD film library, games & books, resort mini bus and local taxes. Flights & travel are not included.
Want to find out more? The Alpine Club can host press trips in return for guaranteed coverage. Chris and Helen are available for interview.

More about The Alpine Club

1. The Alpine Club was conceived by Chris and Helen Raemers and opened for its first season in 2004-2005. The Alpine Club strives to understand their guest’s unique needs and to exceed their expectations.

2. The Alpine Club prides itself on being a small, private, owner-run company who can guarantee exceptional service The Alpine Club company owners Chris and Helen remain in the resort to ensure all guests’ needs are met and they have the best holiday possible. It is this passion for service, attention to detail and commitment to focus on what matters most to their guests that singles out The Alpine Club as a premier chalet specialist.

3. Chris Raemers is a fully qualified architect who designed both of The Alpine Club’s chalets to ergonomically accommodate the needs of skiers and boarders.

4. The Alpine Club offers stylish chalets with en-suite as standard. Each chalet is unique with many personal touches and lots of creature comforts. La Ferme is a 400-year-old farmhouse with a vaulted ceiling, exposed stone and old wood while La Maison is a brand-new bespoke chalet with designer interiors and stunning views over the village. A new boutique chalet, ‘Abode’ is opening 2009/10.

5. As part of the Trois Valleys network, St Martin is the undiscovered jewel of the Three Valleys and can cater for mixed ability groups with enough scope and variety to keep expert skiers and boarders entertained year after year. With traditional stone buildings, St Martin allows visitors to experience a beautiful and authentic French mountain village, with reasonable prices to match, while the major resorts of Courchevel, Meribel and Val Thorens are a short ski away

The Alpine Club (www.thealpineclub.co.uk; 0033 (0)6 30 22 62 15) chalet prices start from £479pp. This includes seven nights luxury accommodation and cooked breakfast, afternoon tea, canapés and gourmet four-course dinners on six days; carefully selected house wines served with canapés and dinner; hair dryers in every room; fluffy towels, bath robes and toiletries, DVD film library, CD player and a selection of games & books, chauffeured mini bus and local taxes. The Alpine Club can also arrange return airport transfers from £75pp. Flights are not included.
Quotes from guests:

“The chalet and the food were excellent, but it’s the personal attention that makes the difference between good and marvelous.” Mike and Karen

“Surpassed all our expectations. The chalet, food and hosts were wonderful. Could not wish for more.” Dawn, Clint and family

“I’ve never been so pampered in my whole life! On our honeymoon in Mauritius, we stayed at the five-star Prince Maurice which is recognised as one of the best hotels in the world but The Alpine Club was even better!” Richard Lewis