Recommend February 2015 - (Page 30)

ALTAPURA / L. DI ORIO, T. SHU, L. BRANDAJS & DR europe The very chic Altapura Hotel in Val Thorens. the "HIGH LIFE" in France Paris and Provence are great, of course, but why not show your clients how the French do high-end skiing. katie mcelveen It was the French who taught us the joys of apres ski, but, it turns out they know a thing or two about the before and during as well. Just ask Vincent Lalanne-Cloute, director of promotion for Les 3 Vallees, the ski area that sits between Lyon and Geneva in the Savoie region of France. "It's huge, the largest in the world, with 25,915 acres of skiable terrain and interconnected runs that cater to all abilities and interests," he says. "A pure ski dream for Americans." But he wasn't nearly ﬁnished, citing easy access via two major airports and 10 ski-accessible Michelin-starred restaurants within the resort's eight towns. Add posh hotels, indulgent spas, one-of-a-kind experiences and services that include ski butlers and private chefs, and it's no wonder the region attracts luxury travelers from around the globe. Outside of Les 3 Vallees, areas like Tignes and Val d'Isere also draw high-end travelers with unique activities, free-skiing and some of the Savoie's most creative food. Skiing in France is surprisingly different than skiing in the U.S. A network of ski lifts and runs that link far-reaching towns, villages and resorts make it easy to schuss from place to place, either for 30 february 2015 30-32 EU France.indd 30 lunch, a special activity or, with a valet service on hand to transfer bags, as a way to change venues without losing a day on the slopes. Off-piste skiing is allowed nearly everywhere, giving skiers the freedom to zoom down the mountain wherever they wish. Because of this, night skiing is generally not offered, but that doesn't mean there's nothing to do. After the slopes close for the night in Courchevel, for example, one can take a moonlight snowmobile tour of the mountain (it was something I experienced during my recent visit to the area and something I highly recommend). Meanwhile, in Val Thorens, I sat shotgun as a professional took our car over a slick ice-driving course and, later, I soaked in a heated outdoor pool as snowﬂakes swirled around me. Post-ski bodywork is also part of the experience, and there are full-service spas in nearly every hotel and community wellness center. Throughout the region, activities for kids abound and include everything from basic ski-school to snowparks where little ones can try out ski jumping, acrobatics and racing in a safe environment; lifts at many of the resorts are equipped with special electromagnets that keep children in place on the ride up the mountain. the towns Although each resort is anchored by a town, some, like Meribel, Tignes and Courchevel, extend up and down the mountain, with different hamlets at various altitudes. Val d'Isere and Val Thorens each center around a single village. recommend.com 1/22/15 12:38 PM http://www.recommend.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Recommend February 2015

Editor’s Notes
Four Haute Hotel Happenings in 2015
Tauck
Let’s Talk Luxury
In the Lap of Luxury, At Sea
Tee Off & Unwind in the U.S.
Golf with “a Shot of Spa” in Vibrant Mexico
Barbados & Bermuda Get a Boost
Curaçao’s Santa Barbara Beach & Golf Resort
Upscaling the Wilderness
The “High Life” in France
Africa Ups the Luxury Ante
A Sense of Wellness in India

Recommend February 2015