Balance February Issue 2017 - 42

W I N TER TRAV E L

ECO TECH SKIS

Environmentally
friendly skis are
hot right now. Try
Lonely Mountain
Skis, Idris, Liberty
or Grown Skis.

lavender still filling my nostrils, I lie back
on a cow-print lounger in the relaxation
room and sipping a herbal tea, I watch as
day surrenders to dusk on the mountain.
But indulging in massages and wallowing
in hot tubs is not the only way to recharge
your batteries in Val Thorens.
La Maison, a restaurant in the heart of
the resort, now offers cooking lessons (£62,
la-maison-valthorens.fr). The monthly
sessions see budding chefs slice and stir
their way through local recipes, including
Cantal pork chops and Aligot and rib of beef.

carve turns through fresh snow to
reach it, skiing right up to its steps.
But the real draw for anyone who
wants to do more than just ski lies
on the lower floor, in the hotel's wellness
spa; facilities include an indoor pool, hot
tub, steam room and a sauna, complete
with breathtaking views.
The hotel offers 'Sprunch' - a spa and
brunch package - to both guests and
non-guests every Sunday. For £90, you
can load up your plate from a huge buffet
of cheeses, salads and fresh fruit, as
well as a choice of teas and coffees, before
or after enjoying a 30-minute massage
bursting with L'Occitane essential oils
and natural ingredients.
My muscles are tired from spending all
morning swooping down blue and red runs,
testing out different sets of skis through ski
hire company Intersport (intersport-rent.fr/
en) - and I can't think of a better remedy
than food and a massage.
An hour later, I'm in the spa, feeling
the aches of physical exertion melt away
under the deft fingers of my masseuse.
Afterwards, the scent of rosemary and

local yogi Anita Thevenot through the
mountains, stopping every so often for
various yoga and meditation exercises. Our
snowshoes allow us to access deep powder,
away from skiers and snowboarders, and
the air feels pure - ideal for 'pranayama'
breathing exercises.
'Practicing yoga outside at 2,300m
altitude means you inhale fresh air, purify
the body and connect with nature,' Anita
says, as we begin some poses.
Next, we move to a firmer spot, remove
our snowshoes and begin sun salutations.
It feels strange going through the moves in
my cumbersome skiwear, but I soon get
into the swing of it. We finish with seated
side twists as the mountains turn from
dusty pink to gold in the setting sun.
I can't help feeling a sense of
contentment from the good food, fresh air
and exercise that accompanies this vast and
beautiful landscape. B

1. T HE B EAUT Y
O F T HE
L A NDS CA P E

REASON S
TO SKI

Skiing is one of
the best sports
for total mind and
body wellbeing.
Here's why:

42

Vast swathes of
untouched powder,
jagged peaks and
trees that sparkle
with fresh flakes...
The scenery is aweinspiring and takes
you back to nature.

P I C T U R E S Q UE
P I ST E S
TO P I C K

BREATHE IN THE FRE SH AIR
Soon again, it's fresh air I'm after, so I go
on a three-hour group tour combining
snowshoeing (a cross between hiking and
floating) with yoga (£28, raquettenature.
com). I strap on the tennis racket-style
footwear and follow guide Brigitte Ruff and

Val
Thorens
is open
from
November
to May
for the ski
season

BEST OF T HE REST

DAS C EN TR A L
Sölden, Austria
This five-star hotel has the world's
fastest ski lift, plus ice rooms
and plunge pools. From €201 per
night, central-soelden.com

W HI TEP OD
Les Cerniers, Switzerland
Five miles of ski runs, with
dog-sledding, snowshoeing and
cross-country skiing. From €234
per pod per night, whitepod.com

FAIRMONT BANFF SPRINGS
Lake Louise, Alberta, Canada
An offbeat beauty, this palatial
accommodation has hosted
the Kennedys. From CA$399,
fairmont.com/banff-springs

2 . I T 'S A
WORKOUT

3. YOU'RE
OUTSIDE

IT 'S MULTIGEN ERATION AL

IT 'S
FUN !

Skiing is weightbearing so you
work your whole
body. Ollie Martin,
author of Ski
Fitness (£18.99,
CreateSpace), says:
'Skiing uses natural
human movements.'

Vitamin D deficiency
from lack of sunlight
causes health issues.
Skiing lets you top
up on the 'sunshine
vitamin', helping to
reduce your risk of
cancer and boost
your immune system.

Family skiing holidays
can work brilliantly.
Grandparents,
parents and
grandchildren can
all ski together.
Skiing is social and
provides plenty
of bonding time.

Achieving something
new is rewarding
and fun. You can
constantly learn
and push yourself,
whether that's
mastering a snow
plough or an
aerial trick.

BALANCE February 2017

PHOTOGRAPHY: MARK LEARY, XAVIER FERRAND, GETTY IMAGES, SHUTTERSTOCK

Luxury lodges are
perfect for an
alpine adventure


http://www.la-maison-valthorens.fr http://www.central-soelden.com http://www.whitepod.com http://www.intersport-rent.fr/ http://www.fairmont.com/banff-springs

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Balance February Issue 2017

Balance February Issue 2017 - 1
Balance February Issue 2017 - 2
Balance February Issue 2017 - 3
Balance February Issue 2017 - 4
Balance February Issue 2017 - 5
Balance February Issue 2017 - 6
Balance February Issue 2017 - 7
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