You might blame the crisp mountain air and altitude for making you feel a little lighter on your feet, but whatever the cause, the realities of life are far behind you for now, and you are given full permission to set off on a quest of beautiful discovery.
Chalet Jupiter – the Place to Call Home
Val d’Isère is a destination for those seeking authenticity and the beauty of the natural world. Picturesque lakes are connected by trickling streams, and the mountains watch over you as you meander through the streets. Traditional architecture and narrow avenues are lined by charming stone and wood chalets. Idyllic squares throughout the village are filled with the delicious fragrances of baked goods.
Chalet Jupiter is a jewel in Val d’Isère’s crown. It promises exquisite comfort, conversations alongside the crackle of the log fire, and laughter shared around the large pine dining table.The Chalet, with its floor to ceiling lounge window, has four en-suite rooms. The upstairs master suite really does boast as it overlooks the framed village and slopes below.
At Chalet Jupiter, comfort and luxury are at your fingertips. With your own private Jacuzzi on the balcony, you can soak and enjoy a refreshing drink while taking in the views of the mountain, or take a moment to relax as you enjoy the steam of sumptuous relaxation in your private Hamman. Gentle mornings are spent sipping roasted coffee as you ponder where on earth you may have left your mittens.
The rest is taken care of with customisable catering to fit your needs precisely. Enjoy the contactless A La Carte Service, or the contactless Catered Service, which include delicious provisions for breakfasts, afternoon snacks and evening meals with pre-dinner nibbles. You will be fed like Royalty.
Fueled and ready, your mountain guardian angels arrive. The experienced instructors and guides from Oxygène, will be on hand at the Chalet to prepare you for a day on the slopes. The team will carry out your custom fittings for all the gear you may need, and when everyone is ready they will make sure you have an easy drive over to the nearby slopes.
A Contactless Catered seven-night stay at Chalet Jupiter based on 8 people costs from £800pp.
Ski and Snowboard to your Heart’s Content
The village of Val d’Isère hosted the Winter Olympics in 1992, however its prestige and sporting heritage is not only found in its Olympic glory. Today, it boasts an extraordinary 300km of ski runs, with both challenging and gentle slopes that cater to skiers and snowboarders of Olympic capability, and those of us who may only dream of gold medal performances.
You are immersed in the natural landscape, with everything from glaciers to lush alpine forests. The Face de Bellevarde, the steepest piste in Val d’lsere, has slopes reaching an exhilarating 71° and it is truly breathtaking. As you make your way down some of the most memorable runs, you will have only the sounds of your breath, heartbeat and skis or board gliding over the snow like a rhythmic metronome.
Val d’Isère is particularly renowned for its off-piste skiing and snowboarding. The off-piste map is a sight to behold. With 10,000 hectares of pristine powdered paradise, the best thing to do is catch up with your expert team from Oxygène. They offer a thrilling way to explore the terrain, and will make sure you have a memorable day on the slopes.
Some of the most challenging and rewarding terrain is accessible via the resort’s lifts and gondolas. In pursuit of these you will find yourself gliding over the mountain peaks on the chairlift. The breathtaking Pissaillas glacier at 3197m and the magnificent La Grande Motte at 3456m, all in view. It is moments like this that make the region an unparalleled destination for winter sports.
Val-d’Isère also offers the unique opportunity to ski or snowboard down a stretch of the renowned Tour de France route. The cool air on your cheeks and the mesmerising frozen untouched earth invite you back up the lifts for just ‘one more run’.
Forests, Fat Biking and Frozen Lakes
In the heart of the beautiful Forêt des Etroits, you will discover Le Village Perdu, an open-air recreational area suspended from the forest trees. Explore the network of suspension bridges through the Daille forest and enjoy an elevated view of the surroundings. This is a perfect spot for children, families, and friends to meet and climb through the trees.
With your feet back on the ground, we recommend visiting Wattsup, experts in electric fatbiking tours. Established by former downhill racer Frederik Van Buynde and his parents, Wattsup offers custom designed tours and bike set up. Explore the town or glide over the snow on these impressive bikes.
For those seeking stillness at altitude and in subzero conditions, a Finnish inspired lake plunge is the perfect way to connect with your surroundings. The amazing team from Evolution 2 will guide you through this intriguing experience. Before you enter the water, the team will help you into a survival dry suit. Once secured, it is time to take the plunge into the Lac de L’Oulliette.
As you lower yourself into the water, through a gap carved out in the ice, you feel the grip of the dry suit hug you closer. A skin tight winter snuggle separating your skin from what is likely to be the coldest environment you have ever explored. Once in the water, take a moment to enjoy the stillness – a less afforded pleasure of life. The gentle warming of the sunlight on your cheeks is a sensory juxtaposition, as you watch the ice start to reform around you. A uniquely beautiful and mesmerising experience.
Culinary and Festival Delight
The cultural and music scene in Val d’Isère is spectacular. Every year the Classicaval Festival is a highly sought after event. Musicians perform in the Baroque church of Saint Bernard de Menthon. On arrival through the entrance doors, your gaze glides upward toward the ceiling in admiration of the illuminated walls of the church. The pues are staged and ready. All directed toward a beautiful grand piano elegantly waiting. The atmosphere will have you absorbed by wave after wave of goosebumps. This intimate and historic venue with its acoustic resonance, will delight you music lovers.
The village has a renowned and diverse culinary scene of enticing international and local flavours.
Recommendations:
Dinner at Matsuhisa
Whenever there is an opportunity to enjoy a meal passionately inspired by renowned Chef Nobuyuki Matsuhisa, you absolutely have to take it. Matsuhisa, known as the smaller and more intimate of his culinary destinations, can be found in the heart of the Airelles Val d’Isère. The Maestro of Fusion Gastronomy, and his invitation of alternative Peruvian and Japanese cultural cuisines, brings both South America and Asia to the dining table in the French Alps. It is a refined banquet, sophisticated masterpiece and dining at its absolute finest.
Lunch at Gigi Val D’Isère
Poisedon the slopes as the centrepiece of the luxury hotel, Le Refuge de Solaise, a meal at Gigi Val D’Isèreis meant to be savoured. Here, indulgent Italian specialities are served against a backdrop of elegant decor, designed by Hugo Toro, and a natural masterpiece provided by sweeping views of the Vanoise National Park from 2,550 metres above sea level. An afternoon at Gigi Val D’Isère is one of conversation, fine dining and majestic surroundings from the highest hotel in France.
Dinner at La Luge
La Luge Of Hotel Le Blizzard has the most delectable celebrated home-cooked Savoyard specialties. It is rotisserie, it is savouring fondue, it is sipping wine, it is local, it is romantic. This is a cosy hideaway in the oldest hotel in Val d’Isère and it is decorated with traditional decor adorned by soft candle light. This a restaurant discovery that is widely regarded as unmissable, and those who say so are not wrong.
Lunch at René
This family tribute is alive with energy. Adjoining the Edelweiss restaurant on the Mangard Slope, you will find vibrant conversation surrounding the centrepiece open kitchen. The bistronomic cuisine René is known for is prepared over a charcoal oven and the occasional paraglider is seen soaring overhead en route down the valley to the beautiful village of Fornet, located just 5km outside of Val d’Isère centre.
Dinner at La Rôtisserie
La Rôtisserie of Les Barmes de l’Ours is a cosy mountain restaurant. It is warm, inviting and has a beautiful ambiance. Perfectly at ease in this charming setting, it is a delight to peruse the hearty, traditional and fine French cuisine on offer. These creations are derived from the curiosity and attentive passion of Michelin Star Head Chef Antoine Gras. You will find yourself seated beside a crackling fireplace, its warm glow a welcomed comfort on a cold winter’s night, watching your pasta being crafted within a Beaufort wheel.
After acclimatising you will come to discover that it wasn’t just the mountain air that made you feel like you were dreaming. This winter dream has been your reality. Val-d’Isère is the epitome of balance, with slopes to satisfy the most adventurous soul, a culinary journey that is one to be celebrated and marvelled at. Val-d’Isère a cultural and traditional heart beat within the French Alps.
