Due to a cancellation, one twin and 1 x double room available in Chalet Chocolat for week beg 19th December @ £299 per person for the fully catered chalet with all festive fayre.

We have just reduced the price of our remaining chalet holidays in La Tania in the Three Valleys for Christmas week beginning Sunday December 19th by £100 per person. The chalets will be fully decorated with all the Christmas trimmings and guests will enjoy a truly magical white Christmas. A traditional British Christmas dinner with all the trimmings is include. All chalets are either situated right on or very close to the piste and so are ski in ski out.  For this week we are also offering some FREE child places and a limited number of FREE part time childcare places with our own in house nannies plus FREE ski hire for children age 10 and under!

So, what are you waiting for? Grab yourself a very Merry Christmas this year! Places are limited.

Courchevel and La Tania’s neighbour, Meribel is hosting one of the biggest events in the French Alps this winter.  The Little World Festival will take place in Meribel between 13th and 19th March 2010 and is offering a line up of over 40 live events including gigs from The Feeling, Sophie Ellis-Bexter, Glenn Tillbrook of Squeeze fame, Fictonplane, Sinead and the Dawnbreakers, Graham Gouldman from 10cc, the Langley Sisters, Duke, comedian Ed Harcourt and many more to be announced over the fortcoming weeks.

Tickets are available on the Little World website now for 25euros.  A VIP ticket for 90euros is also available which allows entrance to all events(subject to maximum capacities).

So if you are staying in La Tania during this week, why not pay a visit to Meribel?

According to Sarah Munro, head of Travel Services for the Post Office, “Prices in Courchevel, in the Trois Vallees area of the French Alps, have fallen by 11% this year despite the strong euro, making it one of just two resorts to show a fall in prices.”

“French ski resorts have responded well to the pressures imposed by the strong euro by slashing prices, and Courchevel now rates as one of the cheapest eurozone ski destinations as a direct result.”

Skiers and boarders these days are looking for “value for money”.   Considering that the Three Valleys is one of the World’s largest and best ski areas as it is so varied, extensive and snow sure and with the price reductions must surely rate amongst the top skiing destinations this season.  La Tania, located in the Courchevel valley offers many holidays at cheaper prices that it’s neighbour, Courchevel, and yet still accesses the same ski area.

When hitting the slopes this winter how much thought will be given to sun safety?  This winter throngs of beginners, intermediates and advanced skiers and boarders will flock to the slopes in search of adrenalin, thrills and fun in the snow.  Whilst the dangers of skiing and boarding are well documented; often the dangers of UV radiation on the slopes are overlooked.  The risk of sunburn and skin damage from UV radiation is much greater in the Alpine regions despite it being cold. UV radiation cannot be seen or felt and up to 80% of the sun’s rays can penetrate clouds so visitors are being warned to take at least as much care of your skin a skiing/boarding holiday as you would on a summer vacation.

UV radiation levels are more intense at higher altitudes than at sea level because the air is cleaner and there is less air to filter the harmful UV rays.  UV levels increase 10-12% for every 1000m of elevation therefore the higher skiers and boarders go, the greater their risk of sunburn.

Snow is highly reflective-on a clear sunny day, clean fresh powder can reflect as much as 85% of UV radiation.  This means that not only does the UV radiation reach you directly from above, but also indirectly from below by being reflected. Keen skiers will be exposed to these rays  6-7 hours per day in their search for the ultimate run or perfection of technique.

So make sure that you Stay safe in the sun by making sure that you follow the simple pointers below.

• Cover up-Most ski clothing is designed to cover most of your body and keep you warm, but don’t forget the bits which are not covered.  Cover your head with a beanie, balaclava or helmet with flaps to cover your ears.
• UV levels are highest between 11am and 3pm so remember to take a break and go indoors or in the shade.
• Generously apply SPF15+ (UVA and UVB) water resistant sun cream to all exposed areas.  Remember to apply sun cream under your chin, under the tip of your nose and behind your ears due to the reflective nature of the sun.
• Wear a SPF15+ or zinc based lip balm
• Reapply sun cream every 2 hours and do not burn
• Wear goggles or sunglasses which protect your eyes from at least 95% of UV light
• Drink lots of water to stay hydrated

We have heard a rumout that SP3 may announce that they are to launch a “mini pass” for La Tania for beginners to be able to use the Tania gondola instead of having to buy a full Courchevel valley lift pass if they want to ski down the green or blue run into La Tania.  Prices are still to be confirmed but should be significantly cheaper than having to buy a Courchevel pass.  Currently one trip on the gondola costs 6 euros.

There has been a reduction to the VAT  restaurants charge for food  recently.  The rate has been reduced from 19.6% to 5.5% so this should reduce the price of lunches on the mountain and dinner on the chalet hosts night off which has got to be good news for all skiers and boarders.

If you prefer to save even more money, our chalet hosts are offering credit crunch busting packed lunches this season for a very modest price.  What could be nicer than enjoying a picnic on the piste and knowing that it hasn’t cost you the earth?