What’s in a name? VIP Ski’s name says it all. The idea is to provide luxurious, totally tailored, stress free skiing holidays all over The Alps. The VIP treatment knocks spots off its competitors as they manage to create something which money can’t buy – a great atmosphere. This is all down to the excellent team both behind the scenes and front of house in each of their top-end chalets, who go to great lengths to ensure that everything is perfect from that first (or second in my case) slice of cake, to the bindings on your boots every morning.
We were lucky enough to be staying in CLUB Bellevarde Lodge, where, new for this season, VIP have introduced the CLUB concept, meaning guests can reserve just a room as apposed to the entire chalet. I was initially unsure about the idea of sharing a chalet, be it a large one, with lots of people I didn’t know. I was wrong. Not only did we experience the best in chalet hosting but we also got to meet a variety of different people in a half hotel-half chalet environment.
Val D’Isere (www.valdisere.com) is one of my favourite resorts.
Pierre runs Oxygene Ski School and is an excellent instructor
Although the weather wasn’t perfect and I am far from a perfect skier I still managed to cover quite a bit of ground mainly thanks for Pierre who runs Oxygene Ski School www.oxygene-ski.com and who took me out for a morning. His charming tip to (queue classic French accent) ‘squash a sherry tomato Etty’ under my toe on each turn helped me no end and it’s one I’ll never forget.
I’d like to pretend that I’d have skied through the night if I could but the late afternoons back at the chalet, I’m not going to lie, were the highlight for me. From the optional in chalet massages offered by Pamper Off Piste www.pamperoffpiste.com/pop07.htm to the choice of DVDs and a long soak in the bath. I was in heaven.
The nightly champagne and canapés which are served in Chalet CLUB Bellevarde are a luxurious touch, one which I struggled with as I knew if I went overboard then the three course meal with cheese and lots of wine (specially chosen by the sommelier each night) would simply not find space.
The food is delectable, from carpaccio of beef with truffle oil to perfectly cooked monkfish with lentils. They can do it all and the service from our chalet hosts was ideal mix of personable and subtle.
Not only was everything catered for but each person in our group was considered as an individual even down to menu changes and heating requests, apparently a bowl of water under your radiator does wonders in dry weather.
If its affordable luxury you’re after then look no further. VIP Ski does it all, making it look effortless and also a lot of fun.
Prices for a week start from £919 per person at CLUB Bellevarde, Val d’Isere based on two sharing, including Gatwick flights, coach transfer to resort and catered accommodation. To book call 0844 557 3119 or visit www.vip-chalets.com www.vip-chalets.com http://www.vip-chalets.com
