News from French Ski Resorts the 3 Valleys and Val d’Isere…

With November now under way and the snow promising to decorated the mountainous pastures with a thick white blanket in the next few weeks, pre-season anticipation is mounting. It is a time when the snow worshipers amongst us begin day dreaming of fresh snow and blue bird skies or sipping vin chaud by a roaring fire. To ensure that such reveries are accurate we feel it our duty to update you on some of the changes that you will find in your favourite resorts this season.

For the three valley skiers amongst us you will be interested to know that there a number of new or improved lifts and pistes this season. The upper section of Meribel’s new Saulire 8-man gondola will be ready this December (the lower part to be finished December 2012) enabling an easier access to Courchevel and in particular to the Grand Couloir and off-piste Saulire couloirs. Val Thorens has added the ‘Funitel de Thorens’ to its collection of funitels, providing access to two new slopes (a red and blue) and Courchevel has replaced its 4-seat Plantrey chairlift with a 6-seater. There is also a new green run below the Blanchot run in Meribel, the red Lac de la Chambre has been modified to better cope with skiing traffic between VT and Meribel-Motteret, and the red Roc de Merlet piste in Courchevel has been made easier so that more people can enjoy it.

Over in the Espace Killy the slopes may have remained the same but a number of places around the resort have gained in prestige, such as the family run Becca restaurant which is now proudly boasting a Michelin star, making Val the ever increasing sophisticated skiing destination.

St Tropez – Top 10

1. Club 55 – the perfect place to sip champagne and enjoy a long lunch

2. Brigitte Bardot Exhibition – visit during 23rd June-31st October

3. Nikki Beach – ideal for lunch and lounging in the sun

4&5 .Wine tours – Consensio recommends visiting Chateau Minuty Vineyard 10. La Quai for an aperitif, watch the yachts come into moor  and people watch, then head to its’ sister restaurant Grand Joseph for dinner in one of St Tropez hot spot restaurants.

6. Marineland – great fun for a family day out, try swimming with the Dolphins or a VIP dinner and evening show

7. Hire a boat – arrive at the beach in style or to just avoid the traffic

8. Visit the ‘Le Musee de l’Annonciade’  - a collection of avant garde paintings ranging from the 1890 to 1950.

9. La Lagon – perfect for a lazy lunch on the beach front,  try their signature salad, King Prawns, Pink Grapefruit and Avocado absolutely delicious

10. St Tropez market – soak up the local atmosphere in the heart of the village every Tuesday and Saturday morning