Adventure in the snow
Addresses that make you melt. Because there is more than just skiing and standard hotels, luxe magazine.com invites you to get off the beaten track and discover what it’s like to dine in a yurt, sleep in an igloo and snuggle up in a bubble. Zoom on the latest trends and addresses.
Gstaad: All the magic of Switserland ...
In Gstaad, the most picturesque of the Swiss ski stations, you will encounter two sorts of people: those who will rush over to discover the completely revamped Centennial Grand Hotel Park 5 *, which opened its doors on the, 17th of December. Or the more adventurous ones, who take up quarters as from the 25th of December in the indescribable Gstaad Igloo village, located in Saanenmöser at 1937 meters of altitude. Sauna and jacuzzi will help you break the ice and provide a warm lovers cocoon at the heart of winter. Just wonderful!
Price: from € 309 per night in an igloo romance suite and € 460 for a double room with breakfast for two people per night with a personalised welcome in the Grand Hotel Park 5 *. This offer is valid from January 9th to February 4th 2011, and from February 20th to March 20th 2011 - only from Sunday to Thursday and subject to availability.
The yurt in Val Thorens: simple and cosy
At Val Thorens, to taste the Royal Mongolian cuisine (stews, fritters and tea with salted milk), you have to go to the blue ski track Dalles at more than 2500 meters of altitude. This is where The Chalet de la Marine has installed its Mongolian yurt where you can get together with family and friends on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings to enjoy a warm and cosy moment around the stove while contemplating the twinkling lights of Val Thorens when the evening falls.
Accessible by ski with the Cascades lift (last ascent between 17h and 17h30) or with snowshoes (accompanied by a ski instructor). Descent with torches possible.
Bubble in the Vosges mountains!
The Vosges mountains are trendy! This station innovates without denying its original utopias. For proof, "Utopia" built in 1967 on a small island of The Raon l’Etape by Pascal Haüsermann, an utopian and visionary architect, revives today as a Museumotel. It is now possible to sleep in one of nine bungalow-bubbles, which can accommodate from one to five persons. To stay in this extraordinary place is a rather unique experience and a feast for design lovers with furniture and objects signed Joe Colombo, Ray & Charles Eames, Verner Panton, Eero Saarinen and many others...
Men and igloos
Nestled in the charming village of Les Cerniers, surrounded by a blanket of glistening white snow and panoramic mountain views, Whitepod offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps! Whitepod is a unique concept designed to be in harmony with the surrounding environment whilst still benefiting from a luxurious and comfortable habitat. Located at 1700m of altitude the Whitepod resort consists of 15 geodesic-dome igloos. Placed on stilts, these exceptional rooms are very spacious and well-decorated. The domain has private ski tracks for cross-country skiing, sledging, dog sleigh, snowshoe hikes... In the camp center spa, massages await you to relax after a day of skiing. In 2005 the Whitepod resort received the responsible tourism award. The ultimate mountain escape for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Prices: from € 1,530 per person for a 4 days / 3 nights stay in the WhitePod domain
A sub-zero experience!
Attention, you only have 5 weeks to discover one of the most amazing winter experiences: l’Hôtel de Glace in the Quebec region, is a unique ice hotel in North America. With its arches of snow of more than five meters and its crystalline sculptures on 3000 m2, l’Hôtel de Glace impresses with its dazzling décor. A mad project requiring 10 000 tons of snow and 350 tons of ice to disappear with the first spring sun rays. No time to waste, Book before it melts.
Price: € 144 per night in a double room - from January 7th to March 27th 2011
On the Indian Trail...
Longing for adventure? Head North in the footsteps of Atikamekw Indians. Just arrived at the friendly village of Saint-Michel des Saints, your snowmobile will take you to Manawan, a small village, home to the Atikamekw community. The day after, the sporty ones will even go further up to Clova, passing the most northern point of the journey, Obedjlwan, in the heart of the Quebec forest. Sensations guaranteed.
Price: €2,395 per person for 9 days/8 nights stay including 6 days guided trek
In Gstaad, the most picturesque of the Swiss ski stations, you will encounter two sorts of people: those who will rush over to discover the completely revamped Centennial Grand Hotel Park 5 *, which opened its doors on the, 17th of December. Or the more adventurous ones, who take up quarters as from the 25th of December in the indescribable Gstaad Igloo village, located in Saanenmöser at 1937 meters of altitude. Sauna and jacuzzi will help you break the ice and provide a warm lovers cocoon at the heart of winter. Just wonderful!
Price: from € 309 per night in an igloo romance suite and € 460 for a double room with breakfast for two people per night with a personalised welcome in the Grand Hotel Park 5 *. This offer is valid from January 9th to February 4th 2011, and from February 20th to March 20th 2011 - only from Sunday to Thursday and subject to availability.
The yurt in Val Thorens: simple and cosy
At Val Thorens, to taste the Royal Mongolian cuisine (stews, fritters and tea with salted milk), you have to go to the blue ski track Dalles at more than 2500 meters of altitude. This is where The Chalet de la Marine has installed its Mongolian yurt where you can get together with family and friends on Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings to enjoy a warm and cosy moment around the stove while contemplating the twinkling lights of Val Thorens when the evening falls.
Accessible by ski with the Cascades lift (last ascent between 17h and 17h30) or with snowshoes (accompanied by a ski instructor). Descent with torches possible.
Bubble in the Vosges mountains!
The Vosges mountains are trendy! This station innovates without denying its original utopias. For proof, "Utopia" built in 1967 on a small island of The Raon l’Etape by Pascal Haüsermann, an utopian and visionary architect, revives today as a Museumotel. It is now possible to sleep in one of nine bungalow-bubbles, which can accommodate from one to five persons. To stay in this extraordinary place is a rather unique experience and a feast for design lovers with furniture and objects signed Joe Colombo, Ray & Charles Eames, Verner Panton, Eero Saarinen and many others...
Men and igloos
Nestled in the charming village of Les Cerniers, surrounded by a blanket of glistening white snow and panoramic mountain views, Whitepod offers an unforgettable experience in the heart of the Swiss Alps! Whitepod is a unique concept designed to be in harmony with the surrounding environment whilst still benefiting from a luxurious and comfortable habitat. Located at 1700m of altitude the Whitepod resort consists of 15 geodesic-dome igloos. Placed on stilts, these exceptional rooms are very spacious and well-decorated. The domain has private ski tracks for cross-country skiing, sledging, dog sleigh, snowshoe hikes... In the camp center spa, massages await you to relax after a day of skiing. In 2005 the Whitepod resort received the responsible tourism award. The ultimate mountain escape for nature lovers and adventure seekers.
Prices: from € 1,530 per person for a 4 days / 3 nights stay in the WhitePod domain
A sub-zero experience!
Attention, you only have 5 weeks to discover one of the most amazing winter experiences: l’Hôtel de Glace in the Quebec region, is a unique ice hotel in North America. With its arches of snow of more than five meters and its crystalline sculptures on 3000 m2, l’Hôtel de Glace impresses with its dazzling décor. A mad project requiring 10 000 tons of snow and 350 tons of ice to disappear with the first spring sun rays. No time to waste, Book before it melts.
Price: € 144 per night in a double room - from January 7th to March 27th 2011
On the Indian Trail...
Longing for adventure? Head North in the footsteps of Atikamekw Indians. Just arrived at the friendly village of Saint-Michel des Saints, your snowmobile will take you to Manawan, a small village, home to the Atikamekw community. The day after, the sporty ones will even go further up to Clova, passing the most northern point of the journey, Obedjlwan, in the heart of the Quebec forest. Sensations guaranteed.
Price: €2,395 per person for 9 days/8 nights stay including 6 days guided trek
Janvier 2011
By Sarah Berthelot
