weekend warriors #LTfriendsgiving // thanksgiving in val-d’isère, part 2

Oh, you thought we were finished professing our love for our Thanksgiving in Val-d’Isère? You were wrong. So very, very wrong.

If you read the first post detailing our #LTfriendsgiving weekend in this snowy alpine town, you’ll know we spent the majority of our time eating and drinking with our feet up by the fire. Yes, we could have happily camped out in our chalet for the entire weekend. But Saturday morning marked the official opening of Val-d’Isère’s ski season! As long-time (but admittedly infrequent) skiers, Carolyn and Jeff were itching to hit the slopes. And although he had never skied before in his life, Sean was willing to give it a try. When in Rome/Val-d’Isère, ya know?

photo via instagram // @lazytravelers

A major perk of visiting Val-d’Isère with VIP Ski was that they arranged our entire day on the mountain. Early in the weekend, VIP sent someone straight to the chalet so we could purchase lift tickets. They then dropped them off before we even woke up on Saturday morning. Sean was also offered arrangements for a ski lesson, which he proudly refused. And so, it was decided that Carolyn and Jeff would take him along and attempt to teach him the basics. After a delicious hot breakfast prepared by our chalet hosts, Charity and Josh, VIP sent a van to pick us up. They then drove us to the ski rental shop in town, Oxygène.

Upon arrival at Oxygène, we were greeted by a Jack Russel pup (always a good sign). Immediately the shop manager, Adrien, and his team got to work finding rental equipment for all of us. As a first-time skier, Oxygène made sure Sean felt comfortable and safe in his skis. They explained how he should feel in his boots and helmet. Oxygène offers skis and snowboards for all skill levels, both adults and children. This ensured we found a pair that matched best with our experience and time on the slopes.

Once we had all of our gear, we loaded back into our VIP Ski van. They were meant to drop us at the nursery slope for Sean’s first attempt on the skis. But… we soon learned that the nursery slope hadn’t yet opened for the season! Quelle horror! After a few calls back and forth with the tourism office, all while Sean worked up a nervous sweat, it was decided. We would take the funicular from the base of La Daille to the very summit, where we were ensured there was at least a few beginners’ slopes.

As we rode the funicular to the summit, Sean was confident that he’d catch on quickly. Carolyn and Jeff felt pretty sure that they possessed the patience and know-how to teach a beginner skier. And then, at the top of the mountain, with the snow and wind whipping in every direction, we surveyed the slopes before us. No matter which direction we chose, the initial descent was far too steep for someone who was clicking into skis for the first time.

Trying to remain positive, Carolyn took off her skis and walked with Sean down the first part of the mountain until we came to a more level surface. There, we offered a few quick instructions on “pizza pies” and “french fries.” (Sean told us later that apparently this bit of the instruction greatly confused him.) Next, we urged Sean to take his first turn on the skis. Approximately 3.5 seconds later, he was on the ground.

This happened pretty much over and over, with Sean getting progressively more frustrated with each attempt. Thankfully, Jeff remained patient. (We choose to remain silent on the patience levels of the wino.) Eventually, he managed to instruct Sean for a few marginally successful — read: upright — seconds on his skis as we descended the mountain. In the end, Sean took off his skis and walked down a good part of the trail. Finally, we reached a chair lift that would take him back to the summit, where he could catch the funicular back down the mountain.

As Sean set up shop in a bar at the base of La Daille, the wino and Jeff gave the slopes another shot. They enjoyed the beautiful, though challenging, trails from the summit. About halfway down, we stumbled upon La Folie Douce, Val-d’Isère’s most popular après-ski spot. Since it was earlier in the day, La Folie was still somewhat quiet, but we couldn’t pass up a cold beer and a little people watching at the famous club.

Later at the chalet, wine in hand as we warmed our feet by the fire, we reflected on our experience. Takeaways:

• Skiing in the Alps, especially in a place as beautiful as Val-d’Isère, was an experience we’ll never forget.
• Taking a first-time skier to Val-d’Isère’s summit, even with the presence of green trails, is definitely not recommended.
• If a proper lesson with a certified instructor is offered, TAKE IT.
• Après-ski is an absolute must.

Meanwhile, back at the chalet…

While the wino & co headed out for the slopes, pregs mcgee (aka: the romantic) decided to kick back with some good ol’ fashioned R&R back at the chalet. Though we tried to sort this out in advance, it was tough to know what would be open and available for the very first weekend of the season. More than a few hotels didn’t have their spas up and running yet. We honestly didn’t do more than a quick google search because: lazy.

As is customary, the romantic left it til the last minute. We figured once we knew when the rest of the crew was heading out to ski and snowboard, she’d sort something through VIP Ski. Unsurprisingly, they totally pulled through with a recommendation for an in-chalet treatment with Pamper off Piste. (Note: Pamper off Piste appears to be out of business, but we trust that VIP Ski can still deliver the goods).

A part of Destination Pamper, Pamper off Piste sends a licensed massage therapist to your chalet for a treatment of your choice. Obviously, Ashley opted for a maternity treatment, which included a 60-minute massage and either a manicure or a pedicure. Because reaching her toes was already a struggle at 32 weeks (you should see her now…), she picked the pedicure. Armed with a transportable massage table and a variety of Pinks Boutique products, Kate, one of Destination Pamper’s owners, showed up ready to go!

photo via instagram // @lazytravelers

Because no one else was home, Kate set up shop in the chalet’s living room. She revealed that, like many of their therapists, she’s actually a trained physio. After 90 minutes of bliss, Ashley can confirm: this is the perfect arrangement for anyone who might opt to stay inside for the afternoon, whatever the reason.

But don’t worry, snowbirds! If you’re into skiing, it’s pretty ideal for you, too. The physios ensure that the more athletic among us who might need some post-skiing recovery.

Takeaways:

• Ask your chalet hosts to help you pick the best spot for the massage. The upstairs bedrooms at Madrisah wouldn’t easily fit a massage table. But because no one was staying in the downstairs room, we never turned on the heat. It was way, way too cold for a last-minute spa sesh. There was probably a better alternative than the middle of the living room. It was still pretty chilly, since we hadn’t asked anyone to start up the fire yet. It would have been worth enlisting Charity & Josh to help sort after breakfast and before the treatment.
• Don’t expect a traditional spa experience. The treatments are all about working your muscles and resolving tension. As a result, there’s a lot more communication than your standard massage. This all ensures that your physio works and relaxes the right areas . The result is the same, and you still end the session feeling completely amazing.
• If you book between 10 AM and 3 PM, you get 20% off! Pamper off Piste off peak, if you will.

And that, little loves, is a wrap on our amazing weekend in the French Alps. We spent our last night enjoying a delicious dinner at the chalet prepared by Charity & Josh, and remained in complete denial that our trip was already coming to a close. But alas, early the next morning it was time to head back off in our Auto Europe SUV, and make our way to Geneva.

We don’t know where #LTfriendsgiving will be in 2016! But we can tell you this much: it has a LOT to live up to.

xo!

the romantic & the wino

Thank you to Heavenly Publicity and VIP Ski for our weekend accommodations, Oxygène for our ski rentals for the day, and Auto Europe for getting us to and from our new favorite mountain escape.

All opinions (including Sean’s first-time ski frustrations!) are our own.