akeal's blog https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blogs/akeal en Untouched powder... By Boat?! https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blog/untouched-powder-boat <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div> <strong>Skiing Iceland’s lonely peaks may well be the next big thing on bucket lists for powder loving adventurists everywhere. Iceland’s uncharted northern fjords offer untold opportunities to be ‘The first Briton/person to ever ski that’. How’s that for friendly competition between friends on a ski holiday?</strong></div> <div>  </div> <div> There is a catch, however. Skiers with no sea legs need not apply.</div> <div>  </div> <div> The Northern Fjords can only be accessed by the most atmospheric and awesome means possible – an Arctic sailing schooner, like the explorers of old; converted to hold the world’s most intrepid adventurers in its cabins.</div> <div>  </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Iceland schooner sailing" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/iceland-schooner-sailing.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> Watch the Northern Lights from schooners like this that battle through Iceland’s harsh winters. Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/northsailing/8509933032/in/photolist-pCbYTF-o1VfR5-nJwCjb-fqcDd2-eJoufs-ecm3LN-dXZJNq-dXZCBj-dXTWPT-dXTVon-dXTVmK-dJ8UnT-dJekD3-dDeczq-dD8NMT-dD8D7R-duTZfJ-duTZ7N-duNoP2-duNoDM-duNove-duTYzf-duTYqN-duTYiq-duTY9S-duNnPa-duTXSE-dmvZ11-cUJQTd-cA5zJh-czMgEy-bUbGXX-bBCwLR-bqGgye-bqGfsX-bqGcLT-bqGbpn-bqGauD-bqG9fX-bqG7Zn-bqG6X8-bqG64P-bqG4JP-bqG3oi-bqG2xX-bqG18a-bqFZ6H-bqFY4c-bqFWRt-bqGese" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North Sailing</a> on flickr.</div> <div>  </div> <div> The Arctic winds carry you along the fjords, with your vessel dropping anchor at the best spots so you can ski some of the deserted jaw dropping landscapes. A few mugs of rum at the end of the day with the crew, while the freezing Iceland evening sets in, reminds you civilisation is still out there – pfft! who needs civilisation when you have Iceland?</div> <div>  </div> <div> The snow type varies from peak to peak, keeping everything interesting. Depending on the slopes location in relation to wind and sun exposure, everything from dry fairy dust powder to the thick, heavy variety and wind packed crust can be found without a single groomed trail in sight. As any backcountry enthusiast will know, beacon, probe, shovel and the knowledge to use them is essential, with this instance being no exception.</div> <div>  </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Backcountry skiing in Iceland" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/backcountry-skiing-in-iceland.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> Skinning does have its rewards. Photo courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/northsailing/8509949844/in/photolist-dXZHBb-8LsMtz-6fg2D-aDcvUt-dXU46i-cVUKMf-aWNWQ6-aWNVKx-4e3D1y-aDcoWt-asXFQj-asXTTA-asV5Ft-6cFcvD-asXo9h-asXnMh-rBRJym-o5S7en-nRTf31-9zFY38-nPM1RZ-asXX2o-aDcmmZ-asV1RP-asXD2m-fxfw9d-asV2Xc-aDcjyi-aDgp89-aDgjMJ-ov2pmw-9SmHpL-friXv7-fxfvX5-fxfwkh-asXEPU-asUQgp-asVfba-asVpSr-asUZkD-asUTV2-asVfDV-asXLau-asUVmz-asV5sr-asV7eB-asUPJ2-asVaQt-asXzCY-asXGr1" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">North Sailing </a>on flickr.</div> <div>  </div> <div> Naturally, being uncharted and unexplored, you should perish the thought of ski lifts and all that other resort pomp. If you want those fresh tracks and your name in the history books you’ll have to earn them; slap on those skins and get touring!</div> <div>  </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Icelandic Aurora" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/icelandic-aurora.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 427px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> Spectacular views, not to mention the fancy lightshow. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/fiddimar/8268898683/in/photolist-dKHXk6-mHS1qt-jW69C6-dtkf3b-q59zkN-fnoNAW-dv2Sit-rKCBZJ-hbNq2o-dAGguF-akW4Se-e6Spcg-bh6Kig-dN8gpE-guQYyv-nqJ3jY-dqp2sq-gkKJhw-n2UQem-hZVhSf-5m4Bjk-pLiN9m-kyMGwG-e5A9RV-dT8XUs-nc59mR-9259BM-9gUzqL-dLwwWD-kT98Z7-dqg91V-9kKwKy-fMJK2d-9dVPEJ-hDs353-hefYsQ-dzDhDp-dvu5it-jZfBmR-dtnBUc-hc4j99-dXSGS3-9iex16-7ALzkU-dXLS8t-h9TsP9-a4hfEE-btCBUG-hbggaL-n7bNxQ" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Friðþjófur M.</a> on flickr.</div> </div></div></div> Tue, 14 Apr 2015 11:25:55 +0000 akeal 122 at https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blog/untouched-powder-boat#comments Prepare to release the inner child! Public piste-basher driving courses! https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blog/prepare-release-inner-child-public-piste-basher-driving-courses <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div> <strong>Attention big kids! Have you ever wanted to drive a giant track-borne metal monster with four times the horse power of a land rover? Has the same price tag as a Ferrari? Meet 4 whole tons of awesome! I am of course referring to the mighty piste basher!</strong></div> <div>  </div> <div> Courses for enthusiasts wanting to learn the ways of the noble piste basher driver are becoming steadily more popular; resorts like Meribel, Serre Chevalier offer courses as part of the winter activities program, and Chamonix hosted the French Piste Basher Championships in 2013.</div> <div>  </div> <div> They might be slow (they top out at a modest 22Kph) but that certainly didn’t stop former world champion formula one driver, Alain Prost, and downhill ski champion now rally driver, Luc Alphand, going head to head in the motorised roller coasters.</div> <div>  </div> <div> So that’s one lifelong ambition now within easy grasp of man-children and tom-boys everywhere! Now if only someone would do a wrecking ball and a JCB course... We can dream after all.</div> <div>  </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Piste basher school" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/piste-basher-school.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 480px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> London bus driver school eat your heart out! Piste basher driving school needs nerves of steel. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/cgoodyer/4238795316/in/photolist-kbpJK6-9qqtYG-kbs1F9-9wF38Q-9wC3Le-6gHVi3-bvz3vx-4gA719-7syWaS-bt1DoJ-69AtGe-37yVhk-664X36-kPtCTz-9wF2GS-qE5dAB-dCz4x8-5xWdLQ-4DJnDj-5YukyY-BdXWY-622MY1-9n2T8y-EGeWj-BFBH1-BFBFx-du4NF-7vskZn-7y" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Chris Goodyer</a> on flickr.</div> <div>  </div> </div></div></div> Tue, 31 Mar 2015 09:28:34 +0000 akeal 118 at https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blog/prepare-release-inner-child-public-piste-basher-driving-courses#comments Top 4 White Winter Weddings https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blog/top-4-white-winter-weddings <div class="field field-name-body field-type-text-with-summary field-label-hidden"><div class="field-items"><div class="field-item even" property="content:encoded"><div>  </div> <div> <strong>If you’ve found someone who doesn’t give you the cold shoulder when you suggest getting hitched on your Rossies or Burton – congratulations! They’re definitely a keeper in our opinion.</strong></div> <div>  </div> <div> The Alps make for an excellent setting for a truly white wedding. You can’t ask for more stunning surroundings than in a ski resort, with charming villages, beautiful mountain chapels and glaciers all ready for you to exchange your vows. Luxury accommodation and venues for a spectacular reception party afterwards are also sure things.</div> <div>  </div> <div> So if you’re looking for some winter wedding inspiration, allow us to get you started with our top four white wedding venues and destinations. Just remember to wear those thermals.</div> <div>  </div> <h2> Saas Fee, Switzerland (Glacier Ice Caves)</h2> <div>  </div> <div> Saas Fee, the Jewel of the Alps, has a series of ice caves on the Saas Fee glacier so you can say your (ski themed?!) vows amid long-standing ancient ice formations and carvings. The renowned reputation Switzerland has for luxury venues also ensures a good reception.</div> <div>  </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Saas fee ice chapel" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/saas-fee-ice-chapel.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 482px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> Saas Fee Ice Chapel.Graffiti is fortunately removed before the service. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/iain-t/2685579361/in/photolist-56jibr-51MQNc-2app4w-z2bvt-2ss6Rm" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Iain-t</a> on Flickr.</div> <div>  </div> <h2> Chamonix, Mont Blanc</h2> <div> Picturesque views and old charming chapels with a Mont Blanc backdrop. Enough said? Nope. If you’re a thrill-seeking couple, you can exchange vows on the glacier before paragliding down with your nearest and dearest to your rapturous congregation and reception.</div> <div>   </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="La chapelle des praz" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/la-chapelle-des-praz.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 962px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> La Chapelle des Praz. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lagob77/8150068107/in/photolist-8zn8Cj-btQAdN-pusoAP-8zn43S-bBcF1Z-8QWo7e-qrUQ71-4ofZfp-cTVHW1-q6CJR5-cukcyb-cukgCA-quchCT-gZAXVd-bz9bjj-9A8oAn-dqceiD-5pPiWY-cukdTS-phcEqN-bUB8oJ-55zczG-qo8Sn7-dQ9HUo-6gZdaL-rchBgD-9pAr3w-ecVbt" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">LaGob77</a> on Flickr</div> <div>  </div> <h2> Kufstein Fortress, Austria</h2> <div>  </div> <div> For a wedding straight out of a fairytale, a ceremony and reception at Kufstein Fortress in the idyllic Austrian town of the same name will deliver the grand ceremony you’re after. Being just a short hop, skip and jump away from the Wilder Kaiser Brixental ski region, this definitely makes it into our top four.</div> <div>   </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Kufstein fortress" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/kufstein-fortress.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 350px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> Kufstein fortress. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ingridsiemons/16464132721/in/photolist-r5SZ4g-qKga8G-pYH9eb-m8vWug-bZ2ozL-e6d7k2-dvNfA4-dhAQdc-awJ1mc-8m1LbL-pp3afu-oL14Xq-oGdf8R-nYWQns-ekEhWj-dzy2af-rm8pbA-qNWEDA-8D8afe-qz2mcQ-qQEXiR-oJLyZs-mjkVdk-ri5RLR-ewpcCp-5MkbZT-qQdKw" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Inky-NL </a>on Flickr.</div> <div>  </div> <h2> Sorrisniva Alta, Norway (The Igloo Hotel)</h2> <div>  </div> <div> With a chapel that changes design every year, no two designs for the hotel are exactly the same, giving your ceremony a unique and special significance. The opportunity to say your vows underneath the Northern Lights pretty much guarantees you’ll wow your family and friends too.</div> <div>  </div> <div class="rtecenter"> <img alt="Igloo hotel ice chapel" src="http://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/sites/default/files/igloo-hotel-chapel.jpg" style="width: 640px; height: 429px;" /></div> <div class="rtecenter"> 2010 chapel at the Igloo Hotel. Image courtesy of <a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/kimberlyjansen/5563160731/in/photolist-9tADSk-9tDBxy-9d5V2k-9TmJ1t-8kW8Uw-9tAEvF-9tADya-9tDC5h-9qHtDG-9qEHRT-9qHuU1-9qEJYt-9qHz2E-9qEwrz-9qEH3a-9qHL7w-9qHAdu-9qExCa-9qEDYn-9qEBwi-9qHCZ3-nyvTza-9JHANg-7NggsV-nAhBEr-nAhBat-nywBL" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Kimberly Jansen</a> on flickr.</div> </div></div></div> Mon, 23 Mar 2015 14:57:05 +0000 akeal 116 at https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk https://www.luxury-ski-chalets.co.uk/blog/top-4-white-winter-weddings#comments