MOUNTAIN NEWS
Welcome to our new series, bringing you up to date with the latest developments in your favourite ski resorts
HOTEL DE LEN OPENS IN CORTINA
The historic Hotel Impero, in the centre of Cortina d’Ampezzo, has been transformed into a brand new chic hotel. Called de Len, which means ‘wooden’ in the Ladin language, the design is modern yet traditional, using wood as the main material. There are 22 rooms, some of which boast views of the mountain ranges of Tofane and Cinque Torri. There is also a restaurant and two bars, which are open to non-guests, as well as a rooftop wellness area and pool with huge windows looking out over the Ampezzo Valley.
DINE UNDER THE STARS IN LES MENUIRES
Famous for its unusual meals served inside former ski lift gondolas, La Marmite is now offering holidaymakers a new and original experience in the heart of the Les Bruyères district – dining inside a sphere. The semi-transparent cocoon with views of the summit of La Masse can accommodate up to eight people. Guests can enjoy a set menu in a cosy atmosphere with subdued lighting, a wood stove, even a speaker so they can listen to the music of their choice. Does mountainside dining get any better? Adult menu €38, children’s menu €18.
NEW SNOWPARK FOR LAAX
Budding freestylers listen up: a new natural snowpark has opened in Laax. Called Free60, it’s the fifth snowpark to open in the Swiss resort – often referred to as the Mecca of freeskiing – and combines two of Laax’s hallmarks: freestyle and powder. Built entirely from natural materials sourced sustainably from the local forest, the park is located on an ungroomed slope at Crap Sogn Gion (the main hub of the resort). Suitable for both beginners and experienced freestylers, it features 18 obstacles, including ramps, rails, bridges and pillows. After a fresh snowfall it will be a seriously fun place to ski…
NEW PHOTO POINTS IN OBERTAUERN
Obertauern is well known for its famous Beatles photo points (in March 1965 The Beatles went skiing here to shoot the skiing scenes of their movie Help), and also for its #loveobertauern picture frame on the Schaidberg. Well, to encourage more camera creativity, two new photo points have been added this season: the highest panoramic swing in the Salzburg region at Schaidberg, and the 360° viewing platform with its telescope at Hundskogel. See what Instagram-worthy shots you can bag on your next visit…
POP ART HOTEL IN ALPE D’HUEZ
We’re loving the fun factor of the new Hotel Pop Alp in Alpe d’Huez. With its colourful balconies adorned with dozens of brightly coloured skis, the hotel is inspired by the PopArt artistic movement of the 1960s. Even the hotel’s sign, in pop art style, is a twist on the Alpe d’Huez logo. Inside, the 28-room hotel – which has uninterrupted views of the peaks of Oisans – is like a contemporary art gallery, with murals, sculptures and around 50 original paintings created especially for the hotel.
SNOW SAFETY IN SERRE CHEVALIER
In response to the ski touring boom, this winter the four ESF ski schools in Serre Chevalier are joining up to offer free training on how to use safety gear for off-piste skiing and ski touring. For every purchase in a sports shop in the valley of an off-piste equipment kit (shovel, probe, transceiver), two hours of free training with ESF instructors will be offered. Time to upgrade that avy kit!