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A comfortable 2 star hotel in
a little square next to the church. After the
biggest and best French ski resort breakfast you could
hope for, one crosses the road, virtually no traffic,
and up alongside a little stream to the charming gondola.
Just 6 minutes walk and you are on the relaxing ride
over a gorge and wild woods. The 27 minutes is far
superior to buses and the shuffle of crowds. One arrives
at the ski lift hub of Meribel, the very centre of
the 3 Vallées. At the end of the day
in the biggest ski area of all, a bit of street theatre
worthy of Edinburgh greeted our return to the Brides
les Bains lift station. A little bell rang as we passed
an ornate bar, an invitation to vin chaude, then back
to our hotel comfort. Emerging from baths and
showers, a stroll round the charming village worthy
of Switzerland was not to missed. Very un-Swiss though
was the ‘Bar Parisienne’ across the road.
A worthy dive to complement the quieter comfort of
our hotel bar. After the tasty evening meal,
which filled all but the most ravenous, the Casino
and a choice of 2 night clubs was there for those of
true stamina, all less than 5 minutes walk away in
this compact delightful village.
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Far more 2 bedded rooms than is usual for a Ski the Edge
holiday. Most couples should be able to book a double
bed. There are twins for other pairs and double rooms
with a child’s bed for parents with a young child.
We still operate ‘Wait and See’ appropriate sharing
for teenagers and single adults in the 3 bedded rooms (with
single beds) if possible. There are 2 ‘connecting
room’ family arrangements. There are a few single rooms. If
you want to pay extra we may be able to release one exclusively
for you, but they are limited and we need to keep a few to
put in willing sharers for whom no suitable match can be
found. Most of the rooms are en-suite. We’ll
let you know if all that is left is not en-suite. Some rooms
have baths and some have showers. Please indicate if you
have a preference.
Are not included and note that food must not be taken from
the breakfast table. The breakfasts are good and plentiful
though so you won’t need a lavish lunch. On previous
Ski the Edge holidays, the leader has designated a mountain
restaurant each day according to where we’d previously
been and the weather and snow conditions expected. Whilst
in no way compulsory, those who fancied meeting others could
do so and it tended to prevent the ‘Where are you going
today?’ question followed by the reply, ‘Oh it’s
a pity we won’t see you then, we went there yesterday’. The
week long ski orienteering event ended up of great interest.
The Hotel Savoy has an arrangement with the nearest ski hire
shop next door for a 20% discount.
You must book your requirements when you book your holiday,
Ski the Edge give the shop the list, but you pay the shop
yourself.
These must be booked when you book your holiday. English
speaking lessons can be full by November. Remember to specify
you standard when you fill in your Ski the Edge booking form. You
pay Ski the Edge in advance when you pay your final invoice.
If you fancy an afternoon off the slopes, the Brides les
Bains Spa, very close to the hotel, is open to the public.
You don’t have to be on a course of treatments to
use the relaxation facilities such as sauna, Turkish bath,
hammen (hot table) etc. The price of 40 Euros may
seam a bit steep so it’s perhaps not really for an
everyday splash like a ‘wellness’ centre, but
the quality and luxury is very high. It’s a must
for the full Brides les Bains experience. Note that
in contrast to the Swiss or Austrian equivalent, costumes
(speedos for men, not shorts) must be worn. An alternative
to a one off visit, perhaps a very good arrangement for
non-skiing partners, would be to plan the Spa with its
treatments as a significant part of the holiday. With the
various wraps, water treatments and massages a unique and
invigorating holiday could be had.
Contact Ski the
Edge for details or www.spa-brideslesbains.com.
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