On Friday 23rd January 2009, the Chamonix Tourist Office is once again organizing a Scottish Evening, dedicated to the 18th century poet, Robert Burns and of course to the British clientele who remain very true to Chamonix as a winter and summer destination.

The event will take place at the “Espace Best Mont-Blanc” and will cater for 250 persons. The four course dinner includes Haggis imported from MacSweens (a tremendous hit last year) and traditional Scottish fare, prepared by a dedicated team of French chefs!

Music and Ceilidh dancing with the Loch Léman Ceilidh Band, who will be travelling from Lausanne, Switzerland for the occasion, and of course, Jean-Michel Platen, the resort’s resident Savoyard Breton piper!

This traditional celebration has existed in Scotland for over 200 years (about the same length of time as British tourists have been coming to Chamonix). In Chamonix Burns Night is an intercultural, international evening, that may be enjoyed by all.

Last years French attendants willingly acknowledged that the « panse de brebis farcie » is actually a very fine dish! The word haggis is probably derived from the French word « hachis » meaning minced meat.

Even the address to the Haggis can be translated into Molière’s language and the French have their own version of Auld Land Syne!

Chairing the event for the second year running, will be Bill Nolan, a man of many talents whose shared passions happen to be Rugby and Burns. He has spoken at Burns Suppers in places as far apart as Dubai, Singapore, Brisbane and Edinburgh and is looking forward to bringing Burns to Chamonix once again.

Co-chairman will be Bernard Prud’homme, tourist office director and high-mountain guide, who wears a kilt with style.

Tickets are on sale via www.chamonix.com and cost 40 Euros per person with the event organized and sponsored by the tourist office.

Intrawest’s second project in Europe, following the success and recent completion of Arc 1950 Le Village in Paradiski, the brand new Flaine Montsoleil development in the French Alps has begun to open.

Famous for their Canadian design and construction and specialising in luxury finishing and convenient ski-in, ski-out access, Intrawest has bought their expertise to Flaine as part of the resort’s huge multi million euro investment to optimise the ski area.

Located one hour from Geneva airport, the first phase of Flaine Montsoleil, features 145 apartments in the first two self-catering residences of ‘Les Terrasses d’Eos’. The development is located in a quiet position directly on the new slope of Flaine where a chairlift has been added to render the residence totally ski-in ski-out.

A comprehensive list of facilities include an outdoor heated swimming pool, Jacuzzi, saunas, steam room and fitness area. The overall masterplan of Flaine Montsoleil will feature further residences (totalling 500 apartments) with shops, restaurants, bars, leisure centre and landscaped grounds. Summer guests can also take advantage of Flaines 18-hole panoramic golf course at 1800m.
Erna Low Property is selling top of the range ski homes at Flaine Montsoleil with prices starting at £134,000 for a one bedroom apartment. Flaine Montsoleil boasts a new array of rental options with guaranteed rental returns – freshly launched this week.

Celebrating its 40th birthday this year, the resort of Flaine is currently undergoing a multi million euro investment programme designed to update the ski area of 265km with new lifts and upgraded ski pistes. The full program will be complete in 2010 and as a result will bring the resort into the first class league of European ski destinations.

www.flaine.com

The mystique of Chamonix, captured in photographs and vintage ski posters, reflects the ruggedly spectacular scenery and over 200 years of mountaineering history. The legendary Mont Blanc peak draws climbers and sightseers while the picturesque town, complete with babbling river, provides an excellent base for skiing and snowboarding on the surrounding slopes.

The Chamonix Valley was settled by mountain farmers when two Englishmen “discovered” it in 1741. The stories of their travels sparked a new interest among Europeans to experience this scenic paradise in person. The first guest house was opened in 1770 and the first luxury hotel was built in 1816. The village of Chamonix has come a long way since then. While the year-round population is about 10,000, the village opens itself for up to 60,000 guests in the winter and 100,000 during the summer season.

The scenic Chamonix Valley, known as the “Cradle of Mountaineering,” is nestled among some of the highest mountain peaks in the Alps, including the Mont Blanc massif (4,810 meters/15,632 feet). The valley is situated in the crossroads of three countries. It’s just a 25-minute trip to Italy through the Mont Blanc tunnel and about the same amount of time from Chamonix to Switzerland traveling over the Col des Montets.

Skiers and snowboarders have the run of 145 trails adding up to 140 kilometers (87.5 miles). Forty-nine percent of the area’s trails are marked for beginners. The best areas for children and beginners include La Vormaine, Les Chosalets, Le Savoy, and Les Planards. Fifty-two percent of trails are best suited for intermediates. The La Tour and Les Houches areas provide good intermediate terrain as well as the more difficult Les Grands Montets, Le Brevent, and La Flégère ski areas. While only 12 percent of trails are designated for experts, the off-trail terrain is extensive. Locals recommend skiing off-trail only with a guide, though. The Les Grands Montets area offers some steep vertical drops and spectacular glacier skiing. Recently, upgrades have been completed replacing double-seater lifts with quad lifts in the new parking area in Le Brévant.

Snowboarders flock to Chamonix for on and off-trail thrills. The Argentière and the Grand Montets provide a challenge for advanced boarders. Chamonix is recommended for experienced boarders rather than beginners. The Le Tour area has a natural half-pipe and at Grands Montets there is a snowpark and a half-pipe. Cross-country skiers have 45 kilometers (28 miles) of trails to explore in two scenic areas designated for classical and skating style skiing. One runs through the Argentière and the other area starts from the center of Chamonix.

Chamonix is well-known for its good ski schools. One of the most popular is the Ecole du Ski Français. Not just beginners benefit from the ski schools as there are specialized courses in ski touring, glacier and couloir skiing, off-trail, cross-country skiing, and snowboarding. The Ski Assis Evasion and the Association Handi-challenge are ski schools for the disabled.

Non-ski activities abound at Chamonix and include snowmobiling, ice climbing (also best done with a guide), ice hiking, snowshoeing, sleigh riding, and dog sledding, among others. Snow hikers can explore trails from the foot of the Drus, La Verte, and Les Grande Jorasses peaks. From the arrival station, visitors can see the crystal gallery, the Alpine fauna exhibition, and the ice grotto.

Those who would like to do a little sightseeing in the area may want to visit the Alpine Museum and the Mont Blanc Observatory. Take an unforgettable cable car ride to the Aiguille du Midi (which rises to the elevation 3,482 meters/11,316 feet). A red cog-wheel train climbs to the scenic Mer de Glace (Sea of Ice) glacier. There are historic churches and villages nearby to explore and with more than 280 shops and boutiques in Chamonix, there’s lots of shopping to be done. On March 1, 2006 adults and children will dress up and parade through the streets of Chamonix to celebrate carnival week.

Après-ski is an art form in Chamonix. Restaurants, cafés, pubs, bars, and even a casino fill time not spent on the slopes. There are more than 100 restaurants in Chamonix and 14 mountain restaurants. Choices range from the Chalet le Cerro, a quaint wooden chalet serving traditional foods of the region with a view of Les Bossons glacier, to L’Eden which serves classic French food with a modern twist. Cafés offering a fantastic array of pastries should not be missed. The Casino of Chamonix is popular with both visitors and locals. A free restaurant guide is available at the Chamonix tourist office.

It is no surprise that Chamonix continues to be one of the most popular resorts in the Alps. With the combination of exceptional winter sports opportunities and the beauty of this high-altitude alpine town, it is hard to beat. Not to mention the parties . . .