Try taking chillaxing to a whole new level
COLD comfort is on offer at the linked resorts of Arosa and Lenzerheide in the Swiss Alps – the cold is a plunge into a freezing lake. And the comfort? It’s great for your immune system. Or, if that sounds too chilly, why not try an avalanche-safety course at French resort Val d’Isere.
TAKE THE PLUNGE
When your swim-suited body plunges into ice-cold lake water, the shock releases a surge of adrenaline and endorphins – described by the four-star Valsana Hotel in Arosa as ‘a unique feeling of joy’. Japanese and Scandinavians extol the myriad benefits of ice-cold water to your immune system and blood circulation and hotel guests submerge for free with yoga coach Tanja at this impressive Swiss ski resort. She prepares you for entry to the Untersee lake and provides warm towels upon exit. Four midweek nights’ B&B in March 2021 costs £756pp, based on two sharing (valsana.ch). Return London to Zurich flights £110 (swiss.ch). For rail transfer to Arosa, visit sbb.ch.
HATS OFF TO SAFETY
Henry’s avalanche talks have undoubtedly saved lives. On a three-day off-piste course (£450pp, starts January 19) with Henry Schniewind at Val d’Isere you’ll learn risk-management in backcountry terrain and search-and-rescue techniques, while enjoying great skiing. The course will earn you the International Standard of Off-Piste Excellence (ISOPE) certificate (henrysavalanchetalk.com). Seven nights’ half board at four-star Hotel L’Aigle des Neiges departing January 16 costs £1,314pp, based on two sharing, and includes Manchester to Chambery flights and transfers. Book at crystalski.co.uk.
COVID COMMITMENT
Tourism bosses at Italian resort Courmayeur pledge that when lifts open to skiers in January, they will run at restricted capacity to guarantee social distancing. Experience true Aostan charm with impeccable value at hotelboutondor.com. Three nights’ B&B in March cost from £495pp, including scheduled flights and transfers (momentumski.com).