Tag Archives: Switzerland

IXS Swiss Downhill Cup 2009 #3

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verbier-bike-track3rd leg of the Swiss Downhill Cup
August 28-29-30 2009

Last chance for the riders to score some points before the final of the Cup in Bellwald.

It will be also the opportunity to discover once again this pist and try to beat the time of the best riders of the European Cup.

More than 250 riders are expected.

During this period of holidays, the public will also be present to support the best swiss riders.

See what the riders were put through last year click here

For accommodation in Verbier, Click here

Big White & Street Downhill

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The Big White will be help Saturday and Sunday morning in 2 runs, maximum 100 riders Saturday morning, the first half will be qualified for Sunday morning’s finale. No worries the last 50 who didn’t qualified on Saturday will still be able to go up on Sunday morning and ride down just for Big White in Verbierpleasure, they’ll leave 5 minutes later and their time won’t be counted… Same start as last year from Les Attelas (2700m) but double the length arriving on the central square (1500m) for a total of 1200m altitude drop ! On snow of course but also dirt and cement on the final stretch. The route and the first half are the same as last year, and for the second half we’ll pass trough Les Combles, then Clambins, and take it home down Médran street.

That’s not all, during the 2 days we are building a Dual X track in Médran street, a course with wooden jumps, banked turns, jump over a car, rise over the terrasse of the Farinet, and a huge BigAir at the finish line ! Basically it’s gonna kick A**. 50 riders, face to face, no predetermine order, who ride against whoever you want, whenever you want (Jam Session style). Each run will be timed and the 20 fastest will be invited back for the finals on Sunday.

The evening will showcase a demo and a freestyle contest, DJs and speaker the whole week-end.

Prize Money : like last year, we are all here to enjoy biking, so little prize money but enough so that the winner can buy everyone around…

The Big White : Dual X : ContestFreestyle :

Winner : 1000 Chf Winner: 1000 Chf Winner : 500 Chf

2nd : 600 Chf 2nd : 600 Chf

3rd : 400 Chf 3rd : 400 Chf

 

 

 For accommodation in Verbier Click here

More Verbier specials!!

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Ker Praet12th April to 19th April, Ker Praet (Sleeping 16), Located central, Exclsuive reduced from GBP14500 to GBP9950, per person GBP675.

19th April to 26th April, Ker Praet (Sleeping 16), Located central, Exclsuive reduced from GBP14000 to GBP8950, per person GBP625Ker Praet.

For more specials in Verbier, Click here

Verbier Named 2009′s Best European Ski Resort

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The Great Skiing and Snowboarding Guide has named Verbier “2009′s Best European Ski Resort’.” This is in recognition of the many improvements that have been made in terms of the resort’s tourist facilities and ski runs.Verbier

The Guide also saluted the cuisine of the L’Olympique restaurant, which was named “Best Mountain Restaurant 2009.” Verbier has also won back a star in the famous Michelin Guide. The critics of the famous gourmet’s reference have recognised the talent of Marco Bassi from La Table d’Adrien restaurant, Verbier, by awarding him a star.

Skiers and snowboarders can take advantage of the more regular public transport links between Verbier and Le Chable this winter. Verbier Tourist Office says: “After the success enjoyed last winter by buses running in the evening between Verbier and Le Chable, the Bagnes municipal authorities and the postal coach service have decided to reinforce this service with four extra daily connections throughout the week.”

The neighbouring ski resort of Le Chable is a relatively small village located at 850 metres. The resort has direct access to 150 kilometres of pistes served by 38 lifts. Many skiers and snowboarders to Verbier find Le Chable a cheaper option in terms of accommodation and dining.

 

Click here for self catered accommodation in Verbier

Click here for catered accommodation in Verbier

Click here for special offers in Verbier

Verbier Specials

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The season isn’t yet over, we now have two complete chalets still available for NEXT WEEK, and we have just published a HALF PRICE Last Minute price of only £385 per person.

Here are our current offers:


n 28th March now discounted from £775 to just £385 per person (Chalet Merri and Chalet Alice both available (both sleep 8).

Bedroom


n 4th April now discounted from £730 to just £425 per person (double room available in Chalet Maretse).

n 11th April now discounted from £520 to just £425 per person. Chalet Alice – 6 places    Chalet Maretse – 10 places

n No Empty Bed Supplement with parties of 5 or more.

n Free week of morning instruction, plus free ski and boot hire, (worth up to £205) for one member of a party if 6 or more are booked.

Chalet Merri, VerbierChalet Merri, Nendaz. Sleeps 8

Would any of you be interested in a luxury catered chalet holiday in Switzerland’s largest ski region, at a great discounted price?

These chalets have hot tubs, two of them have saunas, and all are extremely well equipped with trimmings such as Egyptian cotton bed linen, plush towelling bathrobes and slippers, DVD players, WiFi and iPod docks – and of course, a professional chef and a chalet manager to look after guests with excellent restaurant-quality cuisine. We provide a five star service, complete with free morning minibus shuttle service, free ski lockers beside the lift station and, if required, a nanny service for younger family members.

Please click on the links to read more about each Chalet or email me claire_v@independentmountain.com to book!!!

Montreux Jazz Festival 2009

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Held on the eastern shore of beautiful Lake Geneva, the Montreux Jazz Festival attracts around 200,000 people each year. Specialising in jazz, blues, rock and pop, the festival provides groove busting beats that make you want to move your body or just listen in musical awe. The Montreux Jazz Festival has hosted the likes of Stan Getz, Nina Simone, Ella Fitzgerald, Charlie Mingus and Dexter Gordon since its inception in 1967 and this year’s festival will see the likes of rock legend Lenny Kravitz and R’nB queen Alicia Keys. Head to the fringe ‘Off Festival’ for free open-air concerts, providing a platform for up-and-coming artists.

Deep Purple made Montreux famous with their song “Smoke on the Water”, which tells the events of 1971, when a Frank Zappa fan with a flare gun set the Montreux Casino on fire.

“ We all came out to Montreux on the Lake Geneva shoreline / To make records with a mobile – We didn’t have -much time / Frank Zappa & the Mothers were at the best place around / But some stupid with a flare gun burned the -place to the ground / Smoke on the water, fire in the sky

Venue: Various. Montreux is 56 miles (90 km) from Geneva
Date: July 2009 TBA
Website: www.montreuxjazz.com

For a Summer alpine holiday after, why not go to Verbier – 1 hour away or Chatel 45min from Montreux and only 1h30min from Geneva!

For accommodation in Verbier click here

For accommodation in Chatel click here

Ultra-trail Tour du Mont-Blanc

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from Tuesday 25 August 2009 to Sunday 30 August 2009Unique in its kind, this event crosses 3 countries on foot (France, Italy and Switzerland), covers 166 kilometres and 9,400 metres climb in one fell swoop. A race with a time limit of 46 hours, the current held record being 21 hours and 6 minutes.

The enthusiasm for this challenge has led to the creation of a second race, from Courmayeur in Italy to Champex in Switzerland and on to Chamonix – a mere 98 kilometres, 5600 metres positive elevation with a time limit of 26 hours.

And last but not least, a team event entitled La Petite Trotte à Léon to complete the picture: 220 km, 17 000 m positive elevation, time limit 100 hours.

- UTMB® : 166 km and 9 400 m of + altitude change – 46 h maxi
start Friday, August 28 at 18:30 in the center of Chamonix Mont-Blanc
- CCC® : 98 km and 5 600 m of + altitude change – 26 h maxi
start Friday, August 28 at 9:00 AM in the center de Courmayeur (Italie)
- TDS (Sur les Traces des Ducs de Savoie) : 105km et 6700m of + altitude change
start Saturday, August 29 at 5:00 AM in the center of Chamonix Mont-Blanc
- La Petite Trotte à Léon : + 250 km, 18000 m of + altitude change
start during the night of August 25th in the center of Chamonix Mont-Blanc

Location : Chamonix.Organisation : Les Trailers du Mont-BlancPhone : +33(0)6 11 55 63 37E-mail : ultratrailmontblanc@yahoo.fr
For accommodation in Chamonix  Click here

France Tops Switzerland for Ski Popularity

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France has pipped Switzerland to the post in a ranking of winter resorts according to holiday homes rental specialist Interhome. The accommodation provider saw Tignes take the number one resort slot for the winter season, up three places from last year and, knocking Nendaz in Switzerland off the top slot for the first time in a number of years.
Tignes experienced a 61% increase in bookings year-on-year. Madeleine Winship, Director, Interhome Ltd said: “Tignes is high up and offers glacier skiing – an added bonus in a season when snow conditions have been unpredictable.” Chatel in France has also seen an increase in bookings year-on-year. Overall, the accommodation specialist has recorded a 1% increase in winter bookings year-on-year while turnover has increased 2.5%. Booking durations have not changed : the majority still opting for the traditional one-week stay even though Interhome offers flexible stays from three to six nights at many properties. However, short breaks have increased for the company – 19.5% with most short break bookings for three and four nights. Chamonix emerged as the resort with the highest number of short break bookings – possibly because it is within such easy reach of Geneva. Val Thorens fared less well, despite it being the highest ski resort in Europe, probably because most apartments offer less flexibility with stays from Saturday to Saturday only, thus cutting off the short break market.

Tignes

Grands Concours Hippique

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Europe’s best horse riders compete in this prestigious equestrian event which takes place in the Perrin parking lot by the Sports Center. The infrastructure, which includes an impressive arena, is built to a world class standard attracting both amateur and expert riders.

 

 

11 th Official Horseriding competition, Verbier

 2nd – 10th August 2008

The 10th anniversary will remain in our memories as a great success: more than 2 200 parking nearly 30 000 spectators during the 9 days of the event. The spectacular event Masters offered by Anouk and Mike Hornung in honor of the past 10 years of this event was a great moment filled with emotion and suspense.
Verbier and the Val de Bagnes are pleased to be able to once again available to riders across Europe as part of this magnificent plateau sunny with a massive Combins background. The particularity of the contribution from Verbier also lies in the atmosphere resulting from the meeting of the equestrian world and a cosmopolitan clientele. The audience, composed as many specialists as novices, also contributes to creating this atmosphere like no other, where it is found in the village of animation located just above the paddock. It should be noted that this year the entrance to our event is free.
The Horseracing Official Competition is very good in the event of Verbier policy which aims to promote the station by demonstrations of quality.
This year 2 events are scheduled, including two spectacular events of six bars and power. The elite Swiss ponies will be present in the paddock of Verbier with a Grand Prix PV qualifier for the championship Switzerland Pony Tuesday, August 12. In the grand finale will take place Grand Prize category IIC qualifier for the championship Switzerland Elite Sunday, August 17.
Saturday, August 9, a demonstration of fighting queens of the race Hérens be the attraction of the day. And you can attend Sunday, August 17 to a spectacular presentation of dog agility.
And that’s not all!
The Jumping Verbier Golf Cup will be organised for the partners of the competition and their guests Saturday, August 16, 2008.
To secure funding for this competition, the organizing committee is counting on its partners and sponsors. This case presents the different possibilities of support. We hope that one of them will seduce you and we welcome you among the artisans of the success of the Concours Hippique Official Verbier, a contest extraordinary.
Saturday, August 4, a presentation of dog agility will be offered and Sunday, August 5, a demonstration of fighting queens of the race Hérens be the attraction of the day.
For accommodation in Verbier click here.

 

Passportes du Soleil VTT

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The “Passportes du Soleil VTT” is first of all a convivial ‘rendez-vous’ for mountainbikers who want to ride for fun! It’s a moutain bike excursion based on the descovering of a territory landing over two countries. The lifts making this mountain circuit accessible.

Remember that the Passportes is :

- 3 circuits of 35, 50 and 75 km
- 7 resorts with simultaneous starts in France and Switzerland
- 13 ski-lifts
- 6000 metres of total vertical descent
- Different routes for cycling uphill on bikes for the more courageous,
- Optional downhill race tracks …

The extras for 2008:

Special rates for girls !
A special price for girls’ entries: € 30 instead of €35.
The Kids Passportes!
Professional teachers will guide children aged 9 to 14 years old (by group of age and level) on a circuit espacially made for them.
  
To find all information, to get details about the event and see a video to present it, please visit the website : www.passportesdusoleil.com .

Entries:

Bookings are open from February 2008 the 10th on www.activeeurope.com

2008 Prices :

€ 35
€30 for girls
€15 for kids (including accompaniment by professional, snack, and a Portes du Soleil present).
Your entry includes:

access to the lift,
a number plate,
local produce refreshments,
a logbook,
a voucher for a day’s lift-pass in the Portes du Soleil,
and as always a special Passportes surprise present !
  
During three days Champery in Switzerland will host the VTT Fair.

Numerous stands where professional will be there at your disposal and numerous entertainment for all, a concert… a whole program !

Also other resorts of the Portes du Soleil hosting the competition will have a special entertainment program during the weekend.

 

For accommodation in Chatel click here