A WEEKEND TRIP WITH SKI AND SNOWBOARD RENTAL IN VAL THORENS
Ski & Snowboard in France
This ski season we teamed up with Intersport France to get a feel for what it's like to use their Ski and Snowboard Rental services in Val Thorens. As always, all views presented in this article are our own.
Light turbulence bounces me out of a mid-morning snooze. Through crystalline fog on oval windows, I get a glimpse of snow-capped peaks piercing the deep blue skies. It's been a long month. Part of me wants to go back to sleep, but this sight of the alps puts a stop to that inclination. I'm now too fired up for a weekend of snowboarding with the boys in Val Thorens, France.
There's something special about gliding down mountains, the fresh winter air, mastering a craft. I've been out of touch with it too long, and this weekend, I can finally strap a board back on my feet.
Living in London, it never occurred to me to turn a long weekend into a ski trip to France. Somehow the channel makes it all feel just out of reach for an outing with any less than a week's commitment. I'm about to be proved wrong.
After a mediocre airport lunch, we pick up a rental car from the airport and hit the road. The low hanging sun flickers through baron trees as the mountains come into view on the far end of the highway. Everything is bathed in a warm, golden glow. It's almost hard to believe we will be inundated with snow by the evening. My mind is already on the slopes. The thing is, it's been roughly five years since the last time I set foot on a snowboard. I can't help but wonder how quickly it will all come back. Apparently, it's like riding a bicycle...
How to get to Val Thorens from the UK
You can catch any number of cheap flights from UK airports to Geneva or Lyon, both of which are between a 2-3 hour drive from Val Thorens. Once you arrive at your accommodation, you don't need a car, so one option is to hop on any of the airport shuttles that head for the slopes several times a day. It helps that anything you should need in Val Thorens is within walking distance, including the pistes. Renting a car might give you a bit more flexibility, on the other hand, and could come out to be the cheaper option if you're travelling in a group. Either way, allow yourself four full days away to get the most out of your weekend.
A fair bit of warning: chances are pretty slim you'll get in any time for boarding or skiing on the day of your arrival. Accepting that bitter fate takes some of the stress out of getting there in a rush. Take in the views, enjoy the ride, and maybe even get motivated by the fact that by the evening, you'll be sipping french wine and eating more melted cheese than should be humanly possible...
Accommodation in Val Thorens
An icy wind is already bringing fresh snow to the resort when we drop our bags at the apartment we've booked. At 2300m, the town of Val Thorens is high enough to accumulate some fresh snow early in the season. It's among the most elevated ski towns in Europe and one of the first resorts to open in November. Brilliant for those of you who are keen to get in some pre-Christmas rounds on the mountain.
I quickly get the impression that most of the accommodation in Val Thorens is pretty similar: basic apartments with plenty of beds built into gigantic blocks on the side of the slopes. They really only serve one purpose -- to rest your head while you're not sliding down a steep hill (or gorging yourself on melted cheese). That being said, the interior of ours is pretty cosy. There's a table perfect for a game of cards and a couple of drinks by the fake fireside. Generally speaking, you're never out of walking range to a hill or a lift.
Looking for a place to stay? Have a peek at your options:
Renting a Snowboard or Skis at Intersport Val Thorens
Growing up, I used to own all my own snowboarding gear. After all, the alps were only ever a few hours drive away. I remember drooling over catalogues dreaming about the latest and the greatest in boards, bindings and boots. Then reality would sink in and I never entirely was able to afford the stuff I wanted to try. Now, I live in a London flat. (Can you imagine how Mandy might react when I wander through the door with a new snowboard and some boots?) A boy can dream, but for the time being, snowboard rental it is.
To be honest, there is something wonderful about throwing some clothes in your favourite carry-on bag, hopping on the plane and not having to worry about much else.
Lucky for us, we arrive at the Intersport in Le Cheval Blanc to pick up some rental skis, snowboards and boots relatively early on Friday, before the big weekend rush hits. If you can manage to get in early, I highly recommend it. Even in the off-season, the shop can fill up very quickly when the weekenders start showing up by the busload.
Starting at around 10€ a day, you can try out the seasons' newest equipment at Intersport and simply drop it back off before you head home. It's part of their policy to swap out any kit at no extra cost during your rental period, so if at any point you decide your boots aren't quite right, or your board needs a few more inches (teehee), you can always pop into the shop and try something else on. It's the perfect situation for those of you wanting to swap your all-mountain board for something more suited to the powder when it arrives. That goes for the skiers out there too.
Fret not, if you don't know what it is you're looking for. The staff at Intersport Val Thorens will walk you through the process and help you make the best selection suited to your skill level and needs.
Want a Ski/Snowboard Rental Discount?
We partnered with Intersport France to get you an exclusive 6% discount on any rental kit for the ‘19/’20 season. It stacks with all other promotions they might be running, so make sure to add the promo code: "PhotoammonSki" when booking online: www.intersport-rent.fr/en/
It's All in the Boot
Sacha, the manager at Intersport Val Thorens, greets us with a smile and welcomes us as some of his first customers of the season. When it comes my turn to try on some boots, I tell him about a sharp pain I get in my arches without fail when I'm wearing snowboarding boots. As a snowboarding veteran, I've always assumed my flat feet mean that I'm doomed to a life of foot-pain while strapped in. To be honest, it's the one thing I wasn't looking forward to when I stepped onto the plane in London.
"There might be a solution", Sasha tells me. With a grin, he points at a futuristic-looking white platform. Like some strange device from a science fiction film, it quietly emanates a white pulsing glow from the corner of the room. With some fascination, I climb aboard the contraption, aptly named the "Boot Doc". A few seconds later, I'm looking at a full 3D render of my feet on an iPad. Intersport staff use this scan to understand the shape of your foot and arches better. They can use it to match you with the perfect ski or snowboard boot.
With a pair of brand new rental boots fitted, I decided to give my feet the royal treatment and have some custom insoles fitted as well. Even though I'm renting boots, the insoles are mine to keep, and I'm told I can use them for any other sports when I head back home. After standing in some heated gel, my new insoles are ready to go. I walk out of the shop with a brand spanking new board, bindings and boots. I suppose the benefit of arriving in time for the opening weekend means I'm the first to play with this season's new equipment.
Once everybody is kitted out and ready to hit the slopes first thing in the morning, we head into a cosy French restaurant and gorge ourselves on raclette and house wine. By the time we leave, a 50 mph wind is howling through the town. Things aren't looking great should this continue into the morning.
Hitting the Slopes
Even at sunrise, the wind hasn't let up. Since we don't have the luxury of time, we head out in defiance of the weather. Icy shards blast our faces, but despite this, the magic carpet lift on the green slopes is operational. I'm secretly delighted to have a moment to get used to being on a board again, but naturally, I moan about the weather (can you tell I'm a Londoner?) In reality, the fresh mountain air has me grinning from ear to ear under my face mask.
The wind finally lets up by the time we finish lunch, and the first chair lifts begin to grind into motion. Everybody is itching to test their limits a little beyond the green slopes and magic carpet lifts. Ever so often, we get a glimpse of the peaks through gaps in the fog; a taste for what's to come as our cable car sways in light gusts.
Looking down from the top, I feel elated. There's really nothing like carving up a fresh dusting of snow on alpine slopes, moody mountain atmospheres and a good old fashioned adrenaline rush. We get in a full day of beautiful conditions the next day, and everything feels right with the world.
Sadly, the weekend is over in a flash, but by the time I'm back at my desk on Tuesday morning, I feel like a new man. The best part is, my feet never hurt once.
If you're thinking of heading to France for a ski trip, make sure to take advantage of my exclusive discount code for the winter season of 2019-2020. If you rent with Intersport France, you can use the code "PhotoammonSki" to get an additional 6% off. It stacks with any of their other biweekly promotions for an additional discount. Please also make sure to get a travel insurance specific to snow sports. Your average travel insurance might not cover you. We have often gone with World Nomads, and highly recommend them.
As always, we’d love to hear about your trip in the comments below!
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