|
|
Hit the Slope
|
|
|
As any self-respecting celeb knows, retail therapy is a key part of any
apres ski activity. So if your idea of winter sport involves heading
straight off the slopes into the nearest designer emporium, check out these
chic resorts which offer the best of both worlds
 Chamonix, France
Skiing: Not for the faint-hearted. With its bumps, gullies, powder bowls and
some of the best off-piste skiing in the world, Chamonix in the Alps is for
the expert and the adventurous only.
Just looking at the start of the most famous run – the 15-mile Vallée
Blanche – is enough to turn the knees of timid novices to jelly. But even if
you never make it to the piste there’s plenty in the resort to keep you busy
around the clock.
Shopping: The traditional half-timbered streets and squares of this highly
compact and picturesque resort are home to some real treats, including the
recently opened Chanel store, so don’t forget your plastic. Timberland and
Benetton are well worth a visit, especially as they are less expensive here
than in the UK. But if it’s ski gear you’re after, then slope off to
Patagonia where the clothing is upmarket and quite posy, but pricey, too.
Helly Hansen and Esprit are among the crop of ski brands with shops in
Chamonix, while Quiksilver and Rip Curl cater for the snowboarding set.
There are food shops galore, but don’t miss the Saturday morning market in
the centre of town where you can feast on the finest truffles, cheeses,
fondues, meats, sausages and wines.
Igls, Austria
Skiing: Igls is a typical gemutlich - little village - with gabled wooden
chalets providing glorious views across the Inn Valley. But there’s nothing
cosy about the skiing – experts can test their mettle on the Olympic
downhill course, or tackle other challenging descents on the extensive
slopes.
Less experienced skiiers can improve their skills on the wide open slopes of
Patscherkofel mountain, while non-skiers can watch the thrills and spills of
the ski-jumping in Bergisel or take the cable car up the mountain to join
their skiing mates for lunch.
Shopping: Nestled in a ring of snowclad mountains and just ten minutes by
car or bus from Igls, lies Innsbruck, the dazzling capital of the Tyrol and
the former royal seat of the Hapsburgs. The place was beloved by emperors,
queens and grand dukes, not to mention the ordinary townfolk, all of whom
sought to outdo each other with ever-more elaborate baroque palaces, rococo
facades, triumphant arches and exuberant wrought-iron signs. Stroll under
the arcades and down Maria-Theresien Strasse and look out for traditional
Loden coats, sparkling crystal, ornamental candles, wood carvings and
embroidered linen. Countless bars and cafés will lure you inside for frothy
hot chocolate, gluhwein - mulled wine - and apple strudel with whipped
cream. Don’t worry about the calories, you can easily work them off on the
slopes the next day.
Courmayeur, Italy
Skiing: Busy, bubbly and on the sunny side of Mont Blanc, Italy’s smartest
ski resort attracts piste-pounders and poseurs in equal measure.
A favourite weekend haunt of the well-heeled Milanese, for whom lingering
alfresco lunches are as important as the skiing, it’s no surprise that
Courmayeur claims some of the best mountain restaurants in the Alps. The
main ski area is reached by one of the largest cable cars in Europe – but be
prepared to queue at peak times. The easy wide slopes of nearby La Thuile
are a bonus for beginners, while non-skiers can try their hand at skating,
tennis, squash and hang-gliding. The après-ski scene is naturally chic and
glamorous – and heaving at weekends.
Shopping: Courmayeur may look quaint, but its cobbled streets are crammed
with elegant boutiques and high-quality delicatessens, where you can stock
up on dried porcini, olive oil, herbs, hams and Parmesan. Take a trip to
Milan – it’s about two hours by car – and visit the Quadrilatero d’Oro (the
Golden Quad) where you will find the world’s biggest fashion brands – Gucci,
Versace, Armani, Valentino et al. For more affordable shopping try the main
streets and seek out the city’s many markets. Finally, just outside Milan at
Serravalle, designer outlet McArthur Glen Shopping City is a great place to
pick up bargains, especially footwear. All of which leaves just one problem:
will there be time enough to ski?
St Moritz, Switzerland
Skiing: The country’s most extravagant resort offers fantastic skiing with
miles of downhill runs, including several Olympic courses, and some of the
best intermediate slopes you’ll ever find, though many visitors never set
eyes on them. They come, of course, for the sparkling and world-famous
social scene.
The calendar includes the Cartier Polo on Snow in January, and White Turf
horse racing on the frozen lake in February. If you’re feeling brave,
there’s always the famous Cresta Run and Olympic bobsleigh sites.
Shopping: St Moritz is the designer shopping mall of the Alps and has the
best selection of top boutiques of any small town this side of Rodeo Drive.
Divided into two villages, Dorf and Bad, those looking for luxury shopping
should head for the former – far from being a quaint Alpine village, Dorf’s
sedate buildings are packed with luxurious goodies, and window-shopping on
Via Maistra is an international pastime. If Prada, Gucci and Hermes aren’t
your bag, however, there’s lots to whet your appetite at Hanselmann’s, the
pastry and handmade chocolate shop near the main square.
|
|
|
|
http://www.hellomagazine.com |
|
