Skiathon announced a runaway success!

• Last week’s Disability Snowsport UK’s Skiathon was a huge success!  Although no one reached the targeted runs of 666, the Oxford Ski Team came close at 498 and came 3rd overall on the day!  The donation total to date is £665, just £1 off the targeted £666, and you can still donate until the end of June, so please give generously to a great cause!

Regional station Anglia TV was there filming and even managed to get some great shots of the team.  A great day was had by all, with some very tired bodies and sore legs in the office the next day.

To connect to our Just Giving page, just follow this link.

Home, and recovered from all the excitement of the day, the team are now back at their desks and busily fielding enquiries for luxury catered ski chalets and luxury hotels, for next season (2011/12).   If you – like so many of our clients – are now thinking of your next ski trip, why not call one of the team for good availability at this early stage.  That being said, it won’t be long before the pick of the best properties start filling up, so why not get your booking in now!

We look forward to hearing from you on +44 (0) 1865 398130.

GB Team announced for 21st Winter Olympics

Yesterday 13 athletes were announced for the GB team and more are due to be announced on Friday 29th Jan making a total of approximately 50 athletes picked to represent Great Britain at the 21st Winter Olympics in Vancouver.  Yesterday 9 skiers and 4 snowboarders were named.

The 9 skiers named are Sarah Ainsworth an aerials skier and Andrew Musgrave, Andrew Young and Fiona Hughes all competing in Cross Country skiing.  Moguls skiers Ellie Koyander and Ed Drake will be joined by Alpine skiers Andy Noble, Dave Ryding and Chemmy Alcott.  Chemmy had this to say “The Olympic Winter Games are without doubt the biggest event in our sport, so it’s a massively exciting prospect for me to be going as part of Team GB, last time out, in Turin four years ago, I came 11th, but this time my aspirations are higher”.

Representing GB in snowboarding is Adam Mc Leish in parallel giant slalom, Zoe Gillings in snowboard cross and Ben Kilner and Lesley Mc Kenna in the half pipe.

To date BOA (British Olympic Association) has announced 43 athletes and once the skeleton and men’s bobsleigh events have been announced with should take the total number of athletes being sent to around 50 from 6 sports and 11 disciplines.

Massive Saving on Half Term Chalet in Zermatt

With not long to go until February half term school holidays and availability for chalets very limited as everyone seems to want to travel the 14th – 21st Feb. week I am pleased to say that we still have one of our most stunning chalets available at an unbelievable price.

Chalet Grace (sleeps 10 + 4), located in the beautiful resort of Zermatt  is still available from Sunday 14th – Sunday 21st Feb fully catered with open bar and an electro taxi each morning to get you to which ever ski lift you would like to start the day from at an amazing price of only £33,900.  This represents a massive saving of £8,793 off the original price of £42,693.  Chalet Grace is a truly stunning chalet and one of the best in Zermatt.  It has been decorated to the highest standard with beautiful furnishings collected from around the world.  As well as the stunning views it has to offer of Zermatt village and the Matterhorn, the chalet features a brand new outdoor hot tub, massage room, sauna, cinema room and games room for the child (or adults!).

If you would like to discuss this chalet further with one of the Sales Team please don’t hesitate to call on +44 (0)1865 398 130 or email info@oxfordski.com

18 Feet of snow in one month- 30 year record SMASHED!

WHISTLER BLACKCOMB SMASHES 30-YEAR RECORD FOR SNOWIEST MONTH EVER WITH OVER 5.5 METRES (18 FEET) OF SNOWFALL

As the calendar flips over to December, it’s now official that November 2009 will go down in history as the snowiest month on record at Whistler Blackcomb, dating back to when the collection of weather data began 30 years ago.

November 2009 has seen a total accumulation of 560cm (18 feet) of snowfall, nearly four times that of November’s average snowfall of 148cm (58 inches). This is an increase of more than 19 per cent over the previous record of 469cm (185 inches) set in January 2006, and a 22 per cent increase over January 1992′s record of 459cm (181 inches).

And now, with the record broken, there is still an entire season of skiing and riding to look forward to. With a season that offers 192 days of skiing and riding, Whistler Blackcomb is already over half way towards the resort’s average annual snowfall of just over 10 metres (33 feet).

Check it out for yourself

New Luxury Chalet in Zermatt!

Haus Ulysee,  Zermatt (sleeps 12)

Zermatt has a great NEW luxury chalet for this winter!  Haus Ulysse has just been completed for this coming season and features stunning uninterrupted views of the Matterhorn from most rooms of the chalet.  Haus Ulysse offers great flexibility as the main chalet, Chalet Ulysse,  has 4 bedrooms with a 2 bedroom apartment below, Chalet Argos.  This is ideal for large groups sleeping up to 12 people as all are able to eat together in the large chalet (Chalet Ulysse).  The chalet is only 3 mins walk to the Klein Matterhorn lift and most of the season you can ski back to within 50m of the chalet.

Haus Ulysse still has some great availability in March and is still available for the very popular Easter Holidays.

If you would like any more information on this chalet please contact a member of the Sales Team on +44 (0)1865 398 130

Free Airport Transfers at Christmas

We have a great offer on two stunning chalets in Val d’Isere for Christmas week.  Chalet Bergerie (sleeps 10) and Chalet Mistral (sleeps 14) are offering free private return airport transfer with Christmas bookings 20th – 27th Dec 2009.  This is a great saving as unfortunately private transfers are an expensive extra cost to your holiday.

Chalet Bergerie is located only 50m to the piste, has a large cinema/Wii room and stunning views across the valley.  The price for Christmas week at this chalet is £20,950 plus the FREE private transfers from Geneva worth 1,318€ for 10 people

Chalet Mistral is located in the same great location, has a full driving service from 8am – 2am everyday, with top level service and cuisine.  The price for Christmas week is £29,333 plus FREE private transfers from Geneva for 14 people worth 1,670€.

In the news!

Belinda Archer, the editor of a new online guide to the best ski chalets in the Alps, picks her favourite boutique retreats and reported about it in The Observer last Sunday 4th October 2009.

It is great to see that all 5 chalets choosen are featured on The Oxford Ski Company website demonstrating, once again, that we cover the best luxury chalets in the Alps.

Her pick of chalets are:

For Best Location:
Chalet La Cloche (sleeps up to 16) in Tignes Les Brévières, for it’s quiet hamlet location but still having quick and easy access to the vast ski area of the Espace Killy.

For Best Traditional Alpine Style:
Ferme du Bois (sleeps 10) in Chamonix is one of the oldest farmhouses in the valley and was recently refurbished but still maintains it rustic charm with a fire place so big you can you can almost have a party in!

Ferme du Bois, sleeps 10

Best For Families:
Chalet Kernow (sleeps 12) in Verbier, this chalet features a kid-friendly TV snug to one side, complete with state-of-the-art screen and every variety of games console, plus a mezzanine area above with pool table. There is also a cosy bunk room with gym mats for little ones to play in.  Not forgetting the adults there is a spa, sauna and steam room.

Best For Views:
Le Ferme de Moudon (sleeps 10) in Les Gets that featured on Channel 4′sGrand Designs Abroad in 2004.  The chalet features floor to ceiling glass windows in the main living area and is located in our private parkland.  You get the feeling you a million miles away from civilisation, but in reality only a few minutes drive to the lift.

Le Ferme de Moudon, sleeps 10

Best For Billionaires:
Chalet Spa (sleeps 10) in Verbier with its amazing indoor heated swimming pool to the pop up TV screen from the outdoor hot tub to the state of the art media technology this chalet certainly does impress.  The interior design is modern Alpine Chic with great attention to detail demonstrated throughout.  The chalet is also set high on the side of the mountain with stunning view across Verbier and the valley below.

Chalet Spa, sleeps 10

If you would like more information on any of these chalet please do not hesitate to contact a member of staff on +44 (0)1865 398 130.

Rent a Palace!

The Gstaad Palace, Switzerland

Gstaad Palace in Switzerland is offering the unique experience of renting the whole palace exclusively.  This truly exceptional offer guarantees you a memorable event, whether you are planning a one-off incentive event, a social celebration or a business meeting.

If you have an event of 100 guests or more the hotel is offering exclusive use at a very attractive rate.  Besides 101 rooms including 4 one-bedroom suites and 2 two-bedroom tower suites you also have 5 meeting rooms, 5 restaurants, 2 bars and the famous GreenGo nightclub at your disposal.

We would be happy to help organise and co-ordinate such an event for you, so please contact a member of the Sales Team on +44 (0)1865 398 130.

Peak Weeks Selling Fast!

We are now into Autumn and there are only 15 weeks until the start of the next ski season!  With the children back at school, parents finally have some free time on their hands to plan the family ski holiday.  Enquiries have been flooding in, especially for Christmas, New Year and the February Half Term week. Make sure you get the chalet you want by securing a booking now.

There are still some early booking discounts available on certain dates if you book before 31st of September.

Please call one of our Sales Team at The Oxford Company on 01865 398 130 for any enquiries you have. We will be happy to discuss your requirements with you and find the perfect chalet for the coming season!

Focus on Chamonix

Chamonix is commonly known as the mecca for extreme skiing, but did you know that there is actually something for everyone, especially the non-skiers.  Due to Chamonix’s unique location, it provides many alternative activities for visitors to the area.  Chamonix visitors can experience the grandour of Mont Blanc (4810m) up close, the famous Mer de Glace glacier and the stunning views of the Chamonix Valley via the Aiguille du Midi cable car.  The cable car leaves from the centre of Chamonix (1050m) taking you up in two stages to 3842m.  The second stage, which takes you up the north face of the Aiguille traverses Les Pelerins glacier providing breathtaking views.  At the top there is an outside viewing area and while standing in France you can look across to both Italy and Switzerland! Link: Aiguille du Midi – Panoramic Mont-Blanc

If you don’t fancy heights or you want to explore the glacier up close you can take the Montenvers cog train from the centre of town which wraps around the mountian to the glacier.  If you are up for the 20 minute walk and 100 steps, every year ice caves are carved out of the glacier. Throughout the caves are ice sculpture illustrating scences from alpine life in the early 19th century. Link: Montenvers – Mer de Glace

If you are up to venturing a little further,  thanks to the 11.6km long Mont Blanc Tunnel, in less than 30 mins you can be in the beautiful 17th century village of Courmayeur, Italy.  Courmayeur is the oldest Italian Alps resort and was merited the title ‘The Pearl of the Alps’.  While the skiers in the group can explore the 100km of pistes on offer, the non skiers can wonder around the old medieval village that has everything from gourmet delicatessens to designer clothes and jewellery shops.  If shopping is not your thing only 5km south of Courmayeur is Pre Saint-Didier Thermal Baths Wellness Centre.  The warm thermal water flow out of the heart of the mountains at 37 deg C.  Due to the moderate radioactivity, low mineralisation as well as tonic and fortifying properties the water has been used to treat rheumatic and muscular disorders, help imporve blood circulation as well as being famous for relaxing the mind and body. Link: Pre Saint-Didier Thermal Baths Wellness Centre

These are just a few examples of the excursion available for non-skiers, to see more on what to do in Chamonix you can visit the Chamonix Tourist website www.chamonix.com

For a list of properties The Oxford Ski Company feature in Chamonix please visit oxfordski.com/chalets