The Times feature 20 best summer mountain retreats

The Times Travel section (Saturday 3rd July 2010) last weekend featured Annabelle Thorpe’s article on the 20 best summer mountain retreats, two of which we are proud to include in Oxford Ski‘s luxury portfolio!

As the article rightly states, as the “largest and highest summer skiing area in Europe”, Zermatt offers skiers the rare opportunity for glacier skiing in the height of summer! Twenty-five kilometres of pistes and eight ski lifts remain open all summer, with the Klein Matterhorn cable car soaring up a sheer mountain face to a lung bursting 3820m (12,530ft).

Located at the very centre of Zermatt, nestled within the imposing Alpine mountains and with the Matterhorn in sight, the views from your suite in Hotel Firefly will take your breath away. This modern, family-run hotel combines traditional design with twenty-first century comfort – with stylish furniture, rustic Alpine materials (including native wood and stone set against glass & metal) and offbeat accessories.

Also featured, The – eponymous – Lodge Verbier – popular with discerning travellers & ‘Virgin brand’ enthusiasts throughout the year! More commonly booked for spa breaks and outdoor pursuits other than skiing in the summer months, this exclusive retreat truly epitomises luxury.

Contact us at The Oxford Ski Company website, or by telephone on +44 (0) 1865 398130 for ideas and availability for these – and other – properties, for winter or summer stays.

High-end luxury arrives in Courchevel 1550!

Chalet Samarra (sleeps 10)

We can proudly offer you to two luxury chalets in Courchevel 1550. These are certainly not to be sniffed at for those who insist on only being in 1850!

Chalet Elista and Chalet Samarra are located in a private hamlet in the heart of Courchevel 1550, set away from the main road and accessed by a private drive.

With their simple but timeless design, the Kandahar chalets enjoy a great location at the heart of Courchevel 1550, only 300 meters from the ski slopes. The two chalets, each measuring 270 m², perfectly combine traditional style with comfort, luxury and modern convenience.

Comfortably sleeping up to 10 guests, the Samarra chalet makes a superb choice for a winter sports holiday either with family or friends. The chalet enjoys an extensive lounge area with an open fireplace offering stunning views over the Dent du Villard. There is also an open plan kitchen, South-facing terrace, 5 bedrooms with a bathroom and a private garage.

When it comes to unwinding, the Kandahar chalets both feature a relaxation and well-being area that offer a choice of facilities including Jacuzzi, steam room and cinema lounge in chalet Elista, or an indoor pool with counter current swimming and a steam room in chalet Samarra.

Chalet Samarra (sleeps 10)

The Kandahar chalets have been built according to a sustainable development policy. Features include geothermic heating methods and the use of natural building materials, which by no means compromise modern comforts and standards.

To prevent you missing any precious time on the slopes, Each morning the staff will drive you to the ski lift or the ski school meeting point in Courchevel 1550 in a private mini-bus. The resort gondola which runs every day until 7pm, gives direct access to the centre of Courchevel 1850 and takes just 15 minutes.

Prices from €5,900 low season to €10,300 high season.

Call now on 01865 398 130 or email rupert@oxfordski.com

Some incentives to book early for next season

You can save money already if you book in advance. This will also mean you get the right chalet. Booking late often offers good prices but at a loss of choice and quality.

VERBIER
5% discount on the following chalets is booked before the 1st of June (excludes New Year and Half Term).

Chalet Septieme Ciel (Sleeps 12)
Chalet Sorojasa (Sleeps 10)
Chalet Treize Etoile (Sleeps 10)
Chalet Cybou (Sleeps 8 )

All of the above are serviced and catered to a very high standard.

MEGEVE
Hotel Alpaga 10% discount if booked before the 31st of August or 15% discount if paid in full. Bed and breakfast included.
Chalet Firmin (Sleeps 8+4)10% discount if booked before the 31st of August or 15% discount if paid in full. Bed and breakfast included.

CHAMONIX
Chalet Flavie (Sleeps 8)10% discount if booked before the 31st August or 15% discount if paid in full. Bed and breakfast included.

Please contact us to get ahead of the game and get the best chalets at the right prices.

Call us on 0044 1865 398 130.

40cm of snow in Val d’Isere and more across the Alps.

Great news for those who wisely booked at Easter and great news for those still planning to book.

The conditions have been excellent across the Alps all the way through until mid to late April for the past few years and so this seems to be the trend. We confidently tell our clients that Spring Skiing is still as good as ever.

40cm in Val d’Isere, 25cm in Meribel, 20cm in St Martin and we have received emails from all of our operators across the Alps saying they they have had fresh snow.

Some last minute offers.

4 – 11 April 2010

St Martin de Belleville, Chalet Abode - €875 per person (from €1,569!). Sleeps 8+2 available of a room by room basis.

Val d’Isere, Chalet Margaux – £995 per adult catered including flights and coach transfers. Sleeps 12 available on a room by room basis.

Verbier, Chalet Berbou – £7,155 total price for the whole chalet catered. Sleeps 6.

11 – 18 February 2010

Chamonix, Chalet Serena – £13,680 total price for the whole chalet catered. Sleeps 14 people.

Please contact +44 1865 398 130 or email info@oxfordski.com for further information on these chalets and other great opportunities to go skiing this season.

Other very good news. Kylie Hardy our Sales Manager had a baby girl on Saturday. She is called Yasmine and all are doing well.

Come and work for The Oxford Ski Company

The next best, some might say better, thing to booking a skiing holiday through The Oxford Ski Company is to come and work for us!

We have the following two positions available.

Sales Consultants for a Luxury Ski Travel Company based in Oxford. (Start date: Immediately or end of the ski season, Wage: Salary £25+ OTE)

Skills:
Looking for a highly motivated person who has a passion for skiing and travel, hardworking and flexible working attitude. We are selling luxury holidays to a discerning market who require a professional concierge service – we need someone with impeccable communication skills and keen on selling. Ski related experience is necessary.

Location:
The Oxford Science Park (www.oxfordsp.com). This is a great opportunity to work for an expanding small company in the luxury travel market with the opportunity for two to three weeks work related travel each year.

Contact:
Please send a CV and introduction to Rupert Longsdon, Director, rupert@oxfordski.com or call him on 0044 1865 398 130.

A white Easter is always a good option

Much as we all like to have a white Christmas. If you are a skier then having a white Easter is also a very sensible option. With two months of the season still to go there is plenty of time to go skiing!

EASTER HOLIDAYS
28 March – 4 April 2010
Chalet Hermine in Courchevel 1850 – sleeps 10 people. £32,870
Chalet Montana in Val d’Isere – sleeps 12 + 3. £43,824
Chalet Chineur in Verbier – sleep 8. £13,950
Chalet de Drus in Chamonix – sleeps 14. €20,000 You know it makes sense! Book a skiing holiday!!

We are only half way through the season…..there is still time to ski

The good news is that we are only half way through this winter season and so if you have not booked already there is still plenty of time to go skiing. Or why not treat yourself to a second holiday.

Please see some great deals below in these catered chalets.

MERIBEL – Free childcare to be taken advantage of.

27 Feb – 6 March Chalet Virage – £699 per person with one free crech place per couple. Sold on a room by room basis

4 – 11 April (Easter holidays) Chalet Nant de Morel (10) £8,500 for exclusive us of the whole chalet.

VERBIER

28 Feb or 7 March Chalet Sorojasa (10) £13,550 or £14,400 for exclusive use.

28 March (Easter holidays) Chalet Treize Etoiles II (10+2) £16,950 for exclusive use.

28 March (Easter holidays) Chalet Plein Soleil (6) £9,500 for exclusive use.

ZERMATT

21 – 28 Feb Chalet Ulysse (8) CHF15,990/£9,594 for exclusive use.

28 Feb – 7 March Chalet Grace (10+2)  CHF38,640/£23,184 for exclusive use.

Please contact the office and speak to the sales consultants to discuss these chalets and many more. 0044 1865 398 130.

Half Term – Flights and chalet available

Chalet Baloo, sleeps 8

Flight Only Seat Sale for Half Term and some chalets to match.

FLIGHT DETAILS
British Airways            LGW-GVA         BA8610C/11C              0840-1115       1155-1235.  £349 per seat
ii)         British Airways            LGW-GVA         BA8624C/25C              1000-1240       1330-1410. £349 per seat
iii)        Bmi                               MAN-GVA         BD7371/72                  0820-1125       1205-1305. £349 per seat
The prices for the above charter flights include ski carriage, and all airport taxes.

VERBIER
Chalet Crijibe – Sleeps 10 people. CHF31,500 (£18,695)

CHAMONIX
Chalet Baloo – Sleeps 8.  £23,625
Chalet Serena – Sleeps 14. £28,900

With only a few weeks to go we still have some wonderful options to enjoy a family, Half Term skiing holidays. All the above chalets have ben discounted so there are some better prices to be made the most of.

Please call +44 1865 398 130.

A Weekend in Chamonix

If you felt like a romantic weekend away for just two of you then we have the place.

Les Granges d’en Haut is an exclusive hamlet of fourteen chalets nestled in a secluded forest enclave overlooking the Chamonix Valley. They are flexible to last minute weekends and will even price a whole chalet for just two people.

Please have a look at this this option.

Chalet Flavie Sleeps 8

The price for two people from a Thursday to Sunday is €2,720 for exclusive use of the whole chalet including bed and breakfast.

You then also have access to the main hotel restaurant, bar and full spa facilities. So the perfect privacy of a chalet but the service and pleasures of a hotel.

Only an hour from Geneva airport this is ideal for a weekend away……..

Please call us on +44 1865 398 130 for full details.

Celebrate New Year by booking a skiing holiday

Chalet Grace, (sleeps 10 + 4)

The start to 2010 has been busier than ever with people booking up their skiing holidays for the rest of this excellent ski season. There is no doubt the snow on the ground in the UK has put people in the mood to go and enjoy the mountains of it in the Alps.

The following top properties are available for the peak dates.

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