Lifestyle 19In2 www.theenquirer.co.uk

Toadvertiseon these

pagesplease

call01277

627400

Harley StreetFertility Clinic

Have you ever thought of helping other women by donating your eggs?

Egg donation is desperately needed by many couples who have no chance of a family without someone like you donating eggs for them.

As a small token of gratitude for this immense gesture, you will be compensated with £750.

020 7436 6838

www.hsfc.org.uk

info@hsfc.org.uk

134 Harley Street, London W1G 7JY

Licensed and regulated by the HFEA (centre number 0333)

Splitting up? Divorcing?

Not sure what to do?We’re here to help. Mediation is a way for couples to maketheir own decisions for the future with the help of anexperienced and impartial mediator.Legal Aid is still available for mediation but not for everyone -we can find out if you are eligible, and if you are, ourmediators can help you to reach an agreement with your ex.We have been around for a long time and are part of the UK’slargest relationship support agency, Relate. As a not for profitorganisation, our prices are low if you are not publicly funded.We also offer couple counselling, sex therapy, familycounselling and child/youth counselling. Call us for an informalchat on 020 8514 7880 or 01708 441722 for other services orvisit us on www.relatelondonnortheast.org.uk.Appointments are available over North East London.

Relate Mediation London North East

SKIING at the best of times can be expensive. With theweakness of the pound now could be the time tosearch for a more affordable alternative. Perhaps achange in the time of year that you travel?

May I suggest skiing at Alpe d’Huez or Les ArcsParadiski later in the season?

At altitude the season continues well into April withplenty of sun, the prices are lower and better value forfamilies whilst there is so much more to do than just ski!

I was lucky enough to be invited to sample thedelights both resorts have to offer in mid-April. I wassceptical of snow quality at this time of year but I hadnothing whatsoever to worry about as the conditionswere near perfect!

Arriving at Geneva airport on a Wednesdayafternoon I was immediately whisked to my firstdestination - Alpe d’Huez.

Checking in to the Club Med Resort it was difficultto assess the amount of snow on offer as it was nowearly evening.

The hotel itself is very family friendly and operateson an all-inclusive basis. Buffet-style dinner over andarmed with my wristband it was time for a drink ortwo before getting my head down in readiness for thefollowing day’s activities.

After breakfast it was now time to find out howgood or bad a skiier I actually am.

A short transfer later and I was at the foot of thisgrand ski area looking up at the clouds. My first stopwas way beyond this!

The area itself covers 250km with 5 resorts and 2

villages and 135 alpine runs. This is catered for by the75 ski lifts.

At 3330 metres, the Sarenne slope is reputed to bethe world’s longest black run at 16km long. After myinitial reservations I ventured off. The top part is fairlysteep and not for the faint-hearted but it graduallyturns into a wider, flatter section allowing you to cruisecomfortably across the valley.

We stopped for lunch at La Fruitière, which wascreated by double Michelin-starred chef ChristopheAribert. Sharing a selection of starters I then opted forthe Angus beef striploin with potato purée, meltedReblochon and morel sauce. This was accompaniedwith a glass of the local Savoie wine which wasdelicious. While you’re here don’t miss the apre-ski atla Folie Douce which starts at 2.30pm. With thumpingbeats and cabaret artists this was an experience I wasunaccustomed to but I can confirm it was great fun andcertainly something to remember.

The thrills weren’t over as, having skiied to thebottom, it was time for a short discovery flight overthe Alps. We took off in a light aircraft high above themountains with magnificent views over la Folie Douce- this was the perfect end to a spectacular day on themountains.

Dinner at a Le Passe-Montagne in the village is amust to sample the local fayre on offer and, if you canmanage it, the vibrant bars are well worth a visit.

With aching limbs I awoke the following morningknowing that relaxation and a massage was on offer atthe Chamois d’Or Hotel spa. The serene surroundingswere very welcome after the adrenalin-filled escapadesof the previous day.

After lunch at the Altibar restaurant it was now timefor the three hour transfer to Les Arcs 1800 wherewe arrived at Hotel le Golf to a deluge of fresh snow.

Strangely named for a ski hotel it is also home to an18-hole, par 70 golf course facing Mont Blanc duringthe summer months.

Les Arcs is a large, family-friendly location withresorts at 1600m, 1800m, 1950m and 2000m and eachindividual area has its own unique charm and the skiarea covers 435km of slopes suited to all levels

Undeterred by the falling snow I took a short walkto watch a jump line competition. If you are unfamiliarwith this spectacle I suggest you Google it. I can bestdescribe it as trampolining on a very slack rope.

My evening was spent in local Savoyard restaurant

La Cabane des Neiges sampling more amazing foodincluding the cheese raclette with a selection of meatscooked on a hot stone.

The following morning there were beautiful blueskies and the prospect of another great days skiing.

With my instructor we covered many miles of lush,fresh snow taking in Les Arcs 1950 which has thecharm of a village from a bygone age and offering eight5-star residences.

We lunched at the beautiful Alpine restaurant LeSanglier qui Fume on the slopes at Les Arcs 1600which was welcome respite from the morning on theslopes.

We also took in the Spring Animations - an end ofseason ‘party’ including human bowling, waterslide andbeach party, 9-hole golf tournament and a jump over abig airbag. This is great for small and big kids alike!

Many blue and red runs later we arrived at theMille8 leisure centre. This new development offersplenty of off-piste activities including sledging,swimming pool, Turkish baths and a sauna. This isdefinitely a place to chill with a well-earned drink andlook out from the warmth of the glass panelled bar.

After dinner at Chic Mama I sampled some of the verylively nightlife. There is a good selection of bars to choosefrom and some offer live music late into the night.

Following breakfast I even managed a couple ofhours back on the slopes before it was time for thethree hour return transfer to Geneva airport.

Overall, this was an amazing introduction to skiing inFrance having spent most of my time on the pistes ofItaly.

This was a thoroughly enjoyable experience. Bothresorts have so much to offer, on and off the slopes.Go on - give it a try. You won’t regret it!

Fact BoxFor further information about Alpe d’Huez or

Les Arcs Paradiski and travel to France, visitwww.rendezvousenfrance.com

Other websites worth a look:www.alpedhuez.com

www.rhone-alpes-tourisme.comwww.france-montagnes.com

www.chamoisdor-alpedhuez.comhttp://uk.france.fr/

www.clubmed.co.ukwww.lafoliedouce.com/en/folie-douce-

spots/alpe-d-huez-en.htmlwww.aeroclubalpedhuez.comwww.lepasse-montagne.com

www.chamoisdor-alpedhuez.com/spa-hotel-alpe-huez/

www.restaurant-altiport-alpedhuez.comwww.lesarcs.com

www.golf-hotel-lesarcs.com/en/http://en.lesarcs.com/activities/mille8.html

www.france.fr#skiingintospring

Skiing with a Spring in your stepReview by: Shane Champion

PPlleennttyy ooff ffaammiillyy ffuunn ttoo bbee hhaaddTThe SSarrennnne ssloppe CCrruuiissiinngg aatt LLeess AArrccss