I have loved skiing since I was young. There is nothing like the adrenaline rush you get from inhaling the freshest air as you see the most breathtaking mountain ranges, the bluest skies as far as you can see, and… It’s happiness.
By now, I’m sure any passionate skier is familiar with La Folie Douce and its après-ski parties on its infamous slopes. So when I heard they were opening the first Folie Douce hotel, I jumped at the chance to get out and experience it.
With a prime location in the heart of Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, this hotel offers ski-in, ski-out access to the Brevet Ski Resort, making it perfect for a mixed après and ski experience.
Our trip was organized by Ski Solutions, one of the UK’s leading luxury ski tour operators. From arranging accommodations to restaurants and ski passes, they did an amazing job. Since Jordan was busy doing a 10-day silence retreat in Thailand, I invited two friends to join me on the trip.
As we approached the hotel nestled between snow-capped mountains, smoke rose from the top, giving off a grandeur reminiscent of the Grand Budapest Hotel. Once inside, the interior was just as amazing. Each room has its own unique personality and the carpets were full of character and intricacy. Closest to the entrance was a beautiful beige detailed map of the world.
There are 250 rooms throughout the hotel, each with a stunning view of the outside mountains and all very cozy. We had a deluxe room which was perfect for the 3 of us and one of us for an evening. Instead of participating in apres skiing, our room was so inviting that we all cuddled up and watched a movie while watching the snow fall on the mountains outside. Cozier than that? impossible.
Now, if you’re not a big skier or heavy drinker (or party goer), don’t worry! These people also offer wellness, fitness and relaxation. The pampering Club Sports and Spa features an 18-metre heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna, steam room, relaxation room and sun terrace overlooking Chamonix’s majestic mountains. There are also eight massage cabins offering a variety of treatments and massages. Unfortunately we did not experience this. We were too busy skiing… And although I enjoyed the party, a massage would have been really nice.
One of my favorite parts of the hotel was the food. (Not surprising.) The hotel has three restaurants. Le Petit Cuisine, Le Mayenne, La Proutière. The first night we had dinner at La Petit Cuisine, which was also where we had breakfast every morning. This is a gourmet self-service restaurant built on quality, local produce and a great atmosphere. For breakfast, we have a huge selection of freshly made croissants, pastries, pancakes, waffles, fresh fruit, condiments, jams, cheese, ham, eggs and other delicious treats. The best way to fuel up before a long day on the slopes!
The second evening we really pushed ourselves to try some traditional comfort Alpine food. Yes, we’re talking cheese fondue, raclette, potatoes, ham, bread, pickles and all the sides. Le Mayen is the perfect restaurant for a post-ski workout. You’re guaranteed to walk out with a mouth-watering, delicious, and satisfying cheesy treat.
So the infamous Apres-ski takes place between 4pm and 10pm. The main area is in the lower part of the hotel, where you will be greeted by singers, large screen projections, breathtaking light shows, dancers, DJs blaring music and passionate skiers dancing on tables, drinking and dancing to dirty DJ beats. It’s definitely an amazing experience.
Our last night had to be one of the best. We headed down to Apres around 8pm after a cheese-induced coma and eventually got deep into the dancing, partying and drinking, ending our night in a traditional bar in town filled with eager ski goers ready to knock their socks off. This is undoubtedly a night to remember!
The skiing itself was equally fun. A ski lift is located right outside the hotel, making access to the slopes very easy. The Alps, a mountain range, is breathtakingly beautiful. The first day was probably one of the most beautiful places I have ever skied. Bright blue sky, above the clouds, sunlight shining on your face.
We were so impressed that everything went so smoothly and the hotel opened just a few days before we arrived. Ski Solutions made every effort to ensure that our stay and ski experience was a fantastic and memorable one. If you want to go skiing, Chamonix is the perfect place, and there’s no better place to experience all the shebang at Folie Douce!
Roan xx
