La Ferme Du Soleil
Archive for September, 2009
Eco Skiing – Ski Randonnée
Posted by Veroni in Winter, Winter Eco Skiing on September 28, 2009
For a truly remarkable adventure, eco skiing is so invigorating. Called ski randonnée by the French
Don’t use the lifts, but set off with Jean Francois, our guide, from La Ferme in the dark with skins on your skis, a lamp on your head and breakfast on your back. As you climb to the top of virgin peaks, you can watch the dawn breaking and the bouquetin breakfasting on moss as the sun rises. Breakfast on the top of the Aiguille Vert (you deserve every crumb of your pain au chocolate), admire the wonderful birds of prey riding on the thermals and then ski back on virgin snow.
This is the most health giving sport I have ever tried…far better exercise than downhill skiing. You can feel the the oxygen go right to the depth of your lungs! Feels like every muscle has been used and although you are exhausted on your return at 10 am and need a little siesta, you feel on top of the world later!!
Special Occasions and Conferences
Posted by Veroni in Special Events, Special Occasions on September 28, 2009
Since we started la Ferme du Soleil in 1998, much has been done to make it more comfortable without losing its traditional charm and simplicity.
All but one room now have their own bathrooms and there is WiFi and satellite as well as log fires.
Many of our guests have used their time at La Ferme du Soleil for special occasions such as their 21st, 50th or 60th birthdays and special wedding anniversaries.
They have also held relaxed conferences with sporting activities allowing relaxed and sometimes competitive discussions.
We offer something unique where people can come together in a relaxed, homely atmosphere and be looked after with great attention to detail according to your individual needs, in a fairy-tale environment. We can tailor-make your holiday to make it more fitting for the particular occasion, either by adjusting the menu or by helping you with some special events:-
DOORSTEP ECO SKIING
Don’t use the lifts, but set off with Jean Francois, our guide, from La Ferme in the dark with skins on your skis, a lamp on your head and breakfast on your back. As you climb to the top of virgin peaks, you can watch the dawn breaking and the bouquetin [picture] breakfasting on moss as the sun rises. Breakfast on the top of the Aiguille Vert (you deserve every crumb of your pain-au-chocolate), admire the wonderful birds of prey riding on the thermals and then ski back on virgin snow. .
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This is the most health giving sport I have ever tried…far better exercise than downhill skiing. You can feel the the oxygen go right to the depth of your lungs! Feels like every muscle has been used and although you are exhausted on your return at 10 am and need a little siesta, you feel on top of the world later!! [Link to the page on Mountain Guides]
DOORSTEP PARAPENTING (Paragliding to the English).
3 minutes away from the the Ferme is the Lachat chair lift, which whisks you up to the top and a sensational view. Renee (the guy with the mustache) from the Passagers du Vent paragliding centre will pilot you on a tandem flight, riding on some of the best thermals in France.
On landing, we can organise a snow picnic appropriate for the occasion for you…simple or sophisticated alpine fayre.
Originally I believed that this must be a sport for the young and not for the faint hearted, but I thought I must try it so I could recommend it to my guests or steer them away. I found it to be the most beautiful, exhilarating way to see the Alps!! You don’t just plop down, you ride on the thermals. It’s the nearest thing to being a bird… there are birds riding on the thermals beside you…In fact I’ve met a man who rescues depressed birds of prey from zoos and they ride on the thermals while he is parapenting!
People of every age have loved parapenting. Mel did it for her 21st. Edward Reily Collins brought all his Antique Roadshow friends to have a relaxing 60th birthday celebration. They planned skiing, raqueting and bird-watching. But once they had tried parapenting, he couldn’t keep them on the ground.
Jannie Bernays, a glamourous granny is celebrating her 60th birthday there. A perfect gift for Granny: flight and Champagne picnic for all the family to share as she glides down. Perfect for honeymooners, too. Take off on two different tandems. It is far more than an adrenaline sport – it is a truly magnificent way to see the Alps. Of course, if you get hooked you can do a 5 days course and learn to fly solo The parapenting school in Grand Bornand is one of the places that give courses. [Link to the Passagers du Vente site].
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BUILD AN ICE TABLE for you and create a celebratory environment with fur rugs, candles and celebratory food
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CREATE AN ALPINE PICNIC and transport it to a secluded or specially scenic spot for you
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Some ideas for special gifts at la Ferme
A breakfast outing with our guide on skis with skins. I gave this to my nephew for his 21st present and this is what he said! and this is him at the top of Aigulle verte
A flight on a parapente with or without a picnic as you land.
Most convenient ski shop
Posted by Veroni in FAQs, Local Area Information on September 25, 2009
We use a local ski shop because it is just below us on the slope. This makes it very easy to take stuff back to change it, get a faster (or slower) ski, or have adjustments made. You can also leave bags and things there. And they sell sunglasses and socks when you realise that you left them behind! We also find that it is a convenient place to pick up your bags to take up to the house and leave you skiing off!
They are not the cheapest and they do not have the broadest range but the people are nice and they speak some English. They have not only a normal range of skis but boards, ski de randonnée equipment, snow shoes etc.
Their address is:-
Magasin de sports, Ski Service Deloche
L’Envers du Chinaillon
Le Grand-Bornand Chinaillon
74450 Le Grand-Bornand
Tel : 04 50 27 00 73 (+33 4 50 27 00 33)
www.skiservice-grandbornand.com
contact@skiservice-grandbornand.com
Opening hours are officially from 08:45 to 18:00 (18:30 at Christmas through New Year and in February) although they seem to open a little earlier and are often there a little later, clearing up.
When hiring, mention that you are staying at La Ferme du Soleil. You will still need a passport to show them. Generally, you pay when you return your hired stuff. They take all the normal credit cards.
You can ask them to reserve you skis etc. There is a form, which you can send them. Emails work much better than telephone with them as they are not there until the season starts.
When driving through Chinaillon, take the left turn, marked to the slopes, and you will se it on the left after about a kilometre. The shop is after the start of the car parking, just afte the Gettier lift and the sign, “Ski Service” faces you.
You can get your ski tickets 150 yards from the ski shop, just down the road.
You can, of course, go anywhere else that you choose. However if you hire from Le Grand Bornand, remember that is more of a trek than shops in Chinaillon.
Availability and Prices
Posted by Veroni in Availability on September 14, 2009
In winter, the house is fully catered. Click here for winter availability and prices.
In spring, summer and autumn, you can rent the whole house, the upper floors or the downstairs: the Writers’ Retreat, when courses are not being run. It is generally self-catered then.
For the availability of the whole house, which sleeps up to 14 people, click here.
For the availability of the Writers’ Retreat, which is designed for one or 2 people to have peace and quiet but has three rooms so that up to 6 people can stay – but without the same comfort or quiet – click here.
The open-air swimming pool is available for use by everyone staying.