FLY & SKI WITH CLUB MED & BRUSSELS AIRLINES
After hours of sorting out and editing pictures of the trip, I can finally present you a very extensive photo diary of my Club Med x Brussels Airlines Fly & Ski experience to Pragelato (Vialattea) last week! What is this Fly & Ski basically about? The two companies teamed up to create the ideal luxurious ski package that includes flights, transfers, ski pass, food, drinks, family entertainment and so on! Sounds like a dream, right?
THE VOYAGE
The journey started off very relaxed with a quick check-in at the B-flex desk of Brussels Airlines and the advantage of using the priority lane at security point. What's really cool as well, is that you can bring your own ski gear on the plane for free! After checking out the new Victoria's Secret store, we continued our airport adventure at the Brussels Airlines business lounge. All passengers who travel with the Fly & Ski package are welcome to relax here before their flight. Time flied (fun, you know) and in less than two hours Brussels Airlines brought us to Turin Airport. The Club Med team welcomed us along with the other holiday-goers and drove us to the village in about 1,5 hours. Kim and I were obviously excited!
THE VOYAGE
The journey started off very relaxed with a quick check-in at the B-flex desk of Brussels Airlines and the advantage of using the priority lane at security point. What's really cool as well, is that you can bring your own ski gear on the plane for free! After checking out the new Victoria's Secret store, we continued our airport adventure at the Brussels Airlines business lounge. All passengers who travel with the Fly & Ski package are welcome to relax here before their flight. Time flied (fun, you know) and in less than two hours Brussels Airlines brought us to Turin Airport. The Club Med team welcomed us along with the other holiday-goers and drove us to the village in about 1,5 hours. Kim and I were obviously excited!
THE BREAKFAST
The next morning we discovered the enormous breakfast buffet with fresh fruits, pancakes ànd crêpes (!), loads of muesli (with the choice between 0%, 20% or full yoghurt), warm and savory dishes, a dozen ways of having your eggs, several juices and a sweetness overload. My heart starts beating about two rates faster when even thinking about this breakfast heaven! I wish I could eat this all day.
The next morning we discovered the enormous breakfast buffet with fresh fruits, pancakes ànd crêpes (!), loads of muesli (with the choice between 0%, 20% or full yoghurt), warm and savory dishes, a dozen ways of having your eggs, several juices and a sweetness overload. My heart starts beating about two rates faster when even thinking about this breakfast heaven! I wish I could eat this all day.
THE VILLAGE
Next up: exploring the village! As I've told you before the rooms are situated in clusters of different chalets, which creates a very homy atmosphere while walking around. The reception, 3 restaurants and 2 bars are located at the heart of the village and can be reached by foot or by golf car (there are even small "bus" stops, seriously!). The ski rooms are also very cleverly situated next to the bar!
Pragelato is located at an altitude of 1600m and since we went in early spring, most of the snow in the village was already gone. Still, the cozy vibes of the room interiors made me dream of celebrating Christmas in this lovely piece of winter paradise. Think of loads of wood, soft purple colours, tartan, natural materials and fun accents such as deer prints! I'd say that the overall feel of the interiors is luxurious, charmy and intimate.
Next up: exploring the village! As I've told you before the rooms are situated in clusters of different chalets, which creates a very homy atmosphere while walking around. The reception, 3 restaurants and 2 bars are located at the heart of the village and can be reached by foot or by golf car (there are even small "bus" stops, seriously!). The ski rooms are also very cleverly situated next to the bar!
Pragelato is located at an altitude of 1600m and since we went in early spring, most of the snow in the village was already gone. Still, the cozy vibes of the room interiors made me dream of celebrating Christmas in this lovely piece of winter paradise. Think of loads of wood, soft purple colours, tartan, natural materials and fun accents such as deer prints! I'd say that the overall feel of the interiors is luxurious, charmy and intimate.
THE SNOW EXPERIENCE
This was my first (and only) snow of the year so I obviously had to take the lift up to the mountains on our first day to jump around! This cabin lift takes you straight from the village to the slopes and you can easily ski back on a beautiful blue piste. There's a small bar close to the lift so we took the opportunity to extensively chill in the sun. Laughing, tanning, drinking... You know the drill! But, there is a time for play and there unfortunately also a time for work. Kim and I had a lot of shooting to do, and one of the results you've already seen here. Another outfit will be online soon!
This was my first (and only) snow of the year so I obviously had to take the lift up to the mountains on our first day to jump around! This cabin lift takes you straight from the village to the slopes and you can easily ski back on a beautiful blue piste. There's a small bar close to the lift so we took the opportunity to extensively chill in the sun. Laughing, tanning, drinking... You know the drill! But, there is a time for play and there unfortunately also a time for work. Kim and I had a lot of shooting to do, and one of the results you've already seen here. Another outfit will be online soon!
THE SLOPES
Now we're getting to the real deal. Your ski gear is stocked in the very comfortable ski rooms located very close to the children's ski rooms (so cute!), the après-ski bar and the large ski lift. After the cabin has taken you up to the slopes, you can finally start your ski adventure! Upon arrival at 9AM we were surprised by Batman dj-ing and other superheroes offering us Jägermeister shots. An adventure, I told you so.
Club Med provides daily ski groups from level 1 (beginner) to level 6 (very advanced) that you can join. This way you don't have to worry about getting lost in the 400 km (!) slopes available for you, plus you get to ski together with others on the same level. Your ski monitor knows every lift, every piste and their exact snow condition so you're always at the right place on the right time. I joined level 5 and had to ski like my life depended on it (so faaaast!), but really enjoyed my monitor's technical advice. At noon he/she takes you to the modern Club Med chalet that is reserved for (and included in the all-in package) their customers' lunch. I had a delicious salad and a bunch of carbs for lunch, after which I almost fell asleep in one of the sun chairs. Yup, the good life...
The pistes were incredible! They're all very broad and in great condition. Since the Winter Olympic Games were held in Vialattea in 2006 (Pragelato is a former olympic village) there are still some olympic pistes left. These ones in particular were an absolute dream for every skier/boarder. I was quite surprised by the snow quality at this time of the year as well; I had expected way more slush. It was also astonishingly calm on the slopes: no queues and only few people, basically. Winter sports heaven, let me tell you!
Now we're getting to the real deal. Your ski gear is stocked in the very comfortable ski rooms located very close to the children's ski rooms (so cute!), the après-ski bar and the large ski lift. After the cabin has taken you up to the slopes, you can finally start your ski adventure! Upon arrival at 9AM we were surprised by Batman dj-ing and other superheroes offering us Jägermeister shots. An adventure, I told you so.
Club Med provides daily ski groups from level 1 (beginner) to level 6 (very advanced) that you can join. This way you don't have to worry about getting lost in the 400 km (!) slopes available for you, plus you get to ski together with others on the same level. Your ski monitor knows every lift, every piste and their exact snow condition so you're always at the right place on the right time. I joined level 5 and had to ski like my life depended on it (so faaaast!), but really enjoyed my monitor's technical advice. At noon he/she takes you to the modern Club Med chalet that is reserved for (and included in the all-in package) their customers' lunch. I had a delicious salad and a bunch of carbs for lunch, after which I almost fell asleep in one of the sun chairs. Yup, the good life...
The pistes were incredible! They're all very broad and in great condition. Since the Winter Olympic Games were held in Vialattea in 2006 (Pragelato is a former olympic village) there are still some olympic pistes left. These ones in particular were an absolute dream for every skier/boarder. I was quite surprised by the snow quality at this time of the year as well; I had expected way more slush. It was also astonishingly calm on the slopes: no queues and only few people, basically. Winter sports heaven, let me tell you!
THE APRES-SKI
What's more important than a nice little après-ski? After an intense day of skiing we were welcomed by lots of little stands that offered hot dogs, pancakes, pizza's, candy and of course alcohol! No vulgar, drunk razzle-dazzle, but classily and pleasantly enjoying delicious bites and loads of sunshine after a long day of sports. And for your information: classy doesn't mean boring! There are several show acts and feasts throughout the week and the G.O.'s (Gentil Organisateurs, or the monitors) don't mind a little party either.
THE SPA
Beauty-lovers and anyone who loves to get pampered once in a while; attention! The Club Med Pragelato spa is pretty amazing. Next to a gorgeous inside and outside pool, a sauna, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath, a hair care salon and a gym with group classes, they have a large wellness centre that offers dozens of beauty treatments and massages.
We were invited to try out the spa with our own ...eh, bodies, and I went for the "Bulle de Relaxation". I quote: "Modelage relaxant du visage, cou, décolleté, épaules et bras pour procurer une détente immédiate." I translate: a wonderful face and upper body massage that almost got me sleeping and had my face moisturized. The massages are rather pricy but are definitely worth their money to relax after a long day on the slopes. Not to speak of the soft bathrobes and slippers you get to wear. Celebrity feelings guaranteed!
Beauty-lovers and anyone who loves to get pampered once in a while; attention! The Club Med Pragelato spa is pretty amazing. Next to a gorgeous inside and outside pool, a sauna, a Finnish sauna, a Turkish bath, a hair care salon and a gym with group classes, they have a large wellness centre that offers dozens of beauty treatments and massages.
We were invited to try out the spa with our own ...eh, bodies, and I went for the "Bulle de Relaxation". I quote: "Modelage relaxant du visage, cou, décolleté, épaules et bras pour procurer une détente immédiate." I translate: a wonderful face and upper body massage that almost got me sleeping and had my face moisturized. The massages are rather pricy but are definitely worth their money to relax after a long day on the slopes. Not to speak of the soft bathrobes and slippers you get to wear. Celebrity feelings guaranteed!
THE DINNER
Winter holidays are not only about hitting the slopes, they're also about eating LOADS of unnecessary food. The Club village has 3 different restaurants: a buffet restaurant, a more fancy one with mountain specialities (raclette, fondue, etc) and a trattoria with Italian traits. The buffet was quite impressive: they offer different dishes every day and create fresh plates à la minute. Don't even get me started about the desserts.
THE EVENINGS
I'll conclude this post with a little note on the bar! As said before, there are several show acts and parties throughout the week and we had the honor of watching our G.O.'s and masseuses giving their best shot at burlesque dancing. After this warming up we ordered a bit too many gin tonics (all-in, you know) and started a hell of a party! Ever seen a huge company's Vice President Sales breakdancing on the dance floor? I won't be not name-dropping here, but what a talent.
THE END
If I had to generally give my opinion on this Fly & Ski package, I'd say that it is probably one of the best ways to enjoy your winter holidays. It is definitely pricy (find all the rates here) but if you're a true winter sports lover, your money is well spent. The location, the journey, the enthusiasm, the ski area, the service, the food, the relaxation, the children's care, the little details, the alacrity and the fun: everything was literally perfect.
After three days that flew by way too fast, we had to say goodbye. We took this fun group photo to remember one of the best press trips ever! I'd like to thank Club Med, Hadi, Brussels Airlines, Frederic, Unlimited PR, Wendy, Kim and Karin for inviting me and giving me so much snow fun! I'm saving up for next year already...
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