Category: TW Travel Dairy

What you ski is what you get

By Srinivas Krishnan

There are ski resorts and there is Courchevel. It’s where the jet-set from around the world hang out when they want the unique adrenaline rush of skiing. Stunningly beautiful and blessed with the finest of ski pistes on the planet today, Courchevel is a luxury destination that’s a cut above the rest. Literally, at 1,850 metres above mean sea level. Located in the French Alps, with the iconic Mont Blanc looming majestically, here’s where the A-listers of the world land up during winter, after working on their suntans at the posh Saint Tropez on the French Riviera during summer! It has one of the highest densities of Michelin-starred restaurants in France, after Paris and the Riviera. Amazingly, for a destination like this, Courchevel did not even exist as a winter resort till as late as the 1940s…

Winter Wonderland

Courchevel was a simple area with small villages populated by sheep farmers. In 1942, the French Tourism department decided to develop it as a ski destination, taking advantage of its high altitude, magnificent landscape and the quality of the snow. Eventually, with access to a small airport, and luxurious hotels and chalets, it metamorphosed into a winter destination for the rich and famous from Paris.

What made it unique as a ski resort was the way it was developed: giving access to the skiers to ski runs directly from the accommodation, a concept called ski-in/ski-out. Of course, there had to be more than just skiing to keep the visitors happy, and that was a convergence point for the ski runs where visitors could relax, hang out, enjoy, meet others and have a ball. It also helped that the ski runs were professionally and immaculately groomed so that everyone – from beginners to experts – could enjoy skiing, in safety. The sophisticated ski lift system which links all areas has been engineered in such a way that there are hardly any queues to get on them.

Courchevel accounts for one-third of the Three Valleys, the world’s biggest ski area. It has a wide choice of pistes (which is the formal word for a ski run formed by compacted snow) for skiers of different skills, as much as 600 kilometres. But the geography of this place is unique. Courchevel is essentially five main villages that are linked by lifts and free shuttles: La Tania (built for the 1992 Winter Olympics), Courchevel Le Praz at 1,350m altitude has a rustic Alpine village charm, Courchevel Village at 1,550m offers affordable accommodation, Courchevel Moriond at 1,650m offers a lively après-ski environment (post-ski entertainment and social activities, essentially, partying!) and finally, Courchevel itself, at 1,850m.

Courchevel 1850 is the most affluent part of this area, where most of the palace and luxury hotels and chalets are located. And here’s where you would spot celebrities like pop stars, royalty, sports people and of course, film stars… and yourself!

Ski for yourself

The Wanderers have put together a Courchevel plan that will have you hobnobbing with the jet-set, skiing under the care of expert instructors and living it up in one of the newest hotels in this place. You land at the Geneva airport from where you are whisked in great comfort in a luxurious Mercedes-Benz to Courchevel – a journey that takes you inside of three hours, going through the beautiful Alpine landscape. The stay is in one of the newest properties here, the Barrière Les Neiges boutique hotel. It may be new, but it was originally the first luxury hotel in Courchevel – now revamped inside out. The location is also terrific – right on the Bellecôte slope, where you can slide down to the ski lifts from the ski room or from the warm outdoor terrace.

Even if you don’t know how to ski, you can take the optional ski lessons privately or in a group, and you are good to go. Courchevel is blessed with great ski pistes that will ensure you will have enjoyable hours of skiing and relishing the experience of the landscape blurring on both sides as you slide down, surprising yourself with your pace. You will completely be immersed in the unique adrenaline rush of skiing and wonder how time literally flies downhill! There are other activities too, like going on a relaxing dog-sledge ride, shopping, eating out at Michelin star restaurants or people-spotting at the swanky bars. You can also visit the Savoie region of France which has a pristine mountain lake awaiting you. This region has some of the most spectacular views of the Alps, and is famous for its different type of cheese: Beaufort, Tomme, Reblochon and Raclette. You also have the option of taking a flight over the Alps to get a bird’s eye view of this magnificent landscape.And then, of course, there is the hotel. You can rejuvenate yourself at the Spa Diane Barrière – a vast, well-appointed place offering Biologique Recherche facials, St Barth body treatments and a massive swimming pool. The philosophy behind this boutique hotel is that it is a mountain retreat with all modern amenities and luxury appointments.
After hours and hours of skiing in the world’s finest ski area, you deserve it, don’t you?

Check out our latest ski package on Courchevel

Have a whale of a time!

By Srinivas Krishnan

How about going to a remote spot in the Canadian Arctic? A place so remote that you need to take a private chartered flight from Yellowknife in the Northwestern Territories, fly for 1,500 km, then walk about one kilometre across the Tundra, and follow it up with a short raft ride across the Cunningham river.


A journey that will have you mesmerized by four-and-half hours of stunning aerial views and wondering at the majesty of nature unfold ground-level. Your eventual destination? The spectacularly located Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge on Somerset Island in Nunavut.
It’s so remote that you can watch the unique Beluga Whales frolic without inhibition in the water. It’s remote enough to spot that shy giant called the Musk Ox which seems to actually enjoy living in this brutal environment. Also remote enough to watch the antics of the mischievous Arctic Fox, fondly called “clowns of the Tundra” as if they are performing for you.


Again, remote enough to observe all the birds and animals that thrive in this harsh, frigid temperatures: Peregrine Falcons, Arctic Terns, Eider Ducks, Plovers, Snow Geese, Jaegers, Sandpipers, Snow Buntings, Loons, Rough-legged Hawks, and of course, Ring Seals, Bearded Seals and the magnificent Polar Bear.
But not so remote that you sacrifice creature comforts! The Arctic Watch Wilderness Lodge is a unique destination that mixes camping luxury with the arctic wilderness, adrenaline-inducing adventures with moments of great calm and quiet introspection, sumptuous gourmet food and drink in the midst of a hostile environment and the warmth of terrific knowledge and hospitality at 805 km north of the Arctic Circle!

This is a different kind of experience than what you perhaps are used to, because when it comes to polar experiences, every day is different and every day offers a new adventure – and you get 24 hours of daylight to make the most of your time there… So many things to do, so many things to see, that you’ll wonder how 10 days just went past.
What makes this remote part of Planet Earth rather special and unique is that the Cunningham River estuary is a Beluga Whale migration site. These wonderful white whales are rather endearing because they communicate with each other using sounds like clicks, moos, whistles and clangs. Not just that, they tend to mimic sounds they hear. You know what that implies, right? It includes the sounds of human speech! Because of the variety of sounds they produce, Belugas are famously known as “canaries of the sea.”

There’s no better spot on the Planet to watch these majestic, friendly and intelligent creatures in action. The proximity of the Lodge to the Beluga Whale migration site as well as their density makes it so. You can see them and even hear them while standing on the river banks and using the hydrophones supplied by the guides, you can even eavesdrop into their conversations.

During your stay here, you will have the opportunity to understand more about the flora and fauna of this land from experts who spend entire lifetimes researching about the natural history, geography and the intersection of man and nature in this part of the world.

For example, on the ATV ride to Cape Anne, you will visit some ancient Thule sites, the Thule people were Bowhead Whale hunters and are ancestors to today’s Inuits. On this ride, while you will be gobsmacked not just looking at the scenic Arctic vistas and the monstrous icebergs, but also the ancient campsites and prehistoric whale bones.

And on a trip to the Somerset Island canyons, which were formed because of shifting fault lines, you will wander wonderstruck looking at the steep walls and the millions of fossils of prehistoric plants and animals scattered around the ground. You’ll get the opportunity to intimately observe the nesting sites of the local birds, watch Arctic Fox cubs at play, witness the mighty Musk Oxen pass by and a unique gull rookery.

During this time, you will enjoy driving all-terrain vehicles (ATVs) around the landscape, go paddling in kayaks around the Cunningham Inlet, experience the immense capability of the legendary Mercedes-Benz Unimog four-wheel drive truck, go rafting on the crystal-clear water of the gentle rapids as well as hike in the stunning landscape to reach spots that are mind-blowing. You’ll have a whale of a time, that’s a promise!

To know more check out our Itinerary