Tagged: mountain living

51 Degrees Of Switzerland

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Dining room at 51º Spa Residences by Swiss Development Group in Leukerbad, Switzerland.

Fancy a mountain property in Switzerland?  Luxury property developer Swiss Development Group has launched its luxury development, 51º Spa Residences, in Leukerbad, Switzerland.

51º Spa Residences will feature thermal spa hotel & residences surrounded by the alpine backdrop of Switzerland’s Valais region. The development is named after the highest temperature of the thermal water.

In Switzerland and abroad, Swiss Development Group SA specializes in luxury, landmark real estate projects including five-star condominium hotels and private hotel residences

Says Nicolas Garnier, CEO of Swiss Development Group:

“51º Spa Residences is the embodiment of not only creating a luxury hotel and residences but going beyond this to generate a one of a kind living environment in the Swiss Alps, for each season of the year. This development celebrates the unique aspects of Leukerbad which come to life through leading visionaries in design and architecture, setting a new standard for niche luxury living environments.”

The luxury development will break ground in Spring 2012.  Its Building A phase is expected to be completed by the end of 2013 with 9 luxury apartments.

Its Building B is scheduled to offer 21 luxury serviced apartments from late 2014.

Features of the residences will include in-home thermal spas; wrap-around terraces; grand stone fireplaces and balcony thermal water Moon Bath pools.

Additional amenities will be The Resident’s Club; wine bar; private wine cave; ski valet; children’s club and private Banya Experience Spa.  Property owners will have access to the exclusive luxury club Rockefeller Living.

Famed architect Michael Graves & Associates has designed the development to “appear to be carved out of rock and rise against the backdrop of the landscape”, celebrating the serene thermal water and the mountains.

Interior design firm Marc Michaels Interior Design will focus on interiors in harmony with the earth’s elements and its locale.

Architectural water feature expert WET, known for the fountains of Bellagio in Las Vegas, will design a crystalline fountain representing fire and ice for the central plaza between the hotel and residences.

The 5-star hotel and spa, the final phase of the development, is expected to be completed in 2015.

This hotel and spa will feature private concierge, luxury restaurants and upscale retail outlets, thermal spa & wellness centre and recreational activities.

Image courtesy of Swiss Development Group.

New France Alps Development

FrancePropertyErnaLow New France Alps Development

New Alps property development Hameau du Kashmir in Val Thorens 2300.

Erna Low Property has launched a new development, Hameau du Kashmir, located in Val Thorens 2300.

The mountain real estate development is located within the Trois Vallees (Three Valleys).

Three Valleys has a large ski area with a network of 600+ km of ski slopes and access to resorts Courcheval, Meribel and La Tania.

Val Thorens 2300, Europe’s highest ski resort, offers mountain travelers restaurants and bars and family entertainment including including bowling, cinema, and concert venues.

Real estate developers and management company,Groupe les Montagnettes, is behind the new development which adheres to French energy specifications, high quality appliances and equipment.

Says Joanna Yellowlees-Bound, Erna Low’s CEO:

“Many people think that ski property is largely a ‘seasonal’ winter market and forget about The Alps as a Summer resort. In fact the mountains offer a host of activities outside of the ‘ski season’, with fantastic walking, mountain biking, climbing, rafting, swimming and tennis. Add in spectacular scenery, flora and fauna and Alpine air; there really is something for everyone all year round.”

Leaseback properties come fully furnished and ready to rent.

Every property has choice of leases based on occupancy: two weeks in winter, three weeks in winter or six weeks between winter and summer.

Erna Low Property is the property section of the ski holiday specialist.

The company features a portfolio of ski properties around the world, specifically in France with ski apartments and chalets at resorts including Three Valleys, Val d’Isere, Arc 1950, La Plagne and Morzine.

For more info, visit the Erna Low site.

Image courtesy of Erna Low Property.

Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Mountain Traveler is a series about travelers in the mountains.

Mountain guide Jorge Kozulj contributed this guest photo essay on Patagonia mountain travel and life. He is the founder of Andescross, an outdoor guiding company in Bariloche, Patagonia.

Jorgephoto1 Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Climb, girl, climb: Guided climb with my friend Jill, Summit of Torre Principal in Frey area, Cerro Catedral, Bariloche, Patagonia.

Andescross came from a natural development of my lifelong connection with the mountains.

As a teenager, along with my friends, we mountain biked the trails to the local climbing crag after school.

On snowy days, we managed to get out of school early for powder skiing in the area of Bariloche. We would take weekends off and visit the closest mountain hut to ski or climb.

I spent two years in Buenos Aires as an engineering/architecture student, but my passion for being outdoors and my extra energy led me back to pursue a life in the mountains.

Between climbing and skiing trips in my early 20s, I spent two summers salmon fishing in Kodiak, Alaska. I learned English and developed a love for Alaska where I go back every time I can.

I’ve climbed in the towers of the Utah desert; in the Dolomites of Italy (Corvara); Spain; France; Czech Republic (Adrspach) and Slovakia.

Later, I decided to pursue a career as a mountain guide. In 1998, I started guiding in Southern Patagonia and slowly started to make my career from guiding, hiking, climbing and skiing.

Since then, I have spent my time between guiding and doing personal mountain trips.

Some of the most memorable trips in Argentina and Chile have been in the Southern Patagonian Icefield; Central Andes of Mendoza; Central Patagonia; Cerro San Lorenzo and Cerro Castillo.

Today, Andescross outdoor guiding has expanded to a highly skilled team.

We’re active in all mountain-related activities including family treks, alpine climbs, glacier walks, mountain biking, ski mountaineering and ski touring in the Andes of Patagonia, Argentina and Chile.

Andes2 Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Skiing Cerro Lopez: Cerro Lopez is one of the most beautiful mountains that calls your attention as a skier coming to Bariloche. Big beautiful bowl with endless options for backcountry skiing.

Andes3 Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Film work in Chile: Camping at the rim of Puyehue Volcano during a film-photo shoot for The North Face Athletes, Chile.

Andes4 Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Lanin Volcano: One of the most scenic, conic-shaped volcanoes in the Andes, an excellent ski mountaineering destination.

Andes7 Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Happy life in the Andes: A classic, 5-day trek trip with tent logistics, passing by alpine meadows, alpine lakes and ridges and exploring Nahuel Huapi National Park in Argentina.

Andescouple Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Love is love: A couple gets ready, packing to ascend Osorno Volcano in Chile.

Andes8 Mountain Traveler: Jorge Kozulj

Chile: Packing donkeys during photo-film shoot in Puyehue Volcano Chile for The North Face Snowboard team.

Images courtesy of Jorge Kozulj and Andescross.

This is a Guest Post.

Mountain Camping In Portugal

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PortugalYurtMill at Cabreira Mountain Camping In Portugal

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Top: Apple Tree Yurt; Middle: Schist Olive Mill at Cabreira on the Rio Ceira; Bottom: Wild swimming spot.

Hannah McDonnell wrote this guest post on mountain travel in Portugal. She
has lived in Portugal for seven years on a mountain smallholding with her family.

The Acor mountain range in Central Portugal is one of Europe’s best kept secrets.

It’s a magical landscape of shimmering rivers running through forested hills.

Just one hour inland from Coimbra you can spend days exploring valleys, rivers and schist villages.

Piodao and Fajao are two ancient schist villages well worth a visit.

Public transport is limited in these mountains but there are buses to Gois and Arganil from Coimbra.

If you’re looking for a nature retreat or an active holiday, you’ll find Yurt Holiday Portugal and its two solar-powered yurts nestled in the mountains.

Crystal clear rivers are shaded by cork oaks and chestnuts in a beautiful rural idyll.

The area has some exquisite wild swimming opportunities. Some swimming holes have bbq areas while others are hidden away.

There are plenty of day trips to remote mountain villages, waterfalls, ancient forests and palaces.

Images courtesy of Hannah McDonnell

This is a Guest Post.


Living In France’s Savoie

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Mountain resort property in France’s Savoie region.

Dreaming of mountain living in France?

If you’re after mountain resort property, you can invest in 1,2,3,4 bedroom apartments in Ste Foy in France’s Savoie region.

New tourist residence in Ste Foy ski resort, listed with Leggett, offers apartments with a private balcony and terrace and a choice of leaseback options.

Each stylish apartment is decorated and fully equipped with high quality brands.  They also come with parking, ski lockers and private storage caves.

The apartments are located a short walk to the resort centre of Ste Foy Tarentaise and the ski slopes.

Amenities include a swimming pool, spa, reception area with concierge, bar and cafe.

For more info, visit the company site.

Image courtesy of Leggett

Mountainfilm In Telluride

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“The Wildest Dream”

Mountain film festivals educate and inspire us.  One of the most popular mountain film festivals in the world is Mountainfilm in Telluride, coming up May 28-31, 2010.

With the motto “Celebrating Indomitable Spirit”, the 2010 festival promises to be the biggest ever with more venues, special guests and programming.

“We are particularly excited about the festival this year,” says David Holbrooke, festival director.

“We have a very strong and varied lineup of films, speakers, and artists. We have accomplished mountaineers like Ed Viesturs and Conrad Anker but we also have artists like Maya Lin and Chris Jordan. We have environmental activists like Dave Foreman and Tim DeChristopher but we also have civil rights activists with two Freedom Riders coming to town.”

Here are more photos from festival films:

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“Forgotten on the Roof of the World”

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“Eastern Rises”

For the full festival program and other info, visit Mountainfilm.org.

Images courtesy of Mountainfilm in Telluride.

Aspen Summer 2010

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Heading to Aspen this summer?  Then you might fancy the Colorado mountain town’s new event Outside in Aspen, June 11 – 13, 2010, which will showcase the active Aspen lifestyle.

At Outside in Aspen, beginner to expert athletes will have the chance to meet pro adventure athletes including Everest climber and photographer Jake Norton.  They will be able to participate in a symposium 0n adventure topics and an Outside Buyer’s Guide Gear Experience.

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Here are other summer 2010 events  in Aspen:

  • Aspen Rooftop Comedy Festival, June 9 – 13, 2010;
  • FOOD & WINE Classic in Aspen,  June 18 – 20, 2010;
  • Aspen Summer Words, June 20 – 25, 2010;
  • Aspen Music Festival and School, July 1 – Aug. 22, 2010;
  • Aspen Santa Fe Ballet, July 16- Aug. 25, 2010;
  • Mountain Summit Festival, Aug. 26, 2010;
  • Aspen BBQ Block Party, Aug. 28 – 29, 2010 and
  • Jazz Aspen Snowmass Labor Day Festival, Sept. 3 – 5, 2010.

For more info, check out the AspenChamber.org.

Images courtesy of the Aspen Chamber and Resort Association.

Whistler Stoked For 2010 Olympics

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Welcome to LiveTravelMountains.com, a new blog dedicated to mountain travel and living worldwide!

At Whistler Blackcomb in Canada, the weather is setting the perfect snowy stage for the 2010 Vancouver Olympics.  So far, in November the popular resort area has recorded its most snowy month in 30 years with 5.5 metres of snow.

Says Ainsley Ericksen, Tourism British Columbia spokesperson:

“Whistler is already known for reliable early season snowfall and this year’s record breaking start sets it up for an unbelievable season. It’s certainly heightened the level of excitement in the resort, especially in this year as it prepares to be a host venue for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games in February.”

You can check out WhistlerBlackcomb.com for videos, photography and info including snow reports, weather forecasts and vacation packages.

Image courtesy of Tourism British Columbia