Gen3 Spot GPS rescue and tracking system
10 years ago
Friday, December 3, 2010
Saturday, November 20, 2010
Winter get ready
Duncan McCallum- I am hosting and avalanche awareness course at La Source in the French Alps this Jan and again in March see this link for details..http://www.greenalpinechalet.com/yoga-special-weeks/avalanche-awareness-off-piste/
La Source and The Faction Collective Ski Company are proud to present The La Source/Faction Avalanche Awareness courses Avalanche awareness courses Winter
Monday, October 4, 2010
Sunday Times.. 26 out of 50 best winter trips...
The Sunday Times on 3rd October voted us no. 26 out of 50 of all winter trips!
What a great way to limber up before a day in the snow — at green-tinged La Source (00 33 4 50 58 61 07, greenadventure retreats.com), the day begins with an hour of hatha vinyasa yoga, in which participants link poses with smooth, fluid movements in time with their breathing. Once that’s done, you can take off into the great outdoors for all kinds of mountain adventure. There are 165 miles of lift-serviced pistes on offer in the Grand Massif ski area, as well as guides willing to take you out on your first ski-touring trip — climbing up the mountain, then skiing down. Or you could elect to take things at a gentler pace, booking extra yoga sessions, a massage or maybe some t’ai chi. The chalet — which faces south and has been fashioned out of an old hay barn — is certainly a lovely place to hang out. Skiing and yoga weeks cost £670, excluding travel, or £630 if you come by train or shared car. Return rail fares from London St Pancras to Cluses start at £109 with Rail Europe (0844 848 4064, raileurope.co.uk).
Friday, July 9, 2010
Via Ferratta "by night"...
Another way to enjoy Via Ferratta.... By night with head torches. Not for the faint hearted !
Friday, June 18, 2010
Moped- Easy Rider
For the summer we have two 50cc mopeds for hire, Cool!! at €20 per day it Easy Rider in the Alps brrrumm
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Help Required
La Source, Samoens, France. Adventure Sports and Yoga
We have space for 2 people to come for a working holiday from the 20th June to the 4th July. Arriving at Geneva airport on Sunday 20th 3pm and will be brought back to Geneva at 2pm the following Sunday. Details will be sent through on request.. looking for someone to Chef and Chalet Host 5 hours 5 days a week with plenty of time and opportunity to Climb, Hike and do Yoga.
Interested?
Interested?
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
Sunday Time Article June 13th - Alps for softies
The Alps for softies
Scale the Eiger if you want to, but the Alps in summer are just the thing for those who like holidays that pamper
Once upon a time — back in the 1990s — ski resorts thought that summer was for sweating. They’d built their fortunes on selling energetic winter holidays to energetic people, and believed that to fill their hotels, apartments and chalets in July and August, they had to offer more of the same. Bungee-jumping, zip-wiring, rock-climbing, mountain-biking, via ferrata — if it gave you vertigo and a heart rate of 160bpm, then it was on the agenda. They stocked the shops with Lycra and crash helmets, hired a bunch of hairy-chested adrenaline junkies as guides, then waited for their loyal winter customers to come scurrying back for more.
They didn’t. It turned out that even skiers like to take things easy on a summer holiday, thanks very much, so, in recent years, the emphasis on mountain holidays has begun to switch back to a more contemplative, even playful approach. In some ways, it’s been an obvious shift. Thanks to all the infrastructure left behind by skiing, the Alps are full of cutting-edge hotels, cute chalets, state-of-the-art spas and Michelin-starred restaurants, along with a sprinkling of innovative green-tinged projects designed to get you back in touch with nature without actually giving you blisters.
So, if you’re still sitting comfortably, and would like to do more of the same this summer — to the accompaniment of a chilled glass of white, the scent of pine forests and a gobsmacking view — let me begin. Because the mountains are made for softies, too.
Yoga in Samoens, France
Samoëns is not your average mountain resort. The village was famous for its stonemasons long before its snow, and its ancient core is on France’s national register of historic monuments. In summer, the wide valley in which it’s set — backed by towering crags and distant peaks — is lush, green and serene.
It’s an appropriate home for La Source (00 33 4 50 58 61 07,sourcealps.com), a chalet opened in 2009 by the film-makers and all-round outdoors enthusiasts Saskia Anley and Duncan McCallum. They’re pioneering a more balanced, less frenetic approach to mountain holidays, and a blend of hatha and vinyasa yoga is an integral part of their summer programme. A week’s course includes daily 90-minute morning sessions and three evening classes, which are usually taken in the open air — sometimes on a floating platform on the lake at nearby Morillon. This year, they’re giving guests the chance to take dance classes, too: Dan Ludwig, from New York, will be staying at La Source throughout July, and is going to demo a range of styles, with the group deciding which one they want to learn during the week. Between breakfast and dinner, guests are free to do as they please — hiking, biking or hiring a local massage therapist for just £38 an hour.
If that makes La Source sound laid-back, well, that’s just how it should be. The chalet is an eco-tinged establishment that serves organic vegetarian food and will knock £40 off the price of a holiday (typically £619pp for a yoga week) if you make the journey to nearby Cluses by train, which is eight hours from London. Return fares start at £135 through Rail Europe (0844 848 4064,raileurope.co.uk). Or fly to Geneva, which is served from 20 UK airports, as well as Dublin and Cork. Airlines include Swiss (0845 601 0956, swiss.com), EasyJet (easyjet.com) and BMI Baby (bmibaby.com).
Further information: greenadventureretreats.com.
Thursday, June 3, 2010
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Things to do in Samoens
There are so many Summer activities to do in Samoens. Here are a few we recommend.
Free Activities
Hiking
The hiking around here is exceptional. There are plenty of hikes from the door and some exquisite full day adventures. Please ask us for recommendations.
Lac Blue, Morillon
There is a lovely 30-minute walk to Lac Blue which is a great place to swim, walk, etc. It is also the base for the horse riding and high ropes course.
There is a café at the lake.
Lac De Samoens
Lac de Samoens is a lovely place to walk and enjoy the scenery. There is a great playpark, another ropes course and golf ‘putt’ing into the lake. There is a café there too.
Wednesday Market
8am-1pm Don’t miss the bustling farmers and craft market!!
Jaysinia Botanic Gardens
The botanic gardens in the centre of the village are worth a visit!
Holistic, Yoga and Dance
Deep Tissue Massages
Debbie offers wonderful deep tissue massages and they are a total bargain at €45 at La Source or €40 at her house. Debbie also offers waxing, facials, pedicures, manicures, etc.
06 23 04 60 27
Shiatsu
Philippe is a very good Shiatsu masseur who will give you feedback about meridian energy blocks. He will come here for if 2 people want consecutive massages, or you can walk to his dojo 10 minutes a way. €60 here or €50 at the dojo.
06 87 14 29 55
Energy Healing and or Reiki
Duncan has been offering energy healing with powerful results. If you want to realign mind and spirit or work through an emotional or physical trauma, a healing can be very helpful. €50 for a 40 minute session.
06 09 36 07 66
Private or Group Yoga
Yoga harmonizes body, mind and spirit. It gives you flexibility, strength, balance and peace of mind.
These sessions are run by either Thilo or Saskia for €50 per hour.
06 33 34 68 03
Life Coaching
Life coaching can help you free yourself from barriers and fears preventing your from reaching your potential. When Thilo is here, he offers ‘live’ life coaching but he also works over skype when he is away. €85 for 1 hour. www.recipesforhappypeople.com
Sports & Activities
Rock Climbing, Via Ferratta and Hiking
Agniezka is a professional rock climbing, via ferratta and hiking guide and a wonderful woman! She has all the equipment you will need and provides the transport. If you would like to try any of these activities, don’t hesitate to call her to discuss the options.
Generally, the cost is:
½ day of rock climbing is a minimum of €130 or if you gather a group €40 per person (max 4-6 people).
½ day of via ferratta or hiking is a minimum of €100 or if you gather a group €40 per person (max 6 for the via ferratta and 8 for hiking).
A full day of rock climbing is a minimum of €240 or if you gather a group €70 per person (max 4-6 people).
A full day of via ferratta or hiking is a minimum of €200 or if you gather a group €50 per person (max 6 for the via ferratta and 8 for hiking).
06 89 35 02 03
White water rafting or inflatable kayaks
This is great fun and we thoroughly recommend it, even on a rainy day. Wet suits and everything you need are provided. Bring a swim suit, polar fleece and change of clothes. Starts €35 an hour
http://www.ecolorado-rafting.com 04 50 34 45 26
Canyonning
Nunuyak offers canyonning trips most days. You will spend a thrilling afternoon abseiling down waterfalls and swimming in water pools.
http://www.rafting-canyoning.fr/ 04 50 93 86 74
Parapenting
Davide is a very experienced Parapent instructor. This is one of La Source’s most popular activities! You fly like a bird above the valley. A 30 minute flight is around €70.
06 20 30 75 53
Horse riding
Giles has some lovely horses. His stables is right by Lac Blue. You can go on a 2 hour hack for €35.
06 80 68 69 65
High Ropes Course ‘Accro-Branch’
This is a great afternoons activity. You will spend 2 hours in the trees and flying above Lac Blue on a zip wire.
€21 for the adult course.
06 24 79 25 99
Cooking
We offer a vegetarian cooking workshop on Wednesday. You will be taken to the market to select your ingredients, and then come home and cook yourselves a 3 course meal which you will enjoy together. Minimum 3 people.
Workshop and Lunch €50
Workshop, Lunch and Dinner €60
Day Trips
Annecy is the Venice of France. This 15th Century town is stunning with huge parks and a Lake. You can hire a pedalo or a speed boat for the morning, have lunch in a canal side café, and shop in the boutiques in the afternoon. Minimum 3 people.
€40/ €15 for kids for the transport and accompanied trip.
Chamonix is the world’s climbing and mountaineering Mecca. You can take a cable car to the Aguille du Midi to see fast retreating glaciers. There is also a train trip, lovely for children to the Mer de Glace (approx €35).
€40/ €15 for kids for the transport and accompanied trip.
Monday, May 24, 2010
First Climbing Course of the 2010 Season
Everyone arrived just in time for the beautiful Spring weather! There was snow on the high peaks and spring flowers all over the alpages. Our guests all had 5 days of outdoor climbing including 2 days of multi-pitch climbing and a special trip to Col de Clombaz, near Grand Bornard, a stunning spot.
We were honoured to welcome our first honey-mooners who loved their week!
'I think the place has the perfect balance of everything. You come away from the week feeling physically and emotionally healthy!'
Lindsay, Glasgow
Geraldine from Kenya got a special lead trad climbing lesson with Duncan and Myriam, from Belgium, who was training for a marathon, enjoyed her spectacular morning runs and the healthy food!
Dan and Thilo are co-hosting and cooking and offering the most wonderful dance classes. Lindsay and Phil did some LindyHopping!!
Friday, March 26, 2010
The Foodie Way Forward
The Way Forward
We like freedom and choice which is why we think out of the box at La Source and do things a little differently.
If you are renting the whole of La Source, you can choose to self cater, 'meals on demand' (that means the meals are just delivered to the kitchen and you lay the table and wash up) or 'full service' (you just relax and let us take care of everything).
What's more, you can ask us to cook 1 night or every night!
3 course Meals on Demand are €25 per head
3 course Full Service Dinners are €35 per head
Here is an example of what we can provide. If you would like to choose, you can,.. or we can choose for you.
*We can do dinners for a minimum of 8 adults. Children can share.
Starters
Caramelised Onion & pear Tart
A pastry base layered with caramelised onions and pears topped with local goats cheese baked in the oven until golden brown, served with a dollop of creme fraich.
Orange & Yogurt Couscous Salad
Organic couscous infused with vegetable stock combined with organic chickpeas, topped with diced green peppers, chili,cucumber and orange segments, served with a natural mint yogurt dressing and a sprinkling of mixed nuts.
Carrot & Coriander Soup
Fresh home grown carrot soup seasoned with coriander that's picked from our own herb garden and spices from India with a scoop of locally farm churned creme fraich to give it a delicious creamy texture that wont add pounds to the hips.
Spinach & Zucchini Soup
Home grown tasty zucchini combined with one of the well known power foods spinach to fill you with energy day after day. served with a dollop of bio yogurt and a sprinkling of local cheese.
Roast beetroot & Goats cheese salad
Roasted beetroot from samoens market with goats cheese from riviere enverse served with fresh salad
and a sticky balsamic dressing.
Chicken liver pate
Smooth chicken liver pate blended with a selection of herbs. Served with caramelized red onion marmelade & Melba toast.
Main Courses (V) Suitable for vegetarians.
Biscuit Topped Creamy Chicken Pie
Succulent corn fed chicken smothered in a creamy bacon & white wine sauce with fresh pan fried mushrooms and leeks seasoned with fresh cracked black pepper and finely chopped tarragon from the garden. Topped with a light & fluffy biscuit dough. Served with wholegrain mustard mash & fresh carrots
Spiced Beef with Apricots, prunes & pecans
Tender cuts of fresh beef marinated overnight in red wine, mixed with pan-fried shallots seasoned with spicesslowly baked with soft fruits to give an irresistible flavour for 4-6 hours. Served with potato & Carrot mash with green beans.
Indian Spiced Chicken Curry
Tender pieces of corn fed chicken infused with authentic Indian spices with freshly chopped spinach leaves, peppers and chillies. Slowly oven baked in coconut milk, lime juice & fresh ginger.
Served over organic rice with natural yogurt, toasted almonds & nan breads.
Classic Coq Au Vin
A classic, french dish with pieces of corn fed succulent chicken combined with roasted shallots,juicy fresh mushrooms & smoked bacon. Slowly baked in French red wine, seasoned with fresh cracked black pepper,natural sea salt & fresh thyme. Served with oven roasted potatoes & fresh carrots.
Roasted Red Pepper & Beef Lasagna
Layers of organic pasta with fresh slow roasted red peppers, courgettes, aubergines, cherry tomatoes, a homemade bolognaise sauce using local prime minced beef and red wine and a creamy bechamel sauce, topped with a mix of Parmesan and local cheeses and fresh chopped basil.
Served with a simple green salad tossed in a balsamic dressing.
Mozzarella meatballs w/ Roasted Ratatouille
Swedish inspired meatballs using premium local minced beef with a delicious fresh courgette, aubergine & pepper ratatouille sauce. Topped with local mozzarella cheese. Parmesan and freshly chopped basil slow baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbling.Served with lightly flavoured garlic mash .
Mozzarella Butternut Squash & roasted Ratatouille (V)
Sweet butter nut squash drizzled with garlic infused olive oil, roasted slowly in the oven smothered with a delicious fresh courgette, aubergine & pepper ratatouille sauce. Topped with local mozzarella cheese. Parmesan and freshly chopped basil slow baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbling.
Served with lightly flavoured garlic mash .
Vegetarian Savoyard Tartiflette (V)
A traditional french meal of potatoes & onions with sweet roasted peppers with a creamy sauce topped with local reblochon cheese and oven baked. Served with a fresh green salad and bread.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna w/creamy Marscapone Sauce (V)
Layers of organic pasta with fresh slow roasted red peppers, courgettes, aubergines, cherry tomatoes, a homemade mushroom, tomato & red wine sauce and a creamy bechamel sauce topped with a mix of Parmesan & local cheeses & fresh chopped basil. Served with a simple green salad tossed in a balsamic dressing.
Biscuit topped Vegetable Pie (V)
Fresh Seasonal vegetables smothered in a creamy white wine sauce with fresh pan fried mushrooms and leeks seasoned with fresh cracked black pepper and finely chopped tarragon from the garden. Topped with a light & fluffy biscuit dough.Served with wholegrain mustard mash & fresh carrots.
Sweet Potato & Spinach Curry (V)
Pieces of sweet potatoes infused with authentic Indian spices with freshly chopped spinach leaves, peppers & chillies. Slowly oven baked in coconut milk, lime juice & fresh ginger. Served over organic rice with natural yogurt, toasted almonds & nan breads.
Desserts
Lemon & Almond Tart w/Thyme Pastry
A Crisp sweet pastry seasoned gently with thyme, filled with zesty lemon & almond to create this zingy tart.
Tarte au Chocolate
A mix of fair trade dark & white chocolate mousse on a biscuit base topped with fresh seasonal berries and locally churned creme fraich.
Fresh Fruit Salad
A medley of fresh seasonal fruits served with a warm chocolate dipping sauce.
Berry & Meringue Nests
Homemade organic sticky meringue nests filled with whipped cream & fresh seasonal berries.
Organic Apricot Bread & Butter Pudding
Slices of organic bread with homemade apricot marmalade & raisins baked in an free range egg base and served with cream.
Apple & Brioch Bake
Apples & raisins smothered in local honey topped with crumbled brioche & almonds baked in the oven & served with brandy infused creme fraich.
Pear & Chocolate Crumble
Succulent jucy pears sliced with chunks of fairtrade milk & dark chocolate topped with a rich aoty crumble topping baked in the oven until golden. served with soflty whipped cream.
We like freedom and choice which is why we think out of the box at La Source and do things a little differently.
If you are renting the whole of La Source, you can choose to self cater, 'meals on demand' (that means the meals are just delivered to the kitchen and you lay the table and wash up) or 'full service' (you just relax and let us take care of everything).
What's more, you can ask us to cook 1 night or every night!
3 course Meals on Demand are €25 per head
3 course Full Service Dinners are €35 per head
Here is an example of what we can provide. If you would like to choose, you can,.. or we can choose for you.
*We can do dinners for a minimum of 8 adults. Children can share.
Starters
Caramelised Onion & pear Tart
A pastry base layered with caramelised onions and pears topped with local goats cheese baked in the oven until golden brown, served with a dollop of creme fraich.
Orange & Yogurt Couscous Salad
Organic couscous infused with vegetable stock combined with organic chickpeas, topped with diced green peppers, chili,cucumber and orange segments, served with a natural mint yogurt dressing and a sprinkling of mixed nuts.
Carrot & Coriander Soup
Fresh home grown carrot soup seasoned with coriander that's picked from our own herb garden and spices from India with a scoop of locally farm churned creme fraich to give it a delicious creamy texture that wont add pounds to the hips.
Spinach & Zucchini Soup
Home grown tasty zucchini combined with one of the well known power foods spinach to fill you with energy day after day. served with a dollop of bio yogurt and a sprinkling of local cheese.
Roast beetroot & Goats cheese salad
Roasted beetroot from samoens market with goats cheese from riviere enverse served with fresh salad
and a sticky balsamic dressing.
Chicken liver pate
Smooth chicken liver pate blended with a selection of herbs. Served with caramelized red onion marmelade & Melba toast.
Main Courses (V) Suitable for vegetarians.
Biscuit Topped Creamy Chicken Pie
Succulent corn fed chicken smothered in a creamy bacon & white wine sauce with fresh pan fried mushrooms and leeks seasoned with fresh cracked black pepper and finely chopped tarragon from the garden. Topped with a light & fluffy biscuit dough. Served with wholegrain mustard mash & fresh carrots
Spiced Beef with Apricots, prunes & pecans
Tender cuts of fresh beef marinated overnight in red wine, mixed with pan-fried shallots seasoned with spicesslowly baked with soft fruits to give an irresistible flavour for 4-6 hours. Served with potato & Carrot mash with green beans.
Indian Spiced Chicken Curry
Tender pieces of corn fed chicken infused with authentic Indian spices with freshly chopped spinach leaves, peppers and chillies. Slowly oven baked in coconut milk, lime juice & fresh ginger.
Served over organic rice with natural yogurt, toasted almonds & nan breads.
Classic Coq Au Vin
A classic, french dish with pieces of corn fed succulent chicken combined with roasted shallots,juicy fresh mushrooms & smoked bacon. Slowly baked in French red wine, seasoned with fresh cracked black pepper,natural sea salt & fresh thyme. Served with oven roasted potatoes & fresh carrots.
Roasted Red Pepper & Beef Lasagna
Layers of organic pasta with fresh slow roasted red peppers, courgettes, aubergines, cherry tomatoes, a homemade bolognaise sauce using local prime minced beef and red wine and a creamy bechamel sauce, topped with a mix of Parmesan and local cheeses and fresh chopped basil.
Served with a simple green salad tossed in a balsamic dressing.
Mozzarella meatballs w/ Roasted Ratatouille
Swedish inspired meatballs using premium local minced beef with a delicious fresh courgette, aubergine & pepper ratatouille sauce. Topped with local mozzarella cheese. Parmesan and freshly chopped basil slow baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbling.Served with lightly flavoured garlic mash .
Mozzarella Butternut Squash & roasted Ratatouille (V)
Sweet butter nut squash drizzled with garlic infused olive oil, roasted slowly in the oven smothered with a delicious fresh courgette, aubergine & pepper ratatouille sauce. Topped with local mozzarella cheese. Parmesan and freshly chopped basil slow baked in the oven until golden brown and bubbling.
Served with lightly flavoured garlic mash .
Vegetarian Savoyard Tartiflette (V)
A traditional french meal of potatoes & onions with sweet roasted peppers with a creamy sauce topped with local reblochon cheese and oven baked. Served with a fresh green salad and bread.
Roasted Vegetable Lasagna w/creamy Marscapone Sauce (V)
Layers of organic pasta with fresh slow roasted red peppers, courgettes, aubergines, cherry tomatoes, a homemade mushroom, tomato & red wine sauce and a creamy bechamel sauce topped with a mix of Parmesan & local cheeses & fresh chopped basil. Served with a simple green salad tossed in a balsamic dressing.
Biscuit topped Vegetable Pie (V)
Fresh Seasonal vegetables smothered in a creamy white wine sauce with fresh pan fried mushrooms and leeks seasoned with fresh cracked black pepper and finely chopped tarragon from the garden. Topped with a light & fluffy biscuit dough.Served with wholegrain mustard mash & fresh carrots.
Sweet Potato & Spinach Curry (V)
Pieces of sweet potatoes infused with authentic Indian spices with freshly chopped spinach leaves, peppers & chillies. Slowly oven baked in coconut milk, lime juice & fresh ginger. Served over organic rice with natural yogurt, toasted almonds & nan breads.
Desserts
Lemon & Almond Tart w/Thyme Pastry
A Crisp sweet pastry seasoned gently with thyme, filled with zesty lemon & almond to create this zingy tart.
Tarte au Chocolate
A mix of fair trade dark & white chocolate mousse on a biscuit base topped with fresh seasonal berries and locally churned creme fraich.
Fresh Fruit Salad
A medley of fresh seasonal fruits served with a warm chocolate dipping sauce.
Berry & Meringue Nests
Homemade organic sticky meringue nests filled with whipped cream & fresh seasonal berries.
Organic Apricot Bread & Butter Pudding
Slices of organic bread with homemade apricot marmalade & raisins baked in an free range egg base and served with cream.
Apple & Brioch Bake
Apples & raisins smothered in local honey topped with crumbled brioche & almonds baked in the oven & served with brandy infused creme fraich.
Pear & Chocolate Crumble
Succulent jucy pears sliced with chunks of fairtrade milk & dark chocolate topped with a rich aoty crumble topping baked in the oven until golden. served with soflty whipped cream.
Thursday, March 4, 2010
La Source on Guardian Green Travel List 2010
We're on the Guardian's Green Travel List 2010! Here's what they have to say about us (bold formatting by us):
La Source, French Alps
"La Source is a former Alpine Savoyard hay barn that has been converted into a five-bedroom luxury chalet, five minutes from the Grand Massif ski area.
The owners haven't skimped on creature comforts, providing a hammock, Wi-Fi, wood-fired hot tub plus a mini climbing wall, yet it all comes with impressive eco-credentials: the name refers to the mountain spring that supplies the lodge's water, the owners have recycled all the old wood into doors and cupboards, bought new wood from a sustainable timber yard (800m away), double insulated it with recycled newspaper, and fitted triple-glazed windows, a wood-pellet burner and a wood-fired sauna.
Travel by train, shared car, hitching or bike, and you'll get a €100 discount in winter or a €50 reduction in summer."
(image: The Guardian)
"La Source is a former Alpine Savoyard hay barn that has been converted into a five-bedroom luxury chalet, five minutes from the Grand Massif ski area.
The owners haven't skimped on creature comforts, providing a hammock, Wi-Fi, wood-fired hot tub plus a mini climbing wall, yet it all comes with impressive eco-credentials: the name refers to the mountain spring that supplies the lodge's water, the owners have recycled all the old wood into doors and cupboards, bought new wood from a sustainable timber yard (800m away), double insulated it with recycled newspaper, and fitted triple-glazed windows, a wood-pellet burner and a wood-fired sauna.Travel by train, shared car, hitching or bike, and you'll get a €100 discount in winter or a €50 reduction in summer."
(image: The Guardian)
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
LaSource featured in Times article on Europe's greenest ski lodges
We were featured on Times Online in an article on Europe's greenest ski lodges this past February!
Here's what they had to say about us:
La Source (www.sourcealps.com, +33 (0) 9 79 68 41 82)
Luxury eco chalet five minutes from the village of Samoens and the 264km linked pistes of The Grand Massif (Samoëns, Flaine, Morillon, Sixt, and Les Carroz). The food mostly comes from local organic suppliers and farms and ski holidays at La Source include yoga, wood-fired hot tubs and back-country trips. Guests arriving by train, shared car, hitching or by bike receive a €100 green travel discount in the winter and €50 discount in the summer.
Check out the rest of the article here.
Here's what they had to say about us:
La Source (www.sourcealps.com, +33 (0) 9 79 68 41 82)
Luxury eco chalet five minutes from the village of Samoens and the 264km linked pistes of The Grand Massif (Samoëns, Flaine, Morillon, Sixt, and Les Carroz). The food mostly comes from local organic suppliers and farms and ski holidays at La Source include yoga, wood-fired hot tubs and back-country trips. Guests arriving by train, shared car, hitching or by bike receive a €100 green travel discount in the winter and €50 discount in the summer.
Check out the rest of the article here.
Friday, February 5, 2010
Times Online - Europe's greenest ski lodges
Europe's greenest ski lodges
February 3, 2010
February 3, 2010Eco-friendly travel expert Richard Hammond stayed at Hotel Lagació in the Dolomites and recommends five more low-impact locations
(Tim Martin/greentraveller.co.uk)
Mountain Living Residence Hotel Lagació, San Cassiano, Italy
Thursday, February 4, 2010
Driven by a dream
The Dream
Driven by a dream, and going against all advice, we bought a 19th Century Savoyard Farm in 2007. We moved into the Farmhouse downstairs and drafted a plan for The Barn above. We wanted a low impact, sustainable and low energy house.
Renovation 'a gusto'
We started the renovation with a general building contractor who was going to ‘do it all’. It all started ‘a gusto’ but after a few months and a fat check later, there were fewer and fewer people on site. There was a treacherous hole in the front garden for the non-existent septic tank and we had no toilet for a month over Christmas. The workers were not being paid and finally, as we were about to tear our hair out and give up, the builder completely disappeared. The company went into liquidation. The insurance papers were false.
Angels appeared...
A few weeks later, angels appeared out of no-where.. Wandering along a path near the house, we met a retired English architect, David Ford, who lived along the road. He took us under his wing. Our eco- insulation company Pen Y Coed helped us find a dream team to put up all the stud walls and plaster. A friend put us in touch with 2 lovely wandering French craftsmen carpenters. The crew grew and grew until we nick-named it ‘The Commune’ - everyone supported each other, worked hard and played hard. Often we’d start the day with yoga and end it with jamming together on the porch.
So how is La Source ‘eco’?
We super insulated with Warmcell, used triple glazed Internorm windows, and a highly efficient wood pellet burner and low temperature under floor heating. The large windows face the sun. The water source feeds the house and hot tub. The materials, flooring and paints are as natural as possible. There are compost and recycling bins integrated into the kitchen design and the lights and appliances are low energy.
The La Source Commune
It just shows that with a lot of passion, ignorance, determination and an open mind... good things happen! We love The Commune... thank you guys!!!!
Chris, having left school at 15, dyslexic, was transformed by the La Source Commune experience. He travelled across India after finishing the renovation, moved back to Samoens and got into CAT to do a Masters in Ecological Architecture. He is cycling 1500kms to Uni. See www.cycle2uni.com
David, our longest serving Communer went back to New Zealand to start a degree in Landscape Architecture.
Ricky and Andy, the most awesome pair who single handedly made La Source as beautiful as it is today are still travelling. Andy is going back to Uni to study Graphic Design and Ricky is making beautiful custom designed furniture.
Paul went back to NZ to help is brother open a shoe design company. Mark and Kyle are still travelling around Europe.
Saskia went to India, leaving the family for over a month for the first time in 7 years, to do her yoga teacher training course.
Thanks also to Victor, Pierrick, Agniezka and Dean...
But the story continues...
At the end of the first ski season, the recession bit. Our only choice was to get jobs, or start generating income from La Source. We decided to set up Climbing and Yoga courses thinking it might help us and Agniezka. Agniezka - a single mum of three, was the only local ‘communer’ and had just got her Brevet D’Etat 2 year French Qualification to instruct climbing.
The Magic of La Source
I began work on our website... and finding partners like Responsible Travel. Within 3 weeks we had our first bookings. We set up a multi-adventure course, a yoga holiday and a Family Adventure. They all filled. People’s lives were evidently enriched by their experiences here. The magic of La Source was destined to spread. We love what we do. The house is always full with wonderful and interesting people.
Live your dreams!
Live your dreams.... and if you don’t know what they are, just live to your fullest potential, take risks, dance, cry, go against the grain, follow your gut, be you and be free!
Driven by a dream, and going against all advice, we bought a 19th Century Savoyard Farm in 2007. We moved into the Farmhouse downstairs and drafted a plan for The Barn above. We wanted a low impact, sustainable and low energy house.
Renovation 'a gusto'
We started the renovation with a general building contractor who was going to ‘do it all’. It all started ‘a gusto’ but after a few months and a fat check later, there were fewer and fewer people on site. There was a treacherous hole in the front garden for the non-existent septic tank and we had no toilet for a month over Christmas. The workers were not being paid and finally, as we were about to tear our hair out and give up, the builder completely disappeared. The company went into liquidation. The insurance papers were false.
Angels appeared...
A few weeks later, angels appeared out of no-where.. Wandering along a path near the house, we met a retired English architect, David Ford, who lived along the road. He took us under his wing. Our eco- insulation company Pen Y Coed helped us find a dream team to put up all the stud walls and plaster. A friend put us in touch with 2 lovely wandering French craftsmen carpenters. The crew grew and grew until we nick-named it ‘The Commune’ - everyone supported each other, worked hard and played hard. Often we’d start the day with yoga and end it with jamming together on the porch.
So how is La Source ‘eco’?
We super insulated with Warmcell, used triple glazed Internorm windows, and a highly efficient wood pellet burner and low temperature under floor heating. The large windows face the sun. The water source feeds the house and hot tub. The materials, flooring and paints are as natural as possible. There are compost and recycling bins integrated into the kitchen design and the lights and appliances are low energy.
The La Source Commune
It just shows that with a lot of passion, ignorance, determination and an open mind... good things happen! We love The Commune... thank you guys!!!!
Chris, having left school at 15, dyslexic, was transformed by the La Source Commune experience. He travelled across India after finishing the renovation, moved back to Samoens and got into CAT to do a Masters in Ecological Architecture. He is cycling 1500kms to Uni. See www.cycle2uni.com
David, our longest serving Communer went back to New Zealand to start a degree in Landscape Architecture.
Ricky and Andy, the most awesome pair who single handedly made La Source as beautiful as it is today are still travelling. Andy is going back to Uni to study Graphic Design and Ricky is making beautiful custom designed furniture.
Paul went back to NZ to help is brother open a shoe design company. Mark and Kyle are still travelling around Europe.
Saskia went to India, leaving the family for over a month for the first time in 7 years, to do her yoga teacher training course.
Thanks also to Victor, Pierrick, Agniezka and Dean...
But the story continues...
At the end of the first ski season, the recession bit. Our only choice was to get jobs, or start generating income from La Source. We decided to set up Climbing and Yoga courses thinking it might help us and Agniezka. Agniezka - a single mum of three, was the only local ‘communer’ and had just got her Brevet D’Etat 2 year French Qualification to instruct climbing.
The Magic of La Source
I began work on our website... and finding partners like Responsible Travel. Within 3 weeks we had our first bookings. We set up a multi-adventure course, a yoga holiday and a Family Adventure. They all filled. People’s lives were evidently enriched by their experiences here. The magic of La Source was destined to spread. We love what we do. The house is always full with wonderful and interesting people.
Live your dreams!
Live your dreams.... and if you don’t know what they are, just live to your fullest potential, take risks, dance, cry, go against the grain, follow your gut, be you and be free!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Sourcey People
"Just spend a wonderful, beautiful, amazing week at "La Source"... I loved every minute of it! The week felt more like a month in the best possible way! We did so much! Skiing, walking, bathing in the hot tub at night, yoga, dancing classes, randonnee in the most amazing setting above Chamonix, delicious food, massages, parties.... and beautiful connections, discussions, creations with the gorgeous people who were here... The integrity, simplicity, warmth and beauty of the place and the people in it resonated with my deep self and allowed a gentle natural and joyous unfolding of the "Sourcey Me"! I loooooooved it! Thank you so much Saskia and Duncan for this memorable week! You created a truly special space here... "Sourcey Me" is smiling..."
Kalinka
Friday, January 22, 2010
Much Better Adventures
We are now members of muchbetteradventures.com! We are delighted to have been accepted as one of the early members of www.muchbetteradventures.com, a carefully selected community of fantastic adventure providers who have a strong ongoing commitment to sustainability.
Everything you need for responsible travel
You can see us featured as part of their local travel directory which puts you in direct contact (no commission) with handpicked active holidays, tours, courses and accommodation. The site also provides travellers reviews, the resources you need to book a low carbon journey, and have started a collection of community built guides to each adventure sport, where users are invited to share their favourite spots, useful info, ideas and inspiration.
The widest and fairest travel selection
Since going live a few months ago the site has grown quickly. www.muchbetteradventures.com aim to build the widest and fairest selection of responsible adventure travel and equipment choices that outdoor lovers have ever seen, and bring support to many important conservation and community development projects around the world.
Our company profile on Muchbetteradventures
Check out our company profile here . Please help us to benefit from this site by leaving a review of us, and by spreading the word to your friends.
Everything you need for responsible travel
You can see us featured as part of their local travel directory which puts you in direct contact (no commission) with handpicked active holidays, tours, courses and accommodation. The site also provides travellers reviews, the resources you need to book a low carbon journey, and have started a collection of community built guides to each adventure sport, where users are invited to share their favourite spots, useful info, ideas and inspiration.
The widest and fairest travel selection
Since going live a few months ago the site has grown quickly. www.muchbetteradventures.com aim to build the widest and fairest selection of responsible adventure travel and equipment choices that outdoor lovers have ever seen, and bring support to many important conservation and community development projects around the world.
Our company profile on Muchbetteradventures
Check out our company profile here . Please help us to benefit from this site by leaving a review of us, and by spreading the word to your friends.
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