Last weekend, Mark and I went with a group of friends up to Val d'Illiez in the mountains for a ski/spa weekend! We drove up Friday night and then took the "petit" mountain train up to Champery the next morning for a ski lesson.
On the cable car from Champery up to the pistes!
It was my very first time on skis! It was a tough two-hour lesson, as the area in Champery did not have a bunny hill to practice on. I was on the "blue" piste, which is at the lower-end of the spectrum for ski runs, but still difficult for newbies! Mark picked it up quickly and did well. I, on the other hand, held onto our instructor the whole way down the mountain!
The view from our room
Mark and I stayed in an apartment at the Thermes Park Bains de Val d'Illiez. It is a hotel and residence that also has thermal baths. The baths were very relaxing, and also interesting, as our experience included quickly swimming through one cold outdoor pool in order to reach a warmer one!
Cable-car between Champery and the ski runs
View of the surrounding mountains while skiing
Our friends were staying at a chalet up the hill from our hotel. Their proprietors cooked us a delicious, home-made fondue for dinner on Saturday night.
Love this view!
Thermal Baths - One big indoor indoor pool and three outdoor pools
We spent Sunday hanging out at the baths again. My friend Kate and I took advantage of the spa and each had a massage. Then we met up with Mark in the baths for a few hours before it was time to head home.
Everything sounds wonderful outside of having to swim through cold to get back to warm water. I also lack snow talent. :)
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