Y O U R
L U X U R Y
L I F E S T Y L E
I S S U E
N O .
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M A G A Z I N E
S O P H I S T I C AT E D A N D C H I C C H O C O L AT E M A D E I N L O N D O N Available from Fortnum & Mason, Selfridges, Wholefoods and www.ameliarope.com
Welcome
CONSENSIO
Nothing unites us quite like the pleasure of a shared holiday memory - perhaps watching your child master their first snow-plough, an early morning adventure on the freshly groomed pistes, or those first tracks in the untouched powder. It’s times like these that create special memories for both young and old, and reliving them together can be nearly as much fun as experiencing them in the first place. We have four fabulous new chalets this winter, along with a host of additions to our inchalet service, such as our Après-ski revival service and our exclusive chocolate treats from Amelia Rope (see page 55). Here at Consensio we are really excited about the season ahead, and can’t wait to make your holiday memories even more special this year. We like to remove all pre-holiday stress for you by making sure that every conceivable thing has been organised in advance, ensuring that you can make the most of your precious time once in resort - be it out on the pistes with your ski guide, or enjoying a much needed massage. Our handpicked teams undergo special training to ensure they create magical experiences throughout your stay in a Consensio chalet, and our top chefs are on hand to create mouth-watering menus with all your favourite dishes. Everyone at Consensio is passionate about creating lasting memories just for you, and we hope this magazine will give you a little taste of what we have in store for you this winter. Ceri Tinley Managing Director Consensio – Chalets \ Yachts
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L I F E S T Y L E
M A G A Z I N E
Editor Clare Meaney For all media and marketing enquiries please contact Clare on 07941 568679 Or email: clare@consensiochalets.co.uk
C O N T R I B U T O R S Peter Dean is an award-winning journalist writing about drinks and luxury travel for magazines, websites and brands including The Guardian, BBC, Tempus and Harper’s. When not travelling he lives in London and the South of France. Arnie Wilson was the Financial Times ski correspondent for 15 years and then edited the Ski Club of Great Britain’s magazine Ski+board for 13 years until 2014. In 1994 he skied every day of the year in 240 resorts in 13 countries and has now skied a total of 729 resorts, including ski areas in all 38 of America’s ‘skiing states’. Rob Rees is a director of Inside Out Skiing. He teaches skiing all year round at The Snow Centre, Hemel Hempstead and in a variety of alpine resorts during the winter months. Prior to becoming a ski instructor he worked in education policy and management. James Devine has just completed his second internship as a Marketing Executive with Consensio. Having graduated from Cambridge with a degree in Social Anthropology this summer, he is now looking forward to furthering his marketing career in London. As well as being a ski writer, Michael Cranmer is a James Bond fan, vastly preferring the books to the films. His favourite 007 actor is Sean Connery and his favourite book is Casino Royale. He differs from Bond in that he prefers vodka in his Martini, having had a bad experience with gin in his youth.
C H A L E T S E X E C P T I O N A L
C H A L E T S
I I
Y A C H T S E X C E P T I O N A L
9 R EE CE M EWS , S O U TH K ENS INGTON , LON DON , SW7 3HE | +44 (0) 203 393 0833 SALES @CO NS ENS IO C H ALE TS .CO.UK | WWW.CON SEN SI OCHA LETS.CO.U K
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S E R V I C E
CONSENSIO
Contents 6 - 8 My Perfect Day
42 - 43 Top ski tips
10 - 13 Poster power
44 - 46 New gadgets and gizmos
14 - 15 Safety on the slopes
48 - 51 A taste of fine wines
16 - 19 Après ski hot spot
52 - 53 What’s in store?
22 - 24 Artist captures winter scenes
55 - 58 What’s new this season?
26 - 29 Fashion
60 - 63 World Ski Awards
30 - 31 Skiing and snowboarding - indoors!
64 - 66 The jet set
32 -35 The name’s Bond - James Bond
68 - 70 Food, glorious food
36 - 37 Snow making factory
72 - 73 Set sail on a superyacht
38 - 41 Linda Barker’s active life
74 Skiing with heroes
Photographers Andy Parant Fredrik Schenholm Niclas Karlson Camille Pouvelle Photography Office du Tourisme Val d’Isère Marko Shapiro The Chalet Photographers Design & Print Anthony Thornley Design – ant@thornleydesign.com Mountain Marketing Ltd – Frank.baldwin@mountainmarketing.co.uk
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CONSENSIO
My Perfect Day Former ski racer Konrad Bartelski still holds the record for achieving Britain’s best ever finish in a World Cup race after he took second place on Val Gardena’s infamous Saslong piste in 1981. Even though the Italian resort is still close to his heart, Konrad would still head for Val d’Isère for a perfect day on the slopes. 6
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PHOTO: Marko Shapiro
CONSENSIO Is there any particular reason why you
Who would you choose to spend your
would choose to spend your perfect day
perfect day in Val d’Isère with?
in Val d’Isère?
I would love to spend a day with an
I first skied in Val d’Isère in 1969 so I am
eclectic mix of interesting minds, some
quite familiar with all the terrain and have
who I already know and some who I would
a reasonable idea of where to find the type
love to meet.
of skiing that I enjoy.
I do not even know if she can ski, but Lauren Laverne starts every week off in an
What do you love most about Val d’Isère?
inspiring and inclusive way with her BBC
I love the history of the place. Having skied
Radio 6 New Music Monday Programme. So
there for more than 45 years and spent
I would ask her along so that the evening’s
time racing there in the Premier Neige
music selection would be something to
races that used to kick off the World Cup
look forward to. Another of my guests
season, there are many special memories
would be Damon Hill as he is another fun
that add an extra dimension whenever I
skier to share the hills with.
visit the place.
BBC’s
security
correspondent
Frank
Gardner, who skis in a sit ski after being severely wounded, would bring a tangential intellectual dimension to our chairlift chat and to raise the skiing standard I would ask former British racer Alain Baxter along. He was such a hard working and talented skier in his time, sadly cheated by the bureaucrats when he won the Slalom Bronze medal in Salt Lake City in 2004. I have yet to ski with British snowboarder and Olympic bronze medal winner Jenny Jones, so this could be the chance to explore the mountains with her. To look after us all, I would also invite my good friends Julien and Mathieu Ottobon, two wonderful Tarentaise lads, who I ski with each winter. These Evolution 2 guides truly love the mountains and share the same passion for finding the tranquil lines with the best conditions. Between them they would be able to manage
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CONSENSIO the expectations, of what is probably a
huge roller coaster, with
broad range of skiing abilities, yet enable
not a soul in sight. Just
each and everyone to get the very best
magical.
from the day.
Then I could concentrate
on my passion and seek to capture some
Where would you have
memorable photographs of what will
lunch and what would
be a remarkable day, irrespective of the
you eat?
weather or the conditions.
Mathieu
and
Julien
always come armed with What kind of accommodation do you
the perfect lunch. Their
prefer?
rucksack is packed with
With Frank in the group we would need
some
disabled access but the key would be a
cheese,
high quality sound system so it’s probably
the milk from Julien’s
best if the accommodation was well sound
farm
proofed or quite isolated. A comfortable
sausages
lounge with a log fire would create a
Mathieu. So it is lunch
wonderful atmosphere at the end to the
on a ski, literally, with
day. We could listen to good music and
some fresh bread and a
have some fascinating dialogue.
corkscrew for the local
fresh
Beaufort
made
and
from
homemade prepared
by
tipple. And the brothers What would you choose for breakfast?
always manage to find
A well-prepared fruit selection, followed by
the most tranquil spot
some eggs fresh from a local farm would
with a view that money
be a good start, backed up by some freshly
cannot buy!
Konrad pictured during the Val Gardena World Cup race in 1981.
squeezed grapefruit juice and a strong Italian double espresso.
Where would you go for après ski?
enjoying the tranquillity and privacy of
The Bar XV is a good place to grab a few
the chalet where the chef can conjure
Which is your favourite run in Val d’Isère?
beers at the end of a good day’s skiing. It’s
up something that would appeal to all
The run that remains etched in my memory
authentic and genuine. But I would also
the guests.
was skiing down the back of Le Fornet
like the option of a soothing massage after
in the first week of May, probably more
a day on the mountains, which would set
What advice would you give to youngsters
than 20 years ago now. I was skiing with a
us all up for a relaxing night in the chalet.
starting off in ski racing today?
friend and we chanced upon some of the
The key thing is to take full responsibility
best spring snow that you could ever find.
Where might you have dinner and what
for your own ambitions. That way you will
The rolling terrain just complemented the
would you eat?
have a much clearer perspective to being
conditions so, that it was like skiing down a
The eight of us would be happiest
able to realise your dreams.
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LOOK GOOD ON THE SLOPES Designer ski wear by Winternational.co.uk
CONSENSIO
Poster power B
of
glossy
artistic styles. Thanks to the ordinary ski
really knows how many copies there are
social
media,
poster, the history of winter sport from
remaining in circulation. The ski poster
ski resorts only had one way of
bobsledding to ski jumping has been
market, like skiing itself, is driven by
getting their message across to potential
chronicled in glorious art form.
passion – a passion for the sport, and
holiday-makers – the humble ski poster.
With their powers of seduction, and
a passion for a particular resort – with
They may seem like a fairly primitive form
ability to leave us all pining for the
most purchasers choosing a poster quite
of advertising by today’s standards, but
glamour of a bygone age of skiing, when
simply because they like it.
many of these iconic posters have been
the slopes were deserted and the fashion
These
reproduced
such
was fabulous, ski posters have become
simple, but they were certainly effective.
as ski passes over the years and have
a popular choice for those looking to
Who would have thought that these
consequently become collectors’ items
decorate both their chalets in ski areas
promotional pictures would be adorning
for winter sports fans around the world.
and properties back home.
the walls of mountain homes in ski
Eager to portray their own area as the
The demand for original ski posters has
resorts around the world after all these
most stylish and desirable place to stay,
been growing steadily over the years and
years? It seems somewhat unlikely that
the railway companies and tourist offices
the general rule of thumb when looking
50 years from now anyone will remember
would provide the poster designers with
to make such an investment comes down
a tweet, Facebook post or any particular
a standard text and encourage them to
to basic economics – the fewer original
Instagram picture out of the millions of
interpret the character of the location
copies there are of a particular poster,
images that we are bombarded with
and the joy of winter sport in their own
the more valuable it will become. The
every second of every day!
unique way, creating a huge range of
slight problem with this is that nobody
10
efore
the
magazines
on
days and
everyday
items
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early
adverts
may
have
been
Railway companies and tourist offices encouraged designers
This Russian ski poster was sold for ÂŁ36,500 as the result of
to create posters that would capture the excitement of winter
a bidding war at the Christie’s Ski Sale in 2008, achieving the
sports.
highest price ever recorded for such a poster. Both artist and buyer remain anonymous.
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Increased demand for ski posters from clients, and a personal
Although artists are important in this market, the resort featured in the
passion for the sport, gave Christie’s poster specialist Nicolette
poster is more likely to have an effect on its value. Posters featuring
Tomkinson the inspiration for the inaugural Christie’s Ski Sale
the world renowned Swiss resort of St. Moritz usually command the
back in 1998. Since then the market has continued to grow, and
highest prices. This poster was sold for £30,000 at the Christie’s Ski
the 18th Annual Christie’s Ski Sale will take place at 1pm on 21
Sale in 2015 – a world-record price for a Swiss ski poster.
January 2016 at their auction house in South Kensington.
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The largest collection of ski posters (over 600 in total) was
Ski posters are a uniform size, usually 40 x 25 inches (102 x
amassed by American ski enthusiast Mason Beekley who
64cm) and 50 x 35½ inches (127 x 90cm) and can work well
died in 2001. Until recently this collection was housed in
in both modern and traditional interiors.
the Mammoth Ski Museum in California. It is currently in a warehouse in Denver looking for a new home.
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CONSENSIO
Playing it safe As a man who in 1994 skied every day of the year in 240 resorts in 13 countries, and has now skied a total of 729 resorts, it’s fair to say that Arnie Wilson knows a thing or two about playing it safe on the slopes. The safety of our guests is paramount to us at Consensio, so we asked Arnie to share a few words of wisdom with us about how best to avoid injury, and what to do if you are unfortunate enough to be involved in, or witness, an accident.
PHOTO: WPLYNN
A
ccidents happen everywhere. In the home. In the street. On the roads. In the air. And, of course, in
the mountains. You don’t have to be doing anything dramatic, dangerous or daring on skis – which is why you can never completely guard against something happening. If you knew that you were only going to hurt yourself when you jumped off a cliff, then you could pretty much guarantee your safety by not doing so. But many, many ski accidents happen on easy runs. This could be because the skier is thinking about
lunch
and
not
concentrating,
assuming that nothing could go wrong on such a simple run. An accident can happen in a high-speed collision, or just as easily in a slow-motion fall. Whilst we mustn’t let the threat of injury spoil our enjoyment of
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CONSENSIO
PHOTO: Fredrik Schenholm
a sport we love, there are certain things that we can all do to avoid injuries, and certain things we must do if we are involved in an accident. 1. Be prepared – work on your fitness before you go skiing – concentrate on your endurance, strength, core stability and flexibility. 2. Warm up before skiing and make full use of the spa, sauna and massage facilities afterwards. 3. Take lessons from a qualified instructor. 4. Stay hydrated, especially when you are skiing at high altitudes. 5. Stop when you are tired. 6. Ski within your limitations – especially when skiing in a group of mixed abilities. 7. Avoid alcohol – remember that drinking and skiing can have the same devastating consequences as drinking and driving. 8. Equipment – ensure that your equipment is
snowboard well above the injured person.
involved are duty bound by the FIS Rules
fitted correctly and is of the highest standard.
This will protect the casualty and those
of Conduct to remain at the scene, offer
9. Remember that avalanche and other
helping from further injury and help the
assistance, provide witness reports and
warning signs are there for your safety
emergency services locate the scene of
exchange details, regardless of the law of
and should always be obeyed.
the accident.
the country.
10. Protect your skin and your eyes. Even if
2. Call for professional help. The number
it doesn’t look particularly sunny, the sun
of
the
emergency
services
should
Remember it’s always wise to have the
can still cause serious damage to your
be on your lift pass or piste map.
details of your insurance company and
eyes and skin at altitude.
Otherwise ask somebody who was not
policy number with you at all times, along
involved in the accident, or a witness
with your EHIC card where applicable.
What you should do if you are involved in,
to the accident, to ski down to the
or witness, an accident.
nearest lift station where the piste
All
patrol can be informed.
familiarise themselves with the 10 FIS
1. Make the accident area safe and secure
3. Remain with the casualty until help
by crossing your skis, or planting your
arrives. All skiers and snowboarders
skiers
and
snowboarders
should
Rules for Conduct which can be found at www.fis-ski.com
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CONSENSIO
Après ski If you are one of those people who prefer their skiing with the word ‘après’ in front of it, we urge you to pop along to Val d’Isère’s newest après ski hot spot, Cocorico. With a mix of live music and DJs, the large terrace attracts an eclectic bunch of happy, smiley people who all share a common goal – to have as much fun as humanly possible.
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CONSENSIO Photos: Niclas Karlson/Glacierfilm.se
A
fter just one season, Cocorico
felt there was a need for a new exciting
has gained a reputation for being
après spot in Val and we had what seemed
the place to head to straight
like the perfect location, so we cooked
from the slopes for some spontaneous,
up Cocorico! With a great mix of French,
unadulterated
manager,
Scandie and Austrian ingredients, it seems
Victor Jarland Strid explains the secret of
fun.
Cocorico
that last season we gave Val d’Isère exactly
their success.
what it was craving! We were very happy
new for Val d’Isère. Our aim was to put Val
with the way our first season went, and
d’Isère on the après ski scene map. From
Cocorico has just enjoyed its first season
we are looking forward to making it even
day one we were fairly certain what we
in Val. Did everything go according to
bigger and better.
wanted to do with Cocorico. The whole concept came to us very naturally –
plan? Before we opened Cocorico we ran ‘Le
What was your vision when you opened
everything from the music and design to
Chalet’ for four seasons, but our goal
Cocorico?
the way to work. Cocorico will always be a
was always to have an outside bar. We
It was important for us to create something
crazy place for après ski with the focus
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CONSENSIO firmly on the fun! For the end of the season party we made a huge splash pool just in front of Cocorico! What kind of people come to Cocorico? Cocorico attracts a great mix of people from every corner of the world. We are catering for anyone who likes a good party. It is important to us to treat everyone as VIPs, no matter if you’re a celebrity or a seasonaire. Believe it or not, most people are in Val d’Isère to ski, but everyone loves a fun party at the end of the day and I believe we really do have something for everyone. Is Cocorico now firmly established in the Val après scene? We weren’t really starting from scratch as we’ve had Doudoune Club on the scene for a
ever worked with was MULLIT, and they’ve
have a wonderful Vin Chaud that we ‘spice
while now and Cocorico wouldn’t be where
been with us since the beginning, in various
up’ a little to keep you warm.
it is today if it wasn’t for Doudoune. We’ve
different forms. Last season we had more
built a strong client base over the past few
bands than we’ve had before, and we would
What is the most popular night of the
years and we see a lot of them returning
like to continue that way. We are always
week?
year after year. So, just like Doudoune, it
looking for live acts with a lot of energy and
The weekend is generally quieter because
might take a while to put Cocorico firmly on
good crowd participation.
of guest changeover, so Monday to Friday
the map, and it might take us a few seasons
were our busiest nights during last season.
to gain the same reputation as other bars
Will you be having the same acts next
We do have our live bands on everyday
in town, but we won’t sit back and relax for
season?
however, and with our brilliant DJ Phil
one second and will be constantly striving
We will stick to the favourites, but always
Garner anything can happen.
to move things forward. We have already
try new bands. Last season Firekind really
started expanding the outside area which
showed us what they were born to do, and we
What are the most requested tracks?
will allow us to create another bar for next
hope to see them back this coming season!
Our top five songs from last season were:
season.
1. Curtis Mayfield - Move On Up What are bestselling drinks in Cocorico?
2. John Paul Young - Love Is In The Air
How did you choose the live acts?
Après Ski = Large beers and Jägerbombs!
3. Spice Girls - Wannabe
Over the years we’ve worked well with a lot
That’s the best formula for getting revellers
4. Blur - Song 2
of musicians and live acts. The first band we
up on the tables. If you’re not into beer, we
5. Joe Cocker - You Can Leave Your Hat On
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CONSENSIO Are there any tracks you refuse to play?
Do you have plans for expansion next
undoubtedly one of the best places to
(We’re thinking The Birdie Song here)
season?
ski in the world, and has something for
is
We are extending the terrace this
every level of skier.
banned at Cocorico. The Birdie Song is
season with one more bar outside,
actually one of our favourites…
and much more room to go wild. This
* Located right at the foot of Solaise and
will be ready for the opening in early
Face de Bellevarde, Cocorico is easily
December 2015.
accessible either straight from the slopes or
All
House
Music/Electronic
music
Is Cocorico only open for après ski? Cocorico is a place to party from 2-8pm.
is a short stroll from all of Consensio’s luxury
We want to keep our focus on these
What do you think makes Val d’Isère so
chalets in Val d’Isère. Your chalet chauffeur
hours. For the proper party animals we
special?
will of course be happy to take you there
have our nightclub Doudoune Club just
Val d’Isère has something for everyone.
and collect you when you are ready.
one floor down. It’s open from midnight
No matter if you’re here as a family,
every day until late.
group of friends, old or young, it’s
www.cocoricovaldisere.com
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PERRIER-JOUËT, THE ALLURING CHAMPAGNE
Photography by Warren & Nick
Since its foundation in 1811, the champagne house Perrier-Jouët has crafted elegant, floral wines of rare finesse with a Chardonnay hallmark. The elegance of the cuvees echoes that of the Art Nouveau anemones adorning the Belle Epoque bottle and offers moments of pure delight and beauty. www.perrier-jouet.com
PLEASE DRINK RESPONSIBLY
Along came Johny CONSENSIO
The fun winter scenes created by artist Johny Midnight are in great demand.
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CONSENSIO
D
utch painter, Pieter Bruegel the
scatter it with fantastical miniature Mont
Elder, established an interest in
Blancs and Matterhorns. It should be
the winter landscape and started
remembered that something of a mini ice
something of a craze amongst artists for
age started in the mid-1500s, which went
snowy scenes, when he created what is
on to inspire a future generation of artists
probably the world’s most famous winter
to depict snow and ice in all its glory.
painting, The Hunters in the Snow, back
A succession of styles followed over
in 1565.
the
Whilst it might seem rather peculiar
the woodblock prints of Hokusai and
that an artist from one of the flattest
Hiroshige, to the ‘effet de neige’ of Monet
countries in the world which has very
and Manet. English artist JMW Turner
few hills, let alone mountains, should get
went on to give us some of the most
so carried away with his depiction of a
terrifying images of snow in the early
winter scene
1800s, with his depiction of Hannibal and
that he felt compelled to
next
few
hundred
years,
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from
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CONSENSIO his army crossing the Alps.
bright and breezy scenes
Then along came Johny…
of
While many of the artists of old may have
on lifts, après ski bars
focused on the hardship of winter, with
buzzing with banter, fun
scenes of men struggling through storms,
snowball fights, shoppers
contemporary
strolling
artist
Johny
Midnight’s
focus remains firmly on the fun. Johny
likes
to
paint
from
lads
larking
leisurely
through his
about
snow
covered
own
streets, and skiers and
adventures, and his love of skiing and
boarders ripping it up on
passion for snow is evident in the way he
the slopes.
depicts the winter landscape as a place
In
for family and friends to enjoy.
has been working hard to
Johny is no stranger to the Alps, and
bring the marvel of the
his years of ‘hanging out’ in Chamonix
mountains to the streets
have stood him in good stead to bring us
of
recent
times
London,
Johny
creating
a
spectacular snowy scene on the side wall of the prestigious office address in
South
Kensington
that Consensio has the privilege of
and
sharing
pleasure
with
Erna
Low, the UK’s oldest ski holiday company. “If
you
can
someone’s for
hold
attention
more
than
a
few
moments, then you have achieved
as
an
artist.
stopping and staring at this wall for many
On lengthier inspection they may love
years to come!
it, they may hate it, or they may not
You can view Johny’s original artwork
understand it. But the thrill is to make
together
them stop and stare,” says Johny.
edition prints either in person at Gallery
Well, let me tell you Johny, the good people
of
The
Royal
Borough
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a
selection
of
Midnight in London, or by visiting:
of
Kensington and Chelsea are going to be
24
with
www.gallerymidnight.com
limited
The Art People christies.com
CONSENSIO
High fashion After nine seasons of running international skiwear business Winternational, Tamsin Burford knows a thing or two about slope-side fashion. She’s even had a best-selling jacket named after her! So, spill the beans Tamsin, what WILL we be wearing on the slopes this season?
PHOTO: Sportalm Kitzbuhel
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Cacha
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CONSENSIO
How old were you when you first skied and in which resort? I first went skiing age 14 to Santa Caterina in the Pyrenees. A school ski trip full of apple-pie beds, snowploughing badly (on my part!) and laughter. What is your favourite ski resort? Hard
question!
Each
skiing
holiday
brings with it so many special memories, fantastic food, sunshine, views and the silly moments. In Verbier we celebrated my son’s 21st birthday. Méribel is such a great family resort and where my three sons learned to ski. In Banff we watched reindeer wandering down Main Street on Boxing Day and Ischgl is memorable because I saw a gig by the Scissor Sisters on the slopes.
2
Have you always worked in fashion? Not
always.
I’ve
been
involved
Goldbergh all in one
in
property development and also been an assistant to an investment banker.
for
running
a
business
looms
large
my eyes to the possibility of growing a
I had worked in fashion in a variety of
sometimes, but one can gradually figure
business in an area I was interested in.
businesses and roles prior to setting up
things out, seek advice and learn.
My mother was, and still is, a great role
Winternational.co.uk. My first job when a
model to me every day.
teenager was in Wembley Market selling
Where do you get your entrepreneurial
beautiful
spirit from?
What
The internet has opened up the world
Winternational?
to the entrepreneur. In my business it’s
I’d noticed the exciting ski wear that
Have you always wanted to run your
the opportunity to engage with skiers
women in Europe were wearing. The
own business?
everywhere. Working as assistant to
resort shops were wonderful too. I had
Yes, on the days when it’s all going well,
an investment banker who invested in
serious ski wear envy! Not wanting to
and no, on the days when it’s not, but on
a wide variety of businesses as well as
give up valuable skiing time to schlepping
balance YES! Of course the responsibility
having a large property portfolio opened
around the resort shops, I looked in
brightly
coloured
designer
jeans and dungarees – it was the 80s!
inspired
you
to
W W W. C O N S E N S I O C H A L E T S . C O . U K
start
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CONSENSIO
the UK for designer ski wear that was luxurious,
well
fitting
and
that
free and be happy.
still
performed on the slopes, but I couldn’t
What
find any. And that is how the idea for
business?
Winternational was born.
is
your
proudest
moment
in
We decided
There are so many. One of the designers
to sell exclusively online as I wanted to
we work with, Milos Gvosdich of Emmegi,
help women everywhere find beautiful
named one of his designs after me. That
ski wear. A physical shop would have
was really flattering. The Tamsin jacket
been geographically limiting whereas
was a best seller too! One customer
we can now deliver to most countries.
bought a white ski jacket, ski pants and base layer for her wedding on the slopes
What is the best thing about your job?
in Canada. It sounded like so much fun
The feedback from customers! So many
we were hoping for an invite!
people are pleased, even thrilled to have found us. I love receiving emails and calls
Have you plans for worldwide expansion
from customers. Actually, probably the
and global domination?
best thing is when we are sent photos of
So
our customers on the slopes in our ski
and carefully, expanding each season
wear, just seeing their smiles. It’s not just
incrementally.
about looking good on the slopes – it’s
Our ski wear sells all over the world –
certainly could scale up our business
how it makes you feel. Having beautiful
that’s the wonder of the internet. But if
model.
ski wear gives you the confidence to be
the right opportunities came along we
far
we’ve
being
growing
4
slowly
Coral
How did you select the brands that PHOTO: Sportalm Kitzbuhel
you work with, and what makes them special? First we have to love the looks they offer and then the garments have to perform on the ski slopes. There is no point having ski wear that looks wonderful but leaves you freezing or clammy. All our collections with Emmegi, Sportalm Kitzbuhel and Goldberghh are made to order, and that way our customers know there will be limited runs of each garment.
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There is something special about wearing Everlasting Pink
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clothes that aren’t available everywhere.
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5
Faux Fur
We’re always looking for new labels to
which we would never have thought to
The question we’ve all been waiting for
add to our collection but not at the cost
do. If it works for them and they feel
– what WILL we all be wearing on the
of our core values. Winternational ski wear
beautiful, then we are happy.
slopes this season?
must look good but it must be technical
It’s all about luxury. Great fabrics which
enough to keep people warm and dry on
Do
the slopes too.
influenced by general fashion trends?
and seaming to keep garments close and
you
think
ski
wear
trends
are
move with you as you ski, clever cutting
We like to think our ski wear remains
slinky. Look out for matt blacks, faux
Do you think each nationality has its
in
season.
leathers, muted silvers and classic navy.
own LOOK on the slopes?
Partially that’s because of our careful
There’s pink and coral too for those
Some nationalities like more diamante
buying, and partially because ski wear
who like brights. We’re very pleased
and fur, while others go for bright
fashions change more slowly. Skiing
with this year’s collection. Visit us at
colours. But the one sure thing we have
is a sport, and so to some extent that
Winternational.co.uk to be tempted!
learned over the years is never say never.
dictates some of the styling decisions
Some
designers make.
customers
put
looks
together
vogue
for
more
than
a
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Inside out Injured during your ski holiday? There’s no need to pack away your ski and snowboard equipment. Just head indoors says winter sports instructor Rob Rees.
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F
or many years only the most ardent skiers took to their skis between skiing holidays by heading for the
‘dry’ ski slopes around the country. But now, an increasing number of British skiers and snowboarders are keeping themselves in shape all year round by using the indoor real snow slopes in the UK. Chilled to -5 degrees and with the same kind of snow cannons that you see at the side of the pistes in most Alpine resorts, there are currently five indoor slopes in the UK with several more planned. Each of the indoor slopes is relatively short – no more than a couple of hundred metres – and not very demanding. At the most they are equivalent in steepness to a stiff blue piste in the Alps. Therefore, indoor ski slopes should not be
provides something for just about every
assessment and treatment with confidence
seen as a replacement for your favourite
standard of skier and boarder, children and
building ski lessons individually tailored to
ski holiday, in much the same way as a golf
adult alike.
the each client’s rehabilitation programme.
driving range is not a replacement for a round
Currently there are indoor ‘real snow’ slopes
The programme also includes a physical
on your favourite 18-hole course. However,
located at Hemel Hempstead, Milton Keynes,
assessment of each person’s strengths and
indoor slopes do provide a valuable training
Tamworth, Castleford and Glasgow, with
weaknesses to help avoid further injuries
opportunity to improve your skiing and
planning permission granted for several
when skiing.
boarding skill and make sure you don’t revert
more around the country. They are open all
The programme is run by physiotherapist
to bad habits. They are also a good location
year round, although the advice from regular
Lisa Cordwell who is also an internationally
to test new ski and board equipment and
users is to make the most of the summer
qualified ski instructor with eight years’
to take part in some specialist coaching, or
months when the slopes are at their quietest,
experience of working with injured skiers and
even to qualify as a ski instructor.
and the snow is at its best!
snowboarders. Rehabilitation from classic
In addition to recreational skiing for a
In addition to ski and snowboard training,
injuries such as snapped ACL tendons, leg
couple of hours, just look at the wide range
innovative new programmes are beginning
fractures and shoulder dislocations can all
of courses and programmes you can join.
to take advantage of the indoor slopes.
be accelerated with a bespoke programme
Learn to ski or board in a day, improver
One such programme has been developed
of therapy and a gentle reintroduction to
classes, skills clinics for intermediates and
by Inside Out Skiing and is for skiers who
skiing and snowboarding, using the indoor
advanced skiers, mastering bumps, skills for
are recovering from injury or working to
ski slope at Hemel Hempstead.
steep terrain, freestyle training, skier-cross,
overcome old ailments. The Return to
race clubs and more. This range of options
Skiing programme includes physiotherapy
www.insideoutskiing.com
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Licence to thrill Who is this old age pensioner who causes trouble in every ski resort he visits?
R
ock up to any half-decent ski resort in Europe and you’ll probably find a certain 95-year-old has been
there before you. This ‘pensioner’ is known as a bit of a rabblerouser and the ski resort locals all have tales of wrecked cars, explosions, gunshots and fights. Women seem strangely attracted to the nonagenarian and he doesn’t mind a drink or two, usually a dry martini, made with
The 007 symbol over Courchevel Altiport.
three measures of Gordon’s, one of vodka, and a half a measure of Kina Lillet which is shaken until ice-cold, before a large thin slice
with his licence to kill, has discovered the
Daniel Craig, all in the twinkling of a James
of lemon peel is added.
secret of eternal life through the ability to
Bond movie contract.
You will have guessed by now that this
transmogrify from Sean Connery, to Roger
The films are based on the books by Ian
particular 95-year-old is none other than
Moore, to David Niven, to George Lazenby,
Fleming who began writing the James
British superspy James Bond 007 who, along
to Timothy Dalton, to Pierce Brosnan to
Bond adventures in 1953. In a later fictional
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biography about the spy his birth date is given as 11 November 1920. Since then, four of the actors to play Bond in the movies have taken to skis during their
battles
against
world
domination
and the locations – Kitzbühel, Chamonix, Cortina
d’Ampezzo,
Mürren,
St
Moritz,
and Courchevel – all have a common denominator. Glamour! George Lazenby may have only made one Bond film, but he was the first 007 to appear George Lazenby was the first Bond to ski in the film On Her Majesty’s Secret Service.
on skis in On Her Majesty’s Secret Service in 1969. Nothing defines a decade more than fashion and the Australian actor put his stamp on the 60’s by taking to the ski slopes
earth under a Union Jack parachute.
in some nifty blue stretch Bogner ski pants
During the ski slope and resort scenes, Moore
with contrasting light blue stripe.
cut a bold sartorial dash in a bright yellow
In a poster promoting the movie, the love
jumpsuit with contrasting red bits and bobs,
interest, Contessa Teresa di Vicenzo, played
ideal for blending into the background in St
by Diana Rigg, is decked out in skimpy purple
Moritz. Mmmm. Nice.
stretch pants and a gold jumper, apparently
But the best skiing in a Bond film
doing the Hokey-Cokey on skis. And check
must be in The World Is
out the leather ski boots you oldsters. Lazenby was replaced by Roger Moore in 1977 in The Spy Who Loved Me which featured one of the best starts to any Bond movie when he skied off the side of a mountain and then floated down to
The Courchevel Altiport provided the backdrop for the opening scenes in Tomorrow Never Dies.
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CONSENSIO Explosive skiing scenes with Pierce Brosnan in The World Is Not Enough.
Not Enough, released in 1999, when Pierce Brosnan hitched on the 007 shoulder holster and was caught in an avalanche with his female lead, Elektra King (Sophie Marceau). The ski scenes were supposedly set in the Caucasus, but were actually shot in Chamonix
Daniel Craig outside the Ice Q Resturant in Sölden during Spectre, the latest Bond film.
and unsurprisingly Pierce and Sophie did not actually do the avalanche stunt themselves.
with 99 lives and in the latest epic, Spectre,
movie is guaranteed to give a massive boost
Filming was delayed by a real avalanche, the
due for release in November this year, Bond
in tourist numbers, and the lucky winner
crew helping in the rescue.
takes to the ski slopes again, this time in the
this time around is… Sölden in Austria,
Despite being shaken but not deterred
form of the pectorally-perfect Daniel Craig.
its epicentre being the Ice Q Restaurant,
James Bond survived like a litter of kittens
Anywhere used in the filming of a 007
doubling for the fictional Hoffler Klinik, a
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CONSENSIO private medical clinic. Maybe it was just a coincidence then that in real life, Ötzi the Iceman, a well-preserved body from about 3300 BC, was found nearby on the Austrian/Italian border in 1991. An autopsy showed he had died a violent death, and was clutching a bronze axe. No shoulder holster has yet been discovered. To round off this little flight of fantasy is a quiz question: Less than a kilometre from Consensio’s super-luxury Shemshak Lodge in Courchevel 1850 is a location used twice in James Bond movies. What is the location, and in what movies has it been used? Answer: Courchevel Altiport was used in the opening sequence filming of Tomorrow Never Dies and possesses the world’s steepest runway. The landing strip, which is a mere 1,722 feet long, is angled at 18.5 degrees and definitely not for the faint-hearted. The short length of the runway means aircraft have to take off downhill and land uphill. The dangers associated with operating out of Courchevel are such that pilots are required to obtain certification before attempting a landing. The location was also used in footage left over from Octopussy (1983). A small plane that appears to crash at the end of Octopussy actually continued flying up and over the next hill while the cameras were still rolling. The 007 film makers used this footage to create another crash shot that was then used in Goldeneye (1995). Waste not, want not. Wait a minute! Could that be a good title for another Bond movie?
Roger Moore in The Spy Who Loved Me.
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Snow business What’s the worst thing that could possibly happen when you arrive in a ski resort? You discover there isn’t any snow! Luckily with its latest state of the art snow-making facilities, Val d’Isère has this one covered.
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L
ast year, a snow-making factory –
€16m (£11.1m) two-year development project
and the 560 snow cannons that shoot the
reportedly the largest snow making
at the top.
snow on to the pistes.
facility in Europe – was built in Val
Located in a giant hangar beside the
The snow itself is created using a mixture of
d’Isère. The French resort already has a
Olympique gondola, the factory, created
air and water. No additives are used which
great snow record between the months
almost entirely by Val d’Isère engineers,
means it still has an authentic feel underfoot.
of November and May, but the factory’s
cost €3 million (£2.1m) to build. The running
The method involves delivering water under
production of artificial snow plays a critical
costs per winter amount to €3 million, but it
pressure in an underground network of pipes
role in keeping the 300km of pistes in Espace
is already earning its keep by giving skiers
spanning 65km across all ski areas. Water is
Killy in immaculate condition.
and snowboarders the confidence to keep
then projected in to the air where it crystalises
Last December saw the poorest snow cover
coming back.
to form little snowflakes. Water involved in
in 40 years throughout Alpine resorts but
In production periods, a team of 15, led by
the process is returned to nature in liquid
visitors to Val d’Isère were delighted to find
Peter Daniel, works meticulously both day
form, either in snow melts or evaporation,
that all the main runs were open thanks to the
and night to pump out enough snow in an
making the process entirely sustainable.
new snow-making factory.
hour to fill Wembley Stadium to a depth of
Skiers and snowboarders always expect the
The facility was primarily built to service the
half a metre and it can cover the whole of the
best in Val d’Isère. This includes its luxury
Solaise development. The Solaise, one of the
Bellevarde mountain in under a week.
hotels, boutique restaurants and events -
two iconic mountains reached from the front
The team operating the factory has created
Now Val d’Isère can add snow to that list.
de neige base area, is currently undergoing a
its own software to control snow production
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Active life Who wants to ski forever? We do! It would be great to think that we could all carry on skiing into our 70s, 80s or even 90s, but realistically we all know that there may well be a few obstacles standing in our way as we strive to extend our skiing into old age – aching bones, creaking joints and hip replacements to name a few.
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W
e all know that we can help
the
ourselves to stay ‘ski fit’ by
as
eating a healthy, well balanced
knee surgery, and this
diet and taking regular exercise, but what
specific joint complex
about the possibility of taking a health
helped
supplement to allow us to get a few more
with the pre-operative
years of skiing under our belts? We talked
and post-operative care
to
to
fitness
fanatic
and
TV
personality
joint I’ve
supplement recently
had
enormously
ensure
I’m
doing
Linda Barker about the Revive Active
the very best to help
supplements she takes on a daily basis, and
my knee get back to
the benefits she believes they can bring.
normal.
What prompted you to start taking Revive
What are you hoping
Active in the first place?
to achieve by taking
A friend of mine introduced me to the Revive
Revive Active?
Active sachets – his clear instructions were
I
to take them every day for a month, and
continued good health
to witness the results. True to his word, my
and increased fitness
energy levels were off the scale only a few
levels. I race around
weeks later – I felt like I had a real spring in
all
my step, and my skin was clearer and my
have no intention of
hair and nails stronger. I was such a fan of
keeping still. The daily
the sachets that I recommended these to
supplements
all my friends and family, then after a year
that I’m doing the very
or so Revive Active asked me to become a
best that I can to keep
brand ambassador for them, and I’ve been
up to the lifestyle that
using the product ever since.
I love.
Do
you
take
both
the
Health
Food
hope
Did
day
it
to
achieve
long
meet
and
I
ensure
your my energy levels.
supplement and the Joint Complex on a
expectations?
daily basis?
Revive Active met all of my expectations,
I take the Revive Active green sachets
and more! If for any reason I forget
What changes did you notice?
every
quality
to take the supplements (if I’m away
There was a noticeable improvement in my
day.
ingredients
They
contain
including
all
high
vitamins,
travelling for instance and I forget to
energy levels, my hair became stronger,
minerals and amino acids that I need to
the
pack them) I really start to notice the
and my skin became softer and a little less
make me feel great. Periodically I take
difference in my general well-being and
wrinkly too.
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CONSENSIO
Have you experienced any unwanted side
do now. I’m in my early 50s now and I am
on skiers that take it and those that don’t.
effects?
without doubt the strongest and fittest
I think there’d be a noticeable a difference
No side effects whatsoever. The sachets
that I’ve ever been.
– just being able to ski that little bit longer
are best on an empty stomach, so I always
perhaps. The supplements are good for
take them first thing in the morning, which
Do you ski?
anyone who adores any kind of sporting
couldn’t be easier.
Yes I do. I rediscovered my love for the
activity, or even those who simply want
slopes in my mid-40s and although I don’t
to increase their energy levels to get them
manage to get to the slopes every year, I
through their normal day.
Have
you
always
exercised
regularly
throughout your life?
love it when I’m in those beautiful snowy
I was always a lover of sport and outdoor
mountains – there’s nothing quite so
Your
activities as a young girl and always part
wonderful.
attracted much attention during your time
of my school sports teams - swimming,
athletic
body
shape
definitely
on the hit TV show Splash! Did you have to
netball, tennis, that kind of thing. There
In what way do you think Revive Active
train very hard for the show?
was a period of time in my 20s and early
could benefit skiers?
I had no time for extra training for Splash!
30s when I didn’t do quite so much as I
We should do a Revive Active experiment
I’ve always been a regular in the gym and I
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love my fitness, so I was kind of ready, but nothing could have prepared me for the fear I got when standing at the top of the 10m diving board. Have you tried a variety of different sports? I love to vary my sports. If I always did the same thing every day I would become bored and lose interest for sure. I’m in the gym twice a week if possible with a personal trainer. I cycle and swim regularly and I love long distance walking. I’ll quite often walk 7-8 hours a day for 4-5 days if I can escape the normal routine. The
benefits
that
Revive
Active
can
bring to those with an active lifestyle are unquestionable. Increased energy levels will make sure you are working out, running, swimming or skiing to your max! I feel as if I’m simply addicted to feeling good. To what do you attribute your age defying body shape and fresh look features? Thank you for the compliment! I genuinely love being active, which helps a lot. I have the odd couch potato moment, don’t get
Consensio luxury ski chalets would you
me wrong, but I’d rather choose a fitness
most like to stay in?
The manufacturers of Revive Active advise
holiday over a sun lounger holiday every
Ski chalets showcase everything that I
consumers to seek their GP’s advice before
time. I think that’s just about how I’m
absolutely adore about interiors. The use
taking any of their supplements. See www.
hardwired, and that helps me stay youthful
of natural materials and the strong timber
reviveactive.com for testimonials from
I believe. I’m a person who loves being
structures really resonate with me and all
athletes, and information on worldwide delivery.
outside a lot too.
the Consensio chalets look incredible. But if I had to single one out it would have to
As we all know, you have something of
be Chalet Lhotse in Val d’Isère.
an eye for interiors! Which one of the
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CONSENSIO
Ski tips Ken Smith from the Progression Ski & Snowboard School provides some of his top tips to help you get more from your skiing.
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CONSENSIO Posture - hands out By keeping your hands out in front of you, your posture and balance will be improved and your weight will be in a better position over the skis. It will feel weird at first but persist and everything will fall into place. Also keep your chin up. This makes you naturally look forwards and hold a better posture and position over your skis. Balance Take up a natural stance, as if you are sipping on a nice glass of Perrier Jouët champagne!
This
comfortable
natural
stance can easily be transferred across into your skiing which improves your balance (unless you have had too much Perrier Jouët). Your feet should be about hip width apart. If they are too close together it is far too easy to fall over. Moguls
Steeps
Powder
Practise your short turns away from the
Commit to your turn. Don’t hold back.
When skiing in powder, keep your weight in
bumps. Then when you get into a moguled
Better to make an ugly committed turn
the middle of the ski or occasionally on your
area you can focus more on tactics. Start in
than to hold back and fail badly.
heels. A flowing, smooth pole plant really
an easy place with a comfortable first turn
improves the timing and rhythm of your turns
and plan a route down the next three to six
Flat light
which is so important off piste. Practise this
bumps before setting off.
Most skiers tense up in flat light which
on piste before venturing off piste.
makes things worse so try to relax as best Slush
you can. Plus, it doesn’t matter how good
Ice
Speed is the key. If you go too slow you’ll
your goggles are if they are wet or damp
Most people try and dig their edges into
get bogged down. Let the skis run so that
as this will make them steam up. So keep a
the ice but often fail to get any grip. It’s
your momentum punches the skis through
lens wipe handy.
better to take a more defensive attitude
the slush. Rounded turns are also important
and flatten the skis so they skid over the
to maintain speed and so that only the tips
…and smile
ice. Put the brakes on when you hit a snowy
of the skis are hitting the slushy bumps
You will have more fun.
patch beyond the ice.
rather than the full length of the skis.
www.progressionski.com
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CONSENSIO
Gadgets & Gizmos Ellis Brigham picks out some of this season’s top accessories for skiers and snowboarders.
Halo 28 JetForce £899.99 Designed to prevent you being buried in an avalanche, airbag back packs are becoming increasingly popular. If you’re spending time in avalanche risk areas, then you need to consider having one strapped to your back. The Halo 28 features the game-changing JetForce avalanche airbag system. Designed from the ground up to improve ease of use and performance, the JetForce airbag system is the first system to use jet-fan inflation. Easy to repack, rearm and redeploy on a single charge, this travel-friendly system is set to revolutionise the avalanche airbag market.
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CONSENSIO GoPro Hero4 Session £329.99 Nothing beats the immersive and dramatic footage you can get from an action camera. From recording the amusement and drama of your first forays onto snow, to capturing the thrill of a heart-in-your mouth black run, an action camera is a must have. In the world of the action camera GoPro reign supreme and the Hero4 Session is their smallest, lightest and most convenient camera yet. It is rugged and waterproof (to 10m) eliminating the need for separate housing, and comes with specially designed mounts and accessories that work seamlessly with other GoPro gear, making the Hero4 Session the most wearable and mountable GoPro ever.
Fēnix 3 Performer Bundle £399.99 The Fēnix 3 is a cutting edge sports watch which fuses state-of-theart fitness training features with powerful navigation functionality for use across a full spectrum of sports and terrain. With GPS, a barometric altimeter and electronic compass all at your disposal this watch provides a plethora of useful data to aid safe navigation in the mountains. It will also tell you just how fast that last run was, your total run count for the day and even if you’ve burned off all that lunch time tartiflette!
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CONSENSIO Outdoor Tech Chips £100.00 Chips are Bluetooth, universal, fully-wireless audio systems for ski and snowboard helmets. Connect them to a bluetooth device and drop them into any helmet with an audio liner. Play and pause, raise and lower volume, answer calls and skip tracks from the Chips’ two button interface, all without removing your gloves. Warm hands, total audio control, no wires, fresh powder, and whatever music you please.
Giro Range £220.00 The Range is the beginning of a new chapter in helmet design. It is packed with effective features like In Form sizing, MIPS protection and adjustable vents, but the most impressive is the articulating hard shell construction. Apart from the liner adjusting, the actual shell of the helmet can be changed in volume for the perfect fit. It feels, and it is, unlike anything else on the market.
All the items featured are available from Ellis Brigham stores or from their website: www.ellis-brigham.com 46
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KNOWLEDGE | SERVICE | ADVICE
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CONSENSIO
Antoine Veuriot, proprietor of La Cave sur le comptoir in Val d’Isère.
Fine wine exploration A fine wine tasting at Marco Polo in Val d’Isère gave Peter Dean a chance to discover some of France’s lesser-known gems, through the eyes of expert supplier Antoine Veuriot.
A
fter a punishing day on the slopes
His shop has a tempting array of key trophy
when I first saw the secluded tasting cellar it
most skiers would probably turn to a
wines, most in half a dozen or so vintages.
was then that my pulse really started to race.
vin chaud, schnapps or lager rather
These ‘blue chip’ wines include the Lafites and
This is the ultimate ‘boy’s toy’. Beautifully
than a perfectly kept bottle of Romanée-Conti.
La Taches of this world but also hard to find
designed with stone, wood and stainless steel,
Fine wine isn’t something you normally
Chateauneuf du Papes such as Rayas.
it has a large tasting table illuminated by a
associate with a ski holiday, unless of course
However, like all true wine lovers, Antoine is
contemporary Portuguese glass chandelier,
you are staying at Marco Polo in Val d’Isère –
not blinded by rarity and cost. It’s what’s in the
a massive cave, all the decanting kit you
but there again, Marco Polo isn’t your average
glass that counts. A two-hour tasting hosted
could wish to play around with – and to top
ski chalet.
by Antoine in Marco Polo’s purpose-built wine
it off a professional meat slicer. Bring it on.
Antoine Veuriot, proprietor of La Cave sur le
cellar, is an opportunity to discover some of
The bottles that were in the cave were pretty
comptoir in Val d’Isère does provide Consensio
his favourite French wines that are not yet on
special too.
customers at Marco Polo with at least one top-
the radar of top vinologists.
Antoine
end Burgundy or first growth Bordeaux each
I love skiing and was truly impressed with the
prophetically as it turned out: “I will talk a lot
week on request during the season.
wellness and gym facilities in Marco Polo, but
and later you will talk a lot.” His wisdom
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began
the
session
by
saying,
CONSENSIO
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CONSENSIO
The wine cellar in the Marco Polo chalet has been purpose built.
was imparted with perfect balance to a crowd
syrah blend from Peyrassol in Provence,
such as grassiness to those who thought
of us that ranged from knowing a fair amount
a 2010 Margaux from Bellevue de Tayac,
the grape should always taste like (New
about wine to those who knew precious little.
and a Beaune Clos de la FĂŠguine from old
Zealand) fruit bombs.
His insights were illuminating, enthusiastic and
favourite Domaine Jacques Prieur.
Like everything in Marco Polo, the emphasis of
from the heart, and he never told us what we
Each wine was well matched with food, for
the evening was on exploration and discovering
should be tasting but allowed us to discover
example, delicate medallions of smoked
the very best the world has to offer.
that for ourselves.
monkfish were served with the Sancerre,
He showed two whites and three reds.
my standout wine of the evening. Not only
* Peter Dean is the Drinks Editor of
An old vine Pouilly-FuissĂŠ from Robert-
was it a beautifully balanced wine with
luxury lifestyle Tempusmagazine.co.uk.
Denogent, a Sancerre called Harmonie
real class and purity, but it also showed off
Follow him on Twitter or Instagram as
from Vincent Pinard, a 2004 cab sauv/
Old World sauvignon blanc characteristics
@Tweetadean.
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CONSENSIO
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CONSENSIO
Life is sweet
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CONSENSIO
S
weet
Ski
renowned
in
Val
d’Isère
for
its
welcoming
atmosphere,
superior
is
service
and friendly staff, so it’s not hard to work
out
why
Consensio
has
been
recommending them to our guests for several years now. Nothing is too much trouble for the Sweet Ski team. Prefer to have your equipment brought to you for a private fitting in your chalet? Pas de probleme! Want to swap your for GS skis for an allterrain model? Coming right up. Sweet Ski stocks a vast range of skis for
you
to
choose
from,
including
Fischer, Volkl, Zag and Head, but they are particularly proud of their exclusive partnership
with
top
Swiss
brand
Stockli which allows them to offer their customers a wide range of high tech skis, bringing exceptional comfort and grip to seasoned pros and beginners alike. Sweet Ski prides itself on the comfort of
Sweet Ski proprietor Eric Vaesa picks out his top three skis for this season. Best for the experienced skier: Stockli LaserGS - Giant Ski Race.
their rental boots and this season they’ve gone one step further with the new model of heated boots from Salomon. For the boarders amongst you, Sweet
Best for the all-terrain skier: Stockli Laser AX.
Ski has teamed up with the super cool snowboard brand Nitro to bring you a full range of gear from Freestyle to Freeride. During the summer months, the Sweet Ski
store
has
undergone
a
Best for the free rider: Stockli Stormrider.
radical
refurbishment and with some swanky new brands in store such as Postcard, Goldbergh
and
Lacroix
there
are
temptations aplenty!
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A PR ÈS I
SK
CONSENSIO
So – what’s new? It ‘snow’ use pretending we know every single thing that’s happening, in every single ski resort across the globe, but we do know what’s happening in the wonderful world of Consensio, and it gives us great pleasure to bring you a little round up of ‘what’s new’ for this season both in our chalets and in our resorts.
Consensio revival kit After a long day on the slopes, our brand new Revival Kit will perk you up, prepare you to party and restore you to your former glory – perfect for those who like to live it up!
Chocolate skis Exclusive to Consensio and Selfridges, Amelia Rope’s super stylish chocolate skis will be available in all of our chalets throughout the season. They look too good to eat! Well, almost…
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CONSENSIO
Mont Tremblant New for 2015, Mont Tremblant is a ski chalet with style and presence, located in its own grounds right in the heart of Méribel.
Consensio cocktail This season we will be serving the The Consenski, our own special cocktail made from Grey Goose, rhubarb syrup and lemon topped up with our all-time favourite fizz – Perrier Jouët. Try one! Anytime, anyplace, anywhere!
Nannies For the entire 2015/16 season we are now able to include a free all-day nanny service (see conditions below) on all remaining off-peak weeks in the two of our family friendly chalets – Chalet Chopine in Méribel and Chalet Elephant Blanc in Val d’Isère. For little ones there are our super cute Consensio slipper socks which will keep them cosy and warm inside the chalet. Conditions: one nanny offered only * not changeable for any other supplier services * full time for 8 consecutive hours x 6 days * hours non-negotiable * not available in any other chalets within the Consensio portfolio
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CONSENSIO
Jejalp in Morzine
Solyneou
This is Consensio’s first ever season
Another Val d’Isère newbie for
in Morzine and we have a shiny new
2015 is Solyneou where traditional
chalet to entice you. Among the many
Alpine style effortlessly blends with
attractions at Jejalp is the wine cellar
contemporary cool.
which is located over four floors.
Le Rocher This truly magnificent ski chalet offering spectacular views over the valley is a welcome addition to Consensio’s Val d’Isère family.
Doudoune Club Doudoune Club in Val d’Isère has had a full-on facelift. Look out for the shiny new Cirque/Baroque interiors, as well as the stunning new lights and sound! The nightclub will have an earlier opening time of 10.30pm this year with live music, and deals on drinks till midnight.
Montana Our head chef Liam Malcolmson is returning from Marco Polo to Montana in Val d’Isère this season.
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CONSENSIO
Aquamotion in Courchevel Take a dip in Aquamotion, Courchevel’s new aquatic park where you will find pools, slides, a spa, a wave pool and outdoor pools heated to 34°C.
Alpine Legends superpass This lift pass gives you access to all three huge Tarentaise ski areas – Espace Killy, Paradiski and the 3 Valleys, for just €50-70 more than the six-day passes for a single area!
Let is snow! Consensio has teamed up with Wthrly.com to create a bespoke weather and snow report app exclusively for Consensio clients. Available to download for both android and apple devices. Free wifi in Méribel Woo-hoo! FREE wifi hot spots in Méribel will bring a smile to A new look for the top of Solaise, Val d’Isère The current Solaise Express lift is to be replaced by a 10 person gondola lift. Modern, high performance compartments with heated seats and wifi will whizz you to the top of Solaise in seven minutes. Bring it on!
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everyone’s face!
Your Healthy Lifestyle Starts Here… Welcome to Healthouse Las Dunas. Located on the peaceful southern shores of Spain’s Andalucian coast, Healthouse Las Dunas is a five-star luxury health and wellness centre, boasting world-class facilities and surrounded by lush sub-tropical gardens with panoramic views of the Mediterranean Sea and the African coast. Health and wellbeing are at the epi-centre of what Healthouse Las Dunas offers, with fitness and specially-formulated spa treatments as key to each itinerary. The retreat also prides itself on its gastronomy, not least with the appointment of world famous chef Andoni Luis Aduriz, a two Michelin starred chef of renowned restaurant Mugaritz. The experienced team tailor-make a personalised plan for each guest, whether in need of a detox, weight loss, quit-smoking or destress programme, ensuring every guest is provided with the right care for their needs.
Healthouse Las Dunas
Urbanizacion la Boladilla Baja – Carretera Marbella-Estepona, km 163,500 29689 Estepona, Malaga - T +34 951 082 090 info@healthouse-naturhouse.com - www.healthouse-naturhouse.com
CONSENSIO
And the winner is... Best Ski Chalet in France From chic and designer, to traditional and homely, this category seeks to identify the finest ski chalet in France. Catering for families or larger groups, the emphasis to winning an award rests upon impeccable levels of service, cuisine – and location. Consensio
Excitement is mounting as the grand finale of this year’s World Ski Awards gets closer.
nominations within this category include:
T
• Chalet Marco polo, Val d’Isère
• Shemshak Lodge, Courchevel
• Chalet Lhotse, Val d’Isère
• Chalet Grande Corniche, Les Gets
• Chalet Les Brames, Méribel
• Chalet Le Rocher, Val d’Isère
he World Ski Awards 2015 will take place over the weekend of the 20 22 November at the A-ROSA hotel
Shemshak Lodge in Courchevel.
in Kitzbuhel, overlooking the legendary Hahnenkamm race piste. Launched in 2013, the aim of The World Ski Awards is to drive up standards within the ski industry by rewarding organisations that are leaders in their field.
This year Consensio has received no less than nine nominations spanning three categories.
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C CO ON N SS EE N N SS II O O The entrance to Chalet Grande Corniche in Les Gets.
The dining area at Chalet Lhotse in Val d’Isère
The Ice Bath and Hammam at Chalet Les Brames in Méribel.
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CONSENSIO
Chalet Marco Polo in Val d’Isère won the award for Best Ski Chalet in France in 2013 and 2014
The attractive interior at Chalet Le Rocher in Val d’Isère.
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C CO ON N SS EE N N SS II O O
World’s Best New Ski Chalet Looking at new chalet openings over the last 12 months throughout the world, this category celebrates those properties setting world standards. This year two Consensio chalets have received nominations in this category. They are: • Chalet Mont Tremblant, Méribel • Chalet Jejalp, Morzine
One of the cosy bedrooms at Mont Tremblant in Méribel
Chalet Jejalp in Morzine.
Best Ski Tour Operator This category is open to those companies that
combine
proven
expertise
with
specialist knowledge, to give the ski tourism consumer the best value for money and the best ski holiday experiences. Consensio is honoured to have been twice nominated in this category. The winners will be unveiled on Saturday, 21 November at a glittering gala dinner attended by the great and good from the world of ski tourism. With 11 categories featuring over 20 countries it looks set to be an exciting night!
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CONSENSIO
The jet set Travelling by private jet has become more popular than ever. Consensio asked Lisa Moss from Jet Escapes Ltd to explain why.
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CONSENSIO
W
e’ve all been there… you arrive
for you. You can get to the airport minutes
at the airport to be faced by a
– not hours – before departure, and show
long check-in queue followed
your passport to the ground handlers while
by the stress of wrestling with plastic bags,
your luggage is loaded for you. Then, hey
taking laptops and iPads out of your hand
presto, you are off!
luggage or being asked to take your shoes off after another long wait at security.
2. Convenience
Even if you have booked the most exclusive
When travelling by private jet you choose
seats, or taken advantage of one of the
the most convenient airport for your
lounges, a standard scheduled flight still
departure and arrival. You get the privilege
means you have to fit in with the airline’s
of flying direct from an airport close to
itinerary and share your space with other
home and arriving as close as possible to
passengers.
your final destination. Private jet charters
Therefore, it’s not surprising that millions
have access to thousands of conveniently
of
located airports worldwide, reducing the
people
worldwide
are
now
taking
advantage of the increasing number of
need for long ground transfers.
private jet companies which have been set
Parking
up to help people avoid the airport scrum.
and often is just steps from the jet. This
Here are Jet Escapes’ top five reasons for
not being the case, chauffeurs can drive
taking a private jet together with a few tips
out on to the apron to drop and collect
on booking.
passengers at the steps of their plane.
is
complimentary
and
secure,
And if you’re running late, then there’s no 1. Time saving
need to worry – the aircraft won’t depart
One of the biggest bugbears for travellers
without you!
when taking a commercial flight is the checking in and waiting time. Even with
3. Inclement weather and strikes
preferred check-in desks for business and
As
first class, you are still required to arrive at
aircrafts are of course impacted by weather
the airport a minimum of an hour before
and strikes. However, while the knock-on
departure to get through check-in and
delays and cancellations at commercial
security before you board. There is also the
airports can take hours, or even days, to
added delay of waiting for everybody else
rectify, private aircraft are free to fly as
to board.
soon as there is a window in the weather
When flying privately, the experience could
that allows for safe operation.
not be more different. The aircraft and
In a worst case scenario – snow closure for
crew arrives a minimum of an hour early
example – they can also divert to the
with
commercial
airlines,
private
W W W. C O N S E N S I O C H A L E T S . C O . U K
65
CONSENSIO nearest available alternative airport and a car can be pre-arranged and waiting for you so you can complete the journey. 4. Pet lovers If you can’t bear to leave your beloved pet at home, but are also concerned at the thought of them being stowed along with luggage away from you, then private jet travel is most certainly the option for you. Some commercial flights are not licenced to carry animals but when you fly privately your pet stays with you at all times. As long as they are micro-chipped, fully vaccinated and hold a pet passport they are free to join you on board!
5. Personal service and privacy
friends and colleagues are always a good
On a private jet, in-flight catering is tailored
place to start, along with trusted contacts
to your specific requests – a real bonus if you
in the travel industry. Jet Escapes, an ATOL
have special dietary needs. Plus, if you want
bonded specialist in luxury breaks by private
to discuss confidential personal or business
jet, can tailor-make your complete holiday.
matters, not even first-class cabins on
They will suggest a range of private aircraft
commercial flights are able to offer complete
to suit your needs, from a cosy cabin for
privacy. On a private jet, passengers are able
a romantic getaway, to a larger plane to
to travel without having to worry about who
accommodate groups of family and friends.
is watching and listening.
This is especially desirable for winter breaks. Skiing is perfect by private jet as you can
A quick visit to a local vet for a booster
Tips for booking
fly to the smaller airports either in or close
may be required before flying back to the
Booking a private jet may seem a fairly
to the mountains, and of course there is no
UK, but your private jet broker can help
daunting task for those who have never
chance of your skis not arriving with you.
arrange this.
done it before. Recommendations from
www.jetescapes.co.uk
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Fly in a class of your own
Your journey, your way www.flyacc.com +44 (0) 01737 232 230
CONSENSIO
Food, glorious food Sumptuous meals prepared by some of the world’s top chefs are guaranteed when you stay in a Consensio luxury chalet.
Head chef Liam
I 68
n days gone by you would have
a coq au vin and muster up a cake from
been forgiven for assuming that
a packet mix before dashing off to
the only qualification necessary
spend the rest of the day on the slopes.
for being a Chalet Chef was to be called
The guests would then be expected to
Arabella, Pandora or Lucinda. Back in the
wash this down with vast quantities of
day, these charming young girls, who had
undrinkable wine later that evening.
little interest in whether their sauce was
Well, how times have changed. Being
seasoned to perfection, or their soufflé
a chef in luxury ski chalet is a serious
was going to rise, would throw together
business
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these
days,
as
Consensio’s
CONSENSIO
Scallops
so that Liam can get a feel for what it will
look
like.
Ingredients,
influences
and flavour combinations are carefully considered, and plating techniques are explored to ensure that the desired effect is always achieved. So sit back, relax, and allow Liam to whet your appetite and tantalise your taste buds with a selection of the fabulous new creations you can expect to find in our luxury ski chalets this season. Marinated Salmon with Oriental Salad, SautĂŠed Scallops and Miso Dressing. Line-caught salmon and fresh scallops are partnered to perfection in this Asian influenced dish. The fillet is marinated Head Chef Liam Malcolmson will have
practising
Before
whole in a combination of mirin, ginger
you know. Liam worked in various top
the start of each season, his meticulous
and yuzu for four hours, making it fragrant
restaurants
South
planning ensures that he will always bring
and sweet, while the scallops are sautĂŠed
West of England for 14 years, where the
some exciting new dishes to the table.
with sesame and soy for a contrasting
abundance of fresh fish and seafood,
Every new dish is lovingly sketched out
depth of flavour.
and
hotels
in
the
new
plate
designs.
and unique rare-breed farms in the area fuelled his passion for sourcing local ingredients, and showed him how to get the best out of fresh produce. He developed a style of cooking where dishes are never over complicated and food is kept as clean and honest as possible,
allowing
the
quality
of
the
ingredients to play their part. In 2008 Liam started working in some of the most uber-luxurious chalets in the Alps and most exclusive villas in St. Tropez. Liam is constantly looking for innovative ideas, searching for new ingredients and
Foie Gras
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CONSENSIO
Rack of Lamb
Fresh Foie Gras
Rack of Lamb
Fresh Foie Gras needs only to be simply
The secret with this lamb is in the timing.
seasoned and seared in a hot sautĂŠ pan.
Racks of lamb are rubbed with a traditional
With such a rich and creamy texture, foie
mix of sea salt, rosemary, thyme and garlic
gras should be paired with something
and left overnight. These simple flavours
sweet and acidic as well as being light
are the starting point from which this
and balanced at the same time. Here
dish gets its focus. To complement this
we have a fresh salad of asparagus and
dish, a buttery green pea purĂŠe infused
baby spinach which is dressed with wild
with fresh mint, adds a richness and
garlic dressing. The dressing has been
comforting texture. Fondant Potatoes are
emulsified with fresh lemon and a few
cooked in saffron, garlic and chicken stock.
leaves of sorrel which gives the necessary
Fresh spring vegetables are tossed with
acidity,
beetroot
a rosemary infused olive oil to enhance
brings the much needed sweetness. A
while
the
candied
the continuation of flavours from the rub.
traditional accompaniment of toasted
Finally a reduction of lamb stock and
brioche adds texture and completes the
Heirloom tomatoes is emulsified with black
balance of this dish.
olives for the jus.
Dark Chocolate Torte When
it
comes
to
chocolate,
you
get back what you put in. This Dark Chocolate Torte is made with a high quality chocolate of 75% cocoa solids to ensure the depth of flavour in this dish which is then enhanced by adding Tahitian vanilla and Kahlua to comfort the taste buds as they search out each flavour. Sugared walnuts bring an earthy sensation and a much needed crunch to the texture. The Tonka bean and Kahlua butterscotch intensifies the vanilla and coffee base notes associated with dark Dark Chocolate Torte
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chocolate.
© Phillipe Rebreyend
SKI SCHOOL & GUIDING
LUXURY CONCIERGE SERVICE
ELITE COACHING Ski with a pro +33 (6) 662 039 402
ELITE POWDER Heliski, Freeride, Ski Touring |
contact@eliteskiteam.com
|
ELITE PINK Ski & Yoga for Girls
www.eliteskiteam.com
CONSENSIO
Let’s do lunch… One of the best things about chartering a superyacht is the freedom and flexibility it affords you. You can spend your summer doing whatever you like, whenever you like, and when you’ve had your fill of cathedrals, cobbled streets, designer shops, art galleries and all night parties, you can simply drop anchor and linger over lunch.
W
hen it comes to long, lazy lunches,
The
Sea
Club
restaurant at the Cap Rocat
hotel in Mallorca takes some beating. Popular with Hollywood A-listers and Spanish
royalty
alike,
this
open
air,
waterfront restaurant provides a little piece of paradise in the Bay of Palma. Cap Rocat, is a former 19th Century military fortress
which
comes
complete
with
sandstone walls, turrets, trenches, ramparts and draw bridge. But don’t worry, there’s no need to do battle over lunch – simply moor up on the hotel’s very peaceful, private jetty. And here’s what you can expect. Top notch, traditional wood-fired Mallorcan cuisine served in a sublime setting, beneath a seductive, secret citadel, overlooking the sun-drenched Mediterranean Sea. www.caprocat.com
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“After the guns have fallen silent, and the din of battle quietened, the real fight begins.” HRH Prince Henry of Wales
Skiing with Heroes Your donation will help us support wounded veterans back into occupation and employment. SWV/SWH runs a Skihabilitation programme together with: Ski Buddies Mentoring Pain Management Support Occupation into Employment. YOU CAN HELP RAISE FUNDS BY TAKING PART IN OUR SKIING WITH HEROES BUSINESS CHALLENGE 28-31 JANUARY 2016
Please visit our website: www.skiingwithheroes.com SUPPORTING
WOUNDED
VETERANS
Val d'Isère and Tignes leading Ski & Snowboard School
Fully Qualified Instructors Beginners to Expert Lessons Private and Small Group Lessons Kids and Teen Groups Off Piste and Freeride Free ABS Bags
enquiries@progressionski.com | +44 (0) 208 123 3001
www.progressionski.com
E X E C P T I O N A L
C H A L E T S
I
E X C E P T I O N A L
9 R EECE M EWS, SO UTH KE NSINGTO N LO NDO N, SW 7 3H E +4 4 (0 ) 2 03 393 0 833 SA L ES @CO NSE NSIO CH ALETS.CO.UK WWW.CO NSENSIO CH ALETS.CO.UK
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