SPRING ISSUE
STORIES by P O W D E R B Y R N E
#PB002
FEAT U RE
F E AT UR E
F E AT UR E
Sustainability & Responsible Travel
The Renaissance of Cortina
A Tohoku Skiing Odyssey
Find out about our new carbon offsetting programme and the other important steps we are taking to towards a more sustainable future.
Hear how the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, home to our new Via Ferrata adventures, is undergoing nothing short of a revolution.
From snow monsters to award-winning Sake, find out about the hidden treasures we have added to our exciting programme in Japan.
POWDER BYRNE
Your Via Ferrata
ADVENTURE AWAITS Prices from £2,575 for a week powderbyrne.com
FAMILIES
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CORP ORATES
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STORIES
Powder Byrne STORIES When Rory Byrne launched Powder Byrne and hosted his first ski season in Grindelwald in 1985 he was realising a dream to share his passion for a sport and a destination that he loved. And so began the journey to build a brand and a following of loyal clients, trusted partners and a like-minded team who were committed to creating ever more unforgettable experiences. Fast forward 35 years and whilst the scale and breadth of our programme has changed dramatically, it is still the simplicity of that commitment to brilliant personalised service and a passion for creating unforgettable moments that defines a Powder Byrne holiday. Wherever you choose to travel, whether it be one of our traditional winter or summer resorts, or one of our growing range of adventure experiences showcased in this latest edition, you can be confident of our commitment to your absolute satisfaction. If that sounds appealing, join us - we are excited to welcome you on your next adventure.
SIMON MEEKE , MANAGING DIREC TOR
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CONTENTS
PAG E 8-15
The Renaissance of Cortina Hear how the ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, home to our new Via Ferrata adventures, is undergoing nothing short of a revolution. PAG E 16-19
Moving Mountains: Swiss Family Skiing Kate Freud joined us in Flims for an action-packed family ski trip during February half term, find out how they got on. PAG E 20-21
PA G E 32- 3 3
PA GE 3 8 - 3 9
Client Concierge Service A Scallywags Summer for the Digital Age in Crete & Elba
At The Chef ’s Table with Patrick Hetz
Everything you need for a seamless holiday at your fingertips with our indispensable Client Concierge team and new and improved MyPB App.
Our fun-filled summer children’s programmes in Crete and Elba are the answer to your cocktail-sipping prayers.
We sat down with Patrick Hetz, the man behind the culinary magic at The Waldhaus and found out some of his kitchen secrets.
PAG E 24-27
PA G E 34- 3 7
PA GE 4 0 - 4 5
Top tips for their First Ski Holiday
The Ultimate Challenge: Adventures & Novice to Polo Player Discoveries in Japan
Matt Marshall, our Head of Marketing and father of two shares his experience and top tips if you’re looking to book your first family ski holiday.
An intensive programme designed to turn complete novices into polo players in just two weeks. Hear how our client Alec Dabell rose to the challenge.
PAG E 28-31
Grindelwald: The Rebirth of the Classic Swiss Ski resort Grindelwald is back on the map! Hear how a new lift system has transformed our original Swiss ski resort.
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On everyone’s travel list right now, Japan continues to be one of our most popular destinations. We have selected a few of our favourite highlights.
STORIES
PAG E 46-49
PA GE 7 4 - 7 9
A Tohoku Skiing Odyssey
Eco Adventures in Costa Rica
From snow monsters to award-winning Sake, find out about the hidden treasures and untouched resorts we have added to our exciting programme in Japan.
World leaders in ecotourism, Costa Rica is bursting with luxury eco-lodges, vibrant wildlife and exhilarating activities. We have put together an action-packed 14 day eco-adventure that is sure to be a hit with the family!
PAG E 52-55
Polo Valley Family Finca
PA GE 8 0 - 8 1
Piste to Profession: Hear from our students
Discover the laid-back lifestyle and beautiful countryside at Polo Valley. From lazy beach days to river rides and exploring Spanish cities, find out what your family adventure could look like.
We had a chat with our recent Piste to Profession graduates to find out their season highlights and best bits. From ice climbing to teaching, hear how they got on.
PAG E 56-59
PA G E 50- 6 3
Booking now: Christmas & New Year 2020
Introducing the Apex2100 International Ski Academy
Fancy a big family celebration on the slopes, or looking to escape the cold next Christmas? Find out our top picks for Christmas and New Year holidays.
Apex2100 is a state-of-the-art international ski academy for talented athletes founded around one goal: to produce the champions of the future. PA G E 64 - 6 7
Find Your Escape Valve Discover the ancient rituals of the Yamabushi at the oldest site of mountain worship in Japan and follow the ways of Shugendo. PA G E 68- 7 3
Hot Topic: Sustainability & Responsible Travel Find out about our new carbon offsetting programme and the other important steps we are taking to towards a more sustainable future.
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The Renaissance of Cortina The Italian resort of Cortina plays host to our exciting new summer programme for 2020. Our Managing Director, Simon, and Head of Sales, Tobias, share their thoughts after their first via ferrata and e-biking adventure. battled through her strategically important valleys, the Venetian Republic claimed ownership, before 400 years of Austro-Hungarian rule, coming to an end only after 3 years of bitter and ultimately futile battles in the Great War wasting the lives of a generation on a frozen front-line in the mountains high above the town. The Ampezzo valley was eventually ceded to Italy in 1920, but it remains today a fascinating melting pot; rooted in the Ladino culture of the early-middle ages, combined with the noble heritage of Habsburgs and Emperor Maximillian, mixed with the Mediterranean warmth of the Italians.
Cortina d’Ampezzo was introduced to the world as the host of the 1956 Winter Olympics as these were the first games ever to be televised. The stunning backdrop to the competition caught the imagination of a global audience including filmmakers and stars who, over the ensuing decades, came to regard the town as their playground. The scene was set for the golden era of Cortina, with visitors reading like a Who’s Who of stage and screen, from Prima Donnas including Ingrid Bergman, Sophia Loren, Brigitte Bardo and Liz Taylor to David Niven, Clark Gable, Henry Fonda and Frank Sinatra. Blockbusters including The Pink Panther with Peter Sellers and For your Eyes Only with Roger Moore, only added to Cortina’s irresistible allure. Such silver-screen heritage continues into the modern era with Stallone’s Cliffhanger (1993) and Ron Howard’s Star Wars spin-off: Solo (2018), celebrating the other-worldly peaks of the Dolomite mountains.
Fast forward to today and Cortina is preparing to host the 2021 Alpine World Championships and, with Milan, jointly host the 2026 Winter Olympics and Winter Paralympics. It’s a town undergoing nothing short of a revolution, as investment pours in, hotels enjoy face-lifts, new lift systems are finalised and the doors are swung open again to the world to showcase the extraordinary beauty of this UNESCO World Heritage site. Cortina is again the place to be and be seen.
The ‘Queen of the Dolomites’, as Cortina is affectionately known, has many secrets. Romans and Barbarians
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Clockwise from top: Amazing scenery across the Dolomites Clipped in along a via ferrata trail Mountain biking through the trees
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V I A F E R R ATA A N U N E X P E C T E D FA M I LY A D V E N T U R E
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and perspective of these stunning mountains. Each via ferrata route is different, some quite short and others much longer, some more of a gentle walk, others requiring skill and nerves of steel! We’ll design your experience to incorporate lunch at a beautiful mountain hut along the way, or even an overnight stay in a summer farm or rifugio if you want something truly memorable.
he surrounding trails, lakes and peaks of the Ampezzo valley offer anyone looking to enjoy the great outdoors with a seemingly never-ending choice. Take any path from the centre of the town and within a couple of minutes you’ll be winding through meadows, taking in beautiful mountain scenery from every angle. There’s amazing hiking, biking, horse riding, bouldering and climbing all on the doorstep and the infrastructure is in place to access all these pursuits with guides and equipment all co-ordinated by Powder Byrne locally. And because the town and surrounding villages are all linked by cycling paths, it is incredibly easy to get around without the intrusion of cars, allowing you to really slow down. For families looking for a healthy and active escape we don’t think it can be beaten!
Anyone who is reasonably fit and active can enjoy via ferrata, even people who are scared of heights. It’s great for active children and we’d recommend 8 years upwards as they do need to be able to take responsibility for their own safety as they move along the route, which are all graded by difficulty so we can design your experience accordingly. You will always be accompanied by an experienced local mountain guide who will help you and share all their local knowledge and stories. The equipment is very simple and easy to use for adults and children and we work with a great rental partner who will provide you with everything you need: helmet, gloves and harness and can advise on
We believe the most unexpected adventure awaits for families who join us for a Via Ferrata tour during their stay. The slopes around the area are crisscrossed by dozens of iron cable-ways which, accompanied by a local guide, can be navigated to give you a totally different connection
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the best clothing and footwear. You are connected to the cable-way the entire time and it is amazing how safe and secure you feel on terrain that you might otherwise never have dreamed of attempting!
Each via ferrata route is different, some quite short and others much longer, some more of a gentle walk, others requiring skill and nerves of steel!
We recommend building your confidence on one of the more gentle routes, for example a half day’s adventure to the Fanes waterfalls. You can approach the waterfalls by e-bike (more on these later) with a gentle 1 hour ride from your hotel with your guide. You’ll then get into your harness and clip onto the via ferrata cable and follow the path for around an hour through beautiful scenery, eventually arriving at the waterfalls. On your return there are various options for lunch at one of the local mountain huts, or you can return to your hotel for an afternoon of relaxing in the spa. Once you have gained your confidence, you can embark on a full day programme. We recommend our local team drive you 20 minutes up the pass to Pass Val Parola, the location of the largest open air museum from the First World War. The route starts with a walk up through a tunnel blown out of the mountain during the war, with the via ferrata taking you up through the Austrian army trenches, which brings the reality of mountain warfare to stark reality. The ascent takes 2 hours and you are rewarded with sensational views across Cortina and the surrounding peaks. After a one hour walk back down your guide can arrange lunch in a local rifugio, access to the museum, or you can head back to Cortina to celebrate your achievements. If the kids still have energy to burn and want to brush up on their climbing skills, we can arrange a session at the enormous indoor climbing centre.
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When you have teenage kids...it’s always hard to convince them to go hiking or strolling together, but this will capture their attention for sure.
We spoke to Ute Dadie, a professional photographer based in Cortina who is responsible for most of the stunning images we are using to showcase the region. Ute, along with her husband Vito, advises us on the best routes and activities available and provides an invaluable source of local knowledge. Ute and Vito are part of the fabric of the valley, both coming from families with generations of history in the area and have brought their family up on the trails and slopes of Cortina, so they know exactly how to tailor ideas for the family dynamic.
record my kids’ activities when I realized my cell phone was not good enough to capture those special moments. I was immediately amazed by the capacity of a good camera of freezing the movement or illustrating the actions with such a sharpness and live details. I soon realised I couldn’t go out doing my own experiences and mountain adventures without my camera. I just wanted to vividly maintain my experiences with my pictures - and of course sharing this with my fellow adventurers. I love seeing my friends changing their social profile with my new pics. I’m always trying to find the good shot and my eyes are constantly flowing from the wide mountain sight to the little detail just discovered close to my feet: a beautiful mountain flower growing between the rocks or a perfect snowflake laying on the back of my glove. So, here it comes my eternal struggle in choosing the right lens for the right shot at the right moment. Anyway, it’s people observing nature and living great experiences that interests me the most at the moment. Catching the moment when the surprise and the magic captures the human soul is my favourite shot. A perfect panorama picture doesn’t mean anything to me without somebody ‘living’ it.
What inspires you most about Cortina and the surrounding landscape? The Cortina landscape is such a magic sight. Wherever you look, your eyes will capture outstanding beautiful scenes. Every hour has its special moment and its special light which is such a precious element for a photographer. Every season has its highlights. Of course, the majestic mountain view is the most inspiring one - this gorgeous valley is surrounded by a crown of outstanding pure Dolomia limestone picks and this is also the reason why it’s called ‘The Queen of the Dolomites’. Early in the morning or at sunset the ‘Enrosadira’/Alpenglow offers a special alchemy of colours and lights that gives birth to an incredible surreal effect - (so you don’t need to push it with photoshop, it’s simply natural!). You can admire the Ampezzo Dolomites from the bottom of the valley in town or reach the top of the mountains and let your sight and soul get lost… And this is the big picture...
What is your favourite location/view/experience in the area? I love mountain waters! Still lake waters of amazing different colours is something that is certainly not to be missed. Some examples? • Lake Federa /Croda da Lago with its deep green waters and the perfect reflection of the Mezzodì Pick.
When did you first pick up a camera to record your mountain adventures?
• Lake Sorapiss with its milky/mint waters due to the magic effect of the glacial suspended silt is a kind of wizard’s spell.
Actually, it’s hard to say but a few years ago I bought my first reflex camera with a couple of lenses. I wanted to
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mountains they remained as heritage to our mountains and the alpine guides used them to guide people up to the top of our peaks without being specialised climbers. Now, these iron ways are so well kept and well maintained that it’s a plus our mountain is offering to visitors. There are different kinds of via ferrata and they are classified from the easiest to the more challenging. Above the easiest ones there is the ‘Waterfalls and Canyon’ via ferrata which is still very easy and you can consider doing it with all the family. An alpine guide will help you with all the suggestions and tips to start a very special experience - if you love it the choice is impressive and you can choose between different levels up to the more challenging ones which, of course, will bring you into a close to mystic experience since there will be all in it: challenge, effort, height, strength, fear, power, excitement but the reward will be worth it. I don’t want to ruin the surprise, just go and find out!
• Troubled creek waters completed with waterfalls, canyons and pools are so impressive. So ‘Gores de Federa’ and ‘Fanes Waterfalls and Canyons’ are between my favourites, I can’t stop shooting. • On the other hand, for an outstanding view: the top of the Lagazuoi could be considered one of the most impressive views in the Dolomites as well as the top of Tofana Terza with it’s 3,244m of height - on the very clear days it’s said you can see the Venice Lagoon from there... But witnessing the sunrise on the top is a kind of magic.
What would you say to families who are thinking about a mountain adventure but a little nervous about what to expect? I can completely understand all the concerns about a mountain adventure but I can say that Cortina offers a wide range of mountain adventures from the easiest, but still absolutely amazing, up to the more challenging and incredible experiences in the heart of the Dolomites. You can just have a walk out in the green freshly cut meadows or walking barefoot in the icy waters of the main stream or on the white pebble stone shores. Walking the hidden path looking for the legendary figures that are living in our traditional fairy tales. Visiting the theatre of the WWI where all the trenches and military position are still there witnessing the horror of the war. The open-air museum of the Lagazuoi and 5 Torri is an amazing journey in the 1914/18 war. But if you want to push your limits the offer is outstanding. The via ferrata experience is something so special and really particular of this corner of the Dolomites. Created by the army during the WWI to bring the munitions and place military position on top of the
Can one still enjoy via ferrata if they are afraid of heights? Is it suitable for families to try? It’s hard to say. I saw people who say they were afraid of heights going to via ferrata like walking in the town centre simply because the harness and carabiner clipped on the rope made them feel perfectly safe. But sometimes I saw athletic people just stuck by fear and unable to continue. This is so personal and hard to predict. You need to try it. Of course, via ferrata is something so special and you can share this experience with all your family. This could become very interesting when you have teenage kids, always looking for something ‘big’ to do or to show and post. It’s always hard to convince them to go hiking or strolling together, but this will capture their attention for sure.
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We know that you enjoy the mountains with your family - what is a good age for children to come to the mountains to enjoy walking/hiking/ biking/Via Ferrata? This is a good question! It’s a very subjective matter. Honestly, I think that families can come even with babies, there are great strollers, very light, made to be pushed on the steepest mountain roads. Also, baby carrier backpack are so useful. Let me tell you that the baby loves the mountain open air and they do sleep so much when you stroll them. The kids will start enjoying all sorts of mountain activities from a young age. Walking it’s easy and there is so much to see and enjoy. Hiking and biking is much more tiring (our territory is not exactly flat) and I suggest to start after 8. At the moment there are small e-bikes for kids of that age which are such great fun. Of course, it’s important to start with easy tracks and get used to the territory, dirt roads, steepness which is not only going up but it’s specially going down which is trickier.
Are there any highlights during the summer that you would recommend to our clients, festivals for example? During the summer season there are some important sport events like Cortina-Dobbiaco Run which is a regular marathon getting every year more popular. Or the Cortina Trophy, a Mountain Bike race but the queen of these kinds of events is for sure the Lavaredo Ultra Trail called LUT. The start of the 120km run is an unbelievable experience and everybody in town is there to attend and cheer the thousands of runners at the start. The starting gun is at 11pm from the town center right at the bottom of the bell tower and they can run for up to two days. They are set up for running all night long and everybody has a head torch on and once they leave the illuminated town to run in the dark forest you can follow the snake of lights going up to the hills and mountains, it’s incredible! They look like modern heroes with a mix of ancient glory in it. The best are running non stop for ‘just’ 12h 15m (actual record) and there is a limit of 30 hours to complete the race. On the first Sunday of July there is the local fair - this is quite an historical event and in the past times people from the nearby villages used to cross the mountain passes by foot, horses or mules to sell their products in the richer Cortina fair. Nowadays it’s more like a big market with interesting objects on sale. But what remains really historical on this day is the local Palio (like Siena) where all the 6 Cortina original hamlets will compete in different proofs wearing different colors and flags such as: a little run on the Cortina high street, tug-of-war, log cutting and log of the saw. There is also a winter version of it held during Carnival time. All the traditional dresses are present in town worn by locals. The local folk band has his moment at the end of August when in Cortina are coming all the bands from the other valleys and even some from the near Austria to celebrate a Band Festival. During the summer season the local band or some of them held some concerts on the top of the mountains which is very impressive.
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Moving Mountains: Swiss Family Skiing 16
Family ski holidays are not for the faint-hearted. At least that’s what Kate Freud thought before she travelled to Flims in Switzerland for an action-packed February half term ski adventure, along with her husband Jack and two children Jago, six and Georgia, three. 17
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s my bedside clock’s insufferable alarm screeches its 5.30am wake up call, I shudder for a second at the thought of rousing our two small children and getting them - and our copious luggage - to the airport. But, as it turns out, this proves the only low point in what becomes one of those magical family holidays that goes without a glitch.
moment you step inside. It’s grand but welcoming, and I’m ashamed to say, the kids are tearing around treating it like home in no time. We head to our room - a huge space with a super king for Jack and I, and a pull-out double sofa bed for the children, overlooking the stunning, snow-drenched pine forests surrounding the hotel. There’s a touch of Narnia about the place; a real sense of magic in the air.
I needn’t have worried either about waking my children Jago and Georgia, who despite the unsociable hour are both so excited about skiing, they couldn’t be more delightful. By the time we - I say we, I really mean my husband Jack who traipses a grand total of eight bags through the airport - have everything safely checked in, it’s the start of a seamless journey.
Our first port of call, along with our other weary travel companions is the hotel’s breathtaking spa which has not only a beautiful indoor pool - essentially housed in a glass box on the snow - but an outdoor pool, heated to 37 degrees, steaming in the hazy afternoon light. It’s such a welcome sight, proving the perfect antidote to a day’s travel, and the place where each day after skiing, we retreat en famille for a muscle-relaxing fun-filled hour before supper.
We’re travelling with Powder Byrne, a luxury travel company whose ski trips have become something of legend. They charter their own British Airways flights to Friedrichshafen in Southern Germany, before a short 90-minute coach ride over the Swiss border to Flims. It means that from the moment you set foot on the plane you see the same friendly faces for the rest of the week, creating a great sense of community that we weren’t expecting.
The next day we’re up early for breakfast, before dropping Jago off at the Yeti ski school at 8.15am. All the children arrive suited and booted, before being given helmets and Powder Byrne bibs, and catching a short coach ride to the slopes. Thankfully Jago joins the group happily, as the instructors are high octane and fun from the off, clearly enjoying it as much as the kids do. It turns out in fact that Jago loves skiing so much, getting him off the slopes proves the problem. So each day after ski school, he’s collected by his dad and they ski for another hour together, returning to the hotel around 4pm. By the end of the week, he’s hurtling down blue and red runs, (what he lacks in finesse he makes up for with speed and fearlessness) with his proud parents looking on filled with a mixture of pride and terror.
We’re met at the airport in Germany by a high-energy, enthusiastic Powder Byrne team, who put all our luggage on the coach, feed us in transit and take us to get our skis fitted as soon as we arrive, so that by the time we get to the Waldhaus Flims hotel, everything’s in place for the following day’s adventures. The Waldhaus is a hidden gem of a hotel that just screams old-school luxury from the
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I have skied with. Another mum for example, was on her own with her two young children for the week. Parents were given time out of lessons and groups to ski with our youngsters one day, and she was unsure about how she’d manage both little ones by herself, Powder Byrne provided a guide for the day to join her and the children on the slopes, all included in the package.
As I’m pregnant and unable to ski, the rest of my week basically hinges on whether Georgia likes the pb crèche and Yeti Primer ski school or not. At three, I know that if she isn’t keen, I’ll feel too guilty to leave her (scuppering my plans for a peaceful child-free morning each day), so I’m over the moon when she trundles in without a backwards glance, makes countless friends and loves the Yeti Primer two-hour skiing session each day.
It’s a holiday aimed at making the whole family happy, so Flims, which is so child friendly really does prove the perfect resort. We’re spoilt for choice with places to eat, a particular favourite for lunch is Waldhaus Flim’s own Italian restaurant Pomodoro, which does a great set meal deal and for some seriously good steak, La Vacca can’t be beaten. We also enjoy the Capalari Swiss restaurant on the mountain, all stripped pine and faux fur, and easy to access for Georgia and I whilst the boys skied down together. In the evenings we eat early with the children at one of the hotel’s four restaurants. Epoca is a fabulous treat for an evening meal, while the Il Tschaler fondue restaurant is a favourite with Jack and I, though the children are still deeply dubious about all that melted cheese, and The Grand does a fabulous buffet that proves to be our go-to for most of the week because of its varied menu. As we all pile into bed at 8.30 each night, happily exhausted (Jack and I to watch something on the iPad), I can honestly say it’s a holiday like no other. To know that your children are having the time of their lives - whilst we parents, guilt-free, also get to enjoy a little me time - is a rare thing, and for that alone, it’s worth every penny.
Jack too merrily heads off with a Powder Byrne guided ski group of those with similar abilities to his own (and a similar love of vin rouge), and I find myself, by some kind of miracle, sitting by the pool reading a book by 8.45am. I can’t quite believe my luck, when each morning after a swim, I head back to our room for a sleep, before collecting Georgia at 12pm. It’s probably the most R&R I’ve had since having children, and the timing couldn’t be more perfect. And so it is that everyday unfolds in pretty much the same way, with Georgia and I going to meet Jack on the slopes for lunch on a couple of occasions. This, it turns out is only made possible by our Powder Byrne guide Sam, who has to escort us on the chair lifts each day to the restaurant, carrying a sleeping Georgia who’s exhausted herself with her morning’s ski. Without him, and me in my second trimester, I probably wouldn’t have made it further than the hotel reception, but this, I soon discover is what really sets the Powder Byrne experience apart. You’re allocated your own representative for the week, who takes care of restaurant bookings and feedback on how your kids are getting on in ski school but also goes above and beyond in a way unparalleled by any other company
By Kate Freud
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Client Concierge Service for the Digital Age
“Our flexible Client Concierge service is designed to ensure that all
of our clients enjoy the best holiday possible when they travel with Powder Byrne. Our dedicated team is here to provide advice and recommendations and handle all of our clients queries and requests. Each member of our team applies their own expert knowledge, experience and our famous ‘everything’s possible’ approach so you can rest assured that you are in safe hands for your holiday.” EMILY DICKSON, HEAD OF CLIENT EXPERIENCE
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“Very useful having all the info about our holiday
in one place - easy to use and straight-forward. Love Powder Byrne and this app is a great addition to their service. Excellent resource!” SALLY THOMPSON
New and improved MyPB App
We understand that our clients lead very busy lives and time is more often than not their most valuable resource, so when you book your holiday with Powder Byrne you really can sit back and relax and look forward to a seamless and stress-free holiday, thanks to the service you will receive from our Client Concierge and Experience teams.
It’s no exaggeration to say that in today’s world we rely on our phones for almost everything. From following news stories and working out directions to staying in touch with friends and reading restaurant reviews and everything in-between; we expect to find all the information we need at our fingertips and just a click or swipe away.
An indispensable source of support and advice, our Client Concierge team are here to help with all of your pre-travel needs; recommending and booking all the essential services you may require, such as childcare, extra beds and restaurant reservations, as well as those little extras that help make your holiday extra special. The overriding aim of our Client Concierge team is to make certain that all the little details are covered and everything is ready for your arrival in resort, providing a seamless link with our in-resort team and local partners. From the ordinary to the extraordinary, no request is too big or small for our Client Concierge team.
We have redesigned our MyPB App to complement our Client Concierge service and ensure our clients have all of the information they need for their upcoming holidays in the palm of their hand. The MyPB App provides all of your personalised travel information and your latest holiday itinerary all in one place. Displaying live information about your resort, hotel, local restaurants and activities and of course, your Powder Byrne programmes, complete with a message board to communicate directly with our Client Concierge team. The MyPB App is the perfect tool to help you easily plan ahead and enjoy the full extent of our Client Concierge service.
Client Concierge - 2019 in Numbers • 1,138 restaurant bookings • 284 spa bookings • 378 ski instruction bookings • 285 babysitting requests • 21 cases of fine wine shipped to resort • 13 private helicopter journeys arranged • 1 bespoke mattress purchased
The new and improved MyPB App also includes some useful new features to enhance your experience with Powder Byrne and help plan for your future adventures. Alongside the MyPB Ap core features (flight and transfer details, hotel and resort information, message board and team contact details), clients now receive push notifications and direct messages to keep updated with their latest holiday itinerary and other need to know information. Our popular Powder Byrne Stories blog has been integrated into the MyPB App to provide holiday inspiration, top tips on travelling and insightful interviews with our team and partners. Clients can also browse our latest holiday availability and enquire in-app, as well as accessing exclusive offers, discounts and events with our hand-picked partners.
Clear and effective communication utilising best of breed technology is at the heart of our Client Concierge service and alongside the experience and knowledge of our team is what sets our service apart from anything else you are likely to experience. Giving our clients the choice to communicate their requirements to our Client Concierge team while they are on the go, through the method that suits them is an important part of our service. Whilst some clients still prefer to call or email us, an increasing number of clients are using the message board within their personalised MyPB App to communicate directly with our team.
A complimentary enhancement to our Client Concierge service, the MyPB App is available to download for free on the App Store and on Google Play. With the MyPB App in your pocket and our Client Concierge team at the end of the message board, you will have everything you need for a seamless and stress-free holiday where everything’s possible.
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CASA IL LAG The latest development in Arosa from Powder Byrne Properties Your own luxury home in the mountains Register your interest at powderbyrneproperties.com
FAMILIES
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Top Tips for their First Ski Holiday Our Head of Marketing Matt has two young children and recently introduced them to skiing for the first time on a family holiday to Lenzerheide in Switzerland. Matt draws on his own family experience to oer his top tips for families booking their ďŹ rst ski holiday.
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T O P T I P S F O R T H E I R F I R S T S K I H O L I D AY
What is the ideal age for my children to start skiing? What are the most suitable resorts for families? What will my children experience in your ski programmes? What childcare options do you offer for babies and toddlers? How much ski time can I expect? What if I’m a non-skier?
2. Consider which resort is right for your family Most resorts in our portfolio are suitable for first-time skiers as our services and local team make all the difference, but we particularly recommend the Swiss resorts of Grindelwald, Lenzerheide and Arosa for first-timers thanks to excellent nursery slopes and plenty of accessible blue runs once you get the hang of things. We offer our exclusive programme, Learn to Ski in Style, for adult beginners in selected resorts, which delivers a unique instruction programme for small groups of like-minded adults which has proved to be very popular.
These are all common questions from families who are looking to book their first ski holiday and are unsure what to expect. From families who are all complete beginners and want to learn together, to parents who are avid skiers and want to pass on their passion to their children, at Powder Byrne we relish the challenge of finding the perfect ski solution for families of all shapes and sizes.
3. There is no ‘perfect age’ for kids to start skiing Children all develop at different speeds, so it is more about finding the perfect age for your child. Some children have natural coordination and are more capable from a young age, others benefit from a gentler start and will develop when the environment is right. Parents know their children best and what they are capable of and there is no ‘perfect age’ in our view. The first experience is crucial though, and for those who are ready at 3 years to take their first tentative steps on the slopes, our carefully designed Yeti Primer programme gives them the ideal start. Over three decades it has been tried, tested and developed by our most demanding clients (the toddlers, of course!).
1. Advice for parents looking to book a family ski holiday for the first time Consider how much time you want together as a family, as well as for your own ski time and make sure you have the right support in place. There are so many services tailored to every need that can be planned in advance. ‘Happy kids have happy parents’… there’s nothing worse than when everyone has to make a big compromise on holiday and if the kids don’t enjoy their holiday it makes the whole trip more challenging. De-stress the experience by selecting a suitable resort and trust a specialist with all the logistics. You don’t necessarily need to be in a top named resort, a gentler introduction for the children with quieter slopes can be a great confidence builder before you progress to buzzier resorts. Be realistic about your objectives for your first ski holiday - get it right, and the kids will be begging you to return and you’ll have succeeded in passing on your passion for a lifetime of memorable skiing!
4. Make it fun and they’ll build a lifelong love of skiing The first objective of our Yeti programme for 4-9 year olds is for everyone to have fun in a great environment with lots of friends, to feel safe and supported and to learn at their own pace. We don’t identify their time on the slopes as ‘ski school’, as a Yeti they’ll enjoy fun and games throughout the ski day, skiing in a small group of friends, as well as
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are fully qualified NNEB or equivalent nursery nurses. We’re happy to welcome babies from 4 months in our pb crèche, and toddlers up to the age of 4 will be kept busy with indoor and outdoor activities between 8.30am and 4pm six days a week.
organised activities and supervised supper after skiing back at their hotel. We create a really fun and relaxed environment with lots of encouragement and support so they’re not really aware they are in ski school at all! The quality of the instruction they receive is guaranteed thanks to small group sizes and the support we provide which allows the instructor to remain focused on the skiing. All our Yeti groups are led by a qualified instructor, but crucial support is also provided by a Yeti assistant who is there to encourage their group in a big brotherly/ sisterly way, break out the biscuits when energy needs boosting, and manage the inevitable comfort breaks that can otherwise disrupt the progress of the lesson.
Whilst providing a great crèche environment packed with fun and stimulating toys and games is essential, we identify our pre-travel service as perhaps the most critical element in ensuring a seamless service. A ski holiday with very young ones does present its challenges, but none are insurmountable with the right plan and support in place. Our Client Concierge team will provide every detail in advance and arrange for a call with our crèche manager before you travel so you can run through every detail.
The culmination of the Yeti week is a demonstration on the final morning where Yetis show off all the new skills they have learned as they hit the race gates to the applause of their proud parents.
We offer a pre-travel purchasing service for all your baby essentials and we’ll have these waiting in your room upon your arrival - one less thing to worry about when packing! We provide all the necessary baby travel seats for transfers, buggies in our crèches, we’ll arrange microwaves/bottle warmers, can liaise with hotels to purée food - in short, everything has been anticipated and our team will be ready to take away all the hassles. Our team are also available for evening babysitting so you can really make the most of your holiday. We also offer a private nanny service in addition to our crèche programme.
Of course, as they progress with their skiing, we ramp it up with more structured technical sessions and strong skiers will be pushed to discover new skills and disciplines as we seek to make them rounded skiers in all conditions and terrain. Mountain awareness and safe skiing is the foundation of our SnoZone and PB Ski Academy programmes which offer structured group instruction through to teenage years.
6. Don’t forget it’s your holiday too and we’ll make sure you make the most of it
5. Peace of mind for those travelling with babies and toddlers
Skiing with Powder Byrne is all about the camaraderie on and off the slopes and making the most of the mountain resort. Our complimentary ski guiding programme for adults creates the perfect environment for parents to ski in small groups with others, hosted by amiable Powder Byrne guides whose job it is to ensure everyone skis at a pace that suits them. Our guides plan the day’s skiing, organise a beautiful lunch stop, make sure you find the best snow and the quietest slopes, using their local knowledge to enhance your experience. They’ll even carry your skis for you, coordinate shuttles and logistics; their aim is to ensure you spend the maximum time enjoying your skiing. One client once described it as ‘leave your brain at the door’ skiing, which we believe is what a holiday should be all about.
We’ve been supporting families travelling with babies and toddlers for decades and our dedicated pb crèche service is designed to give parents peace of mind so they can continue to enjoy the sport they love. We adhere to the usual UK standards for childcare and our crèche managers
Family holidays are taking on an even greater significance to ensure everyone can press the pause button. Creating memories together away from it all...
7. Don’t worry if you’re a non-skier, there are plenty of mountain activities for you to enjoy We make non-skiers just as welcome! Our Client Concierge team will run through all the options for non-skiers before you travel and our Mountain Host team in your chosen resort will coordinate all your arrangements, from guided winter walks, sleigh rides, to meeting up with skiers for lunch. Some of our properties have amazing Spa facilities and we can coordinate the perfect pampering day. Our driver service is on hand throughout the day so non-skiers can explore neighboring villages or resorts, or we can arrange trips to local towns for shopping or sight-seeing.
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8. Why not bring the grandparents too and make it a real family affair
our experience to ensure things run smoothly is what our clients trust us with - so if you need a bit of help with that then we’d love to share some ideas.
We see an increasing number of clients travelling with multi-generations and our private apartments in Flims and Arosa are particularly popular as they give larger families more privacy, lots of space and multiple bedrooms all with ensuite facilities. Big Family Christmas celebrations have always been a tradition at Powder Byrne and we’ll liaise with our clients to arrange a bespoke festive celebration which is always a hit with kids and grandparents alike.
10. Don’t leave it too late, you may miss out on the best options, or end up paying more We receive interest from skiers to secure their arrangements throughout the year and in some cases clients book their holiday plans more than 12 months in advance to ensure they get the particular accommodation they want. In our view, it’s never too early to start the conversation, allowing our Travel Consultants to recommend the widest choice of suitable options. Booking last minute restricts you to only those options that are left, as well as invariably higher prices for flights, so if you want to secure the best value we recommend booking your skiing before the end of the summer holidays as a rule of thumb. Of course, skiers not restricted to school holiday periods can leave it a little later if they want to see how the snow is looking, and we’ll be more than happy to provide sound advice on the best resorts and conditions for weekends and short breaks nearer the start of the season.
9. Family holidays are precious, make the most of your time together As parents of kids growing up with so many distractions and increasing pressures around us all, I’m convinced that family holidays are taking on an even greater significance to ensure everyone can press the pause button. Creating memories together away from it all and making time for each other without screens and distractions is becoming a luxury commodity. There are so many options out there, but also lots of obstacles to avoid along the way. Taking the hassle out of the planning and preparation and using
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Grindelwald: The Rebirth of the Classic Swiss Ski Resort
The vast and ambitious V-Bahn Project has put Grindelwald back on the map, breathing new life into the entire Jungfrau region and restoring its reputation as one of the ďŹ nest ski resorts in the Swiss Alps.
G R I N D E LWA L D : T H E R E B I R T H O F T H E C L A S S I C S W I S S S K I R E S O R T
W
hen you hear the name Grindelwald, the first thing that springs to mind for most people is JK Rowling’s magical character from her enduringly popular Harry Potter series. In fact if you Google the name Grindelwald you have to scroll two thirds of the way down the page before references to the revered wizard give way to descriptions of a charming Swiss mountain village of the same name. Embedded in a unique alpine landscape under the imposing north face of the Eiger, this is the Grindelwald we know and love and the very first Powder Byrne ski resort back in 1985.
Secret Service, when the revolving restaurant Piz Gloria on top of the Schilthorn made a prominent appearance as the lair for villain Blofeld. Rory Byrne would go on to select Grindelwald as the resort from which to start Powder Byrne after many happy years spent skiing there as a child. However, as other resorts have invested in speedy new lift systems and glitzy marketing campaigns, Grindelwald’s network of quaint mountain trains and ageing gondolas has given it a yesteryear feel. Plenty still flock when the snow falls, but slower access to the skiing was stifling interest. Fortunately times are changing in Grindelwald, with phase one of the ambitious V-Bahn project, decades in the planning, newly opened at the start of this season, transforming access to the slopes and sparking interest in the rebirth of this iconic resort.
Grindelwald has a long and rich mountain history, the allure of its dramatic peaks and fabulous skiing drawing adventurers from far and wide since the early pioneers in the 19th century. The first person to ski here was Englishman Gerald Fox who put his skis on in his hotel bedroom in 1881 and walked out through the hotel bar to the slopes wearing them. Construction of the Jungfrau Railway commenced a few years later in 1896 under the guidance of entrepreneur and engineer Adolf Guyer-Zeller. After years of construction the Jungfraujoch railway station, the highest railway station in Europe at 3,454 metres, finally opened in 1912 heralding a new age of Swiss mountain tourism. Firmly established throughout the 20th century as a popular destination for skiers in winter and hikers and sightseers in summer, Grindelwald even featured in the 1969 Bond movie, On Her Majesty’s
The CHF 470million V-Bahn project includes the construction of two new modern high capacity ski lifts and an integrated railway station. The first lift, a 10 person gondola, opened on 14th December 2019 runs from the new railway station in Grindelwald Grund to the Männlichen peak and reduces the journey time from 30 to 19 minutes. The second lift, a 3S cable car, due to open in December 2020 will run almost 6.5km to the Eigergletscher, shortcutting the existing rack and pinion railway, reducing the journey time from 40 to 15 minutes and significantly increasing capacity.
“The V-Bahn project is the most innovative and exciting construction project in the Alps, one of the biggest lift projects worldwide and true to the tradition of visionary pioneering achievements in the construction of the Jungfrau Railway between 1896 and 1912.” REMO K Ä SER, JUNGFRAU RAILWAYS
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V- B A H N P R OJ E C T I N N U M B E R S Männlichenbahn
1,800
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111
6.1
2,225
people transported hourly
minute journey time
gondolas each with capacity for 10 people
kilometre route length
metre summit station
Eigerexpress
2,400
15
44
6.5
2,328
people transported hourly
minute journey time
cabins each with capacity for 26 people
kilometre route length
metre summit station
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G R I N D E LWA L D : T H E R E B I R T H O F T H E C L A S S I C S W I S S S K I R E S O R T
slopes and facilities and our exclusive programmes for novice skiers, Learn to Ski in Style and SnoZone Beginners.
The vast and ambitious V-Bahn project has put Grindelwald back on the map, breathing new life into the entire Jungfrau region and restoring its reputation as one of the finest ski resorts in the Swiss Alps. With many charming family-run hotels and a pretty, historic village, Grindelwald is an excellent choice for families and offers amazing skiing for all abilities, with access to 591km of downhill skiing on 131 pistes across the linked ski areas of Grindelwald, Wengen and MĂźrren. We particularly recommend Grindelwald for families who are new to skiing due to the excellent beginner
After 35 years of Powder Byrne heritage in Grindelwald we’re delighted that this pioneering alpine region is marching into the new decade with confidence and a spring in its step. Grindelwald is a much loved and hugely popular part of the Powder Byrne Original Skiing programme and with the impressive new V-Bahn project we expect its popularity to grow and grow. Grindelwald is back!
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A Scallywags Summer Our fun-filled summer children’s programmes are the answer to your cocktail-sipping prayers. Indulge in some well-deserved me-time while your kids have a ball in Scallywags.
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ou’ve been looking forward to it for months and now it’s finally here, your much anticipated family summer holiday. Of course, sun, sea and sand doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be the stress-free break you are dreaming of and as parents ourselves, we know that it can sometimes be a challenge to keep children entertained during a summer holiday. Constantly trying to think of things to see and do and games to play that are child-friendly, fun-filled and the kids won’t complain that it’s boring! Relaxing by the pool with a drink in hand can seem like a distant dream...
Scallywags for 4-7 year olds is one of our most popular summer children’s programmes, carefully designed by our childcare experts for active kids with bundles of energy! Jam-packed with a whole host of activities from tennis lessons to cookery classes and creative arts and crafts, your kids will have a ball in Scallywags. What’s more, they will make lots of new friends and lifelong holiday memories along the way. Our experienced childcare professionals and Scallywags team will organise the activities and keep a watchful eye over the children so you can rest assured they are in the safest hands. Our Scallywags team are super enthusiastic, very friendly and experts in fun - you certainly won’t need to worry if the kids are bored or not!
Well, that’s where we come in. Our fun-filled summer children’s programmes are the answer to your cocktail-sipping prayers. Whilst you recline by the pool with a good book, head out to explore the local culture or simply relax and indulge in a bit of well-deserved me-time, your kids will be having a whale of a time in our fantastic children’s programmes. Spanning the entire spectrum of childhood, starting with our pb crèche from 4 months old, right up to our Adventure Academy for active teens. Our exclusive children’s programmes are in full swing during the summer months in our luxury Mediterranean resorts on the beautiful islands of Crete and Elba.
A day in the life of Scallywags The Scallywags begin their day of fun at 10am when they are signed into the programme and left in the care of our Scallywags team. The morning normally consists of two activities, with some activities differing according to your resort. In Elba, the morning activities are often on the tennis court ‘Drills with Djokovic’ followed by some kind of watersports, it could be ‘Scally Splash’ where the kids have fun splashing around and learning some new skills.
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to enjoy as you please - we recommend a cocktail or two.
After a busy morning of activities the Scallywags break for lunch at 12.30pm, supervised by the Scallywags team, they refuel and recharge ready for a fun afternoon ahead.
Once the kids are too old for Scallywags they move up into The Zone, our exclusive programme for 8-11 year olds. Similar to Scallywags but with slightly different activities designed to appeal to the uber cool, super grown up over 8’s, the structured daily programme is filled with non-stop action. Activities include sailing, swimming, playing tennis, golf and football. The tweens will also be able to have a go on a banana boat and some inflatables, a highlight for all Zoners. Similar to Scallywags we run evening activities on two nights of the week for children in TheZone, these range from pizza nights to trips to the arcade and bowling.
The second half of the day takes on a similar format to the morning with two activities on the cards. The first is usually arts and crafts themed, allowing time for their tummies to settle before the final watersports activity of the day. One day of the week usually follows a slightly different pattern, with a day trip out to sea, or a tour to check out a local attraction. In Crete, the Scallywags head out on a glass-bottom boat trip. As they cruise along, they can watch the underwater marine life swimming around beneath their feet, spotting lots of brightly coloured fish hiding in the corals below. This is followed by an afternoon building sandcastles and having fun on the beach.
With our Scallywags programme (and all of our other children’s programmes), you won’t have to worry about another hectic summer holiday with the kids running wild and your dreams of rest and relaxation slipping through your fingers. You can relax and savour the summer holiday you dreamed of, whether it’s relaxing by the pool or exploring the local area, you will be safe in the knowledge that your kids are having the time of their lives and making great friends in the capable hands of our Powder Byrne teams. The only trouble is, none of you will want to leave!
The fun doesn’t stop at the end of the day, we run an optional supervised Scallywags supper on 6 days of the week, so the children all get to eat together and chat with their new friends. After Scallywags supper on three nights of the week we organise activities, these range from movie nights to a treasure hunt and even a Scallywags disco! All these organised activities give you a little bit more time
“The Scallywags club was an absolute dream. Henry had a fantastic time making friends and doing lots of fun activities. The Powder Byrne team were amazing and had lots of tricks up their sleeves to keep the kids entertained” THE WILLIAMS FAMILY
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The Ultimate Challenge: Novice to Polo Player Are you ready for a two-week experience that will change your life. A rigorous training programme, to learn and master one of the most exciting and seductive sports in the world. Push yourself to your limits and out of your comfort zone. Welcome to the Polo Challenge. 34
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“The idea behind the Polo Challenge was to create a
really intensive polo programme where participants have no option but to be totally absorbed in the life of a polo player, with no excuses for not pushing yourself and reaching your full potential.” CHRISTIAN BYRNE , P OLO VALLEY DIREC TOR
T
he Polo Challenge has been carefully designed by Christian Byrne and his team of polo professionals to take the right individuals from complete novices to polo players in just two weeks. From their base at Polo Valley in Sotogrande, one of Europe’s leading polo destinations, they put the challenge participants through their paces across two intense weeks, learning the game from scratch under the instruction of world-class polo professionals.
The reward for pushing yourself to the limit is worth it. The Polo Challenge culminates in a Grand Finale Pro-Am match played on the championship polo fields of Sotogrande. Participants take to the field alongside professional players in their respective teams and play out a highly competitive game of polo in front of their watching families and the glamorous summer crowds. Win or lose, the challenge participants come off the field with broad smiles and weary bodies. They’ve given it their all over the most intense and immersive fortnight of their lives and they’ve come out of it as accomplished polo players. Back at Polo Valley Christian and his team host an awards ceremony and throw an Asado party to congratulate the players and celebrate with their families.
To get through the two week programme you will have to overcome mental and physical barriers like never before. With four hours of saddle time per day be prepared to keep pushing your body to it’s limit. Study the game and learn about tactics and patterns of play. Overcome fears of galloping horses at 35 miles per hour, whilst swinging a polo mallet elegantly towards the ball as you shoot to goal; this is polo.
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“The Grand Finale Pro-Am match is the participants’ reward for two
weeks of hard work. It’s an amazing feeling for them to take to the field and play alongside high goal professionals with their families in the crowd cheering them on. The Asado party is our thank you to the participants, their families and everyone who works so hard to make the Polo Challenge a great success.” CHRISTIAN BYRNE , P OLO VALLEY DIREC TOR
during yoga preceded a most glamourous trip to the Santa Maria polo ground in a fleet of Rolls Royces. We warmed up in our respective teams with real purpose, the last chance to practise before the game started.
My Challenge: Alec Dabell, Polo Challenge participant Sunday, 6.30am, the alarm went off. And thus, it began. The first full day of the Polo Challenge. The Polo Boot Camp. Two solid weeks of intensive training, the likes of which I had not experienced since my Army days.
The match itself was exciting and dramatic. Horses galloped, mallets swung, interceptions were made and goals were scored. In the end we were all winners. Better players as individuals and far better players in a team with new friends and memories to last a lifetime. We have all moved forward as sports-men and women and as people.
Fortunately, the first day did start with a gentle introduction as we kicked off with an hour of ‘Vinyasa flow’ yoga ensuring we were well stretched and limbered up in preparation for the day ahead. This was followed by a delicious breakfast (an essential fixture of the challenge programme), two hours of riding lessons and our first ‘stick & ball’ session that was up next.
My most sincere thanks go to all of the Polo Valley Team for making this possible, but above all, my greatest thanks goes to their wonderful ponies for making it happen!
The pace quickly picked up and by the time it reached Wednesday, the horse’s day off, we finally got the chance to catch our breath and work on our very tired and aching limbs. This is though, exactly what we needed. We just weren’t that aware of it, or if we were, we had let our awareness fade.
The 2020 Programme Week 1: 13th-21st June Week 2: 18th-26th July Grand Finale: 25th July
Polo is a very physically and mentally demanding team game. You need to build your core strength, improve your flexibility, work on your balance and coordination and always, always, warm-up and warm down.
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At the start of the second week, the dynamic shifted ever so slightly as we were separated into teams and the buildup to the ‘Grand Finale’ was on.
• • •
The practice match was on Thursday. This allowed for a rest on Friday before the Official Polo Challenge Pro-Am Match on Saturday. Thursday, for some, was our first real experience at playing polo at this level on a proper match ground and the team’s first time to put the learnt tactics into practice. It was also, for me, a great chance to take stock of how far we had come; how much we had improved and how we had grown into a team albeit still with some facets we had to work on before game day.
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Polo kit included: boots, helmet, polo whites, match shirts and training kit 4 hours of polo, riding tuition and match practice per day Daily workshops on game tactics, rules and strategy 16 hours of yoga and strength training Accomodation at the Polo Valley Guesthouse, just 65 steps from the main stables and training field Full board with poolside lunches and evening barn asados.
Are you up to the Polo Challenge? Email: info@polovalley.com Call: 020 8246 5301
The Big Day arrived. The essential morning stretching
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Clockwise from top: Warming up in the saddle, some photo-ready ponies, post match celebrations
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At The Chef ’s Table A firm favourite with our clients, The Waldhaus Grand Hotel & Spa, is a newly-renovated, 5-star hotel located in one of our most popular resorts, Flims. Cloaked in graceful woodland in Alpine Switzerland it offers an outstanding spa, Belle Epoque-style rooms and is renowned for its incredible gastronomy. The man behind the success of their restaurants is head chef, Patrick Hetz. We sat down with Patrick to chat about his career, cuisine and what has influenced him the most. Where did you train to be a chef ?
season. In springtime I love cooking with white asparagus, in the summer it’s local mushrooms and in the autumn and winter, root vegetables and deer are what I like cooking with best.
I have worked in a variety of high end, luxury hotels under some very experienced and skilled chefs. They have taught me most of what I know and do today. Before working at The Waldhaus I was based in Zurich at the 5-star Dolder Grand. I have also worked at Michelin-starred Colombi Hotel in Germany and 5-star hotel Gleneagles in Scotland.
What is your favourite dish to cook at home for your family? It’s funny you should ask this as my son is currently 5 months old and is only eating vegetable mash. So right now my favourite dish to cook at home for my family is mashed vegetables!
How would you describe the style of your cooking? My style of cooking is always changing depending on what I am creating, where I am and who I am cooking for. The one thing that always remains the same though is that I always use fresh produce, I think it has the best flavour and therefore, results in the best dishes. I try to maximise the taste of each ingredient, as I think each one should flourish. When they all come together, it really is magic.
Why do you love being a chef in Flims? I love being a chef in Flims mainly because I love working at the Waldhaus. This hotel has so much soul and flair which gives me endless opportunities to expand my knowledge and potential. I have worked here before and am very happy to be back, creating new dishes and working to help support the growth of this beautiful hotel.
What has had the greatest influence over your cooking and your approach to food?
Which food cultures do you feel particularly drawn to or excited about?
It is very hard to pinpoint one thing that has influenced my cooking but if I had to I would say travel. I think one of the beauties of cooking and one of the most important things to me as a chef is to always be finding and discovering new ingredients by travelling the world. Often when you find a new product, the locals have a specific way of preparing the food thanks to their culture and tradition. When I travel I always love discovering their methods of cooking - finding out different ways to prepare particular foods to bring out their own individual taste. I bring these back with me and they are then incorporated into my cooking and dishes.
As I mentioned, travel is really important to me and my cooking. I wouldn’t be able to choose one particular culture that I feel especially drawn to as I think there is so much to explore around the world. Different food cultures really excite me and I am always looking forward to making new discoveries - whatever country/culture that might be in.
Do you have a career highlight moment you can tell us about? I think the highlight of my career so far has to be receiving the Gault Millau Hotel of the Year award when I was working at The Dolder Grand. It was a really proud moment for my team and me, to have our efforts recognised and honoured was very special.
Do you have a signature dish, or one that you most enjoy cooking? It’s really tricky to narrow it down to one signature dish that I enjoy cooking the most. It’s always changing and what I love cooking at the time completely depends on the
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H AY T H E R E Hay soup, one of the many delicious dishes created by Patrick Hetz and his team for the Waldhaus restaurants.
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Adventures and Discoveries in Japan
F
resh from a successful Rugby World Cup in September 2019 and with the Tokyo Olympics in summer 2020, Japan continues to be one of the hottest destinations in the world and one of the most popular in our Air & Space adventure travel programme. With endless opportunities for year-round experiences that range from powder skiing, onsen-spa resorts, cherry-blossom tours, ancient traditions and cultural highlights, it’s not hard to see why Japan is enjoying a tourism boom. Despite its growing appeal, the prospect of travelling as a family to Japan, a country so culturally diverse and different to the UK, can be quite a daunting one. This is where our 20+ years experience and expertise of working in Japan really come into their own. We have spades of local knowledge, the best in-country partners and access to unique cultural experiences, all tied together by our English speaking guides and seamless organisation. New for 2020 we have designed a series of year-round special interest and themed tours in the Tohoku region to introduce clients to hidden discoveries, authentic ski resorts, onsen-spa experiences and gastronomic treats. As Japan continues to enjoy rapid tourism growth, the region of Tohoku, just a few hours from Tokyo by bullet train, remains relatively undiscovered, creating endless possibilities to experience truly authentic experiences and a sense of the ‘real Japan’. We’ve selected a few highlights from the recent adventures and experiences of Powder Byrne clients in Japan.
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Visit Hakone for hot springs, volcano views and Shinto shrines Hakone is a mountainous town west of Tokyo in Japan’s Fuji-Hakone-Izu National Park, known for its hot spring onsen resorts and views across Lake Ashinoko of the iconic volcano, Mount Fuji. We love to visit Hakone and often recommend our clients spend a few days here to enjoy the relaxing onsen-spa, marvel at the volcanic crater caused by the eruption of Mount Hakone 3,000 years ago and visit the many popular temples and shrines that dot the landscape around Lake Ashinoko. Take your pick from glamorous global hotels, or traditional Japanese ryokans for a truly authentic Hakone stay.
Visit Niseko & Rusutsu for endless powder skiing Niseko and Rusutsu are undoubtedly the most well known and popular ski destinations in Japan. Famous for light and abundant powder snow, night skiing, hot springs, quality restaurants and spectacular views of the Mount Yotei volcano. From gentle terrain to world-class tree runs and backcountry bowls, Niseko and Rusutsu are pure paradise for skiers. The ski season runs from late November until early April, often with more than 15 metres of snow falling each season, so it’s no wonder they are known for unrivalled powder skiing. Our own Powder Byrne guides in their distinctive red jackets ensure our clients make the most of their legendary slopes, while children are in their element with English-speaking ski tuition in small groups with our brilliant local ski school partner. Our ‘City & Ski’ adventures combine skiing with our guides in Niseko and Rusutsu with fascinating city explorations in Tokyo, Kyoto and Osaka.
“After skiing for many years in the Alps it had always
been our dream to ski in Japan and experience first-hand the deep powder snow that Niseko is famous for. We were not disappointed. The Powder Byrne guides were fantastic and the itinerary our travel consultant dreamt up to take in the highlights of Kyoto and Tokyo was inspired.” THE CORKILL FAMILY
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Visit Kyoto for tales of Japanese Imperial history and authentic culture Kyoto is 375km west of Hakone and easily accessible aboard the famous bullet train, a rite of passage for anyone visiting Japan and a tourist attraction in itself. Once in Kyoto there is much to see and do that will capture your imagination. Kyoto was once the capital of Japan and is the cultural and historical heart of the country; from Zen gardens and mysterious Buddhist temples to colourful Shinto shrines and graceful geisha, it is a full immersion in Japanese culture. There are many different experiences that we can organise in Kyoto that enable our clients to immerse themselves in fascinating Japanese culture and traditions.
“The Samurai experience was definitely one to
remember - even our youngest was able to handle the real Samurai sword so we could all get involved which was great. The tour was great, the hosts were really funny and were really focused when teaching us, I would highly recommend it!” THE K AMALUDDIN FAMILY
Kyoto Samurai experience The Samurai warrior is an iconic symbol of premodern Japanese culture, famous the world over, but at the same time shrouded in myth and legend. This unique experience transports you back in time to the era of the Samurai and involves a demonstration from skilled swordsmen, before you have the chance to practise with wooden swords and then using a real ‘katana’ Japanese sword. Finishing the experience with meditation and contemplation you head back on to the streets of Kyoto wise in the ways of the Samurai!
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“The sea of
cherry blossoms in Osaka Castle Park, on the river banks and throughout the city really is a sight we will never forget, truly amazing.” THE BENSON FAMILY
Visit Osaka for the iconic cherry blossom blooms and modern architecture Osaka is Japan’s third largest city, a thriving commercial centre known for its modern architecture and nightlife, offering a glimpse of Japan’s futuristic and high tech side. In contrast to the buzzing vibe of Osaka is the chance to see the famous and very beautiful cherry blossom bloom across the city in late March and early April. Osaka Castle Park is one of our recommended spots to witness the cherry blossoms in all their glory, with festivals and parties taking place throughout the city to celebrate the annual blooming of the Japanese national flower.
Visit Tokyo for a melting pot of the ultramodern and the traditional No trip to Japan would be complete without a visit to the buzzing capital city of Tokyo. City of flashing neon lights, super-advanced tech gadgets, Hello Kitty and about 13 million people, Tokyo really is something special. Japan’s capital city since 1829, Tokyo blends old and new, modernity and tradition with skyscrapers and shrines and popular Japanese cuisine, such as: sushi, ramen and noodle soups. There is so much to see and do in Tokyo that it can be very overwhelming. Our travel consultants in London and local guides in Tokyo help our clients navigate the array of exciting activities, be it sushi-making lessons and a visit to the Tsukiji outer fish market, an ascent to the top of the Tokyo Sky Tower, or navigating a visit to the crazy place that is the Pokémon café. Our knowledge and expertise will ensure you make the most of your time in this incredible city.
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“The Tokyo Sky Tree was phenomenal and we were
really lucky that it was such a clear day! The museum for emerging science was amazing and the robots were fascinating, the kids loved it. Thanks so much for sorting a reservation at the Pokémon café, there was such a long queue of people without a booking and we could skip straight to the front which was great.” THE K AMALUDDIN FAMILY
Visit Kyushu for the Seven Stars Cruise Train
Visit Tohoku for a gastronomic voyage of sushi, oysters and sake
Discover the beauty of Kyushu aboard the Seven Stars Cruise Train in Kyushu, the most exclusive and breathtaking rail journey in Japan. The seven prefectures of Kyushu are connected by 3,000km of tracks and a journey on the Cruise Train unfurls across them. A truly unique locomotive, launched in 2013 at a cost of over £20 million, no expense has been spared in creating the most luxurious environment, with a total capacity of only 30 passengers. Kyushu is the southernmost of Japan’s islands, enjoying a sub-tropical climate, beautiful coastline, a mountainous volcanic interior with a green fertile heart that supports a wealth of industries including rice, tea, tobacco and silk. Sit back and relax as Kyushu’s endless and alluring landscape slides past through panoramic windows.
Occupying the northeastern portion of Honshu island, the traditional region of Tohoku remains relatively undiscovered, yet it is only a 3-hour bullet train ride from Tokyo. Start your adventure with a gastronomic voyage in Miyagi, the gateway to the Tohoku region, blessed with pristine ocean and beautiful coastline, abundant with local delicacies fresh from the sea. Sample fresh oysters and sushi, cold-brew green tea and award-winning sake. Journey further into the region and discover open central plains, authentic ski resorts and onsen-spa experiences. The transition of the four seasons offers something different, with summer ‘matsuri’ festivals, multi-hued autumn foliage and winter wonderlands of powder snow.
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A Tohoku Skiing Odyssey
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A TOHOKU SKIING ODYSSEY
Mention skiing in Japan to most British skiers and it’s likely they’ll reference a small handful of internationally acclaimed resorts. They’ll certainly be aware of the promise of deep powder, the big resorts of Hokkaido, perhaps the Olympic resorts of the Nagano region, but most will be unaware that ski resorts in Japan now number nearly 500 (albeit many are small local resorts) and there are many undiscovered gems. But to explore the lesser known resorts and find your own treasures takes an enormous leap of faith, unless you can put your trust in someone who knows their onions, so to speak, when it comes to the local stories and the right ingredients for a successful skiing experience. Allow Powder Byrne to shine a light on the skiing in the region of Tohoku, easily accessed from Tokyo thanks to the quick and efficient rail system.
time here and composed one of his most iconic works, ‘The Cry of a Cicada’, written in 1690.
Skiing in Zao Onsen The ski resort is the largest in the Tohoku region offering a total of 57 slopes served by three gondolas and other lifts and is renowned for its amazing powder snow. It is well connected, with different inter-linked ski zones, offering slopes for all abilities from beginners to experienced skiers. Those in search of distance will not be disappointed as Zao offers a lot more than most. The Juhyogen slope is the longest intermediate slope in the resort offering a run of just over 10km from the top to resort centre. The first 2km are through the majestic ‘snow monsters’ on the highest slopes before you work your way down through a variety of terrain on your way to the finish at the village centre. There is steep gradient to play with here, including the popular Sailer piste, named after the renowned Austrian skier Toni Sailer who was a regular visitor to Tohoku. Sailer was the first to win 3 gold medals for Alpine skiing at the Winter Olympics of 1956 in Cortina d’Ampezzo and with more than 170 major victories to his name, it’s not hard to see why the Japanese have celebrated his love for skiing in Zao with a memorial in his name on the mountain. Should any reassurance be needed, such a key association with one of Austria’s most celebrated skiers should give an indication of the treats that lie in store for serious skiers.
In search of Yetis in Japan The term ‘Juhyo’ is a combination of the kanji character words for ‘tree’ and ‘frost’, but the distinctive shapes that the high altitude Maries’ fir trees take on in winter when exposed to relentless icy blasts and huge volumes of powder snow gives them their more affectionate name ‘snow monsters’. Because of the rare conditions required to create these extraordinary natural formations, there are only three locations where they can be encountered. All are in ski resorts in the Tohoku region and the best of these is the impressive ski resort of Zao Onsen. The Zao snow monsters have to be seen to believed, whether whizzing past on skis, illuminated at night as you soar above them by gondola, or up close and personal on a cat-track tour.
There is a considerable offering for non-skiers too in Zao, with cat-tours of the snow monsters, lovely cross-country skiing through the protected forests of Japanese larch, and plenty of marked winter walking paths, not to mention the Onsen baths to while away your time. The village centre has a fantastic modern Sake Museum and tasting bar which celebrates the many award-winning sake producers of the Tohoku region and this, along with a range of bars and restaurants offer attractive aprés-ski options in addition to the excellent hotel restaurants. Night skiing is available on the Uwanodai piste, the original slope of Zao, which was the site of only the 2nd ski lift to be constructed in the whole of Japan.
Zao Onsen is a special resort for many reasons. Long before skiers started to flock to the snow filled bowl, the temple of Risshakuji in the heart of the old town has been welcoming visitors since the year 860. The rich sulphur waters of this town gurgle up in the most unlikely places and made Zao famous as an onsen (traditional spa) town since the middle ages. People still flock to the acidic baths available throughout the resort in private hotels and public bath houses to enjoy the rejuvenating effects of the milky sulphurous water which improves skin tone by strengthening blood vessels, soothing muscles and aching joints, and improving a range of ski complaints. Onsen in Zao is an experience not to be missed, and such was the draw of this magical resort and landscape, the celebrated haiku poet Matsuo Basho was believed to have enjoyed
One thing is abundantly clear about Zao Onsen - it is a ski resort that can hold its own against the better known resorts in terms of skiing and snow quality but also a town that is so rich with history and cultural heritage that it’s in a league of its own. For any skier looking for a more authentic experience, an alternative to the international-styled resorts, you can feel confident of what awaits you in Zao.
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Zao Onsen is a special resort for many reasons. Long before skiers started to flock to the snow filled bowl, the temple of Risshakuji...has been welcoming visitors since the year 860.
Ryokan Miyamaso Takamiya - a rare hotel with Imperial links beds with views out over the old town clouded in hot spring steam rising from occasional buildings. The impressive suites are a real highlight for anyone looking for a truly unforgettable experience.
There are various hotels of note in Zao Onsen, but our pick is a hotel that oozes tradition and heritage and promises it’s guests a rare window on Japanese hospitality from another time. Miyamaso Takamiya was once a favourite of the Japanese Imperial family, and black and white photos adorn the timber framed walls and museum pieces and antiques are layered with more modern styling to create an impressive boutique atmosphere. It feels more like a private home than a hotel and the service we experienced was slick even by Japanese standards. There is no doubt they understand the careful balance between attentive service and privacy to allow guests to enjoy the beautiful facilities and feel at home. Accommodation is offered in traditional style rooms with tatami floors and mattress
Zao Onsen is accessed by shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo to Yamagata station in 2h 30min where you’ll be met by your private driver for the final 30 minute drive up to the resort. It is perfectly located to combine with a broader itinerary to explore the Tohoku region both the Pacific coast to the east, the city of Sendai, or linking together with a two-centre ski adventure to the Aizu resorts to the south.
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A TOHOKU SKIING ODYSSEY
Skiing in Aizu, Fukushima prefecture, Tohoku style with a great mix of Japanese and western influences. This would be a great base for a family or friends, as the slopes are literally from the door, the gentle lower slopes provide plenty for beginners and intermediates to build their confidence, whilst more confident skiers will be spoilt for choice with the options to explore this and other neighbouring resorts. Urabandai resort will no doubt play an important role as we continue to expand our skiing programme in Tohoku.
There are 22 ski resorts in the Aizu ski region, and given the quality, reliability and quantity of snow cover, it’s hard to understand why they are still relatively unknown outside Japan. Two of these resorts, Alts Bandai and Urabandai are located on the slopes of Mount Bandai, commanding spectacular views south over lake Inawashiro. The region is famed for its smooth, dry ‘micro-fine’ powder snow which blows in from the Sea of Japan and is one of the snowiest areas of Japan. The snow is some of the driest on earth, so dry in fact, that no matter how hard you try, you won’t be able to make a snowball! Along with spectacular views of the mountain range, the stand-out aspect of these Aizu ski resorts is their quiet slopes, and compared to skiing the more popular resorts, you’d be forgiven for thinking you’ve arrived in your very own private ski resort. Skiers looking to blaze their own trails and find their own slice of powder paradise may well agree they have found the holy grail in Aizu.
Getting to the resorts in Aizu is surprisingly convenient from Tokyo thanks to the efficient shinkansen (bullet train) service. From Tokyo it’s a relaxing 90-minute journey of only 4 stops to Koriyama station, where you’ll be met by a private driver who, in just 1 hour, will deliver you safely to your hotel in the beautiful natural surrounds of Mount Bandai. Such convenience makes these resorts particularly suitable for shorter stays and ski weekends, ideal if you are keen to experience the famous powder whilst also ensuring there’s time to explore other must-see locations in your itinerary. Powder Byrne’s Tohoku ski programme is a fantastic addition to our existing programme in Japan and we can’t wait to introduce skiers to the delights of these unique resorts. Our specialists are ready to share more of the region’s secrets...
Convenience is king for many skiers. Together with our local specialist partners, we’ve researched and visited two skiin/ski-out hotels in the resorts of Urabandai and Grandeco, each within a 20 minute drive and in particular the Grandeco Tokyu Resort impressed, with beautiful rooms, facilities, a choice of restaurant and an accommodation
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OWN THE BAY Endless summer in Crete Prices from £2,845 for a week powderbyrne.com
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Private Family Finca Family holidays at our Private Family Finca are all about enjoying the unique laid-back lifestyle and beautiful setting. Countryside hacks and river rides combine with lazy beach days and day trips to captivating Spanish cities to create the perfect Andalucian adventure.
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olo Valley opened the gates to their purpose built ranch in Sotogrande, Spain in the summer of 2015 with the dream of introducing new players and families to the thrilling, fast paced sport of polo. Born out of Rory Byrne’s own experience of learning to ride and play polo and his son Christian’s desire to share the sport he loves and make it more accessible, Polo Valley has quickly established itself as a one of a kind polo facility and a unique holiday destination for families to saddle up and experience ranchlife in authentic Andalucia. With first-class stabling, livery and training facilities, home to over 50 expertly trained ponies, a team of grooms and polo professionals, you’d be forgiven for thinking that Polo Valley is a no-go-zone for anyone other than polo aficionados. This however could not be further from the truth. Family holidays at the private Finca are all about enjoying the unique laid-back lifestyle and beautiful setting, rather than exclusively playing polo. Occupying a secluded location in the hills above Sotogrande, a gleaming white Guesthouse occupies a prime position at the entrance to the Finca. The private Guesthouse plays host to families throughout the spring and summer months (with special stays available at Christmas and New Year), serving as their base from which to enjoy all of the activities on offer at the Finca, around Sotogrande and across the region of Andalucia. The Guesthouse boasts comfortable en-suite bedrooms, a private swimming pool and fabulous dining terrace elegantly set within relaxing gardens. Best of all, the Guesthouse is expertly run by two local cooks ‘el cocinero’ who serve up delicious Spanish cuisine such as gazpacho, tortilla, paella, colourful fresh salads and special Argentinian-style Asado BBQ. Together with the on-site concierge team, they take care of all your requirements throughout your stay at the Finca.
Asado Asado is far more than a BBQ as we know it. Asado is the technique and social event of grilling meat over an open fire. Tracing its roots back to the days when huge herds of wild cattle roamed the pampa region and a great source of national pride in Argentina, Asado has become popular across the Spanish speaking world. A fire of charcoal and dry seasoned wood is lit under a grill called a parilla. Once the flames have died down cuts of meat are placed on the parilla and grilled slowly for 1-2 hours above the smouldering embers. Top tip: Turning and adjusting the meat is frowned upon, simply sit back and enjoy the experience with a glass of wine.
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he ponies are the beating heart of life at the Finca and the daily routines of the grooms, the ponies and polo professionals create a special buzz and an atmosphere that is exciting to be a part of. In the evenings local players arrive to take part in competitive chukkers, a great spectacle to watch with a gin & tonic in hand from pitchside seats. With the backdrop of ranch-life and the nature and peace of the countryside setting, the Finca provides the perfect location for a laid-back family holiday of discovery and adventure. Popular family activities include horse riding lessons from beginner to expert, guided hacks in the surrounding countryside combined with picnic stops, river rides that include dipping in and out of the Guadiaro river (a highlight for the ponies and their riders), polo lessons and taster sessions for those who can’t resist giving it a go (particularly popular with competitive dads) and hands on horse-care sessions for children with the grooms.
Guadiaro River Ride The Guardiaro river ride is an enjoyable one hour loop that sets off from the Finca and takes you on a winding and gentle hack through the peaceful Andalucian countryside towards the distant hills. As you meander down the dusty path your guide will lead you through the undergrowth and on to the banks of the Guardiaro. The ponies love this part of the hack and they are very sure-footed over the uneven terrain, responding to gentle adjustments on the reigns, happy to take it slow or slightly faster if you’re feeling confident. Once you’re in the river the fun really starts and the ponies splash and dip their heads to refresh themselves. The river is mainly very shallow and it’s great fun to trot or even gallop through the babbling water. Your guide will help you navigate any slightly tricky sections, they know the surrounding countryside like the back of their hand and have a deep understanding of each and every pony on the ranch.
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where you can hire segways, bikes, electric scooters and even the iconic 1950’s Mini Moke vehicles.
Away from the Finca, Sotogrande is a first class holiday destination and sporting playground with so much to see and do. There are seven excellent golf courses within the immediate vicinity, including Real Club Valderrama, considered one of the best courses in the world, host to the 1997 Ryder Cup and a must play for avid golf fans. We recommend spending a family day at La Reserva Club Sotogrande, an exclusive country club in the hills of Andalucia with incredible facilities and service to match. The star attraction is the ‘only private beach in Spain’, a man-made lagoon surrounded by 2,800m2 of sandy beach and separate 17,000m2 sports lagoon providing the perfect setting to enjoy water sports including kayaking, stand up paddle boards and Mirage Eclipse water bikes. No engines are allowed on the lake, so peace is secured and the environment protected.
Further afield we can arrange day trips to captivating Spanish cities such as Jerez and Seville. Head to Jerez in the province of Cadiz for a taste of sherry and flamenco dancing. This ancient city is a great day trip from Sotogrande and is home to tours of bodegas and cellars hosting sherry tastings. We also thoroughly recommend a trip to Seville, the capital of Andalucia and the cultural hub of the region. Stroll through the historic streets and soak up the major architectural landmarks, including the ornate Alcázar castle complex, the 18th-century Plaza de Toros de la Maestranza bullring and the Gothic Seville Cathedral. With so many options for activities, adventures, sightseeing and day trips, every holiday at the Polo Valley Finca is different and unique. Horse riding, golf, spa sessions and beach days, whatever it is that inspires your family, we use our extensive experience and knowledge of Sotogrande and Andalucia to ensure you make the most of your stay at the Polo Valley Finca; a family farm destination.
Sotogrande itself is home to an excellent marina with many vibrant bars, restaurants and shops. It’s great fun to take a stroll on the marina front, soak up the atmosphere and admire the many impressive yachts. There are lots of fun ways to explore the palm tree lined avenues and local beaches and we work with some great local partners
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Booking Now: Christmas & New Year 2020
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Thinking of treating your family to an extra special Christmas holiday, or a New Year celebration they’ll never forget? We’ve rounded up a selection of our top family escapes that are booking now for Christmas and New Year 2020. Whether you’re looking for sun, snow or adventure, we have a selection of very special festive holidays that tick all the boxes.
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Chesa Forma in Arosa
excellent choice as the winter months are the best time to visit to maximise your chances of seeing this wondrous natural spectacle.
Three more individually styled, luxury chalet-style apartments designed and built by Powder Byrne Properties have been added to our latest development, Chesa Forma in Arosa. Brand new for the 2020 ski season and available to rent exclusively with Powder Byrne. Located in a sunny valley in the heart of Graubunden, Arosa is a super-chic Swiss ski resort that offers extensive skiing on 225km of pistes thanks to a fast and efficient link with neighbouring Lenzerheide. The Chesa Forma apartments are your perfect home-from-home for the festive period with a beautifully decorated Christmas tree ready and waiting for your arrival. Enjoy our Swiss Cook service, delivering fresh home-cooked meals to your door or if it’s total indulgence you’re after, we can organise a private chef just for your family.
The Residence in Mauritius Spread over 25 acres of mature tropical gardens, The Residence is located on a mile-long stretch of soft pearly white sand on the east coast of Mauritius. You will find endless luxury and year-round sunshine at this 5-star resort. The kids will have a ball thanks to a full programme of exciting activities, ranging from snorkelling and treasure hunts to pony rides and cookery classes. Treat yourself to a massage at the tranquil Sanctuary Spa, with products by the luxury French brand CARITA and indulge in some gourmet treats in one of their two poolside restaurants. The fresh seafood at the beachfront Plantation restaurant is hard to beat! The Residence is an excellent choice and always popular for a family Christmas in the sun.
A family adventure in Iceland A top pick from our Air & Space adventure travel programme for 2020 is the captivating Nordic island country of Iceland. Our bespoke Iceland adventures include adrenaline-fuelled activities such as ice climbing and glacier snowmobiling as well as more sedate experiences, such as relaxing in the geothermal waters of the Blue Lagoon. It’s a great spot for a family adventure with so much to explore and enjoy from fjords and volcanoes to geysers, hot springs and lava fields. If you want to witness the magical Northern lights, celebrating Christmas or New Year in Iceland is an
Tschuggen in Arosa There is something extra special about Christmas in the mountains. Snowy streets adorned with sparkling lights, horse-drawn sleigh rides accompanied with a mug of hot, spicy gluhwein and lots of festive family fun on the slopes. There are 225km of slopes to enjoy and explore in the Arosa-Lenzerheide ski area, with slopes suitable for skiers of all abilities. Five minutes from the town centre is the Tschuggen Grand Hotel, a contemporary, family-friendly,
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5-star hotel with its own private mountain railway to whisk guests from the boot room to the slopes. The jewel in the crown at the Tschuggen is the enormous four-storey spa designed by famed Swiss architect Mario Botta. The Tschuggen has five fantastic restaurants to choose from, including Michelin starred La Vetta. They all offer something different from rustic cheese fondue to gourmet delights. On New Year’s Eve they celebrate with a lavish themed party, ensuring the Tschuggen is always a great place to ring in the New Year and enjoy a magical festive holiday in the mountains.
Carlisle Bay in Antigua
Opposite: Velaa Private Island. Clockwise from top: The iconic Tschuggen spa, Polo Valley Finca, Arosa village
Sunshine lovers, enjoy a Caribbean escape to Carlisle Bay in Antigua with a picture-perfect shoreline, unbeatable swimming and snorkelling and wonderful secluded location. Carlisle Bay pulls out all the stops over the festive period with a special Christmas Day Parade for the kids and live music in the evenings throughout the festive season. New Year’s Eve itself is magical, with a countdown celebration, champagne toast, fireworks, dancing and more live music. Wake up on the 1st of January to turquoise water, velvety white sand beaches and swaying palm trees; ending the day with a wonderful sunset cruise along the south-western coastline - what a way to start the New Year!
Polo Valley Family Finca in Sotogrande Fancy doing something a little different this Christmas or New Year? Celebrate in style at the Polo Valley Family Finca. Enjoy the run of the ranch with exclusive use of Polo Valley and the Guesthouse on a full board basis just for your family and friends. What better way to celebrate Christmas or ring in the New Year than with delicious Spanish food prepared by resident chefs, guided horse riding amid stunning scenery and babbling rivers and even the chance to try your hand at the thrilling sport of polo. Not to mention the other attractions and highlights that Sotogrande has to offer including outstanding golf courses, day trips to cities such as Seville and Jerez and even an exhilarating rib ride to Morocco.
Velaa Private Island in the Maldives Escape to paradise this Christmas. Hop on a 45 minute seaplane to reach ‘turtle island’ one of the most exclusive islands on Noonu Atul in the Maldives. Rooms are decorated using bamboo and rattan creating a light and airy feel, perfect for the setting. Villas come with private pools and are surrounded by mesmerising turquoise waters. Enjoy outstanding dining options from beachfront dining with delicious wood-fired pizzas to sipping vintage champagne at Michelin-starred restaurant, Aragu & Cru. You won’t be short of things to do on the island, discover the vibrant marine life scuba diving or if you’d prefer not to get your hair wet then the semi-submarine tours are an excellent choice. Other activities include golf, squash and tennis or if you’re looking for something a little more relaxing, head to the Clarins Spa - a haven of tranquillity with the Maldives first ‘snow room’. The island is very family-friendly, with a large children’s playground, pool and plenty of activities your little ones will love.
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Introducing the Apex2100 International Ski Academy
Apex2100 is a state-of-the-art international ski academy for talented athletes and oers full boarding, following the IB academic programme. It has been founded around one goal: to produce the champions of the future. 60
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The Director of Sport at Apex2100 is someone who knows a thing or two about what it takes to win at the highest level. Rugby legend Sir Clive Woodward, long-time friend of Powder Byrne, has brought together an elite team of experts to create the ultimate facility for budding skiers with a bright future. Under his leadership they have set their target on becoming the world’s best ski academy, applying their tried and tested model: Learn, Train, Perform. Dedicated to identifying and nurturing talented young athletes between the ages of 9-18 years, we are delighted to be involved in supporting this exciting project which goes hand-in-hand with our commitment to passing on our passion for the sport we love.
a club. The athletes live in which means their performance as an athlete can be improved via their lifestyle as opposed to just training sessions. They train on the mountain 5-6 days a week and have same-day video analysis from their coaches in the evening as well as daily gym and recovery sessions. Additionally they live, train and study under the care and attention of world-class coaches, specialists and academic teachers, giving them well-rounded care in all aspects of their life. This holistic approach is something other ski clubs and academies are not able to offer.
Our specialists: Sabrina Mocellin - Strength and conditioning Dr Florence Potter - Health and wellness Chris Thomson - Digital wellness Tag Lamche - Balance and coordination Dr Adam Carey - Nutritionist James Hewitt - Brain fitness Sheryl Calder - Visual intelligence Dr. Steve Lockley - Sleep and recovery
Why was Tignes chosen as the base for Apex2100? For a number of reasons - it is one of the most snow-sure resorts being at such a high altitude and having a glacier means we can ski year-round. Tignes le lac also provides us with access to excellent sporting facilities in Tignespace.
Our facilities in Tignes are purpose built and state-of-theart and we believe they are the best of any ski academy in Europe. The facility is ski-in/ski-out with a custom-designed gym and rehabilitation pools, both hot and cold, for recovery sessions.
How many students are attending the academy this season?
Apex2100 in numbers
This season we have 37 Apex2100 athletes ranging from 10-15 years old. They come from all across Europe including the UK, France, Greece and Switzerland.
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How does the training programme at Apex2100 differ from other junior ski racing clubs/ski academies? Apex2100 is unique to other academies in many ways. Firstly, we function like a boarding school as opposed to
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13 classrooms 2 laboratories 1 e-library 54 bedrooms 1 work cafe 400m2 gym area 200m2 ski room 1 cryotherapy suite
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D A I LY P R O G R A M M E F O R A P E X 2 1 0 0 AT H L E T E S
07:45
Wake up and breakfast
08:30 - 12:30
Ski training on the mountain
13:00 - 14:00
Lunch in the canteen
14:15 - 17:00
Academic lessons
17:00 - 18:00
Strength and conditioning
18:00 - 19:00
Free time
19:00
Supper in the canteen
19:30
Review sessions with coaches - video analysis and run down of training
20:30 - 20:45
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How do you help students manage training, education, racing and living in a new place? As you can imagine, the day-to-day life of the athletes is busy! They always have something next. This can be overwhelming and if not managed, it can cause stress. We have lots of systems in place to support our athletes: 1. Mentor programme - Our athletes are split into ‘pods’, these are small groups which they complete challenges and exercises in. Each pod has 2 mentors who the athletes can go and speak to at any point, as well as organised individual weekly sessions to discuss training, workload, social dynamics etc. 2. Staff - There is strong communication between all staff members and any concerns are flagged up between us as a team. If there is an issue, their mentor would have a chat with the athlete to build confidence and positivity depending on the concern.
What are the main challenges students will face during the programme? Balancing the training, academic and social lifestyle is a challenge for most of our athletes but as mentioned above we have various systems in place to support them through this. The responsibility of ensuring high performance in all areas of Apex life is a challenge for all age ranges, not just new athletes, as moving through the programme comes with increasing task, personal responsibility and personal performance demand. Another challenge noticed for our athletes, is the move away from home to (for some) a different country, with a different first language. Again our mentoring programme and staff support are paramount to helping with homesickness.
3. Specialists - They are the first port of call for our athletes. Our medical lead Dr Florence Potter is there for any private and confidential discussions our athletes may require as well as addressing concerns we might have.
How does the admissions process work? The first stage in the process is filling out the application form on our website. If we see potential in the athlete we would invite them for a call and if they are successful then they would join us on a three-day residential visit to our state-of-the-art academy in Tignes. During these few days they are assessed on ability and we also see how we can help them educationally. We then discuss as a team and decide who is best suited for our Academy.
Have you got any advice for young athletes who are thinking of applying to Apex2100? Be open and flexible to new experiences and make the most of the opportunities this academy provides. This includes not only the elite level ski coaching but also the nutritional advice, strength and conditioning training, amongst other things. The performance programme provides information that you might not be exposed to usually and making the most of each of the areas is key for getting the most out of the academy. Be prepared to make sacrifices. The academy is an incredible place to be, but it also pushes you as an individual to your best performance. This can only come with a sacrifice in other areas i.e. being away from family, friends and the social scenes that might entail. This is something which you need to consider before coming to Apex2100. For further details and enquiries visit www.apex2100.org
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Find your Escape Valve
Our Managing Director, Simon, embarked on a journey of discovery in Tohoku, Japan. From the ancient rituals of the Yamabushi (priest monks) to the inspiring stories of ďŹ shing communities and oyster farmers in Moune Bay. 65
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A journey of rebirth at Dewa Sanzen
aking a break from the daily pressures of work and home life is harder than it might seem, yet more and more of us (and the organisations we work for) are recognising the importance of investing time in our personal wellbeing, building resilience both physical and mental. More people are considering how we can become better leaders, better employees, better partners, reduce burn-out and refocus ourselves so we can more effectively achieve our goals. Perhaps equally important, they are considering how we can set an example for our children and take time to help them cut through the noise and refocus on the important things in life.
Discover the ancient rituals of the Yamabushi (priest monks) at the oldest site of mountain worship in Japan and follow the ways of Shugendo, a distinctive form of natural worship that involves participating in physical and mental devotions in the natural landscape. Shugendo has drawn pilgrims looking for new beginnings since the 8th century and the paths of the sacred mountains of Dewa in Yamagata prefecture, seem as old as time itself. You can join the Yamabushi for an immersive mountain ‘journey of rebirth’ starting in the towering cedar forest at the foot of Mount Haguro, which represents the present life. Death and the afterlife are represented by the journey to the soaring peaks of Mount Gassan, before coming full circle to rebirth, represented by the journey to the summit of Mount Yudono.
We’ve been interested in the topic for a while as we’re always researching travel solutions for clients based on insights into their evolving needs. We’re always learning and developing new ideas, which is why, when offered the chance to get off the beaten track to a lesser known region of Japan, I was intrigued to see if it held any answers to these burning questions.
Only recently have international participants been welcomed to take part in the annual Akinomine Peak Ritual, a massive event where over 150 Yamabushi train deep in the forests of Mount Haguro for a week. During this time you are totally isolated without phone or internet access, and take part in a variety of purifying rituals to eventually come out of the mountains ‘reborn’. Shorter term experiences and training programmes have been developed by the monks who are keen to share their experience and teachings and we can coordinate these with a programme of discovery in and around Yamagata at a time that suits you.
Japan, and more specifically the region of Tohoku, was a revelation for me. I can’t wait to go back and explore more and there is so much happening outside of the traditional centres of tourism that gives me huge encouragement. For all the neon-lit, fashion-heavy, craze-driven highlights of modern Japanese city culture, there is a growing focus on authentic, experiential travel which is tapping back into the roots of this fascinating culture. If a revitalising break is moving up your priority list and you are in search of richer, more meaningful experiences we’re delighted to share some ideas:
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An inspiring story of hope
A revitalising Onsen discovery - Toji style
The Pacific coast of Tohoku, in particular Miyagi prefecture, bore the full force of the 2011 tsunami. The story of rebuilding and regeneration is inspiring and the fishing communities and oyster farmers who work along this beautiful coastline have shown unbelievable resilience as they rebuild their lives. In picturesque Moune Bay, close to Kesennuma, a ground-breaking environmental movement that began over 30 years ago has been given new impetus in the aftermath of the tsunami.
Journey around the beautiful region of Tohoku and you are never far away from a traditional onsen town, thanks to the geothermal activity of this volcanic region. Onsen is an important part of Japanese cultural tradition and has to be experienced during any trip to the islands. The nutrient rich waters are famed for their healing and health-promoting qualities and the variety ranges from sulphur rich, to sodium chloride to hydrogen carbonate, each one offers different health benefits.
The Hatakeyama family are 3rd generation oyster farmers driving a conservation project that celebrates the symbiotic relationship between the mountains, rivers and the sea. Their programme encourages cooperation between the different stakeholders in these areas in order to ensure optimum water quality which supports the production of award winning seafood and oysters. Their oysters and scallops are sourced by some of the world’s leading chefs and their project is recognised by the UN and is making an increasing contribution to progressive environmental policy in Japan. For anyone with a keen interest in conservation, ecology and environmental issues, the chance to discover Moune Bay and meet the family who tell this inspiring story will be very memorable.
The rural town of Naruko in Miyagi prefecture is regarded as one of the main capitals of onsen tradition and has been welcoming weary travellers for over 1,200 years. It is easily accessible in just a few hours by shinkansen bullet train from Tokyo but feels like a land that time forgot. It is located in the Kurikoma National Park which is rich with beech forests, lakes and soaring mountainsides offering access to unspoilt nature across all the seasons, allowing you to enjoy a diverse range of onsen in ‘Toji style’. Toji is the traditional form of Japanese culture that developed out of a deep respect for nature. Toji involves repeatedly bathing over the course of your stay to remove fatigue and restore vitality to mind and body. In historical times farmers and fishermen would retreat to the onsen towns in their off-season to recharge their batteries. This practice has three therapeutic benefits. The first is rest. The second is recuperation and the third is treatment, and it is this Toji spirit that the older generation of Japanese can thank for their health and long life.
Discovery tours of the rich aquaculture, tasting tours with the oyster farmers, visits to the oyster beds in traditional fishing craft can all be arranged in bespoke tours combined with unique hotels and adventures in and around Matsushima Bay and Shiogama, the ‘sushi capital’ of Japan.
Traditional ‘ryokan’ inns, often family run, provide authentic lodgings with access to their own private onsens. To really immerse yourself in the ryokan experience you will be served delicious and healthy meals which are prepared with great pride and served with great ceremony by your hosts. Not to be missed is the opportunity to enjoy an onsen in the open air. Surrounded by pristine forest, as you gently bob about in the privacy of your own natural spa you’ll feel a million miles away from it all. Staying at Naruko Onsen in Tohoku can be combined with programmes throughout the year and is a unique destination for anyone looking for an off-grid experience offering all the benefits to your body and mind!
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Hot Topic: Sustainability & Responsible Travel 68
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For every client travelling with Powder Byrne we make a contribution to our Gold Standard partner to offset a proportion of the holiday’s carbon footprint.
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e are passionate about the amazing environments we work in and acknowledge the challenge we are collectively facing to ensure future generations can continue to travel and enjoy amazing experiences in a sustainable way. We are committed to making improvements to our practices and programmes, however small they may seem in isolation, as we believe that if we all play our part we can make an important difference. Choosing your travel partner, your airline and your hotel with an eye on their credentials is an increasingly important consideration for many clients - for others it is already the top of their list. 2020 will be a year of continued action for Powder Byrne as we build on our carbon offsetting programme launched this autumn. For every client travelling with Powder Byrne we make a contribution to our Gold Standard partner to offset a proportion of the holiday’s carbon footprint. Since November 2019 we have already offset over 145 tonnes of carbon on behalf of our clients.
Other important steps we are taking:
Our Gold Standard Partner
1. Moving towards an all electric vehicle fleet - we’ve introduced 2 electric Smart cars for this season with more electric vehicles in the pipeline. 2. Minimising our resort waste with a focus on the 3R’s: Reduce, Reuse, Recycle. 3. We’ve removed single-use plastic bottles and now gift reusable water bottles for all our clients in resort. 4. Our retired ski jackets and equipment are reused by Kenya Treks, a Responsible Travel member. 5. We’re encouraging our hotel partners and suppliers to be more environmentally responsible and celebrating their achievements.
We’ve selected BaumInvest, a Gold Standard certified company, as our chosen partner for carbon offsetting. BaumInvest not only offset carbon through reforestation in Northern Costa Rica, a popular destination in our Air & Space adventure travel programme, but also provide secure and long-term employment in rural areas, enhancing the permanence of the project.
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OUR TOP TIPS FOR R E S P O N S I B L E T R AV E L
Choose local
Book direct flights where possible
Wherever possible try and use local companies for activities and eat in restaurants that serve local produce and cuisine. A small act such as selecting a local drink brand rather than a global brand reduces the emissions that would have been used to transport the produce. A favourite drink in our original ski resort Grindelwald is 3970 Nordwand (North Wall) Brau, a locally brewed beer.
You can reduce your carbon footprint by booking the most direct route; take-off and landing are where the most emissions are produced. You can also choose airlines that are considering their eco-credentials. We use Swiss Air for a large number of our flights, who have reduced their fuel consumption by 29% since 2003 and are committed to improving this further. British Airways, our second largest airline partner, are working on measures to reduce the carbon emissions produced per passenger, automatically offset carbon emissions on domestic flights and offer travellers the choice to offset their carbon for non-domestic flights.
Bring your own in-flight extras Onboard items such as flight socks, eye-masks and earphones tend to be single-use items that come wrapped in plastic and are thrown away at the end of the flight. According to IATA, airlines generated 5.7 million tonnes of cabin waste in 2017 alone, by avoiding unnecessary single-use items this can be significantly reduced.
Offset your impact You can use websites such as ICAO.int to calculate and understand your emissions when travelling. We are committed to working with BaumInvest, a Gold Standard certified project in Costa Rica to help reduce our environmental impact and offset our carbon footprint as much as possible. If you want to fully offset your individual carbon emissions, you can visit pureleapfrog.org, or myclimate.org to learn more. Whilst we understand that carbon offsetting is not a perfect solution, we believe that it is one of the best choices we can make today to try and balance the effects of flying on the environment.
Pack light Packing fewer items or just sticking to your baggage limit means that less fuel is required for the flight, reducing your carbon footprint. Removing any excess packaging before you fly results in your suitcase being lighter and less waste being transported to your destination and potentially not recycled.
Consider the local community
Think twice when purchasing souvenirs
Learn about the local heritage and traditions, especially in far-flung destinations. Our Air & Space holidays all include an itinerary with a local fact file and if you have any questions about your destination, our travel consultants will be happy to help. You can positively impact the local community through understanding its needs and bringing useful items to help fulfil these. For example, in rural Peru, school supplies are limited and small items such as paper or outgrown children’s school shoes can go a long way. Notfor-profits like Pack for a Purpose provide great resources for finding out what local communities are lacking.
If you want to take a souvenir home with you, bypass the mass-produced items that are most likely an import, and find something that is produced locally and sustainably, not using any endangered resources such as ivory.
Consider animal welfare One of the greatest joys of travelling is witnessing animals and wildlife in their natural habitat. Sites such as Yala National Park in Sri Lanka are committed to conserving species such as the endemic Sri Lankan Leopard, so we can experience them for years to come.
Avoid single-use plastic cups and bottles According to Forbes, 1 million plastic bottles are bought every single minute, 91% of which are not recycled. In an effort to reduce our consumption of single-use plastic, we are moving away from using plastic water bottles on our transfers to gifting our client’s reusable water bottles when they travel with us, which we hope they will use again and again.
Stay in eco-friendly accommodation We are proud to work with some of the best eco-conscious and sustainability focused properties all around the world. Here are a few of our favourites.
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OUR TOP ECO-FRIENDLY ACCOMMODATION Valsana Hotel AROSA , SWITZERLAND The Valsana is a sustainable hotel concept that combines contemporary alpine design with cutting edge technology. The entire Valsana complex is heated using an Ice Battery that uses geothermal probes and by capturing and reusing waste heat from other appliances that is ordinarily lost to the surroundings. Their eco-credentials extend to the Valsana Food Concept that focuses on healthy menus produced using locally sourced ingredients. The Valsana was awarded the World’s Best Green Ski Hotel 2019.
Pacuare Lodge
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL Year-round
COSTA RICA This tropical treetop retreat is situated in the heart of the diverse Costa Rican rainforest, on the banks of the fast-flowing Pacuare River. Highlights at Pacuare Lodge include an exhilarating arrival via white-water raft and their stunning rainforest infinity pool. The lodge was built using local resources and labour from the local community. The little electricity that is used at Pacuare is powered by a water turbine and the lodge is lit entirely by candles at night, creating a unique experience in the jungle. The lodge even has its own organic farm to supply their kitchen. BEST TIME TO TRAVEL Year-round
Tri Lanka SRI LANK A This tropical paradise can be found on the edge of the magnificent Lake Koggala in south Sri Lanka. The mantra “create more, consume less” can be found in practice throughout the hotel, from the 100% recycled local jak wood used in the design, to the shoreline protection programme the hotel has initiated. Living walls and roofs which are planted with native creepers adorn the hotel and cinnamon sticks are used on the exterior of buildings. Nourish your mind, body and soul with the incredible cuisine and wellness facilities on site. BEST TIME TO TRAVEL August - April
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Inkaterra Machu Picchu Pueblo Hotel PERU Inkaterra Pueblo Hotel provides a great base to explore Machu Picchu on an Air & Space adventure holiday. Their key ethos is a focus on preserving Peru’s nature, wildlife and culture and the hotel village complex is situated within 12 acres of natural beauty which is home to 214 species of bird and the world’s largest native orchid collection. The lodge is a destination in itself and invites you to explore the cloud forest, visit the spa for a natural botanical treatment and soak in the steaming natural springs. BEST TIME TO TRAVEL Year-round
Rocksresort LA A X, SWITZERLAND Situated directly at the foot of the Laax lift station, this family-friendly hotel redefines the alpine holiday by focusing on the conscious use of resources and the environment. The cuisine is seasonal according to available food resources, electricity is generated from regional hydropower and there are even e-bikes available which run on sustainable electricity. Laax as a resort embodies sustainability throughout the ski area, with conservation areas in place to protect the natural flora and fauna. BEST TIME TO TRAVEL During the ski season
Hotel Belvedere
Revier Mountain Lodge
GRINDELWALD, SWITZERLAND
LENZERHEIDE, SWITZERLAND
The family-run Hotel Belvedere is located in the heart of the traditional alpine village of Grindelwald, the first Powder Byrne ski resort. The Hauser family are committed to sustainable practices, with the hotel using energy generated from Swiss hydroelectric power stations and heat from a Grindelwald based heating plant, both of which are CO2 neutral.
This state-of-the-art mountain hotel is powered by renewable energy resources, incorporating many high tech touches to maximise resources and ensure minimal waste is generated. Paperless self check-in, unfussy simple rooms and a focus on only using what you need for a comfortable stay, the Revier is a great option for eco-conscious skiers.
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL During the ski season
BEST TIME TO TRAVEL Year-round
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Eco Adventures in Costa Rica W
ell-known for its abundant wildlife, volcanic landscapes and tropical climate, Costa Rica is one of the most popular destinations in our Air & Space adventure travel programme and growing in popularity every year. With both Pacific and Atlantic coasts to explore and an untamed interior, visitors to Costa Rica experience everything from beautiful beaches and soaring volcanoes, to primordial cloud forests and dense rainforests. It’s not hard to see why this Central American treasure is
such a favourite with our clients. Less well-known, but gaining more prominence, Costa Rica is also considered a global leader in the fight against climate change and is celebrated for its leadership in environmental policy. Their ambitious National Decarbonisation Plan has seen the launch of multiple initiatives that include a carbon neutral certification scheme for businesses and municipalities, Nationally Appropriate Mitigation Actions in the agricultural sector, and a National Energy Plan.
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Alongside their focus on climate action, Costa Rica is also a world leader in the realm of ecotourism, devoting an estimated 26% of its land to national parks, wildlife reserves and protected lands. Hotels throughout the country are rated according to their degree of sustainability by the Certificate for Sustainable Tourism Program (CST). The highest level attainable in the program is five leaves and certificates are renewed every two years. Many of the hotels and lodges that we recommend have been awarded the CST 5-Leaves Award and through our chosen Gold Standard carbon offsetting partner, BaumInvest, we are contributing to projects in Costa Rica that help to reduce CO2 and advocate sustainable development and tourism. Our Air & Space adventure travel itineraries are completely bespoke and tailored to the interests and needs of our clients and can be designed to take in many fabulous eco-properties and experiences along the way.
Electric Dreams Costa Rica’s electricity generation already runs on a very high share of renewable sources, and aims to be 100% renewable by 2021. In 2018 the country beat its own record by generating 98% of electricity from renewable sources - for the fourth consecutive year.
Certificate for Sustainable Tourism evaluation criteria 1. Physical-biological environment - the relationship between the hotel and its surrounding environment 2. Service plant - how the company handles waste management and light and water saving technologies 3. Service management - how the tourism product fits with market trends and localities 4. Client - customer participation in sustainability programmes 5. Socioeconomic environment - a beneficial relationship between the facility and local community Certifications are renewed every two years.
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A I R & S PA C E I N C O S TA R I C A RECOMMENDED ITINERARY
3 R D D AY Exploring Tortuguero National Park Wake up to the sounds of the jungle birds and enjoy a leisurely freshly prepared breakfast at the lodge. After breakfast, you will head out on a guided walking tour through the fascinating National Park trails. You will head back to the lodge and enjoy some free time to spend as you wish before discovering more delicious Costa Rican flavours over lunch. In the afternoon you will explore Tortuguero from a slightly different perspective, on small, open boats navigating the lakes, rivers and canals that make up an extensive water network through the national park. The boats and waterways are a fantastic vantage point to observe the vast array of local wildlife including, birds, monkeys, two and three-toed sloths, American crocodiles and caiman. The canals are very sheltered, providing the perfect environment for endangered species to live, so you might see Oriental Indian Manatee, crocodiles, a large variety of crustaceous and about 30 species of sweet water fish including the Gaspar, considered as a living fossil. Exhausted from the trip and spellbound by the incredible wildlife you will then head back to the lodge for some downtime before dinner.
1 S T D AY Arrival and stay at Hotel Alta Las Palomas - 1 night stay Arrive into San Jose followed by a private airport transfer to Hotel Alta Las Palomas. Your driver will meet you at the airport where you can then relax and enjoy a short 25 minute journey to your hotel, taking in your first sights, sounds and smells of Costa Rica. You will arrive at Hotel Alta Las Palomas, located in the exclusive area of Alto de Las Palomas, approximately 5 miles west of the capital city, San José. Exuding classic Spanish colonial ambience, it overlooks the glorious valley of the sun. When you’re feeling peckish, check out La Luz restaurant and bar which is located within the hotel and combines Mediterranean cuisine specialities with fresh produce from local organic farmers. 2 N D D AY Intrepid journey to Evergreen Lodge - 2 night stay Only 5 minutes away from the entrance of Tortuguero National Park, this wild and remote area is only accessible by plane or boat. This unique jungle lodge has fantastic facilities including a delicious restaurant, a bar in front of the lagoon, a refreshing turtle-shaped swimming pool, tropical gardens and comfortable hammocks to enjoy the views of the jungle and canals teeming with wildlife. There are also Spa services on offer if you are looking for a little bit of relaxation and pampering.
4 T H D AY Journey to Arenal, the adventure capital of Costa Rica In the morning you will take a shared boat transfer back to the pier and wave goodbye to Tortuguero National Park. You will then be driven to El Ceibo restaurant for lunch. After lunch, your driver will meet you and take you on to Arenal which will take approximately 4.5 hours.
After an early pick up from the hotel reception at 6am you will wave goodbye to San Jose and drive through the spectacular Braulio Carrillo National Park and banana plantations to Tortuguero pier, with a short pit-stop for breakfast en route. At the pier you will board a comfortable boat which will wind its way along the Tortuguero canals where you are sure to spot all sorts of jungle wildlife. The boat ride will come to an end at the next stop on your adventure, Evergreen Lodge. Here you will disembark the boat just in time for a refreshing cocktail and delicious lunch. The afternoon is yours to relax and explore as you please, you can head to the green turtle information centre, beach area and visit the picturesque town. Dinner will be served at 7pm with an optional night tour on the beach to admire the spawning of the Tortuga Verde is on offer if you are there from July-September. A once in a lifetime opportunity, that’s for sure!
Tabacon Grand Spa & Thermal Resort - 3 night stay This wonderful resort offers a unique combination of the energy of the volcano, the flowing waters of the hot springs and the fresh air of the rainforest. The Tabacon Resort is ensconced by natural water features and water flows through the property, forming in-river pools, waterfalls and cascades, filling the pools throughout the resort. You will find these natural pools as you amble along the resorts walking trails, they are also surrounded by steaming tropical gardens which have temperatures ranging from 25-38°C, so it can get a little hot! The resort is also home to its own mineral natural hot springs, which you will have unlimited access to throughout your Tabacon Experience.
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5 T H D AY Horse Riding experience to La Fortuna Waterfall Today you will be picked up from the hotel reception at 9am ready to head out on a private tour to La Fortuna Waterfall. The waterfall’s sources are in La Fortuna River and it is located near the Arenal Volcano National Park, an area that sees high annual rainfall and temperatures between 18.5 and 35°C. These tropical conditions spawn an abundance of vegetation and biodiversity. You will enjoy all the flora and fauna on horseback as you start your riding tour at La Fortuna. The tour lasts for approximately 4.5 hours and from the river, you wind your way across varied Costa Rican countryside, through cattle farms and cultivated land. After 5.5km/1.5 hours you will reach a point where you dismount the horses and leave them to rest whilst you hike down a little hill to the spectacular La Fortuna Waterfall. The 200ft of cascading rainforest water is a phenomenal sight. If you fancy, you can take a dip in the emerald pools beneath, this will definitely be a refreshing experience as the water tends to be a little chilly!
to the fascinating natural world of the rainforest and the abundance of exotic nature that lives within it. Admire the colourful birds and impressive diversity of tropical plant species as you trek along the 3km trail. This route is a favourite amongst bird watchers as you are able to see more than 50 species of birds. 6 T H D AY Mountain Biking Volcano and Lake Adventure You will be picked up from your hotel reception at bright and early at 7.30am ready for your exciting mountain bike adventure. The adventure will start with a relaxing cycle through the tropical forest on a paved road heading to the Arenal Volcano National Park which joins with an old road connecting the Arenal Dam with the main entrance. From there you head towards the village of El Castillo, making your way along a quiet road surrounded by dense forest and cattle farms. Keep your eyes peeled during the cycle as you are bound to spot howling monkeys, coatis and birds such as toucans, egrets and kingfishers. There will also be incredible views of the volcano throughout the cycle. If you have the energy, you can go across the Arenal Dam and bike on the road along the north side of Arenal Lake. There is very little traffic on the road and you can enjoy unparalleled views of the lake and volcano.
Hanging bridges/Natural History walk In the afternoon, you will head out on a fun and educational walk to learn about the rainforest and the local environment. Walking along the trails opens the door
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7 T H D AY Journey to Rio Perdido You will be picked up from the hotel reception at 10am after enjoying a delicious breakfast. Your driver will collect you and you will make your way to Rio Perdido, the journey time is just under 2 hours. You will have the rest of the day to spend at your leisure, relax and explore the area.
ing rainforest, canyons and of course, the vast array of tropical wildlife including birds, monkeys and sometimes even larger mammals, if you’re lucky you might spot an Ocelot. There are parts of the canyon where rock walls narrow and daylight is scarce. Echoes grow louder and the silence leaves space to hear the animals, one thing’s for sure, you are not alone on the river!
Rio Perdido - 3 night stay Secluded, dramatic and unique, Rio Perdido has an unusual and simply spectacular setting. Surrounded by volcanoes, a dwarf-forest and flanked by two canyons, one carrying cool waters with a peculiar white tint and the other is thermo-mineral Rio Perdido, the ‘lost river’ as it directly translates. It really is a place like no other.
1 0 T H D AY Journey to Cala Luna Enjoy your last leisurely breakfast at Rio Perdido before boarding your journey to the last stop on your trip, Tamarindo. The journey will only take 2 hours. Tamarindo has turned into one of the most famous beach towns in Costa Rica and is best known for its surf. The bustling town has lots of restaurants, bars and there is plenty to keep everybody entertained.
8 T H D AY Canyon adventure There are several Canyon tours you can try in Costa Rica but Rio Perdido really is the best of the best. Their awesome cable-based adventure includes: • • • • • • •
Cala Luna Boutique Hotel, Tamarindo - 5 nights Located on Langosta Beach in Guanacaste next to Tamarindo, Cala Luna Boutique Hotel & Villas is part of a charming beach community growing to be one of the most popular in Costa Rica. The Hotel enjoys the nearby conveniences of the beach town, yet sits beyond the hustle and bustle, creating a tranquil beachside retreat. Recent renovations include the development of ecochic architecture harbouring a stress-free and informal environment with excellent, attentive service.
15 platforms: 6 of them are rock-based, 9 are suspended on the canyon walls Pendulum cable 50ft Tarzan swing 90ft challenge bridge 4 via ferratas with lengths varying 15 to over 30ft 5 zip lines with lengths varying from 260 to 800ft Water station in the middle of the circuit
1 1 T H D AY Private Surf Lesson Tamarindo is one of the most popular surfing spots in Costa Rica and a fantastic place to learn the sport. The majority of instructors have been surfing nearly as long
9 D AY White Water Tubing More action and adventure is in store today. Ride the rapids on your tube and enjoy phenomenal views of the surroundTH
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as they have been walking and know all the best spots for beginners - so you are in good hands. There will be transfers to and from the hotel and you can enjoy a 2 hour surfing lessons in some of Costa Rica’s best waves. There are a few spots that are great for beginners to learn: just north of Tamarindo Diria is Playa Avellanas and if it is a quiet day in front of Hotel Capitan Suizo. Don’t worry about remembering these names, your surf instructor will know the best spots to catch your first waves. 1 2 T H D AY Stand Up Paddle Board lesson You will be picked up from your hotel reception at 8am ready for your paddleboarding lesson, where you will learn the basics on how to master the art of this increasingly popular watersport. The stand up paddleboards feature a step deck and rail and the built-in deck grip provides maximum traction. Balance is the key challenge with paddleboarding and the bonus is that it is a great workout. Don’t worry, it is a lot faster and easier to learn than it looks! 1 3 T H D AY Private Snorkelling Boat Tour Enjoy the serene and secluded surroundings of Flamingo Beach area and discover the world underwater in the many snorkelling spots found along the coast. The tour includes fins, masks and a life vest. The areas around Flamingo beach are renowned for having crystal clear waters and pearly white sand, creating the perfect visibility conditions for snorkelling. In these waters you are likely to see damselfish, moray eels, angelfish and a huge selection of tropical fish, you won’t be disappointed.
1 4 T H D AY Your final day is set aside to relax and enjoy as you wish Our recommendations: Between Playa Tamarindo and Playa Grande there is a maze of estuary waterways with the option to kayak through these with a professional guide. It’s a great way to see the surrounding wildlife and landscape and watch out for lazy crocodiles sunbathing on the river bank. Tamarindo is also well-known for its fishing. You are likely to reel in Roosterfish, snapper, amberjack and if you head to Costa Rica between April and August you are sure to see Billfish. Some Billfish can reach an incredible length of up to 5m, so hold on tight if you manage to catch one of those on the end of your line. If you are looking for more of an adrenaline rush on your final day, there are lots of activities available in Tamarindo to get your blood pumping: • • • •
Zipline canopy tour, fly through the treetops spotting monkeys, lizards and maybe even an armadillo. Horseback adventure through the rainforest. Starting at Victoria Falls, you can go river tubing down the Rio Negro. Explore Rio Negro hot springs, where mineral-rich waters are naturally heated by the Rincon de la Vieja volcano.
1 5 T H D AY Private Transfer to San José Airport The last day of your holiday and it’s time to head home! You will be picked up from your hotel reception at 8.30am by your driver who will take you back to San José airport in plenty of time for your flight back to the UK. The journey back to the airport will take approximately 4-4.5 hours, a great time to reflect on your trip!
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Piste to Profession First launched in winter 2009, Piste to Profession (or P2P as it’s fondly known), our full-season ski instructor training course has gone from strength to strength, with over 100 BASI qualified ski instructors graduating from its ranks in the past 10 years to take their places on the slopes. Piste to Profession is the ultimate gap year ski season course for keen skiers. The 18-week structured programme consists of training and activities to become a proficient ski instructor capable of teaching novice skiers of all ages. Students work towards gaining their BASI 1 instructor qualification with the majority of students also achieving their BASI 2 qualification. Alongside gaining their valuable ski instructor qualifications, the students gain vital work experience working for the 5-star Powder Byrne in-resort team. There are also plenty of opportunities to relax and enjoy life in the mountains, with exciting activities such as ice climbing, freestyle snow-parks and high ropes courses, as well as attending high profile events and professional snowsports competitions throughout the season. We had a chat to one of our recent Piste to Profession graduates to shed some light on what’s involved in the course and the experiences and skills they have gained in the process.
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Why did you choose to do the Piste to Profession course? I did a bit of research along with the help of my parents to compare the different courses I could do during my year out. Looking around at the various ski instructor course options, the Piste to Profession programme was by far the most rounded course. It seemed to be the most active season you can do and there is something different to do every day - the range of activities is fantastic. I loved the idea that I wouldn’t only be working for the ski school but also a luxury brand such as Powder Byrne. And as it turned out, living with the full Powder Byrne resort team - as well as the other Piste to Profession students was a great experience!
Alongside gaining valuable ski instructor qualifications...there are also plenty of opportunities enjoy life in the mountains
What has been the highlight of your season? There are so many - it’s really hard to narrow it down to one thing! If I had to pick I would probably say free-riding week. I absolutely loved it! It provided such a cool range of mountaineering that you normally wouldn’t get to try. We were able to go powder skiing in the backcountry, ski touring and ice climbing - it was incredible.
What skills have you gained on the course and what will you take away most from your season?
What were your favourite activities?
So many! Probably more than I even realise. My skiing has improved dramatically, the course really develops technical skiing ability as the skiing tuition is really amazing. Teaching the children developed so many skills, probably the most prominent was my interpersonal skills. Over the course we had the opportunity to work and teach lots of children of different ages and abilities and each child responded to each method of teaching and communication differently. It definitely took some skill to work out which was the best approach - it got easier each time, which is a testament to the skills this course requires and develops.
As mentioned I loved the free-riding activities! We also got to head out to Grindelwald for a weekend to watch the Lauberhorn race was really fun. I actually found teaching children really interesting, it is quite a fulfilling experience. Having the opportunity to help teach before the BASI exams are really great, it definitely prepares you better for the exams.
Would you recommend the Piste to Profession course to others? I would 100% recommend Piste to Profession to others, for a whole host of different reasons. It gives you the opportunity to try everything on the mountain from teaching ski instruction to learning how to snowboard with lots of fun activities thrown into the mix too. You make the best group of friends and learn to be an instructor in the process - the people you meet and the qualification you get is unbeatable.
What do you plan to do now that the season is over? I am going to Fiji for a while to teach children and then I am going to university to study primary education. I am planning on coming back out to work as a ski instructor during my university holidays to earn a bit of money and get back out on the slopes and do more teaching.
If you could, would you do it all again? Yes, absolutely. Without a doubt, yes!
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