| 2008 |
Down Healey Skiing, The Sun
FORMER England star Austin Healey’s rugby career is going downhill fast – but he would not have it any other way.
Austin, now 34 and playing for humble Hertfordshire side Bishop’s Stortford, tackled an opponent tougher than All Blacks giant Jonah Lomu as he took on the Collineige Ski Challenge in Chamonix.
The plucky ski novice was given a crash course — with the emphasis on crash — to help him ski the feared Vallee Blanche off-piste run at the foot of France’s Mont Blanc.
And he showed enough fancy footwork in the snow to suggest he will waltz it when he stars in Strictly Come Dancing.
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Spring snow in Chamonix - Gonomad
My stay at the Chalet Valhalla was one of the best travel lodging options in quite a while. The comfort level and amenities outstanding and service impeccable. The selection of properties that are handled by the company is extensive and covers a gamut of prices and type of stay. It was truly a pleasure.
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Chamonix extreme sports: Will Greenwood searches for a post-rugby adrenalin buzz, The Daily Telegraph
It was a glorious summer’s day in the Alps, and I was standing on the edge of a 6,000 ft drop with a small Frenchwoman strapped to my back.
Ordinarily I wouldn’t have minded, but she was very clear about what I needed to do and unless I did exactly as she said there was a good chance we would end up hurtling towards the distant valley floor.
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Europe's rail renaissance on track, The Guardian
The rail renaissance in Europe is racing ahead like a 320kph TGV yet Guillaume Pepy, head of SNCF, sees risks as well as opportunities as he celebrates the centenary of the reborn Mont Blanc Express aboard one of its six new electric traction trains.
Last weekend saw the start of the French summer holiday season and 1.3 million people thronged Paris's stations as they headed for the mountains and sea. The elongated twin-set TGVs pulling out of the Gare de Lyon virtually every five minutes are packed with up to 1,000 passengers. The concourse and platforms are so crammed with anxious families and international backpackers it's surprising they all get on board on time.
Even in the driving rain sweeping through the French Alps, accompanied by thunder and lightning, drenched walkers and climbers rush to join the "express" linking St Gervais with Vallorcine on the Franco-Swiss border and offering stunning views of the Mer de Glace.
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England rugby stars tackle the slopes, The Times
If you're a fan of all things rugby (the Six Nations tournament kicks off today) and skiing, combine your two passions by hitting Chamonix's slopes tomorrow. Collineige (01276 24262, www.collineige.com) is hosting former England greats Austin Healey, Will Greenwood and Mike Catt, right, there next week. You can ski the Vallée Blanche with them, and there's a question-and-answer session with the gents on Tuesday. Transfers from Geneva and half-board accommodation from £645pp for a week, excluding flights.
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Be Our Guest - Chalets in Chamonix - Gonomad
And then there was one…. I am alone in Chamonix and still at the fabulous Chalet Valhalla. It is one of those places that I wish I could click my heels and make Lil suddenly be here! In fact I wish the world could check in for a bit and see the sun sinking over Mt. Blanc and the other snow capped peaks. It is best done from the hot tub on the Valhalla’s deck. Many thanks go to Collineige and in particular Colleen Olianti, they offer such great alternatives to hotel stays. This place sleeps so many and is perfect for a Chamonix base as many do, even from Aspen.
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YouTube England rugby stars skiing
See some YouTube footage of Chalet St Hubert and the England rugby stars skiing.
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My white-knuckle Mont Blanc ride, Daily Mail
As a member of the England rugby squad I've done some pretty scary things. One training camp experience that springs to mind was sitting in the body of a helicopter as it was submerged upside down in a swimming pool — the idea being to teach us to keep our cool.
So when I was invited to ski the world-renowned Vallee Blanche — a 20 km run down from 3,880m up Mont Blanc, the highest mountain in Europe — I didn't hesitate. This, despite the fact I had only done five days skiing before in my life (the words rugby, insurance and skiing don't work in the same sentence).
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