SnowExpress has been launched this week, offering the lowest cost, lowest hassle, greenest way to get to the French Alps this winter. This service has been launched by David Robertson, owner of Actions Outdoors, and by Dave Manley, previously General Manager of Eurolines. David explains: " For the last five years we've been running our own coaches for our own customers from London to the Alps. With the demise of the ski train, plus more and more budget conscious travellers looking to cut the cost of their trip to the snow this is the ideal to offer an unbeatable service to a wider number of savvy travellers".

SnowExpress serves over 40 resorts in France including Chamonix! The services starts on Friday 11thDec for early season skiers & saisonaires and continues right through till after Easter, with a special Saturday departure on Boxing day, the 26th Dec.

More information
Contact david.robertson@action-outdoors.co.uk or via telephone 00 44 78 11 40 78 01!

The hotel Le Labrador is situated on the Chamonix golf course. This is a really beautiful establishment well integrated into its mountain environment. : a wooden chalet with a magnificent view over the Mont Blanc range...

Philippe Bartoli became the manager in 1993 and is now assisted by his wife Alexandra. The couple are convinced of the advantages of undertaking environmental action.
The decoration of the hotel is inspired by the mountain spirit: wood, exposed beams, harmony of tones, soft LED lighting, and compact florescent bulbs.

The chalet adjoining the hotel is entirely in wood, with wood and designer decor, using ecological materials. A particular effort has been made with the insulation of the building. This is often the main problem in wooden buildings. The owner therefore decided, first of all, to renovate the external cladding. It was then decide to insulate the interior using Rockwool.
The establishment has an all-electric heating system with new generation convecteur heaters in cast iron, which gives a better heat output and a not inconsiderable energy saving. This system is adjusted individually for each room which is fitted with a temperature gauge and a movement detector.

Equally important to note are the water limiters on the taps and the soap dispensers. In fact individual soaps represent a lot of rubbish. Reduction first at source will produce the end result of the possibility of sorting for recycling. Finally the establishment uses green cleaning products. Like other establishments of this type, there is always more to be done, but the hotel Le Labrador is well on its way.

The hotel is also a member of the Mont Blanc Ecotourisme association.

For more info: www.hotel-labrador.com

5 minutes from the town centre, at the foot of the Aiguille du Midi, The hotel Les Aiglons*** Resort & Spa has been completely renovated. An ambitious renovation which pushes the boundaries of mountain tourism. The atmosphere is sporting, homely, and warm, the conception is contemporary and authentic, the surroundings are mineral and natural. In the tone of its transformation the entrance lobby exudes new horizons, space, awakening senses – Mont Blanc and Chamonix inhabit this place.
As well as its restaurant and bar, the hotel offers a real mountain spa – heated outdoor swimming pool, sauna and hammam in the hotel gardens, massage and fitness area and other surprises on offer at the time of its reopening in December 2008...

COMMITMENT TO THE PLANET

The new hotel Les Aiglons *** Resort & Spa is distinguished on several points from an equivalent hotel (by number of rooms, location), constructed without reference to the environment:
− a reduction in heating requirements (in the public areas and the pool)
- a reduction in lighting energy
- comfort in summer without thermodynamic air conditioning
− reduction in greenhouse gasses
− reduction in clean water consumption.

Thermal Insulation

− Optimisation of insulation of the vertical façades, roof terrace,roof space, glazed areas.
− The building is insulated on the outside. The balconies are structurally detached to avoid thermal bridges.

Production of heat

− The energy used is natural gas available on site.
− The installation of a wood-chip boiler designed to meet all the heating requirements of the swimming pool.

Ventilation

- The installation of a double flux clean-air multi-channel ventilation system for all the bedrooms in the existing building and in the new part.

Lighting

- The hotel is fitted with compact fluorescent bulbs, which give reduced energy consumption compared to traditional bulbs.

Hydro-economy system

− Double flush 3/6 litres systems.
− Taps : flow 6 l/min in the basins, and 9 l/min in the showers.
− Thermostatic limiters in the showers.