Merry Christmas from Tchambre.com!
Welcome to the Winter Newsletter of tchambre.com, Brusson, Val D’Ayas.
For bookings: info@tchambre.com, +447874104214
Gastronomy: Costolette alla Valdostana
Costolette alla Valdostana, Veal Cutlets from the Aosta Valley, are an absolute must for those who are curious about the region’s cusine. Made by cutting a pocket into a veal cutlet and inserting fontina cheese with cooked ham, these cutlets are then breaded and panfried with local butter creating a heart-warming dish that is crispy on the outside and oozes gooey melted cheese on the inside. Give it a go!
Meet the Locals: Nordic Ski Instructor, Nathalie, Brusson Ski School
1. Why do you love Nordic Skiing Nathalie?
I’ve always loved Nordic skiing since I was a young girl. It was a sort of love at first sight! It immediately became my passion! Having competed at national and international tournaments, I became a ski instructor at the tender age of 20. I then became a Nordic ski trainer for Ski Clubs to transmit my passion to children in Val D’Ayas. I have had the honour of training young athletes who are now also ski instructors and another two athletes who are now competing in the Biathlon World Cup. I now also do this sport to help distance myself from frenetic daily life and to help find both physical and mental health.
2. What are the different disciplines of Nordic Skiing?
Nordic Skiing is an umbrella term for both cross-country skiing and also biathlon. There are two kinds of cross-country skiing techniques: classic or skating. The classic form of cross-country skiing is considered the “skiing par excellence” and was born in Scandinavia. It involves moving your arms and legs in alternate fashion inside carved-out tracks. Skating is relatively new in comparison and was born in the 1980s. It involves pushing or sliding your feet laterally a bit like ice skating.
Nordic skiing also includes biathlon which is a fusion of cross-country skiing with rifle shooting. It’s a very popular sport and increasingly practiced in Italy.
3. Why is Nordic Skiing good for your health?
Nordic Skiing is definitely good for our physical and mental health:
– Stress reduction: being in nature is therapeutic. Being far from the air pollution and traffic present in cities and immersing yourself in a winter wonderland with trees and snowy mountain peaks is a great way to relieve yourself of stress and nervous tension.
– A complete physical workout: it is a form of physical activity that is ideal for those who wish to lose weight and keep themselves in shape. It is a great cardiovascular workout and helps improve the ability of your cardiac muscle to pump blood and perfuse your body tissues with blood. It also improves body muscle tone (at rest) and motor tone (during movement) because it involves both upper body movement and lower body movement so it is a complete body workout. It also improves coordination and people tend to acquire elasticity and better balance.
4. What extra does Brusson, Val D’Ayas, offer those who love Nordic skiing?
Brusson offers something extra mainly for lovers of biathlon but also because we have a fantastic Nordic ski centre with a ski school, coffee bar, ski hire, plenty of runs to practice on and a friendly ticket office. What is unique to Brusson is the shooting range for biathlon lovers. Our Ski school offers biathlon lessons for both adults and children. The lessons include how to use an air rifle and at a later stage a calibre 22 rifle for adults.
5. What else do you love about Val D’Ayas?
I love the mountain range of Monterosa with its spectacular peaks but also the numerous hiking trails the valley offers. I especially adore the “Pian di Verra”, the Verra Plain, at above 2000m which offers amazing views of Monterosa. For a fabulous walk try the Ru Courtaud hiking trail with its aqueduct water canal built in 1433 bringing water from the Glacier to Col di Joux in the valley of Saint Vincent. From Saint Vincent you can go to Col Tzecore between Emarèse and Challand Saint-Anselme.
6. Tell us about Saint Vincent.
Saint Vincent is called the Riviera of the alps because of its mild climate and sun exposure and is famous for its Casino and its thermal spa. It’s a historic tourist destination since the 18th century. The thermal spa offers everything: outdoor pools where you can relax and enjoy the mountain scenery, cervical water jets, massage sessions and many other therapies.
San Vincenzo church is worth visiting too: built in the 11th century with its 8th century crypt and museum of sacred art. Throughout the Saint Vincent area are traditional alpine villages with mills, ovens and traditional alpine “rascard” that are reachable by foot, horse or e-bike.
Nordic Ski Lesson Offer: €100 per day for an hour-long Nordic Ski lesson and accommodation included the same evening with tchambre.com
For more info or to Book, call: +447874104214
For your diary: Events
Till the 6 January 2025: Marché Vert Noël, Christmas Market, Chanoux Square, Aosta
22 January 2025: Brusson, Children’s Biathlon with Air-rifle.
31 January 2025: Brusson, Nordic Skiing Team Sprint- Classic Technique
30 January 2025-31 January 2025: Saint’Orso Fair, Aosta. https://www.lasaintours.it
1 February 2025: Brusson, Nordic Skiing Sprint- Classic Technique
2 February 2025: Brusson, Nordic Skiing 10km, “Tecnica Libera” (Classic or Skate)
February 2025: Carnivals of the Coumba-Frèide.