| As the mother of young children, I have fantasized | | | | enjoy the Children's Playroom which contains |
| about the perfect winter get-away. My children, now | | | | authentic desks from A 19th century school house, |
| 8 and 10, are fairly independent, but winter activities, | | | | wooden toys, bouncing balls, a puppet theater, legos |
| be it skiing or sledding, inevitably require extra effort | | | | and other surprises. Next door to this room is a |
| on the part of parents to assist. Socks pulled up, | | | | family movie theater for evening viewing. The hotel |
| pants leg down, snow pants up, inner pant leg back | | | | also runs three restaurants -- one with a Michelen |
| up, so pull it down, left ski boot on, right ski boot on, | | | | Star. We really enjoyed a gastronomic evening of |
| left one hurts, left one off -- Add to that the | | | | "family fondue" at the Bar à Fromage in front of |
| necessity of driving from hotel to ski rental shop, a | | | | a roaring fire. At La Brassierie du Bon Bec, we had La |
| shuttle to the slopes and back again, and a "relaxing" | | | | Braserade where "braciere" was put on our table, |
| winter family vacation becomes nothing more than a | | | | with sausages, potatoes and Reblochon cheese to be |
| different kind of work. | | | | melted. At the end of the dish, crepes suzettes are |
| Imagine instead a gracious manor house in a valley | | | | made directly on the braciere. The loving hand four |
| amidst the towering mountains of Valle 'd'Aosta, Italy | | | | generations of the Jeantet-Roullet family is evident in |
| which just happens to have won the 2006 Spa | | | | every nook and cranny of this family-owned hotel. |
| Trophy awarded by Relais Chateau. Imagine further | | | | No where have I seen such a combination of rustic |
| that this hotel overlooks a parco neve (snow park) | | | | charm and sophisticated elegance. |
| complete with cross-country trails, small downhill | | | | But the fun does not stop at the doors of the hotel. |
| course and tubing with roullez tappez (electric | | | | The aero club Valle D'Aosta will take you flying, gliding |
| side-walk) to carry you back up the hill, a trampoline | | | | or parachuting over and around Monte Bianco/Mont |
| and lounge chairs on the snow, warmed by the sun's | | | | Blanc. A horse drawn sled will also take you for a |
| rays (sunglasses and sunscreen a must). If you dare, | | | | memorable ride through the snowy valley of |
| imagine further that three steps from the hotel and | | | | Valnontey. Centro di Turismo Equestre "Le Traineau" |
| the park is a ski rental at about nine Euros (12 U.S.) a | | | | +39 333 314 7248. We opted to spend our |
| day, and a five minute walk down the road, a chairlift | | | | non-sking, non-spa time training to become the leader |
| for more advanced skiers at about 10 Euro a day (13 | | | | of a dog sled team with Signor Genta. The kids were |
| US). Tired kids? Throw their skis in the hotels shed | | | | safely tucked inside a dog sled and team lead by a |
| for a while (every room has its' own locker) and | | | | professional. I was given my own sled, some |
| warm up inside with a cup of tea or hot chocolate in | | | | instruction, and off I went, the leader of my own |
| front of a noce carved fireplace. | | | | team. Although thrilling, I felt like I was on some wild |
| Sound like a fantasy? Such a place really exists at the | | | | ride at Disney where the brakes malfunctioned. It |
| HOTEL BELLEVUE and it's not located in a fabricated | | | | was great fun, but is definitely for those of you who |
| 1980s ski village that sprang up overnight. It exists in | | | | find yourself in excellent physical shape (I am not, |
| Cogne, an 11th century Italian mountain village at | | | | unfortunately, in this sector of the population) and |
| 1534 meters altitude. It lies within the border of the | | | | who like a good thrill (I am at least part of the |
| National Park "Gran Paradiso," designated as such in | | | | second group). Sled dogs, I learned, really like to pull, |
| 1922 for its beauty and unique fogliage and fauna. | | | | the faster the better, and it takes good balance and |
| The hotel itself has so many benefits for families, it is | | | | strength to keep WITH the sled. Next time, I'd opt |
| difficult to know where to start. The spa area with | | | | for a "kid" seat, tucked away in a toasty sled, letting |
| its pool and Jacuzzi with recliners and hydro- massage | | | | the professionals do all the work, listening to the |
| is enjoyable for all but the smallest visitors. As for | | | | snow swish by, taking in the scenery and the passion |
| particular spa treatments, they are for the | | | | of the dogs whisking me through a field of white |
| enjoyment of Mom and Dad, while smaller visitors | | | | powder. |