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