Insted's Chamonix Blog

Mais où est Bambi?

20 Jul 2010 - Leave a comment

Envie d'un break après les cours intensifs?  Le parc animalier de Merlet vous accueille !
Une balade de moins d'une heure au départ des Houches ou de Chamonix - Gaillands.
Un parc où découvrir plein d'animaux en liberté dans leur milieu naturel : bouquetins, chamois, lamas, cerf japonais, marmottes…

N'oubliez pas vos jumelles pour observer au mieux Bambi bien sûr, mais pour admirer les glaciers des Bossons, de Taconnaz et puis les aiguilles!

Ouvert tous les jours de 9h30 à 19h30 sauf le lundi.

Le parc de Merlet sur le web

Chalet la Floria in summer

17 Jul 2010 - Leave a comment

In April we posted a short description of the short hike to Chalet la Floria. It takes less than an hour and is a perfect walk before French class. Two pictures are worth a thousand words!

Sport, Film et Photo : Nissan Outdoor Games

15 Jul 2010 - Leave a comment

Nissan Outdoor games, une recette:

une bonne dose de kayak, d'escalade, de VTT, de parapente et de Base jump

et

une touche de créativité en photo et en vidéo

On associe le tout à bonne humeur et chaleur pour un scénario original.

Résultats le 15 juillet :

21h45-22h15 Projection PHOTO de la compétition
22h15-23h00 Projection FILM de la compétition

au centre ville de Cham' 

Overland Blog 2010

09 Jul 2010 - Leave a comment

Mais que font ces jeunes élèves américains à Insted ?

On les voit randonner, découvrir la région, faire des rallyes, pratiquer le français en immersion... mais précisément, ils font quoi à Chamonix?

Un blog pour tout savoir!

Overland Blog 2010 - Bonne navigation!

Les étudiants d'Insted aux Bossons

09 Jul 2010 - Leave a comment

Mais que s'est-il passé en 1950 à Cham' ?
Et puis, c'est quoi Malabar Princess d'abord?

Malabar Princess…
Un avion, un accident, le glacier des Bossons, mais aussi : un film !

Nos jeunes étudiants américains sont allés interroger les charmantes dames de l'office de tourisme de Cham sur ce fameux accident.
Réponses obtenues, ils ont travaillé sur l'affiche et sur un extrait du film.
Après la classe, ils ont aménagé la grande salle et s'y sont installés pour la projection. Morceau de pizza dans les mains, ils étaient fins prêts pour en découvrir un peu plus sur cet avion.
Le lendemain, surprise!
Les professeurs avaient organisé, en complicité avec leurs leaders-animateurs, une visite au glacier des Bossons, le lieu de l'accident où on peut découvrir deux morceaux de l'engin de 1950. Cette fois, c'est stylo et cahier en main qu'ils en ont appris davantage sur cet évènement et sur le glacier "impressionnant".

Sourires et étonnements garantis!

Malabar Princess sur le net à youtube - cliquez ici

Climbing Mani Pulite

Climbing Flégère Chamonix

08 Jul 2010 - Leave a comment

Difficult to choose a climbing route among the hundreds of possibilities there are in and around Chamonix? Or do you have half a day free cause you have French classes in the afternoon?

Only 10 minutes walk from the Index lift at la Flégère you find three excellent beginner climbing routes from 5 to 6 pitches, which can easily be done in half a day. Description found in the Aiguilles Rouges topo. Three routes to choose from: Mani Pulite, Nez Rouge or Modern times (max 5b+ level).

Excursion Annecy

30 Jun 2010 - 1 comment - Leave a comment

Magnifique journée au lac d'Annecy!

Les étudiants ont discuté en français sur la place du marché, certains se sont même baignés, l'eau était superbe!

A refaire!

Beautiful day by lac d'Annecy!

The students discussed in French at the market place. Some of them took a swim, the water was great!

A must do again!

Mont Blanc Wanderings by Nathalie Jennings

Hiking Mont Blanc with Natalie Jennings

28 Jun 2010 - Leave a comment

Fancy coming over to Chamonix this summer to improve your French and experience some great hiking while you are here? Book a course and accommodation in central Chamonix with us and get hold of the book "Mont Blanc Wanderings" by Natalie Jennings.

"Mont Blanc Wanderings" is a collection of Natalie's favourite hikes and treks, amassed over ten gorgeous summers spent traipsing the land with her faithful map and camera in hand. The author wanted to create a book that not only picked out the prettiest, most enjoyable and picturesque routes, but also served as a beautiful photographic souvenir of the region. Plus she has added her own hints and tips about the best places to find blueberries, spot marmots and encounter wild chamois!

Natalie was born in the Welsh Valleys and first came to Chamonix in 1999 on a week’s holiday. Within a fortnight of returning to the UK she had handed in her notice at work, packed up her bags and left Britain to make Chamonix her permanent home as she expresses it "as anyone who lives here already knows, Chamonix just has that effect on you!" (Insted's note: Yes, we know!). Natalie is passionate about hiking, trekking, walking, generally being out in the mountains and she also enjoys taking photographs. From the moment a friend led her up the Lac Blanc path ten years ago she was hooked. In her own words: "the amount of accessible walking trails and routes within the Mont Blanc range is truly astounding.  Plus, with the network of cable cars and chairlifts available, people of all ages and ability can experience the joys of high altitude mountain walking, without the need for ropes, crampons or an ice axe!"

Check out the preview and order your copy below:

Mont Blanc Wanderings by Natalie Jennings | Make Your Own Book

Winner of this summer's MTB competition to study french in Chamonix with us

The WINNER is Steve Edwards

25 Jun 2010 - Leave a comment

Thanks to all those who entered our competition to win a 2 week french language course in Chamonix.

We are happy to announce the winner of the competition is Steve Edwards.

What better way to spend 2 weeks this summer! 

Congratulations Steve!

Insted conference facilities

Insted Conference Facilities

17 May 2010 - Leave a comment

Following the recent "Chamofix Massage" held at Insted, we thought this was an ideal opportunity to ask the ladies some questions concerning the 'conference room' facilities on offer at Insted.  Take a moment to have a quick read.

Question : Insted Chamonix takes a unique approach to language learning - combining language learning with a lifestyle incorporating active sports such as skiing or surfing in inspiring locations throughout Europe, including their headquarters in the heart of European skiing "Chamonix".  You are here at Insted as a professional massage therapist leading a training session for massage therapists in the Chamonix Valley - can you describe the major benefits of having access to this space in Chamonix and the importance of reaching out to other professionals to continue/update their training?

Answer :

Ruth: Most Chamonix locals know where Insted is, and it's easy to find and central with parking nearby. The weblinks to directions on the Insted page help a lot too - so instantly the great location is time-saving and easy for me and the participating therapists.
More importantly, it's great to have a bright, airy space with good teaching facilities - whiteboard/ projector as well as plenty of toilets and kitchen facilities, not to mention great views! It meant we all could get on with the training and learning in a comfortable, inviting environment.

We plan to continue to arrange periodical massage courses and really hope to encourage massage practitioners from around Europe to join us in such a stunning location and combine their massage training with the amazing mountain sports out here.

Mel:
The working environment was excellent and spacious for the size of group we had. It seems like there are many highly experienced quality massage
therapists in Chamonix and it was a pleasure to share my massage training with them. I look forward to returning.

Question : What are the core objectives of the training facility you are offering to the massage therapists taking your course?

Ruth: We are offering a Sports Massage Masterclass for massage therapists based in Chamonix and beyond... Really because I wanted to have access to such a facility on my doorstep so I assumed plenty of other masseuses would to!

Mel: I suppose the objective is to share the massage skills I've developed
through the London School of Sports Massage with the Chamonix community.  Ruth invited me out here and I loved the idea of combining some work with this stunning high mountain location.

Question : As a massage therapist, what would you say is the single most important opportunity you have identified in a training environment like this?

Ruth: It's been great to get to know a bunch of other massage therapists and share our skills and ideas. Everyone seemed to inspire and be inspired by each other.

Mel: It's just great to get a group of enthusiastic learners in a good
classroom and watch everyone develop - often in their own way!