Australian Winter Olympian Sami Kennedy-Sim was nice enough to take time out of her busy schedule to give us an insight on what she is doing and her time training at Club Med Val Thorens, France.

Interviewed by Pete Taylor
Snow Forecastor & Owner
snowatch.com.au

Q. You grew up in the Manly area of Sydney’s Northern Beaches, (as did I) which is a 6hr drive to the Thredbo and Perisher snowfields. What got you into the snow and skiing in particular?

I was born into a sport loving family, with weekends and holidays spent around various activities – including skiing. My older sisters showed talent and interest in ski racing, so were slotted in to a local race club. Naturally, I wanted to be just like them,  and pursued ski racing (alongside many other sports).

Q. Interschools has grown over the years and has the largest school’s participation for winter sports in Australia. Did you ever compete for Mosman High or Snowy Mountains Grammar.

I was lucky enough to compete in Interschools for my MANY schools! When I was at Balgowlah Heights, I actually competed (and was on the podium!) as a boy, because we didn’t have any other girls who skied.

My Dad’s work moved our family around the country in my younger years, so I was lucky enough to compete in Interschools for my MANY schools! When I was at Balgowlah Heights, I actually competed (and was on the podium!) as a boy, because we didn’t have any other girls who skied.

• Errol Street Primary (VIC)
• Mt Buller/Mansfeild Primary (VIC)
• Balgowlah Heights Primary (NSW)
• Mosman High (NSW)
• Snowy Mountains Grammar School (NSW)
• Karabar Distance education

Q. The Olympic Winter Institute of Australia has now partnered with Club Med resorts. This year the athletes will be based in Club Med Val Thorens resort in France. Have you been to a Club Med resort before?

I had never been to a Club Med before our stay in Val Thorens. It was such a great experience!

Q. What benefits do you see from being based there?

The ski in ski out location at Club Med Val Thorens made it easy for me to train on snow in the morning with zero travel time. We had access to a great gym so I was able to continue my preparations for the World Cup season with minimal distractions. 

Q. How much time will be you based in Val Thorens as you must travel all around for competitions?

We were at Val Thorens for about a week, around our comp schedule. We were supposed to have a competition in the area that week but we had a schedule change last minute, so my stay at Club Med became a training camp, rather than competition block. In December we race in the cross alps tour, competing in 4 countries over 15 days. Val Thorens is normally the first stop of the tour, before heading to Switzerland, Austria and Italy.

Q. Do you spend much time with the other Aussie athletes?

When I am in Australia, I do my best to train with other Aussie athletes where I can- I travel to Melbourne to train with Belle Brockhoff and I am lucky that Dani Scott lives literally around the corner from me in Freshy (Freshwater), so we train together too.

Surrounding myself with inspiring, high achieving people (who also love a laugh) makes my training experience much more enjoyable.

Sami Kennedy-Sim

Q. Club Med resorts are famous for their comprehensive international buffet. I know most usually come back a few kgs heavier after a Club Med holiday. Will you and the other athletes be able to choose whatever and as much as you like just like the public do, or do you have strict athlete diets that will be set out for you?

The options at Club Med restuarants are endless- it is really easy to eat good, wholesome nutritious food and make good choices during your stay. There is so much variety, so you never get sick of the food. I can see how it would be easy to over indulge, but the beauty of being an athlete is that you are there to get the most out of yourself every day (and when you train hard, you don’t need to skip dessert!!)

Q. Another big part of Club Med resorts are the nightly shows and dance parties later on. Do you think you will catch any of these or are finely tuned athletes like yourself tucked up in bed early preparing to hit the slopes at sunrise whilst everyone else is still having breakfast?

As I had World Cup events shortly after our stay, I didn’t go to Club Med to party , I went to prepare. It was lovely seeing guests and staff enjoying their stay, and if you wanted to retire to your room, you were not disturbed by the activities in the hotel. They cater for rest and play very well.

Q. What are your goals for 2019 and beyond?

Q. Will you get time out after competition to sample any Club Med Summer Resorts?

I hope so! I hear the Club Med resort in the Maldives is stunning… perhaps I will have my first ever summer holiday soon!

Thank you very much for your time Sami and all the best for the season from Snowatch.

The post Winter Olympian Sami Kennedy-Sim on training and the new Club Med partnership appeared first on Snowatch.

Delicious gastronomy, all-inclusive activities and world-renowned locations drive record occupancy rates for Club Med’s memorable snow holidays

Aussies are seeking holistic snow holidays with unique experiences and cultural immersion alongside thrilling snow sports, according to sales insights released by Club Med, in-line with the all-inclusive provider’s ski season opening.

An increased number of Australians are signing up for the emotions that you can only experience on a snow holiday, such as the liveliness that comes with fresh mountain air on your face, the freedom of smooth ski runs, the wonder during après ski adventures, and the content from feasting on delicious, well-earned, mountain fare.

Almost all rooms in Club Med’s newest Japanese resort, Tomamu Hokkaido, have been booked through to March 2019, with a huge 37% of those Aussies who skied Japan with Club Med last year returning for 2018. And with Club Med’s European resorts more than 75% full at the start of ski season, the brand has had to create a pre-registration process to keep up with the demand of Australian travellers.

“Our guests continue to book Club Med resorts for their snow holidays because of the exclusive snow community we’ve cultivated with our full-mountain experience,” says General Manager of Club Med Australia, Rachael Harding.

“Our research show that guests are looking for off-mountain activities that wow them just as much as ski does, and Club Med truly delivers this in our premium package. Our winter offering welcomes guests to become part of the Club Med snow community, where the mountains are world-class, the activities are never-ending, and they leave their holiday transformed.”

It’s a sentiment Australian and Club Med Beidahu snowboard instructor, Brandon Creighton, agrees with. He says the increase in Australians investing in premium Club Med ski holidays is because of the transformative nature of their stay: “Some of the experiences I’ve had while teaching guests how to snowboard will stay with me forever. There’s a moment and you can see it, when snowboarding gets into someone’s blood. All of a sudden they start wanting to push their limit, and finish runs with attitude! At Club Med, you can have a blast on the slopes, meet new people all the time during lunch and dinner at the in-resort restaurants, and then enjoy the après-ski activities to wind down.”

Beyond a standard snow holiday

With recent research* showing snow holidays bring families closer together, Club Med fills the gap during Australia’s own off-season, offering a truly international snow experience. Snow enthusiasts and their families can experience a whole new world of passion at Club Med resorts, through immersive cultural experiences in some of the world’s best locations.

For example, guests at Club Med Tomamu Hokkaido in Japan can savour award-winning locally-brewed spirits and Wagyu beef in-resort, while those at the brand new Club Med Les Arcs Panorama in France dive into Turkish baths and incredible slopes in one of the world’s biggest ski areas, Paradiski©.

“With bulky gear to manage, hidden additional costs and the complexity of travel, the research* shows that international snow holidays can often be daunting for Australian families,” says Harding. “However, Club Med’s all-inclusive packages and premium service make the booking and experience of a snow holiday truly easy.”

Club Med guests receive as part of their all-inclusive snow holiday:

• Accommodation with a wide-choice of room types, in the world’s best locations
• All gourmet meals in-resort and in selected altitude restaurants
• Premium open bar, including beer, wine, spirits, cocktails and non-alcoholic beverages
• Kids Clubs for guests from 4 years old.^
• Evening entertainment and shows by the Club Med GO team
• Easy Arrival: Club Med’s infamous offering where ski/snowboard gear is available in guests’ private lockers upon arrival so they can hit the slopes as soon as they check-in (available in European ski resorts)
• Ski lift passes to access the slopes
• Group lessons tailored to all levels and ages, with English-speaking professional instructors
• An array of non-ski activities, from snowshoe walking and sledding to après-ski treats including hot-tubs, saunas or indoor heated swimming pools

Australia’s best Winter Olympic program athletes join the Club Med snow community

Club Med resorts across Europe and Asia opened last week with some of Australia’s best winter sportspeople in-residence, with thanks to the brand’s recent partnership with the Olympic Winter Institute of Australia (OWIA). Two-time Olympian Samantha Kennedy-Sim is amongst the Ski Cross athletes training and recovering within Club Med’s expertly-appointed resorts this snow season.

“The Olympic Winter Institute of Australia chose to partner with Club Med in the lead up to the 2022 Winter Olympics so that our talented young athletes could train on the best powder with the best runs, and enjoy some ideal R&R when they’re not training,” says Chief Executive Officer of OWIA, Geoff Lipshut.
“Club Med shares our passion for the snow and our inclusive community values, making them a great partner for the OWIA and its athletes ahead of the next Winter Olympic Games.”

OWIA athletes will be on the ground in Club Med Val Thorens this snow season, and travelling to other Club Med European and Asian ski resorts in the lead-up to 2022.

A new generation of ski holidays at Club Med

Continually innovating their snow offering, Club Med is pleased to open this season with a bang in both Europe and Asia.

Leading the snow season with unprecedented interest is Club Med’s new European resort, Les Arcs Panorama in France. Guests will be immersed in the modern architecture and wide-open views upon arrival at the family-friendly Arcs 1600 ski resort. Families can make the most of Club Med’s infamous Kid’s Clubs from 4-months to 17-years old and enjoy the unique Bread & Co family restaurant, where the kids take their parents out to dinner. For something a little more indulgent, Club Med Les Arcs Panorama offers a Wellness area with Cinq Mondes spa, heated indoor and outdoor pools, Turkish baths and more.

For guests after a shorter travel time to their immersive on-snow holiday, Club Med’s recently upgraded Japanese resort, Club Med Sahoro Hokkaido enchants and delights with its breathtaking landscapes in one of Asia’s best travel destinations. The resort’s cultural experiences have expanded to include Hokkaido Soba and Temari Sushi cooking lessons, indoor rock-climbing with augmented reality, adult beginner magic carpets, and more. Those looking for Japanese culinary delights after skiing some of the world’s best powder can also enjoy the new wine list and Pierrade & Hokkaido cheese fondue or healthy Japanese buffet, all before laying their head in one of the 177 newly refurbished rooms and suites.

Join the exclusive Club Med snow community

If you’re ready to pack your bags and hit the slopes for a premium, no-hassle snow holiday, last minute bookings are still available for this season.

Pre-registration for 2019-20 ski season opens 12 December, 2018.

For further information and to book your transformative ski holiday,
visit www.clubmed.com.au.

The post Aussies seek more than only ‘ski’ snow holidays this season appeared first on Snowatch.