Get fit for winter...

Winter is just around the corner and it's time to get fit for the coming ski season. Running is an easy choice and will improve your cardio, stamina and legs. Here are a few others we like...

- Lindsey Vonn knows a thing or two and there are some good exercises on this video - we particularly like the side to side sprints and knees up...

- For indoors, we've made our own wobble board which along with hours of fun is great for balance, knees and core - remember to look ahead...

- Finally this 'periodic table' has direct links to video clips on 'you tube' which show you how you should be doing each exercise. You can start easy and also select what area you want to work on...

Cabane fever

In the last three years there's been a flurry of building and up-grading in 4 of the valley's 7 mountain refuges or cabanes.

The new Cabane de Tracuit photographed in April 2013 - just before completion

The latest project to be completed is the largest and most ambitious (and expensive) of them all. The 84 year old stone Cabane de Tracuit (www.tracuit.ch) has been replaced by a brand new, glittering silver block. Using the latest environmental technologies, this state-of-the-art building has wonderful panoramic windows, underfloor heating, running water, inside toilets, showers and modern dormitories. It still only sleeps about 120 people but it's a spacious building with a variety of sleeping rooms and spectacular views. Since opening in June it's been very successful - becoming a destination in it's own right.

The new extension to the Cabane Becs de Bosson with wonderful views

Over in Grimentz the Cabane Becs de Bosson (www.cabanedesbecs.ch) built an extension last summer. It now has a beautiful new 'sun-room' (with wood-burning stove), more dormitories and inside toilets and showers. It's almost doubled it's size and the wall of windows give spectacular views.

Cabane d'Ilhorn has a more restaurant space and new rooms

In Chandolin the Cabane d'Ilhorn (www.clubalpinsierre.ch/cabane-illhorn) also redesigned it's interior last summer. The staff now have a large new kitchen and the restaurant space has been extended to upstairs. Downstairs a whole new dormitory wing with showers and toilets has been built.

The new copper building is linked to the old Cabane de Moiry

And last but not least, the Cabane de Moiry (www.cabane-de-moiry.ch) which in 2010 added a new building alongside the old stone refuge.  The new copper clad extension has enhanced the old building and gives visitors a wonderful new restaurant with amazing views across the Moiry glacier, inside toilets and additional dormitories. You can read and see more pictures in an earlier blog www.skizinal.blogspot.ch/2010/07/new-moiry-hut.html