If you like getting a suntan, hanging out with tall, blond, blue-eyed people – and you fancy getting away for some last minute skiing, then head for Dutchweek in Val Thorens! Each year, thousands of Dutch people come to this world-famous French ski resort in the heart of the Three Valleys ski area (the largest in the world by the way) to celebrate Dutchweek and Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) – their Queen’s birthday - on the 30th of April! Great snow conditions, warm spring sunshine and clear blue skies, long days on the slopes and long nights partying with our Dutch friends await you in Val Thorens… What are you waiting for?
Most ski resorts like to mark the end of the season but there are some that really go to town! Val Thorens is one of the ski resorts that like to celebrate the end of their winter ski season in style. Along with its Apotheosis Days festivities, each year, our Dutch neighbors literally take over this popular French ski resort to celebrate their famous Dutchweek. This year again, the highest village in Europe will be dressed in orange from the 26th of April to the 2nd of May.
During the week, there will be ski and snowboard tests organized by some of the huge brand names such as Atomic, Elan, Head, Nitro, Salomon ski as well as Salomon boards. Live music, some awesome DJs, special offers, discounts and tons of freebies are what this week is all about. Festivities take place at Bar 360°.
I hear you ask "What's the deal with everyone wearing orange?" A very relevant question considering the colors of the Dutch flag are red, white and blue – with no orange in sight. So what's the Netherlands' relationship (borderline obsession more like) with the color orange? Well, orange is the color of the Dutch Royal Family! The lineage of the current dynasty, the House of Oranje-Nassau, dates back to Willem van Oranje (William of Orange) who became Prince of Orange in 1544 and led the Dutch revolt against the Spanish, resulting in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. Willem was influential enough to become fondly referred to as the father of the fatherland, and went on to have the national flag represent him (and the House of Orange), and was forever idolized in the Dutch national anthem. Apparently the flag was originally orange, white and blue but red replaced the orange at the end of the 80 year war in 1648 – I haven’t managed to find any convincing explanation as to why... Today, however, even though the color orange has its strong Royal roots in The Netherlands, it seems to simply represent a great pride in the country and in being Dutch. You'll be hard-pressed to find a Dutch person who's not sporting orange on this day.
If you like getting a suntan, hanging out with tall, blond, blue-eyed people – and you fancy getting away for some last minute skiing, then head for Dutchweek in Val Thorens! Each year, thousands of Dutch people come to this world-famous French ski resort in the heart of the Three Valleys ski area (the largest in the world by the way) to celebrate Dutchweek and Koninginnedag (Queen’s Day) – their Queen’s birthday - on the 30th of April! Great snow conditions, warm spring sunshine and clear blue skies, long days on the slopes and long nights partying with our Dutch friends await you in Val Thorens… What are you waiting for?
Most ski resorts like to mark the end of the season but there are some that really go to town! Val Thorens is one of the ski resorts that like to celebrate the end of their winter ski season in style. Along with its Apotheosis Days festivities, each year, our Dutch neighbors literally take over this popular French ski resort to celebrate their famous Dutchweek. This year again, the highest village in Europe will be dressed in orange from the 26th of April to the 2nd of May.
During the week, there will be ski and snowboard tests organized by some of the huge brand names such as Atomic, Elan, Head, Nitro, Salomon ski as well as Salomon boards. Live music, some awesome DJs, special offers, discounts and tons of freebies are what this week is all about. Festivities take place at Bar 360°.
I hear you ask "What's the deal with everyone wearing orange?" A very relevant question considering the colors of the Dutch flag are red, white and blue – with no orange in sight. So what's the Netherlands' relationship (borderline obsession more like) with the color orange? Well, orange is the color of the Dutch Royal Family! The lineage of the current dynasty, the House of Oranje-Nassau, dates back to Willem van Oranje (William of Orange) who became Prince of Orange in 1544 and led the Dutch revolt against the Spanish, resulting in the formal independence of the United Provinces in 1648. Willem was influential enough to become fondly referred to as the father of the fatherland, and went on to have the national flag represent him (and the House of Orange), and was forever idolized in the Dutch national anthem. Apparently the flag was originally orange, white and blue but red replaced the orange at the end of the 80 year war in 1648 – I haven’t managed to find any convincing explanation as to why... Today, however, even though the color orange has its strong Royal roots in The Netherlands, it seems to simply represent a great pride in the country and in being Dutch. You'll be hard-pressed to find a Dutch person who's not sporting orange on this day.
Being lucky enough to have parents who were crazy about skiing, my love for the mountains started when I was 4 years old on our first family ski holiday to Austrian ski resort of Obergurl. One ski holiday a year was never enough and tears rolled down my face as I looked out the back window of the car on the drive down the valley on the way home!
