Love the concept of a snowy break within the French Alps however don’t need to ski? Amy Macpherson checks out the cool credentials of a no-ski wintry weekend in Annecy Mountains.
From the balcony of my room in Lodge & Spa Saint-Alban in La Clusaz, positioned on a slight hill overlooking the gorgeous village centre and snow-covered slopes, I might inform the situations had been good for skiers. The issue was, I can’t ski, and I’m not eager to be taught! However a snowy vacation within the Annecy Mountains provides way more than ski slopes.
On the floor, La Clusaz could seem identical to some other ski resort. Surrounded by the limestone peaks of 5 mountain areas of the Aravis, there are sufficient slopes of various levels of issue to swimsuit each degree of downhill snowboarding and loads of trails for the Nordic skiers too. The centre of city encompasses a cluster of alpine homes, boutique guesthouses, motels, sport outlets, eating places, grocery shops and a church, whose steeple factors in the direction of the sky like a pin dropped on a map. It’s very lovely – however what’s a non-skier do within the mountains surrounded by snow?
Tradition and cheese
On the sting of city, wedged within the valley alongside the Nom stream, Le Hameau des Alpes Museum, in a standard mountain hut hosts exhibitions devoted to the historical past of snowboarding within the French Alps, and the manufacturing of Reblochon, the delectable regional cheese. It’s a captivating take a look at how the game developed from a type of transport within the early 20th century, to a well-liked vacationer exercise solely a few many years later.
Hungry for a style of the true deal Reblochon after my go to, I hopped on the easy-to-use native shuttle bus and headed to close by Manigod to go to the workshop of Artisan Fromager, Joseph Paccard (reblohon-paccard.fr) for a cheesemaking tour and tasting. Even in case you don’t like cheese, the view from the balcony of the constructing is definitely worth the journey.
Smooth and creamy Reblochon has a protracted historical past. Through the 14th century, landowners would tax the mountain farmers in keeping with the quantity of milk their herds produced. Canny farmers didn’t totally milk the cows till after the landowner had measured the yield. The milk that is still is far richer and makes for the creamy style of Reblochon. This space produces a whopping 6 million rounds of Reblochon per yr.
Strolling and wildlife
Again in La Clusaz, after a fortifying lunch on the cosy L’Ecuelle Restaurant, I jumped on a gondola to the highest of the Beauregard plateau. The sky was a deep blue, the snow sparkled and the air was so recent it nearly took my breath away. From the highest, at 1650m, the view throughout the Aravis mountain vary is gorgeous. Skiers and snowboarders ready for his or her adrenalin fuelled journey while I studied my map of strolling routes that in summer season are inexperienced with forests and shiny with meadows of wildflowers. As soon as I left the ski space behind, it was simply me with the silence of nature, the pure air and the crunch of snow below my snowshoes (which I like to recommend for snow strolling). Good.
There’s a lot to do off skis that it’s exhausting to know the place to begin! The horse and cart journey is magical, clopping together with a rug to maintain you heat is so enjoyable and for thrill seekers there’s mushing – canine sledding with lovely huskies and a information to take you on a magical mountain tour. In La Clusaz, La Bascule, a model new large swing perched on the Balcon des Aravis Terrace (1860m) provides unbelievable views – just for these with a head for heights. Or you could possibly go paddle boarding on Lake Annecy, play an Escape Sport within the mountains, do yoga within the snow, or take a night stroll with guides overlooking Mont Blanc, glowing pink because the solar units. Adopted by dinner at restaurant Lucia in Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, it’s exhausting to think about a extra good day.
The following morning I headed to Le Semnoz, the closest mountain village to Annecy, the historic and chocolate field lid fairly capital of Haute-Savoie. Becoming a member of a nature and wildlife hike with information Lauris Chaumond, we had been quickly off-piste and wandering the white wilderness – an actual expertise of winter paradise.
As we walked, the delicate snow fell round us and Laurence identified indicators of wildlife – mountain hares, foxes, birds and different animals, and discovered concerning the bushes and fauna and advised tales of the mountains as we admired the majestic views of mountains and forests.
Annecy and Menthon
Annecy is beautiful year-round and in winter it’s particularly fairly, it will be simple to spend a weekend right here too and there’s tons to do from museums to wandering the extremely picturesque outdated city, to studying make a dried flower wreath at artisan florist Blomeko.
If you happen to occur to be there in December, there’s a vibrant Christmas market with stalls alongside the canal and Fort partitions. And there’s a really charming Christmas market on the close by Chateau of Menthon-Saint-Bernard which is properly price a go to any time, and the place you can even take pleasure in a dish of fondue with a glass of wine, serenaded by native bands or a choir whereas falling in love with the views of the snow-covered mountains throughout, the lake and town beneath.
Again at my lakeside lodge, Rivage Hôtel & Spa, I thawed out with a session within the steam room and sauna earlier than heading out for aperitifs within the metropolis and a strong dinner of tartiflette, mountain meals that makes you smile.
Who says winter across the mountains is just for skiers?
TRAVEL INFORMATION
Geneva is the closest worldwide airport for Annecy. The quick TGV prepare from Paris takes from simply 3h45m.
Aravis Bus provides free shuttle companies connecting villages within the Aravis mountain vary from La Clusaz to Le Grand-Bornand, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, Manigod and Thônes.
Discover out extra at: annecymountains.com
Amy McPherson is a London primarily based journey author whose work has been featured in worldwide publications. Cats, biking and meals options closely in her writing and her weblog at: www.footprintsandmemories.com
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