A no-ski wintry weekend in Annecy Mountains | EUROtoday

Love the thought of ​​a snowy break within the French Alps however do not wish 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 Hotel & Spa Saint-Alban in La Clusaz, positioned on a slight hill overlooking the beautiful village middle and snow-covered slopes, I may inform the situations had been excellent for skiers. The downside was, I can not ski, and I’m not eager to study! But a snowy vacation within the Annecy Mountains presents way more than ski slopes.

On the floor, La Clusaz could appear similar to every 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 observe each stage of downhill snowboarding and loads of trails for the Nordic skiers too. The middle of city incorporates a cluster of alpine homes, boutique guesthouses, accommodations, 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 stunning – however what’s a non-skier do within the mountains surrounded by snow?

Culture 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 an interesting take a look at how the game developed from a type of transport within the early 20s^th century, to a preferred vacationer exercise solely a few many years later.

Hungry for a style of the actual Reblochon deal 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 if you happen to don’t love cheese, the view from the balcony of the constructing is definitely worth the journey.

Soft and creamy Reblochon has a protracted historical past. During the 14th century, landowners would tax the mountain farmers in line with the quantity of milk their herds produced. Canny farmers did not totally milk the cows till after the landowner had measured the yield. The milk that continues to be is far richer and makes for the creamy style of Reblochon. This space produces a whopping 6 million rounds of Reblochon per 12 months.

Walking and wildlife

Back in La Clusaz, after a fortifying lunch on the cozy 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 beautiful. Skiers and snowboarders ready for his or her adrenalin fueled journey while I studied my map of strolling routes that in summer season are inexperienced with forests and shiny with meadows of wildflowers. Once 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). Perfect.

There’s a lot to do off skis that it is onerous to know the place to begin! The horse and cart trip is magical, clopping together with a rug to maintain you heat is so enjoyable and for thrill seekers there’s mushing – canine sledding with stunning huskies and a information to take you on a magical mountain tour. In La Clusaz, La Bascule, a model new big swing perched on the Balcon des Aravis Terrace (1860m) presents unimaginable views – just for these with a head for heights. Or you might go paddle boarding on Lake Annecy, play an Escape Game within the mountains, do yoga within the snow, or take a night stroll with guides overlooking Mont Blanc, glowing pink because the solar units. Followed by dinner at restaurant Lucia in Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, it is onerous to think about a extra excellent day.

The subsequent morning I headed to Le Semnoz, the closest mountain village to Annecy, the historic and chocolate field lid fairly capital of Haute-Savoie. Joining 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 is particularly fairly, it will be simple to spend a weekend right here too and there is tons to do from museums to wandering the extremely picturesque previous city, to studying the way to make a dried flower wreath at artisan florist Blomeko.

If you occur to be there in December, there is a colourful Christmas market with stalls alongside the canal and Castle partitions. And there is a very charming Christmas market on the close by Chateau of Menthon-Saint-Bernard which is nicely value a go to any time, and the place you too can bask 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 under.

Back at my lakeside resort, 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 presents free shuttle providers connecting villages within the Aravis mountain vary from La Clusaz to Le Grand-Bornand, Saint-Jean-de-Sixt, Manigod and Thônes.

Find out extra at: annecymountains.com

Amy McPherson is a London based mostly 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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