Long Weekend: Tackle the French Alps in Chamonix, the perfect resort for a snow-filled weekend getaway
The weekend:
Hitting the mountain is often an annual affair – the same week, the same place, the same friends. While this might give you something to look forward to it’s worth remembering how easy it is to simply grab your gear and treat yourself to a weekend adventure. If you worked on Thursday and will be back in the office on Monday, then spending Friday and Saturday on the slopes takes on a particularly indulgent quality – especially if you get the accommodation right.
Where?
Chamonix-Mont-Blanc is just an hour’s flight from London to Geneva with a quick transfer from the airport. This is the domain of Mont Blanc, challenging runs, off-piste adventures and epic glaciers. The town itself – Frances’s oldest ski resort – boasts an impressive range of restaurants, bars and boutiques – all of which appeal to the well-heeled crowd. With 150km of pistes and 15,000 acres off piste, there’s something on offer for all abilities. However, Chamonix has a deserved reputation for challenging and exciting opportunities for skiers and borders alike.
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The stay:
The ease with which one can get to Chamonix from London makes it the perfect resort for a mini-break. Collineige is a specialist chalet company that has been welcoming guests for over 30 years. They offer some of the most beautiful properties in the valley, including catered and self-catering options.
They boast a range of properties from serviced apartments in the heart of the town to cosy, tucked-away cottages and larger, luxury chalets. For a weekend break, the Val d’Arve apartments are convenient, comfortable, well-appointed and beautifully positioned with views of Mont Blanc.
The food:
No weekend away is complete without some memorable dining experiences and Chamonix will not disappoint. Collineige can arrange an excellent private dining treat in your apartment, where a skilled chef comes and prepares a four course meal as you lounge by the fire. This is well worth taking them up on, but you should also book a table at the magnificent Maison Carrier – a traditional savoie restaurant with wooden beams, roaring fires and high-end local cuisine. For the real foodie, Chamonix boasts a range of Michelin-starred restaurants, including Le Bistrot – which wouldn’t be out of place in Mayfair. On the mountain you can find gorgeous restaurants for lunch, the best of which can be booked by Collineige.
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Ask about:
Private guides and off-piste experiences. Your chalet hosts can arrange for experienced local guides who will help you make the most of the glacier and miles of off-piste adventures. If you’re on a quick break, a guide can really help you see the best of Chamonix in a short space of time.
Top tip:
Book a mountain guide to help make the most of a weekend break.
What you need to know:
Chamonix’s season runs long into the spring, and you should take advantage of last minute availability and special offers with Collineige. So go ahead and treat yourself to a weekend on the slopes. www.collineige.com