Every summer my own fair maiden will shake her head at Med heatwaves… so happen she needs an Alpine hand to escape the heat.
Summer in the Alps is a very different experience to the winter skiing season.
And can, of course, be confusing when you come to dress for your trek through the valleys.
So if you sleep in, rush your shower and leave it on to seep through the ceiling to the breakfast room then you make the wrong choice.
And find yourself sweating under your ski jacket and become hampered by carrying it.
All of which you learned the hard way huffing and puffing up the hills while yodelling senior citizen Brigitte yodelled and hiked up to the peaks.
Now I tell you this out of love and to prepare you if you head for that summer Alpine trek in, say Morzine and Avoriaz in France this summer.
Take a hike
There all happy hikers can explore more than 200 km of marked trails.
While if you can pull off the lycra (not any more this MAMIL) look get on your bike.
In the expansive Portes du Soleil bike park, which features over 600 km of trails, ranging from beginner to expert levels.
Now those crystal-clear lakes look welcoming enough for a dip…
And in Lake Montriond you can swim, paddleboard, or kayak in the valleys.
While for a more exhilarating experience, thrill-seekers can take on the white-water rafting on the Dranse River.
Being more of a skimmer than a swimmer, although I have traversed rapids in a tub, I’ll let you pick your obsession.
Anyone for tennis… and fondues
Now I do less damage on a golf course or tennis court, although Judy Murray who trained is in the Algarve might say different.
Now you can practise your swing at the 9-hole Avoriaz golf course, one of the highest courses in Europe.
Or engage in a friendly match at the well-maintained tennis courts in Morzine.
All this healthy activity of course is hungry work.
And one of the joys of Alpine living is the refuel.
Our amis in Morzine and Avoriaz recommend this sample, the Savoyard specialists La Chamade, fondue fave La Grange and gourmet L’Atelier.
While the Mil8 restaurant and its terrace on the foot of the slopes offers the lunch of champions.
Sharing platters, street food and mountain dishes and nostalgic desserts served in jars.
Chalet La France
Now as long as you don’t shower the diners then Alpine hoteliers will be only too glad to make you welcome.
The Hotel le Dahu is a rustic family-run mountainside accommodation with spa and indoor and outdoor pools.
If chalets are more your thing (mais oui) then Chalet Eira has spacious rooms, a lively bar, and a sun terrace.
Pierre & Vacances are an old favourite and Résidence Pierre & Vacances Atria-Crozats in Avoriaz are your s/c apartment go-to.
With wellness facilities and close to all major attractions.
A oui flight
Morzine and Avoriaz is only one hour from Geneva Airport with direct, low-cost flight access.
From London, Aberdeen, Belfast, Birmingham, Bristol, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool and Manchester.
Return flights from London Gatwick to Geneva with easyJet are priced from just £49pp during the 2024 summer season.
