Eve Magazine : Mountain mini break
Date of publication: 01 October 2007
Writer : Kelda Warden
If you’re time-poor and not super cash-rich then a weekend in Chamonix is just the ticket, as eve’s Kelda Warden found.
In the past, if I’d wrangled a weekend skiing, I’d have spent hours looking for flights, researching chalets and planning with military precision how to maximise slope time. These days , I just call Pollen Brooks Leisure and every bit of hassle goes poof! For my last Chamonix mini-break I made just one phone call-after that, the only thing left to dwell on was how many calories were in a vin chaud.
Just an hour from Geneva, Chamonix is geared up to cater for hard-working, all consuming mini-breakers that we’ve become. Whether you want extreme adventure on-or off-skis, a pampering break or something for the kids, it’s all here. Flying on Easyjet from London Gatwick midday Friday and returning Sunday evening, I managed two full days on the slopes without having to organise a thing.
The weekend began with a delicious lunch at La Cabane des Praz, followed by a massage. By the time I headed down for a spot of local wine-tasting and five-course dinner, I’d forgotten that I’d even been in the UK that very morning.
Because Pollen-Brook ferry you about, I didn’t have to plump for location over quality of hotel. The hamlet of Chalets Philippe lies on a hillside overlooking Mont Blanc. The owner Philippe Courtines is as enchanting as his chalets. I slept in a 16th-century shepherd’s bunk in Chalet Les Trollers. At night, the view of the rooftop peppered with icy blue fairy lights was magical.
On Saturday, we skied away the morning in the Domaines Brévent and FIègère, then spent the afternoon at Des Grande Montets. A Mont Blanc lift pass covers more than 700km of piste (for all standards), including the outlying resorts of Megève and Courmayeur, and stacks more off-piste, so it’s not often you’re stuck for snow.
We replenished lost calories with tea and cakes, then soothed aching muscles in an outdoor Jacuzzi before turning attention to dinner.
Chamonix has more than 160 restaurants, with cuisines to suit every whim. We opted for sushi then turned in early-If you’re up for a larger night, head for cocktails at the Clubhouse, owned by the crowd behind London’s Milk & Honey.
On Sunday, we took on Mont Blanc itself. When the light started to fade, we helicopter back to the Grands Montets for the last run-very Jane Bond. A car and my bag were waiting for me at the bottom to whisk me off to catch my plane.
I felt like I’d been away for a week.
The damage A three-night stay with Pollen-Brooks Leisure VIP package starts from £550, including transfers. The concierge service is great for activities and excursions. Call 01344 849135 or visit www.pollenbrooks.com.Flights with Easyjet from London Gatwick to Geneva start from £35.98.visit www.easyjet.com.