Conference News March 2019 | Page 45

45 Meeting in Megève Destination amiliarisation trips can be quite par for the course, but ones that involve skiing always have an extra edge. Of course, there is no shortage of ski resorts which offer delegates the chance to hurtle down the slopes, so destinations must find activities that add variety to the conventional ski trip. At little more than a one-hour drive from Geneva Airport, Megève is a quaint town in the shadow of Mont Blanc. CN and senior personnel from leading UK agencies were given an opportunity to explore the region. Here is a taste of what incentive activities are on offer: CN, in collaboration with Atout France (the French CVB), led a contingent of agencies to Megève in the French Alps for a taste of cheese, wine… and sledging down a mountain in the dark. Martin Fullard reports SLEDGING WITH A DIFFERENCE SKIING Obviously, a trip to the Alps wouldn’t be complete without the option of going skiing. There is a variety of slopes suitable for skiers of all abilities. Beginners will be pleased to know that there are dedicated slopes available to them at town-level, free from advanced skiers who will no doubt be exploring the vast network of exciting red slopes. Instructors are easily booked. SNOWMOBILE DINING Going out for dinner may seem like a straightforward exercise, but what about dining up one of the mountains, in a small restaurant, at night? Take a snowmobile ride up a ski trail in the dark. Mildly hair-raising, it is a tremendously innovative and fun way to get your delegates talking and laughing, although not for the faint-hearted. Once dinner is over and snowmobiles have departed, how about sledging back down the mountain afterwards? It’s not as crazy as it sounds. Once you and your delegates are wearing head torches, an experienced guide will lead you down the mountain, initially on foot, before showing you and your delegates how to ride a ‘yooner’ – a single-ski sledge, on which you balance. It is hilarious good fun and there isn’t much else that will get your delegates laughing with each other. www.conference-news.co.uk A FLIGHT AROUND THE ALPS For the ultimate view of Mt Blanc why not take a flight? No, not on a commercial airliner, but in single-prop, four-seater light aircraft. A qualified pilot will take you on a 40-minute flight alongside mountains and high above the skiers in what CN’s delegation described as one of the best experiences they had ever had. AND MORE... There is far more to do in Megève, including activities such as curling, ice-skating, a traditional horse-drawn carriage ride around the town, golf, mountain biking, and paragliding.