OH! Magazine - Australian Version July 2018 | Page 18

( Where, OH Where? ) AN ECO-FRIENDLY EXPERIENCE LIKE NO OTHER Analee Gale discovered a unique snow experience, providing memorable moments in nature at Mt Hotham in Victoria. now camping is a thing – did you know? And apparently taking yourself outside your comfort zone is where growth, achievement and 'magic' happens. Am I right? S So to put this theory to the test, I accepted the challenge laid down by Jean-François from Alpine Nature Experience, for my family and I to spend the night in his custom-built eco-village, which is a one- of-a-kind experience that not available anywhere else in the Southern Hemisphere. I bundle the family up and we head to the beautiful snowy wilderness of Mt Hotham (located on the Great Alpine Road, around 375km from Melbourne). I should add a footnote here: my cold- water-swimming-addicted husband is a regular snow camper, so to him, the notion of spending the night in a comfortable, cosy dome that contains a heater, real mattress, actual linen, pillows, -10°C sleeping bag and faux fur blankets is not the usual overnight experience he covets whilst in the Aussie alps. But, always obliging (happy wife, happy life!) he agreed to embrace the opportunity to swap camping for glamping for just one evening – praise be. We arrive at the Wire Plain car park, to meet our fellow glampers. Here we are fitted for our snow shoes and provided with headtorches, which ensure a slip-free 20-minute stroll to the eco-village. Along the way we are treated to fascinating stories and inside knowledge about the history of the French and Australian alps by Jean-François, the 32-year-old French- born founder of Alpine Nature Experience. 18 OH! MAGAZINE ( JULY 2018 ) Upon arriving at the eco-village, we're greeted by Jean-François' obliging helper Kyle, who offers us a warming glass of homemade gluhwein (hot spiced red wine). The recipe is one that Jean-François himself has personally refined over time, confirming that his previous work in the wine industry has definitely been put to good use in this role! The village itself is like nothing I've ever seen before. The three snow domes and central tipi were purposefully designed to be inconspicuously nestled among the beautifully dense forest of Australian gumtrees. It becomes obvious very quickly, that Jean-François (or 'JF' – or 'Jeff' for the true Aussies) has dedicated his attention to every single detail of this experience. There are three snow domes onsite, which can accommodate a total of up to eight people on any one night, are all custom- designed and locally built in ways that, again, ensure there is no ecological impact on the environment, once they're all packed down removed for the warmer seasons. Everything required to construct and maintain the village for the season is carried in and out by people power, to minimise the impact on the fragile alpine environment. And while the eco-village is predominantly off the grid, some creature comforts such as a dry toilet, handwashing facilities, warm drinks, alcoholic beverages, credit card payments, and limited power are available onsite, ensuring a very comfortable, warm and luxurious experience. The village wonderland is centred around a roaring outdoor fire, which is housed in a dug-out snow pit; luxurious blankets are provided, to ensure the cold never becomes an issue. Before long we move indoors to the central tipi, where another fireplace is in full swing. And here, we enjoy a French- inspired three-course dinner, consisting of homemade soup, authentic French cheese fondue, and cake. Everyone is tasked with a role to help prepare the cheese fondue, and along the way we learn about the traditional customs and the ingredients (which included cheeses imported from JF's motherland), which are used to master this delectable French phenomenon. PS. If you've ever thought filling up on cheese and bread would be either boring or impossible, then think again; I can tell you firsthand, it is neither those things! JF explains that everything available to guests has been hand selected by him; all wines are sourced from the Rutherglen region, where he personally knows the producers, and are chosen because they perfectly match the meal. We even get to try a drop of genuine Génépi, which is a traditional herbal liqueur or aperitif, from the alpine regions of Europe. Once the belly is full (or your eight-year- old can't stop yawning), it's time to kick off the snowboots and turn in for the night. I'll tell you, we were all a tad bit excited to head for our unique wood-heated snow- dome, complete with sky view, which on this occasion included an unobstructed full moon.