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.