It ’ s not just the designer labels that make shoppers ’ dreams come true though - one of the most appealing delights is wandering through the towns and discovering the charm of some of the more local , independent brands from fashion to homeware .
Focus on Chamonix - Chamonix ’ s charming town has a great selection of shops . As well as the obvious sports outlets , you ’ ll find fashion , jewellery , bags , interior homewares , antiques , books and much more .
Music festivals
The hills really are alive with the sound of music when it comes to enjoying the arts in mountains - some of the best music festivals are held within ski resorts . From classical , jazz and acoustic , to techno , house , electric and rave , there ’ s always something to suit everyone ’ s tastes .
Festivals such as Horizon in Andorra even go beyond the music and offer a wide range of other activities such as woodland paintballing , snow yoga and more , and the top acts such as Basement Jaxx and Chase & Status play at the bigger events such as Snowboxx in France and Snowbombing in Austria .
Focus on Chamonix - This year sees the launch of the Musilac Mont-Blanc Festival in Chamonix . Running from 19th-21st April 2018 headliners include Texas , Rag ’ n ’ Bone Man , and Beth Ditto to name but a few .
Gourmet cuisine and world-class wines
Foodies can revel in the many gastro delights that ski resorts have to offer . From Michelin star dining to sampling the local dishes from mountain range cafes , there is something to whet the appetite of every visitor .
Focus on Chamonix - The Hameau de Albert Premier is home to the double Michelin starred Albert Premier restaurant .
The menu centres on fresh local produce and makes the most of the abundance of herbs and vegetables grown in the hotel ’ s own vegetable garden . The wine cellar counts no less than 20,000 bottles , comprised of the 950 appellations presented on the wine list .
Adrenaline-fuelled activities
From paret , helicopter tours , snow-shoeing , mountain climbing and treks , to winter luge runs , horse riding , whitewater rafting , trail running and more , the mountain resorts provide a plethora of activities . Just because someone doesn ’ t fancy the slopes doesn ’ t mean adrenaline-fuelled fun is off the cards .
Focus on Chamonix - Chamonix is home to the famous Marathon du Mont Blanc , a trail event of eight races that attracts over 30,000 people from all over the world . It ’ s not just for elite athletes though - runners and walkers alike can take part in a number of the races . They even have a Young Marathon for 15-18 year olds , as well as a mini-cross for runners aged 7 to 15 so they can participate in a race just like ‘ the big ones ’ and take their first steps into trail races .
STEP AWAY FROM THE SNOW - Why not think about a ski chalet in the summer months ?
Whilst there may not be enough snow for skiing , there is so much to do in the summer months in destinations normally labelled as ski resorts . From mountain biking , archery , bungee jumping , canoeing / kayaking , fishing , geocaching , horse riding , golf , glacier walking , paragliding and much more .
For more information on Les Rives d ’ Argentière or to enquire about availability please visit www . lesrivesdargentiere . com
The Gentleman Magazine | 59