Snow has the secret of returning to the heart, in a single breath, the naive joy that the years have mercilessly snatched from it", writes Antonine Maillet. A trip to the mountains in winter often conjures up images of childhood. To the enchantment of Christmas, of course, with its fairy tales, Christmas trees, tinsel, skis... in short, everything associated with the mountains and the great white. With playful pleasures such as outdoor games, snowball fights and tobogganing, and moments of conviviality in front of an open fire, hearty meals and evening gatherings... "People always fall in love with the snow. Whether they're skiers or not, the world of snow-covered mountains makes them dream!" explains Marie-Hélène Pascal, head of the Alpe d'Huez sports and conference department. "Whether they are offered as part of in-house competitions with rewards depending on the objectives achieved, or mixed with seminars, incentive operations are always a great success," says Frédéric Boibin, Sales Manager of the Takamaka agency in La Clusaz.
After a gloomy 2008-2009 winter season, the 2009-2010 trend is towards recovery. From operations of 20 to 30 people last year, Takamaka has moved on this winter to groups of 50 to 60 participants on two- or three-night stays. Generally, the content of these incentives includes the classic Olympics-type challenges, combined with dinners in a mountain restaurant and a toboggan ride home. "We prefer half-day team competitions because they give everyone a chance to get together around shared activities. So it brings the groups together," confirms James Blanc, director of Arc Aventures. A view shared by Corinne Gondouin, associate director of www.capdel.fr, the Internet subsidiary of Le Public System. "The mountains are a perfect way of achieving this objective of bringing people together through original, fun activities such as giant ski competitions and night-time tobogganing. "This feeling is reinforced by the impression of belonging to a privileged world, with winter sports remaining a relatively expensive leisure activity.
So the image of luxury is still there. The most popular outdoor activities include timed toboggan runs, biathlons, dog sledding, snowshoeing, igloo building, ice sculpture competitions and, where permitted by regulations, snow scooter outings. At the same time, to keep everyone happy, the companies provide free time for the skiers, generally under the supervision of an instructor. Éric Ballarin, founder of the Road Book agency, points out that "apart from the usual activities, each resort offers its own sporting speciality: ice diving in Morzine, heli-skiing in Chamonix, bobsleighing in La Plagne or even jöring skiing (pulled by a team of horses) in Les Rousses...". On the other hand, with skiing no longer necessarily the priority of winter holidays, the medium and low altitude resorts are surfing on the zeitgeist: a return to traditional values and a desire for cocooning. So they are emphasising their authenticity, some focusing on the ecological aspect, while others are developing services based on well-being.
"Overall, we're seeing a return to simpler, friendlier things: a snowshoe walk on the Mer de Glace is still an exceptional moment for groups," says Christina Rey, director of Avance Organisation Events, who points out that "many of the participants had never set foot in a winter sports resort before being invited!
Nature and tradition
The Auvergne offers a range of 'nature and tradition' activities based on its unspoilt environment and landscapes reminiscent of the Far North. Participants put on snowshoes to discover an imposing setting, sleep in mountain huts, build igloos and try their hand at driving dog sleds. Some take to the wilds of the Cantalien, accompanied by guides specialising in the flora and fauna, who add a visit to a communal wood-fired heating system to the programme. A change of scenery guaranteed. The same goes for Les Carroz, in Haute-Savoie, where groups are welcomed in a temporary village of igloos and yurts after climbing the icefalls. Other resorts are also developing original accommodation. This is the case at La Clusaz, where the Takamaka agency is building a village of igloos that can accommodate around thirty people. "Meals are served under a giant heated tepee", explains Frédéric Boibin.
The Hautes-Pyrénées, renowned for its sunshine and family resorts, has also been offering a Mongolian yurt camp in the Baronnies, between Bagnères-de-Bigorre and Lannemezan, since this winter. But the region's trump card remains its many spa resorts, where fitness and well-being are the order of the day, as Jean-Paul Cazelles, director of the Chronotours agency, confirms. "In the mountains, in winter, night falls very early. So the outdoor leisure activities take place over a relatively short period of time, which leaves plenty of time to indulge in indoor pleasures. "
So, after several hours in the cold, the groups enjoy relaxing in water of around 38°C! They can even bathe under the snow in the open-air whirlpools installed on the roofs of some centres, facing the snow-covered peaks. Small groups looking for a change of scenery can even sleep in luxurious wooden cabins perched in the branches, in the heart of a pine forest. A child's dream; life-size.
Chic and trendy
Just as luxurious but in a different style, in Chamonix, the Hameau Albert 1er stands out as a small high mountain village, with three charming hotel establishments, classified Relais & Châteaux, two restaurants, one of which is Michelin-starred, and a superb spa. The fireplace, the welcome from the owners, the warm decor... everything is carefully thought out. Especially for small groups of no more than thirty guests. "Our sommelier offers wine tastings, including grands crus, and on request we organise traditional cookery courses under the guidance of Stephane Gasset, the chef at La Maison Carrier, our restaurant specialising in local cuisine", explains Perrine Maillet, who runs the restaurant.
For its part, Megève, one of the oldest and most chic ski resorts in Haute-Savoie, combines the charm of an old-fashioned village with the luxury of a glamorous resort, and benefits from the appeal of nearby Mont Blanc. "Megève also has the enormous advantage of having very trendy places where you can come dressed up and eat something other than fondue while listening to the best DJs of the moment!" points out Aurélia Mignon, a consultant with Alpincetour.
Just as chic and attractive, Courchevel- Les 3 Vallées attracts groups not for its confidential and cocooning character, but on the contrary for its gigantism. According to Courchevel Tourisme, "it's the biggest ski area in the world! One hundred and fifty kilometres of pistes, 62 ski lifts, 529 hectares of mountain dedicated to skiing in all its forms... And a vast choice of accommodation of all categories, restaurants to suit all tastes, including several with Michelin stars. Luxury can also be found in simplicity: sleeping in a privatised refuge, going to a place where it's impossible to go alone or taking part in a specific activity... But whatever the formula, "the snow is like the desert: it brings people together, lets them experience strong moments and generates buried emotions. "
