Mountain Getaways: Discovering Lesser-Known Yet Authentic Winter Destinations
Embark on a serene journey through the snowy expanses of Chartreuse in Isère, where the mountains offer a slower pace of life and an array of offbeat experiences. This winter, consider exploring these less-known yet more authentic mountain areas, where the concept of luxury is redefined through contemplative activities, hidden lodges, and remote refuges, with or without skiing.
Éric Charamel, President of the Vanoise Guide and Companion Company, reminisces about a time before mass ski tourism, when mountain life was more leisurely. Despite the rise of “slow tourism,” this authentic experience was overshadowed by investments in downhill skiing. However, the Covid pandemic, leading to ski lift closures, sparked a shift towards embracing nature. People started appreciating the sounds of a cascading waterfall or the wind over the ridges more than artificial entertainment.
Despite a growing interest in simple, nature-focused experiences, skiing remains a predominant winter sport. For instance, 64% of tourists in Savoie and Haute-Savoie engage in skiing, according to Savoie Mont Blanc. Yet, there’s a noticeable shift towards incorporating new, more contemplative experiences alongside skiing.
Sabrina Pevet from Oisans Tourism highlights this change, noting visitors’ desire for authenticity, artisan encounters, and a reconnection with traditional crafts. This shift is leading to a blend of skiing and new experiences like land art, photography workshops, and village tours.
In the spirit of a trapper, the Huttopia camp in the Clarée Valley of the Hautes-Alpes offers a unique experience. Stations are adapting by creating free, wild but safe zones, promoting eco-friendly tourism, and encouraging overnight stays in refuges.
Mountain areas less impacted by large-scale development, like the Oisans, Chartreuse, and the Alpes du Léman, are emerging as top destinations for those seeking a return to nature. They offer isolated accommodations, frozen lakes, and breathtaking glaciers. A good example is the little yet charming ski resort of Thollon-les-Memises just above Lake Geneva, where you can enjoy incredible Lake views from the top with plenty of charming walks.
Thollon-les-Memises
Another example for instance, La Plagne in Savoie offers immersive experiences like dog-sledging, igloo stays, and ski-sophrology sessions. In Vaujany, Isère, Alain Hilion organizes Europe’s highest snowshoe hikes, exploring frozen lakes and glaciers.
Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise, a hub for wild skiing, invites explorers to its remote hameau du Monal, while the Auberge de Colombaz in Contamines-Montjoie is a unique high-altitude retreat. Places like the autonomous Ibex refuge and the Refuge des Feneys offer breathtaking landscapes without modern distractions.
The Clariant, near Corrençon-en-Vercors, exemplifies sustainability with its solar panels and rainwater harvesting. Similarly, the restaurant Le Brézain and the Ily hotel in La Rosière embrace a “no electricity” approach.
Saint-Martin-de-belleville
For the ultimate disconnection, the Refuge du Trait d’Union in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and the Alpin d’Home in the Hautes-Alpes offer unique experiences like Nordic baths under the stars and panoramic saunas. These destinations are perfect for those seeking to reconnect with nature in a tranquil, authentic setting.
