Summer in the Alps

At this time of year, as freezing weather grips Northern Europe (something we seem to be becoming unaccustomed to, with our minds set on global warming), the English and French are plotting their summer escapes.

We've had a repeat two-week booking of the chalet and the apartment from our friends at Mammoth Lifestyle, whose col-conquering needs we met last year (look at the 'rogues gallery' in the chalet for proof of their cycling exploits) and, this week, our first French booking for the chalet and the apartment for the first week in August, from new clients based in Paris.

For those who don't know Les Contamines in the summer (we first came here in the summer), it's a thriving place, with endless ways of tiring everyone out, whether on walks through the Alpages, paragliding down the valley, white-water rafting on the Arve, tennis at the Dominguez centre, swimming in the lake, trampolining and aerial confidence courses and climbing school (all within cycling distance of the chalet), mountain-biking along the many mountain tracks (the lifts take your bike up!) or, as Mammoth followers prefer, cycling up and down every col in the area, and following the Tour de France in the process.

Kids roam free here (or at least ours have since they were about 10) as the village is at the end of a valley, there's no through-traffic, and it's populated and visited by wholesome people pursuing old-fashioned aerobic activities. No games consoles here!

And it can be hot! Last summer, we had many weeks in the 30s (deg. C); that's climate change for you!

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