The French Alps are a popular destination for lovers of winter sports but fewer people know the breathtaking mountain range makes for a brilliant summer holiday spot as well. Last August, I travelled to Morzine, a small village on the Swiss border with my friend to experience a different side of the spot. We stayed at Chilly Powder, a British-owned ski chalet buzzing with life even in the summer.
The homey accommodation came with a bathtub, authentic French meals, wine, an all-you-can-eat breakfast buffet and a pet bearded dragon residing in the garden. It was a comfortable and welcoming environment and we made friends quickly with other guests. But during the days, we usually ventured out to nature - here are seven things we participated in.
1. A hike at Lac du Montriond With the help of the brilliant staff, on our first and rainiest day, we drove to the nearby lake of Montriond, where stunning scenery awaited us. Having a car is a big advantage on this terrain, it makes moving around painless.
The lake alone is worth the short drive - especially if you take a dip in the warm water as we did - but we also walked to a nearby waterfall. A popular tourist spot, Cascade d’Ardent is the reward at the end of a light hike and is completely free. On our visit, parts of it were sadly closed to the public due to ongoing work but nonetheless, we had lunch by the clear water and took lots of pictures.
2. Games and sports The August weather is perfect for a friendly game of mini golf ,.