Blue-sky thinking

Fine dining hits heady heights in Courchevel. Famed for its reputation as the St Tropez of snow, Courchevel is a cut above in every aspect – and its gastronomic scene is no exception. The cluster of six picturesque villages has one of the highest concentrations of Michelinstarred restaurants in the world – with six establishments forming a dazzling constellation of 11 stars. Epicurean skiers will be in their element here, with restaurants overseen by revered names such as Pierre Gagnaire and Yannick Alléno. The surrounding Savoie region meanwhile, is renowned for its stellar produce, particularly its wines, which tend to be of the crisp white variety.

Away from the pristine, white table-clothed dining rooms, there are other ways to treat the taste buds, such as spending the day with a skiing chef from the L’Apogée Courchevel hotel. Swapping his chef ’s whites for salopettes, chef Jean-Luc Lefrançois guides a party of only four over the slopes of the Couloir (the route is tailored according to ability), armed with his specially prepared picnic for the group to enjoy on piste. The gastronomic adventure continues back at the hotel, when Jean-Luc invites guests to toast the day with a glass of champagne at the open kitchen at Koori sushi restaurant while he demonstrates how to prepare a signature dish from the menu.

Ploughing your way through snowy terrain on a motorised snowmobile is undoubtedly a high-octane way to experience the slopes, but for traditionalists, dog-sledding provides a more serene – and silent – way to soak up the natural surroundings. Dogs have been pulling sleds for millennia; it is thought the practice originated in remote communities across the Arctic, Siberia and North America in around 2000 BC. Today, machinery might have the advantage in terms of speed – although dogs can still reach an exhilarating 25-30mph – but the adrenalin rush and sense of connection that comes with this traditional means of transport ensures its enduring appeal. As do events such as La Grande Odyssée Savoie Mont Blanc, a 900km dog sled race through the French and Swiss Alps that takes place every January, drawing huge crowds.

In a quiet hamlet just outside Megève, where one of the race’s stages takes place,Alpaga is also reviving the time-honoured pursuit. The high-altitude hotel will ensure you spend quality time together with friends and family, either nestled in one of its chalets or suites, which are inspired by local traditional architecture, or, indeed, venturing outdoors. In the company of Alaskan Malamutes, you can experience the alpine setting in the most magical way and learn to guide the dogs with voice commands and movements. Each 30-40 minute journey can also be tailored, with the option of including a tasting of regional cheeses and charcuterie, a snow racket walk, a snow-scoot or luge.