Experience gifting has become increasingly popular, especially when it comes to buying something for someone who already has everything! This Christmas why not buy your loved one an adventure they will never forget, because the ultimate gift is exciting memories that will last a lifetime.
Whether it is scaling the highest peaks, crossing mountain ranges or getting to the top of pristine powder in a helicopter we’ve put together a list of the best epic trips to tick off the list…

Climb the Matterhorn

While Mont Blanc might be the most famous of the high peaks in the alps, the Matterhorn’s impressive profile is probably the most iconic. First successfully summited in 1865, by a party led by British explorer Edward Whymper, the Matterhorn’s 4,478m peak is achievable by fit climbers with a structured training plan. Taking the same route as the first ascent, the climb isn’t hugely difficult for regular mountaineers, more sustained and delicate, so if you’ve experience using ropes and crampons and are comfortable scrambling on steep rock, then one of the worlds most famous big mountains is well within reach.
Guided Matterhorn trips throughout July & August are available with Mountain Tracks from £2,995 for 6 days including hotel & hut accommodation – https://mountaintracks.co.uk/holidays/matterhorn-climber

Trek or ski the Haute Route

The Haute Route is possibly the best-known Alpine passage, on foot or with skis, and is one of the most rewarding treks in both summer and winter. The 120km route travels from Chamonix to Zermatt following the classic high-altitude route ascending over glaciers among the spectacular 4,000m + peaks of Mt Blanc and the Gran Paradiso. Staying in alpine huts there is a unique sense of adventure shared with your fellow climbers. If you want to add to your challenge add another two days to your trip and reach the summit of Mt. Blanc and tick two amazing adventures off your list.
The guided summer Haute Route treks run from June to September and cost from £1,595 for 8 days including hotel and hut accommodation –
https://mountaintracks.co.uk/holidays/classic-haute-route-trek
The Haute Route ski tour runs on various dates in March and April and costs from £1,325 for 6 days including hotel & hut accommodation –
https://mountaintracks.co.uk/holidays/haute-route-ski-tour

Heliskiing

For most aspiring freeride skiers and snowboarders, heliskiing is definitely high up on the bucket list. The exhilaration of charging through the sky and dropping down onto snowy peaks combined with the access to untouched powder is the stuff of ski movies and dreams. In most parts of Europe, it’s actually illegal to Heliski, which makes Monte Rosa a particularly special place for those who love the backcountry! This isn’t just daytripper heli-skiing with one drop down a pretty tame slope, Monte Rosa has everything from open powder bowls to narrow couloirs and 4.500m peaks, all of which you will be getting exclusive access to, thanks to the Bell A-Star helicopter you’ll be flying in.
HeliSki Italia! takes place in mid March and costs from £2,795 for 6 days and includes Half Board accommodation, 6 days with IFMG Mountain guides and up to 8 heli drops –
https://mountaintracks.co.uk/holidays/heliski-italia

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Trail running on natural surfaces is far more forgiving on your feet, and the scenery will lift your spirits. The varied terrain develops your cardiovascular strength, balance and strengthens your joints and ligaments. But did you know that trail running shoes are different from street running shoes? Find out why and discover how to choose the best trail running shoes for you.

What is Trail Running?

So what is trail running? Loosely defined it is any run on a path that is not on road or pavements. Common trail paths are the paths you tend to see around parks and national footpaths you find on places like the Ridgeway, the North Downs and on coastal paths. There is also off-trail running and fell running. This is running away from any clearly defined path, so think cross country here. This tends to be a bit more difficult so starting out on national paths is a better way to begin.

Trail running has traditionally been avoided by beginner and sometimes even intermediate runners due to its perceived difficulties and injury potentials. However, the benefits of trail running for beginners and experts alike far exceed the negatives. In fact the negatives can easily be spun into positives if done safely. An example of this is ankle instability, it sounds negative but if you start out on a nice hard packed trail path like a towpath or around a park then strengthen the ankles can benefit all aspects of your running and everyday like.

The key thing with trail running as opposed to treadmills or road running is the additional amount of foot and ankle flexibility we will need. Our feet will have to curve and wrap around rocks and negotiate much tighter turns as opposed to the linear running nature on the roads. Balance and strength also needs to be greater on the trails, simply running on the trails would naturally develop these but any additional core exercise and squatting and lunge exercises as a precursor would be very beneficial. Another big difference between road and trail running is the amount of impact you would typical experience in your joints with every step. The road is very unforgiving and if this causes you issues then a switch to the trails can be just the answer for some lower impact running.

Choosing the right trail running shoes

With some of the best trail running shoes made by manufacturers such as Salomon, New Balance and Asics, here are a few things to think about when buying the best ones for you.

Trail running shoes are different to your typical road shoes. The most obvious difference is the sole of the shoe and the grip. A trail running shoe will have a harder compound on the bottom and it will look almost tooth like with pointy bits sticking out. This is done so they can grip into soft trail/muddy surfaces and give you some stability, in this situation a road shoe would just slip. It’s also important to note that the harder trail compound can feel quite unstable on road surfaces and can slip on wet road so if you buy a trail running shoe then keep it for the trails only!

When the trail path is really hard or dry then sometimes a road shoe can cope with it as you will not be slipping around and the extra cushioning in the sole of a road shoe can feel great. However, a trail running shoe has some other key benefits even in dry conditions. They tend to have reinforcements as the front of the shoe and in the toebox which is gives the toes more protection from rocks and stones.

Some trail running shoes will also have something called a rockplate, this is designed to protect the bottom of the foot from sharp objects.

Winter Trail Running Shoes

The three final things to consider when picking the right trail shoes for you are:

1. waterproof,
2. size
3. support.

Waterproof trail running shoes, surprisingly, are few and far between. As bizarre as that sounds the reasoning is sound, a waterproof shoe is just that and if water gets in over the top of the shoe and/or your feet sweat then that moisture will be trapped inside the shoe. Over the course of a run this moisture will add significant weight to the shoe and it will soften the skin of the foot which can lead to blistering.

If you are doing some really horrible, wet and muddy winter runs then a good alternative to waterproof trail shoes are running gaiters which attach to the shoe and go around your ankle. They will keep you dryer and warmer.

Trail Running Shoe Sizes

The size of your shoes might be a little different to the size of your everyday shoes. Typically our everyday shoes are smaller than our actual foot size. We do this as we have our toes close to the end of the shoes in order to keep it a nice snug fit. Running footwear is already designed to be snug and stay on your foot so the key here is ensuring your toes have enough room that they don’t jam into the front of the shoe particularly when running downhill. When you put your running shoes on and stand up, you should have a finger widths room between the end of your longest toe and the front of the shoe.

Trail Running Shoe Support and Custom Insoles

Finally, support of the shoe. Trail running shoes can be a little less supportive in the arch as your feet needs to have more freedom to move. If you are accustomed to very supportive shoes when running on the roads and you feel comfortable then trail shoes are available with big arch supports. The better way to do things however is to reduce the support slightly and make your first few runs easy before increasing the distance and speed after a few weeks.

Another option is to look at soft custom insoles. By incorporating these you can ensure your feet have the right support whilst ensuring the shoe stays a little bit flexible for the trails. A custom insole also has the added benefit of increasing proprioception and balance which is ideal for trail running!

Looking after your Trail Running Shoes

With trail running our shoes are bound to get really dirty, if you prefer to clean yours then try to avoid the washing machine as the temperature and constant bashing around the drum will add significant life to your shoes and will need replacing much sooner. Get yourself a Boot Buddy to easily scrub off the mud and crud.

You can buy trainer bags that attach to the inside of the drum and prevent this bashing and you can wash at 30degrees which will not be as damaging but hosing or showering the shoes down would be a better option. (always remember to remove any insoles from the shoe before washing!)

A final note on looking after your trail running shoes is knowing when to replace them. A hole in the shoe is not usually the first sign. The midsole, the part between the bottom of the shoe and your foot (usually made of EVA) can be the first to go. This part of the shoe provides the support and cushioning we feel in a new shoe. Once this is old they will not feel as protective or as soft. It s a good idea to get familiar with this midsole so with a new shoe give the midsole a squeeze and feel its stiffness, if you do this once a month you’ll start to feel the changes. Once you can squeeze the midsole with your fingers down to a thin strip then just imagine what your bodyweight could do to it! It’s time to replace.

A top end shoe would usually last 500 miles approx. Cheaper shoes will typically use less durable and softer materials so the mileage falls to 200-300.

Good places to go Trail Running

So if you feel inspired to get into trail running and are not sure where to start then we really recommend starting with national trail paths and heading out to places like the South Downs, Pembrokeshire coast or the thames towpath. If you’re feeling more adventurous then you really can’t beat the Lake District or Brecon Beacons for sheer volume of different paths and routes for all abilities.

Then if you’re going one step further and into Europe then the most obvious choice is around Chamonix (France) or Courmayeur (Italy) for Alps and the Mont Blanc trail paths. Having said this, the Pyrenees is a personal favourite particularly around Ordino in Andorra or Font Romeu in France.

The US has some of the longest and most amazing trails in the world. The wilderness holds some breathtaking views that make trail running worth every step.

All the above areas have great networks of trail paths for all abilities and they have races on them all year round ranging between 1mile and 100+miles for the really crazy ones. Over in the UK, the ParkRun series is a fantastic free weekly trail run series over 5km. Endurance life have a great series of races too that range between 10km and Ultra Marathons.

Favourite UK Trail Running Routes Infographic

Other Trail Running Gear

Finally, a quick note on other gear and safety on the trails. If you are running locally then it is not as big of a concern but if you are running in areas that you are not familiar with then it is worth investing in a good running pack and putting some safety items in.

Trail running backpacks and hydration packs are designed to fit comfortably and provide you with water on the go.  You can drink the water by the tube directly or take it out easily whenever you need without taking your hydration pack off or having to stop running.  You can carry everything you need with a trail running backpack. Choose one with the pocket design so that your water bottle, phone, keys and food can easily be stored in the front pack pockets and water bladder or other items in the back one.

A map of the local area and the phone numbers of the local trail authorities stored in your phone are an absolute must. It is worth packing some lightweight waterproofs as trail running, particularly in the mountains can throw up very extreme weather changes even in the summer.

If you’re are in really remote areas then a survival blanket and whistle should be considered too. Finally a headtorch can be useful- if you run through forest areas they can catch you by surprise with how quickly they become dark in the evening. Safety should always be a priority on the trails!

Where to Buy Trail Running Shoes

You can now buy mens trail running shoes and trail running shoes for women in most sports stores and online. If you love your feet and want the perfect fit, the Profeet store on the Fulham Road in London has a running shoe fitting service where experts will assess the comfort and suitability of new trail running shoes in store.

Profeet staff will review how your foot, ankle, legs and body are moving using dynamic foot scanning and video gait analysis. They can recommend and fit the best trail running shoes for you and make appropriate custom insoles – and all covered by a Comfort Guarantee. This is recommended for anyone looking to increase comfort and performance and reduce injury, whether you enjoy ultra-marathon, marathon, triathlon, or running recreationally for fitness.

So now you know what to look for when buying your next pair of sports shoes or trail running shoes.

Trail running events in the French Alps

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From family activity holidays to activity holidays for groups, here are some of the fantastic ways you can find some fun in the Alps.

Paragliding

Paragliding, or as the French say, parapenting is one of the most exciting yet peaceful activities to try. The initial adrenaline rush of running off a mountain is soon replaced with a relaxed sensation as you gently glide above the trees and take in the stunning landscapes.

Be sure to pick a warm day to try paragliding, as the hot thermals will increase the amount of time you will be airborne for.

Blobbing

The relatively new water activity of blobbing features a massive inflatable air bag and needs at least two people. One person sits on the end of the blob and is launched into the air when the other person jumps onto the airbag. Blobbing has almost become an extreme sport where tricks and flips can be performed.

Horse Riding

The beautiful and picturesque scenery of the French Alps is best explored on horseback. You can find horse riding schools situated at most of the ski resorts.  If you want to spend most of your holiday in the saddle, you will want to know about these great horse riding holidays.

Mountain Biking

Possibly not the most outrageous activity on our list but mountain biking in the French Alps is a must. A great day out on any family activity holiday that everyone can enjoy, explore the beautiful landscapes that the French Alps offer. From single-track to downhill trails and bike parks the amount of biking available is almost endless and is certainly accessible for all abilities and ages.
The Portes du Soleil is a very highly regarded mountain biking area which has a great sellout MTB event every year. …an 80km MTB ride featuring 15 chair lifts, 6000m of descent for only 1000m of climbing, 8 food stops and scenery to take your breath away either side of the French-Swiss border.

Rock Climbing

Whether it’s your first time rock climbing or a seasoned mountaineer the Alps provides 1000’s of routes across all grades. Chamonix is often referred to as the ‘capital of world climbing’ due to the range of climbing available. There are few better places to learn the ropes and your instructor will guide you through the first steps to becoming a safe and efficient climber.

The Fantasticable Zip Line

A one-of-a-kind experience, The Fantasticable is not for the faint hearted. Attached to a metal wire with a harness, you fly at over 100km per hour between mountain tops.

Summer Skiing in the French Alps

Not many people know that the ski resort of Les Deux Alpes sits on a glacier at 3600m above sea level. This means that there is snow on the top of the mountain all year round! So, if you still seek a snowsport fix, you can combine skiing in the morning with some mountain biking or trail running in the afternoon.

White Water Rafting in France

The French Alps have some excellent rivers for white water rafting. Run time is approx 2 ½ to 3 hours and the rafting centre will brief you on kit use and safety before you go off to the rapids with your instructor. You can either join one big raft for eight to ten people or take a smaller two-man raft. Small waterfalls and swirling currents will add excitement to your journey downstream!

Activities to do In the French Alps in Summer

If you think those ideas are cool, here is a sample of some of the other awesome activities that Alpine Elements provides on their summer family activity holidays in Europe.

• Walking and Hiking
• White Water Rafting
• Canyoning
• Via Ferrata
• Quad Biking
• Rock Climbing
• Mountain Biking
• Road Cycling
• Pony Trekking
• Devil Karts
• High Ropes Adventures and Zip Lines
• Stand Up Paddle Boarding
• Dinghy Sailing
• Kayaking
• Fly Boarding
• Blobbing
• Tow Surf
• Hot Air Ballooning
• Helicopter Flights
• Sightseeing Flights by light aircraft
• Dirt Biking
• 4×4 Driving
• Mountain Boarding
• Hydro Speeding
• Skiing
• Snowboarding

Where to find out more about summer family activity Holidays in the French Alps

To find out more about family activity holidays in Morzine and other locations in the French Alps, and to look at accommodation, Alpine Elements provides great value in alpine activity holidays for singles, couples, groups and families.

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What is a Corporate Retreat

A corporate retreat is a team building exercise that takes staff away from the normal work environment.  Also called an offsite retreat, it is held out of the office on neutral territory.  This could be at a local conference centre, at a cabin in the mountains, or even overseas.

By taking staff away from the daily pressures and workload, you allow them to think more clearly, and be open to new ideas.  This fosters creativity and drives results.  You can take the opportunity to reaffirm your team’s shared mission, ensuring a common understanding of what it is you do and why does the organisation exist.

Choose a location for the corporate retreat that is completely different from the normal office environment.  Perhaps you could go to Lake Tahoe as it is near to San Francisco yet in the countryside.  If you are thinking of going overseas for your corporate retreat you could consider skiing in the French Alps, or golf and surfing at Praia Del Rey in Portugal.

A corporate retreat should not be considered to be a vacation.  Although you can provide the incentive of time on a golf course, maybe skiing in the mountains or being somewhere exotic, staff should be made aware that they are there for a specific purpose.

Whichever form of corporate retreat you decide to undertake, ensure that you communicate a clear and defined purpose or goal.

Define the Successful Outcomes of the Corporate Retreat

The corporate retreat must have a business goal. It is a waste of time and money if you are just going purely to get to know each other better, and to get your team to “bond.”

The aims and goals of the retreat will help you to select which staff to invite. If you are focussing on how to improve customer service, make sure that you have customer facing staff present. If you want to increase productivity and reduce the cost of quality, you will need a representative from all departments. For adapting the strategic direction, you will want to have staff who have a good understanding of the market and business.

Choose the Right Facilitator

One of the most critical parts of any team building activity is the facilitator. A facilitator is the person who guides the whole process, without becoming involved with the actual discussion.
Acting as a sounding board and being a very good listener, the facilitator ensures that the team considers all sides of the problem being explored, and asked pertinent questions that are thought provoking. You can select someone from your organisation to act as a facilitator as long as they are not closely connected with the task at hand. Sometimes it can be better to hire an independent facilitator from companies like Adventure Associates for your corporate retreat to host and run proceedings.

Logistics and Planning

Where are you going? How on earth do you get the whole team there? Are the right resources in place to allow your team to concentrate on their creativity?
The logistical organisation and planning needs to begin months in advance of the corporate retreat. Make sure you know what you want to achieve, and that the venue you have selected can support those goals.
You will need to consider:

• transport
• accommodation
• food and drink
• agenda and schedule
• activities
• rooms for holding the discussions
• recording and presentation resources

Provide the Right Environment for Creativity

Please, please, please do not force staff to be completely out of their comfort zone. Some corporate team building advocates insist that the only way to get teams to think differently is to create a challenge that employees must rise to. Oh how wrong they are.
I have heard so many tales of staff hating being forced to go above and beyond the call of duty by going on long hikes, mud scrambles or the torture of building yet another drinking straw tower. Yes it is good to challenge people’s thinking, but you must support them to fulfil their potential.
If you have a room full of tech geeks, set them a problem that appeals to their inquisitive minds that a solution must exist. If you have a cluster of sales and marketing staff, appeal to their competitive spirit. But make it seem achievable so that employees get into the flow.
By providing the right balance of challenge against skill, as long as a solution seems achievable, you will be amazed at how engaged your workforce will be on your corporate retreat.

Further Ideas for Corporate Retreats

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Summer Holidays in the French Mountains

The French Alps are world famous for the fantastic range of skiing resorts in some amazing countryside. Not as many people consider the beauty of the French Alps for a summer holiday. Boy are they missing out on some outdoor fun and adventure for all the family.

Morzine is one of the few Alpine villages that is as buzzy in summer as it is in winter. Just an hour from Geneva in the Portes du Soleil region, there is no end of activities to choose from in summer. Experience outdoor activities including:

• summer sledging
• ice skating

whitewater rafting

• canoeing and kayaking
• canyoning
• wild swimming in lakes
• watersports
• tennis
• horse riding
• mountain biking
• hiking
• via ferrata
• paragliding
• caving
• climbing
• sky diving

You could also visit Avoriaz to play in their new waterpark, Aquariaz. All the Residence L’Aiglon apartments have use of the sauna for adult chill-out time with massage and beautician available for extra pampering should you wish to indulge.

On a holiday in Arc 1950 you will be high up in the mountains, with spectacular views across the Tarentaise valley to Mont Blanc. Hiking and biking are on your doorstep for older kids or you can take them rafting down the valley in Bourg St Maurice along the Isère river. Younger children will enjoy the weekly family Wednesday events with arts and crafts stands, local cultural displays and fireworks at the end of the evening. The free indoor/outdoor pools at ‘Le Village’ are popular and the fabulous spa is guaranteed to help you wind-down.

Stay in Les Carroz, an authentic Savoyard village at 1140m, surrounded by Alpine pastures and under an hour from Geneva airport – a perfect short transfer time for younger children. In the centre of the village, the Fermes du Soleil residence consists of rustic apartments divided into five large traditional chalets with a heated swimming pool and spa. The village offers all the usual summer activities such as gentle hikes, mountain biking, golf and horse-riding.

If the sea and sand and all things beach still ticks your box, head to the South of France and do activities such as sailing or diving. Choose from one of the Erna Low French Riviera holidays

and finally…Erna Low’s BEST PRICE GUARANTEE promises that if you find exactly the same accommodation cheaper with another UK tour operator prior to booking (and it’s available through them), they will match it!

Erna Low Summer Holidays in the French Alps and Riviera

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