Why are we so drawn to mountain vacations?

August 31, 2023

We could have told you about the health benefits of a mountain vacation—the fresh air, the unparalleled winter sunshine, the variety of sports activities, and the satisfying sense of fatigue they bring. But instead, we’ve decided to list five other, more subtle reasons why the mountains are a timeless favorite destination, in winter and summer alike!

The mountains inspire us to push our limits

"Reaching new heights," "moving mountains," "climbing Mount Everest": Have you ever used these metaphors in your daily life? I'm willing to bet you have! The symbolism of heights is powerful, and it resonates well with our everyday challenges—whether professional or personal.

On a mountain vacation, you go from the figurative to the literal! Hike 5, 10, or 50 km. Climb 100, 1,000, or 2,000 meters of elevation gain in a single day. Reach a viewpoint at an altitude of over 3,500 meters, with crampons on your feet. Fans of numbers and performance will be in heaven with the endless challenges to tackle!

Others will prefer challenges that can’t be measured—or that are measured simply by the joy and pride they feel once the goal is achieved. For example: learning to ski after turning 30, or daring to race down an Olympic bobsled track at over 100 km/h.

The mountains inspire us to climb higher, to go further. To push ourselves to make our hearts beat faster and feel alive. And above all: to take on challenges just for ourselves—because, after all, why not? It’s an introspective experience you’d be wrong to miss out on!

The mountains offer an endless array of words related to comfort

Thick sweaters, thick socks, fur-lined boots: a winter vacation in the mountains is the perfect excuse to wear nothing but super-cozy clothes for a whole week! Just thinking about it makes our faces turn into an emoji… you know, the one with rosy cheeks and three little hearts floating around its face?

Say goodbye to uncomfortable jeans and stifling ties. Once the skiing’s over, we stay cozy at home in soft thermal leggings, wrapped up in a blanket, with a cup of piping hot tea in one hand and a delicious piece of chocolate in the other. There’s no such thing as “less is more” here!

Do you know the joy of watching the rain fall through the window when you’re nice and warm at home? Now imagine watching the snowflakes fall… while wearing a swimsuit in your hot tub! It’s enough to make you glad the temperature drops as night falls. Speaking of being glad, isn’t it time for your massage with Robin?

The mountains satisfy our need for a sense of community

Admittedly, there are a couple of times during the day when it’s best to leave us alone. In the morning, before we’ve had our coffee. On the subway, when we’re wearing our headphones. And around 11:55 a.m., when our stomachs start to growl and our mood turns a bit awful.

Aside from those three critical moments, it’s the exact opposite! We want to see people, laugh, share stories from the day, and brag about the latest adventures of our youngest, who’s learning to walk. Big, lively gatherings—that’s what we want! Especially when we’re not the ones cooking… Raclette for lunch, fondue for dinner: in theory, you’ve earned your “cheat meal” if you’ve followed point #1 to the letter (pushing yourself to the limit). But be warned— you might end up having to change your restaurant reservation (“actually, there aren’t four of us—there are eight”) after dancing on the tables with people you didn’t know a moment ago (après-ski really brings people together!).

Rest assured that your cheerful little ones will be talking about “the Uncle Robert episode” (who dropped his piece of bread into the cheese three times, hehe) until their eyelids grow heavy in the bunk beds. Because that’s what vacations are all about: all the cousins gathered together in a big dorm (where adults are only allowed in for bedtime stories).

The mountains offer a true escape from everyday life

Have you ever gone grocery shopping right from the slopes? Now you have! Because a mountain vacation isn’t “just” a change of scenery —even if the view of the peaks out the window helps you disconnect from “normal life.” It’s also a complete change of pace, a new routine you’ll love embracing.

Even boiling an egg for breakfast (or cooking pasta before setting out to conquer the local mountain passes on your bike) is different. Add a full minute to the timer for the perfect texture—it’s all part of being at high altitude!

In the summer, it’s not the city’s car horns that wake you up… but the bells of the beautiful “tarines,” those light-brown cows raised in the Tarentaise region. A gentle melody that almost makes your mouth water when you think of the kilos of Beaufort and Tomme cheese that will result from the hours they’ve spent grazing in the alpine pastures.

On a mountain vacation, we feel like kids again

You used to read *Heidi* or *Belle and Sebastian*. Your kids love *Frozen*. They want to make an “Olaf” (come on, you know—the snowman!). Or draw angels with their arms in a thick blanket of snowflakes. Admit it: you, too, would love to dive headfirst into the 50 cm of powder that fell overnight! In the mountains, “I’m 10 years old. I know it’s not true, but I’m 10 years old,” as Alain Souchon sang.

In fact, watching your kids zoom down the slopes at full speed in Tignes La Plagne or La Rosière, you’ll see yourself as you were 30 years ago. With the same excitement on your face! And the same desire to live life to the fullest. A real fountain of youth!

And what about you—what keeps bringing you back to the mountains again and again, both in winter and summer?

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