SKIING AND SNOWSHOEING IN LAMOURA

You stay at Hotel La Spatule, surrounded by tall fir trees, and just outside the traditional tiny village of Lamoura. Built in Alpine chalet style, it’s run in a friendly and informal manner by Jean François, who presides over the kitchen, and wife Françoise, who manages everything front-of-house. The en suite rooms, most with balcony, are spacious and well furnished, with satellite TV and telephone. Breakfast – full buffet style – and evening meals are taken in the panoramic restaurant that affords stunning views. Lunches are either at the hotel, picnics by the trail or taken in charming mountain cafés overlooking the slopes.

The food here is tasty, home country cooking and is largely based on local specialities. Warming soup often to start, or croûte forestière, perhaps followed by saucisse morteau avec pommes de terre à l’ail (lightly spiced sausage with garlicky roast potatoes). Regional cheeses include the locally made Morbier and Cancoillotte,as well as delicious fonduesmade with Comté.

Our cross country skiing programme is tailored to either first timers / beginners, or to more able skiers, depending on your chosen week. With an easy green trail just outside the hotel door, it’s perfect for people who’ve not tried skiing before. Accompanied by Jérome, the Headwater rep, you’ll take in the entire ski network, with trails winding past hidden farmhouses, frozen lakes and forgotten hamlets. The week culminates in a climb up to Crêt Pela (1495m) where you’ll be rewarded with stunning views across into Switzerland. In addition, everyone has the chance to follow sections of the Grande Traversée du Jura, a long distance trail that starts in Lamoura.