02.12
2010 Lifestyle

Discover the benefits of nature, in a warm, welcoming environment. Whether you are a dedicated skiier, or prefer taking a stroll in snowshoes, the mountains are the place to be.

Make up for lost time

Discover the benefits of nature, in a warm, welcoming environment. Whether you are a dedicated skiier, or prefer taking a stroll in snowshoes, the mountains are the place to be.

Make up for lost time

« Take a breath of fresh air. » This age-old advice, rooted in our collective imagination, is more apt today than ever. The proof is in the polls: we all want to get back to nature. We all need space, authenticity, a change of perspective. We all feel the simple desire to turn our backs on the stress and pollution of urban life, if only for a brief respite. A trip to the mountains is the perfect solution. And the beneficial effects begin even before arrival – even the simple idea of a trip to the mountains can contribute to our well-being. Holiday planning, the choice of activities and accommodation, the prospect of a day of hiking – these are more than just a mark on the calendar. They are the promise of finding time for ourselves, and for those we care about. Going to the mountains means first and foremost the decision to stand up, to leave behind the hustle and bustle of traffic and the lights of the city. Considering the pollution that blankets most urban areas, the virtues of fresh mountain air need no explanation.

A fountain of youth

As we rise in altitude, oxygen levels in the air lower. Our bodies compensate by boosting our hematocrit levels (quantity of red blood cells.) It is the same effect which is created artificially when athletes use performance-enhancing drugs. In this way, the mountain air gives our bodies a natural “boost,” without any risks to our health. Just the opposite, in fact: when we rediscover the natural beauty of the mountains, sensations dating back to our childhoods are reawakened. The mountain air is a fountain of youth, perpetually renewed through the rediscovery of the wonders of the natural world, the flora and fauna…going to the mountains means conforming to the rhythms of mother nature, and to the rules she imposes. It means taking a break, skis or snowshoes on our feet, and acknowledging our smallness in relation to an infinite landscape. A trip to the mountains allows us to put things into perspective. It is a healing and regenerating experience, too rarely accessible during the rest of the year. 

Text: Arnault Breysse
Photos: Patrice Schreyer - Stéphane Gaudin

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