During ski season, throngs of Dallasites flock to Rocky Mountain resorts—with good reason. They’re easy to get to, and the skiing in Colorado is great. But those seeking a more adventurous experience will want to give the Alps a try.

In planning planning a recent trip, I turned to Best of the Alps, an organization that represents 10 of the top Alpine resorts in Europe. We decided to fly in and out of Geneva and focus on three destinations: Crans-Montana in Switzerland, Chamonix in France, and Courmayeur in Italy.

The Alps and Rockies are similar in height, but villages in the Alps tend to sit at lower altitudes, which results in longer ski runs and more vertical drop.

The French village of Chamonix, for example, sits at about 3,300 feet above sea level—about a third of Breckenridge’s elevation of 9,600 feet—yet its highest ski elevation is 12,600 feet. The longest run in Chamonix tops 22 kilometers—or about 13.7 miles. That’s a lot of skiing.

There are other notable differences. Many of the runs in the Alps are above the tree line, creating expansive, open trails, all of which are groomed. The lower tree lines also reveal the jagged mountaintops, giving them an incredibly dramatic look.

In Europe, off-piste skiing (out of bounds of groomed, marked areas) is abundant and encouraged. For this reason, and to make the experience even more enjoyable, I highly recommend hiring a ski guide. The Europeans are serious about training; it can take years to become certified. Our guide in Crans-Montana was a former World Cup skier.

After an overnight flight, my boyfriend and I picked up a rental car in Geneva then made the two-hour trek to Crans-Montana, much of it around Lake Geneva. The last bit of our journey involved hairpin turns and steep climbs, which the locals seemed to handle with ease.

We stayed at the wonderfully quaint Faern Hotel. It offered cozy rooms, easy access to ski lifts and the village, and an expansive breakfast buffet that included my favorite, muesli. Sadly, low-hanging clouds detracted from both the typically stunning views and visibility, but the quality of the skiing itself was exceptional.

Afterward, we took some time to go shopping in the Rue du Prado (which feels like a cobblestone-street version of Highland Park Village) and walk around a beautiful lantern path between two lakes, stopping for a cup of the most delicious mulled wine I’ve ever tasted.

Note: Vail Resorts recently acquired the Crans-Montana ski resort, so it will be on the Epic pass starting this winter.

After two days in Switzerland, we drove about 90 minutes to France’s Chamonix, famous for offering some of the best—and most challenging—skiing in all of Europe. Home to the very first Winter Olympics in 1924, it’s made up of five ski areas. We skied at Le Tour (good for beginners and intermediates on-piste and experts off-piste) and Brévent-Flégère (good for intermediates).

The Chamonix-Mont Blanc region is iconic for extreme sports. After all, alpinism was invented here, when two climbers reached the summit of Mont Blanc in 1786. (Make time to visit the town’s spectacular Musée Alpin, or Alpine Museum, to learn more.)

While in Chamonix, you will no doubt see paragliders and a lot of off-piste skiers—of all ages—wearing backpacks with avalanche airbags. The region is home to one of the most famous off-piste runs in the world, the Vallee Blanche, a glacial run from the top of Aiguille du Midi (more on that in a bit) into town—a descent of nearly 9,000 feet.

After a day on the slopes, we were welcomed at the charming Chalet Hôtel Whymper with fresh macaroons, a bottle of champagne, and a lovely note written in rose petals.

Visitors to Chamonix will be delighted to find that they’ll be able to enjoy the haute cuisine for which France is famous in the small mountain town. During our stay, we dined at Le Matafan at the legendary, five-star Hotel Mont Blanc and Akashon in Hotel Heliopic.

On our final afternoon in France, we rode the Aiguille du Midi cable car, which holds the world record for the highest vertical ascent (more than 9,200 feet) and takes you the closest you can get to the Mont Blanc summit without climbing. As one would imagine, the views from the top—of the French, Swiss, and Italian Alps and the village below—are stunning. The very brave (not me) will want to head to Terrace 3842 at the summit and enter a glass overhang box aptly named Step Into the Void.

The next morning, we traveled about 30 minutes through the famous Mont Blanc Tunnel to arrive in Italy and Courmayeur. In part due to the bluebird weather conditions and the expertise of our exceptional guide, Alessandra, the skiing in Courmayeur was phenomenal—the best of our trip.

Gliding through glistening powder in the shadow of one the world’s most famous peaks was almost surreal. Courmayeur also offered terrific on-mountain dining, with renowned pizza at Capitan des Alpes and gourmet specialties at La Chaumière.

Evening meals were exceptional, too. In town, we dined at Cadran Solaire, opened more than 50 years ago within the oldest tavern in Courmayeur. It features secret rooms, a 17th century stone vault, and a mashup of Alpine and Italian specialties.

The next evening, a 20-minute drive took us to La Clotze, a beautifully decorated, family-run restaurant featuring recipes that have been passed down generation to generation. It was here where I discovered the magic of génépi, a European herbal liqueur that’s frequently enjoyed as a “digestif” after a large meal. We made sure to pack a bottle to bring back to the States.

We didn’t need to travel far for superior breakfasts. Our boutique hotel, Bouton d’Or, featured homemade pastries by proprietor Patrizia’s husband, Andrea. I’m still dreaming of his incredible crème puffs, strudel, and quiches.  

Walking the cobblestone, carless streets of Courmayeur at night is magical. I don’t own a dog, but I was obsessed with the luxury apparel and accessories at the Prince and Princess boutique. Top fashion brands are well represented, too—no surprise when you consider that Courmayeur is only a couple of hours away from Milan.

On your walkabout, I highly recommend stopping for an aperitivo at Goù. You won’t be disappointed in the wines, and the complimentary charcuterie board was outstanding. (The Italians serve charcuterie the way Mexican restaurants in the U.S. offer chips and salsa.)

Before completing our European loop with a 90-minute trip back to Geneva, we took one last look at the region with a ride on the three-station Skyway Monte Bianco, which offers an up-close look at the Italian side of Mont Blanc. Built in 2015 at a cost of about $119 million, it’s an engineering marvel.

Each car can carry about 80 people and does a full rotation during the journey, giving riders a 360-degree view. The top station, Punta Hellbronner/The Sky, includes an exhibit of crystals, for which the entire region is famous. There’s also a high-altitude wine-making cave. It was an incredible way to end a fantastic adventure.

As we were heading back to Dallas, I remarked to my boyfriend how happy everyone seemed to be in these Alpine regions. But I guess it’s no surprise when you’re surrounded by the finest chocolates, coffee, and wine—and some of the world’s best skiing. We can’t wait to go back.

Travel Tips

Why Switzerland Is Tops For This Global Adventurer

Dr. Kenneth Cooper has traveled to 82 countries; one of his favorites is Switzerland. He first visited there in 1962 with a trip to Interlaken and has returned many times—to Zurich, Geneva, Zermatt, St. Moritz, and more. One of his most memorable adventures was skiing the Fee Glacier during the summer at Saas-Fee, a resort near Zermatt and the Italian border. “You get to the valley by train, then through a tunnel and up a funicular,” Cooper says. Known globally as “the father of aerobics,” he has had a home in Beaver Creek for 40 years. Cooper says it’s the quality of the snow that attracts skiers to the Rockies and the Alps. “They both have that beautiful soft and light powder,” he says.

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(Big Sky Connection) A Montana conservation group is holding a photo contest, with a focus on dogs and social media to promote the state’s vast trove of public lands.

The Montana Conservation Voters Education Fund wants photos of people with their dogs enjoying Montana’s 30 million acres of public lands.

Kearstyn Cook, program director for the fund, said those lands are one-third of the state and featuring photos of dogs with their humans in the “Pups for Public Lands” photo contest is an effective way to encourage people to experience Montana’s crown jewels.

“With our best friends, our dogs,” Cook explained. “Because it seems like dogs are also a way of life here. Everyone has them. So, with this contest we are kind of hoping to inspire Montanans to get outside with their dogs in a responsible way that respects our public lands.”

People enter the contest on Instagram by following Montana Conservation Voters, tagging them and using the hashtag “pups for public lands” in their post. The contest winners will be featured on a calendar and the top dogs will get what’s described as a “prize pack of goodies.”

Kim West, professional pet photographer for Missoula-based Lint Roller Productions, is a contest judge who will potentially scroll through thousands of dog photos after the contest closes Monday.

“It’s a tough job looking at cute dog photos but I’m up to the task,” West joked. “One of the easiest ways that people can improve their pet photos is to get low when they’re taking that shot, and to photograph from the dog’s eye level. It really invites the viewer into the dog’s world.”

West added the best time to snap a photo is in what she called the “golden hour,” either early in the morning or just before dusk.

POCATELLO, Idaho — Third-ranked Montana State was locked in a tense tussle with Idaho State through three quarters Saturday at the ICCU Dome.

After the Bengals clawed back to within 17-10 to start the fourth quarter, Bobcats quarterback Tommy Mellott lobbed a pass to tight end Rohan Jones, who had gotten behind the ISU defense. Seventy yards later, Jones was in the end zone, giving the Cats a two-possession lead they would not relinquish on their way to a 37-17 Big Sky Conference football win.

In what was expected to be a high-scoring affair between two explosive offenses, it was the defenses that shined early.

Montana State led just 3-0 at the end of the first quarter, getting a 44-yard field goal from Myles Sansted after capitalizing on a 50-yard punt return by Taco Dowler. The Bengals had just 8 yards of offense in the first quarter.

The offenses got going in the second quarter, though. On the first play of the period, Mellott corralled a high snap and then weaved through the Idaho State defense for a 7-yard touchdown run that put MSU up 10-0.

Scottre Humphrey added to Montana State’s lead midway through the quarter on a bruising 18-yard touchdown run. Humphrey powered through an Idaho State defender at the goal line to push the Cats’ advantage to 17-0.

It looked the rout might be on, but Idaho State had an answer. The Bengals moved the ball deep into Montana State territory with less than a minute to play before halftime. Facing fourth and goal from the 5-yard line, Idaho State coach Cody Hawkins opted to go for the touchdown instead of kick the short field goal.

Quarterback Kobe Tracy threw a high pass to the back of the end zone, and 6-foot-6 receiver Michael Shulikov made a leaping, toe-tapping catch to send the Bengals into halftime trailing just 17-7.

They got back within 17-10 on a 33-yard field goal to start the fourth.

But Montana State closed the game in style — first getting the 70-yard touchdown by Jones and then a 6-yard scoring run by Humphrey to go up 31-10.

After the Bengals scored — this time on an impressive 16-yard pass from Tracy to Jeff Weimer — the Bobcats leaned on their ground game to add another Humphrey touchdown and run out the clock, improving to 5-0 overall and 1-0 in Big Sky play.

Turning point: Idaho State had gotten back within seven points when Jones gave momentum back to Montana State. The junior tight end got behind the defense and nobody was close to him when he caught Mellott’s pass. Jones showed off his speed, pulling away from the Bengals to find paydirt. The Bobcats were never threatened the rest of the way.

Stat of the game: Idaho State totaled just 276 yards of offense. The Bengals entered the game averaging 278 passing yards and 140 rushing yards per game. They had 201 passing yards Saturday and just 75 rushing yards.

Bobcat game balls: RB Scottre Humphrey (Offense). Idaho State did a commendable job against the Bobcats’ vaunted rushing attack, but Humphrey still finished with 159 yards and three touchdowns on 27 carries.

DB Rylan Ortt (Defense). Ortt has been a solid presence in the Montana State secondary all season and was again Saturday. After the Bobcats turned the ball over on an Adam Jones fumble in the second quarter, Ortt made a diving interception to keep Idaho State off the scoreboard. The pick led to Humphrey’s first touchdown, as the Bobcats took control.

PR Taco Dowler (Special teams). Dowler has turned into a threat returning punts for the Bobcats, and his 50-yard return gave Montana State a spark in the early going. For the game, he fielded five punts and had 73 return yards.

What’s next: Montana State (5-0 overall, 1-0 Big Sky) returns to Bozeman for its first Big Sky Conference home game of the season against Northern Colorado (0-5, 0-1), which lost 28-7 to Cal Poly this week. The Bobcats have won their past 10 meetings with the Bears, including the last four by an average margin of more than 28 points. Kickoff is scheduled for 2 p.m. Oct. 5 inside Bobcat Stadium.

Idaho State (2-3, 0-1), meanwhile, is at Cal Poly (2-2, 1-0) next week. The Bengals won the most recent meeting between the two teams, a 40-31 victory in 2022.