I took the plunge at the World Ice Swimming Championships – I felt as high as a kite

FANCY a dip in a lake where you have to break the ice first just to get wet?

It might not be everyone’s idea of fun but over 400 competitors from 43 countries travelled to the Alpine town of Samoëns to do just that.

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The Ice Swimming World Championships were held in France for the first time in January with athletes aged from 20 to their late 70s.

So when in Rome – or Samoëns (pronounced Sam-waa) – there was nothing left for it but to join them.

The first thing you may notice from my photos is the distinct lack of a wetsuit, that’s because they’re for wimps according to the hardy bunch of ice swimmers.

Team GB gold medalist, and 100 metre breaststroke world record holder, Rob Wilmot had some handy tips for me before I got started.

First rule is you can’t dive in as the shock of hitting the 4c depths might just kill you as apparently your instinct is to gasp, potentially inhaling a lungful of water.

Rob, 51, said: “It’s all about your breathing – you’ve got to take big, deep steady breaths.

“But if you can stay in for longer than a minute then you’ll be fine.”

Sadly all his expert instruction went straight out the window as I tiptoed across the snow and entered the glacial waters.

Sheets of ice bounced off my shins as I waded further in before I took the plunge.

How best to describe it? Well, it was as freezing as it looked and left me physically incapable of taking deep breaths so I could only pant like a dog instead.

After a quick loop I’d had enough and headed for the snow covered shore, making a swift exit and running as fast as my frozen limbs would allow in the direction of my towel and warm clothes.

I may have only been in the lake for around 30 seconds, but I did it, although I have no idea how some of the more extreme athletes manage to do an ice mile in these conditions.

I was soon joined by some of the regulars who said that the water had been cold even by their frosty standards.

With a flask of hot ginger tea passed around along with lumps of dark chocolate, my shivering was soon replaced by a warm, fuzzy glow.

The camaraderie between the ice swimmers was clearly evident with everyone all smiles and chatter as they hastily got dressed under their Dry Robes.

And after my brief, brisk dip, I felt as high as a kite and refreshed for the day ahead.

Like much of France, Samoëns had suffered from a distinct lack of snow this season, but I was in luck as there had been a massive dump of the white stuff the night before which meant our group could go snowshoeing.

Our guide for the afternoon was French-based Englishman Jamie Carr, who snapped the snow chains onto the wheels of his minibus to drive us 1,600 metres (5,200ft) into the hills above the village to begin our adventure.

I’ve tried snowshoeing before and to be honest I always found it a little on the dull side – but not with Jamie.

After plying us full of local Mont Blanc Gin mixed with warm orange squash – which went together surprisingly well – he soon had our group running down the mountainside in our oversized comedy shoes.

The results were hilarious with most of my companions sliding down on their backsides, which is apparently a legitimate snowshoe manoeuvre, according to Jamie. Or maybe he was just trying to be nice.

It really got the heart pumping and as the clouds cleared the most spectacular views of this majestic Alpine valley opened up before us at the end of a fun filled few hours.

The beauty about Samoëns – and sacré bleu it is beautiful – is it’s also a proper little French village, rather than a custom made ski resort.

It’s been a focal point in this region of Haute-Savoie on the Swiss/French border for centuries, with a market that has gathered weekly since the mediaeval era.

The stonecutters have also been active in these parts since the 17th Century chiselling beautiful sculptures from the grey limestone rocks taken from the surrounding mountainside.

One creperie La Fandioleuse has its menu printed in mourmé, the stonecutter’s secret language, which was enough to even baffle Google translate.

For a real traditional feel though we ate one night at L’Etable, which was basically a dining room attached to a farmhouse kitchen.

There was no menu, instead our host, cook and only waitress Josiane asked which colour of wine we preferred.

Then she brought out a succession of home cooked foods including bourguignon, filet mignon and a bread, cheese and onion soup that I swear you needed a knife and fork for rather than a spoon.

It was finished off with an apple tart and all for just €30 – £26.40 – per adult, including wine, making it one the best value meals in the region.

We were staying at MMV Club Residence, just a short walk from the heart of the village, and one of Samoëns most recent additions containing 102 self-service apartments.

It also has its own SPA, with sauna and steam room, jacuzzi, a massage suite along with indoor and outdoor swimming.

Of course, I haven’t even mentioned skiing yet. Samoëns is part of the Grand Massif, the fourth largest ski area in France.

It links Flaine, les Carroz, Morillon, Samoëns and Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval resorts and boasts 139 slopes.

GETTING THERE

EASYJET flies from Edinburgh to Geneva throughout the ski season. See easyjet.com

STAYING THERE:  MMV Club Residence apartments from €749 (£658) per week. A breakfast box costs €10 (£8.80) per adult, €6 (£5.30) for a child. www.mmv.fr

MORE INFO: 1-day adult ski pass €53.50 (£47), Children (8 to 15) €42.80 (£37.60). 6-day adult ski pass €321 (£282), Children: €256.80 (£226). Ski school: zigzagski.com

SNOWSHOEING: €160 (£141) for a half day for two people with Zig Zag ski school. For more information visit samoens.com

And if you have little ones then the lift pass is free for children under eight years old – while in most other resorts it’s only free for five and under.

The white flakes were still falling hard when we hit the slopes on the last day of our holiday, which reduced visibility, but left us skiing over fresh snow which felt like soft, fluffy clouds.

And when our legs could take no more, we hit L’Beu restaurant, on the slopes of Morillon, for a plate of the most delicious ribs I’ve ever tasted.

That was followed by a crêpe flambée grand marnier, which the waiter lit at the table giving us our own mini-fireworks display.

It was a terrific way to cap off a great trip. As for ice swimming, well that will hopefully be my last dip in a frozen lake.

But that’s really just the tip of the iceberg of things to do in Samoëns.

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