‘Tis the season for relaxation
Interseason is typically a time when the people who live and run businesses in the valley can scuttle off for a quick hit of warmth and sunshine before the snow descends on us again, or for a well earned rest after a hectic winter season. However, if you're not planning on going anywhere for the next couple of months there are still some very enjoyable ways to relax and unwind right here in Chamonix as I found out last weekend when I had my very first massage treatment.
Quite how I've never got round to having a massage before now I really don't know, especially if you do a lot of sport. It's such a lovely way ease away those aches and pains and relieve any tightness that can build up if you don't always stretch properly. For my first massage experience, I booked in with Ruth Martin from Chamofix, specialist in Holistic/Swedish massage, deep tissue therapy, hot stones massage and Indian head massage. In for a penny and all, I took up her recommendation for a full 90 minute combo massage that incorporated Swedish, deep tissue and hot stone treatments so as to experience a range of different massages available. I wasn't disappointed.
After an initial consultation to establish any existing medical conditions I was shown to the treatment room to get settled. For the main part of her work, Ruth generally treats clients in the comfort of their own chalet or apartment so you only have to worry about making it from the massage table to the sofa or your bed afterwards; however, for Chamonix locals, she has a completely separate room off her own apartment in Argentiere where she can get rid of those knots of tension in complete calm and privacy.
For my massage Ruth used a mixture of arnica based sports massage oil and simple non-allergic grape seed oil, but she has a range of healing essential oils available depending on the type of massage you request and any specific points you want focussed on. Starting off with long sweeping strokes and some deep tissue work, I was an immediate convert to this massage malarkey, but if there was any residual uncertainty in my mind the hot stones treatment soon sent that packing! Sheer heaven!
It's traditionally basalt stones that are used for a hot stone massage, smoothed over time by nature and with exceptional heat retaining properties. Ruth had searched for her stones herself, personally selecting them for their shape and texture from a beautiful beach near her parent's home in Ayreshire, Scotland. However, instead of just being placed at key points on your body as I'd assumed from photos I'd seen, the stones are an integral part of the whole massage experience. Heat and pressure from the stones is incorporated with a full body massage, the combination of which is supposed to stimulate blood flow and aid the body in ridding toxins. It was unbelievably relaxing and I certainly went home feeling “cleansed” and refreshed afterwards (and it was definitely a vast improvement on my usual Friday night feeling – full of 2 for 1 cocktails!) Having experienced a professional massage treatment for the first time, I now can't believe it's taken me this long to try it, but even if you're a regular massage junky, you've got to try out hot stones - they really are something else.
I had my massage with Ruth Martin of ChamoFix who offers a range of massage treatments for people who play or work in the Chamonix valley. Prices range from €40 for a half hour Indian head massage, €80 for a 1 hour Swedish/holistic/deep tissue massage or €120 for the 90 minute extravaganza that I had with hot stones and a full body Swedish/deep tissue combo. However, from 9th October to 12th November she is running an interseason special of “3 hours for the price of 2” and locals can benefit from 50% discount on the full price rates all year round.
ChamoFix is just one of the massage services available in resort and you will find many others listed on our Spas, Beauty & Fitness listings page. Also, a number of the main hotels have got wonderful in-house spa facilities for their guests, some of which are open to non-hotel residents as well, such as Le Bachal at the 4* Hameau Albert Premier Hotel. So, if an autumnal break is out of the question, get someone to massage your tension away instead. With the snow line creeping ever nearer, it's the perfect way to relax and rejuvenate yourself in time for winter.
