Annabel Alfonso

Geneva, Switzerland

Proudly Yorkshire, UK born and bred. I came to the Alps for a ski season at age 18 and kept going, via several more seasons and five years in New Zealand, before returning to Europe. I love the mountains and a healthy balance of Type 1 and Type 2 fun— ideally involving a flask of tea and any opportunity to stroke cats, dogs, goats and pigs en route.

I’m often found running, cycling, hiking, skiing, via ferrata-ing or trying to tire out the two smaller family members, one human, one canine.

I spent one Christmas working as one of Santa’s elves at an indoor ski slope in Leeds, in the UK!

Up to the Refuge de Presset from Chapelle St Guérin, on France’s border with Italy not too far from the Tour du Mont-Blanc. The run has beautiful views of la Pierra Menta, a notable and dramatic peak in the region. There are stunning reflections on the lake next to the refuge. This run is in France’s Beaufortain region, which feels peaceful and wild at the same time.

I also adore any run that has a great cake stop, so when in Chamonix, Chalet de la Floria often forms a key stop of my route.