What unusual activities can you do in the mountains in summer?

When we talk about the mountains in summer, we can easily imagine hiking trails to admire beautiful viewpoints, downhill mountain biking routes, paragliding first flights, tree climbing, etc. But the mountains have many other surprises and sensations to offer you in summer, just as they do in winter with dog sledding and other unusual snow activities…

New water sports

With their lakes and torrents, the mountains offer a multitude of activities for thrill-seekers, as well as vacationers looking for tranquility.

What if you tried, for example, theHydro Speed ? This extreme water sport consists of descending tumultuous waterways, equipped with a special floating board. Also called a "river bodyboard", this board is designed to allow the practitioner to navigate through rapids and currents mainly using the strength of their body. Intense experience guaranteed!

Another original activity: the Gliss Speed, also known as water karting or hydrokart. On an electric vehicle, quite similar to a jet-ski, you can take a leisurely ride or pick up a bit more speed, and even race on a water course. If this activity is still not very widespread, there is no doubt that the mountain water sports centers will gradually integrate it into their offerings for summer vacationers.

Among the fun activities, suitable for the whole family, let's also mention the Water Bubble, which is practiced for example in Bessans, at Lake Aiguebelette and in several other resorts with a water sports center. The concept is simple: enclosed in a giant inflatable ball, you bounce on the water. A chance to discover unique sensations!

Do you prefer a quieter unusual activity ? So, why not try paddle yoga ? Many providers offer this activity in the mountains in summer, for example on Lake Annecy, Lake Chamrousse, the lake of Mônetier-Les-Bains, in Bolquère-Pyrénées, etc.

Variations of classic hiking

The hiking is obviously a flagship sport when going on vacation in the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Vosges or other French mountain ranges in summer. To vary the pleasures, know that you can approach hiking differently, for example with dog hiking. Attached by a harness to your dog, you set off on mountain trails, pulled by your animal's energy. This simple but original activity is practiced almost everywhere in the French mountains, where dogs are allowed.

During mountain vacations with children (or even without children for that matter!), you could also hike differently by participating in a treasure hunt or an orientation race. Many resorts offer these activities, which allow you to discover the emblematic places of the village, local heritage, surrounding nature, etc. Don't hesitate to gather some information from the resort's Tourist Office to find out the schedules of organized activities or to get a booklet to do your treasure hunt independently.

Are you still looking for other ways to entertain yourself in the mountains in summer, off the beaten track? Here are some ideas that will surely charm you!

Put on your skis on the Tignes glacier

Did you know that skiing isn't just for winter? In France, some ski resorts indeed allow you to ski on glaciers. This is the case in Tignes, in Savoie. Generally open from mid-June to mid-July, the few slopes offer the opportunity to ski from 8:00 AM, at over 3000 meters altitude ! Note, however, that these are red and black slopes, which are therefore only suitable for good skiers.

Take a « step into the void » at Aiguille du Midi

If you go to Haute-Savoie, near Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, don't miss the Aiguille du Midi experience. The ascent is simple, but no less sensational, as it is done via the Aiguille du Midi cable car. Once at the summits, you will enjoy one of the most beautiful viewpoints of the massif. And if you are adventurous, go to the « Step into the void »: a fully glazed space above the void, located at over 3800 meters altitude.

Climb closest to a waterfall at the Via Ferrata of the Cascade de la Fraîche

A compromise between climbing and tree climbing, the Via Ferrata is one of the popular activities during mountain vacations in summer, especially since many routes are suitable for the whole family. All offer their share of great sensations and allow you to do sports on the mountainside, but some stand out due to the characteristics of the route. For example, in Pralognan-la-Vanoise, in the Northern Alps, the Via Ferrata of the Cascade de la Fraîche takes you through a monkey bridge along the waterfall and above the torrent, several meters high. Impressive and majestic! The route ends with several ziplines, to end in style.

Fill up on sensations with the double Zipline of Val Thorens

Speaking of ziplines, some mountain villages have invested in XXL installations, such as the resort of Val Thorens. Accessible in winter and summer, the « Bee » is a double zipline : you can descend two at a time, on an 1800-meter course, several tens of meters above the ground. The activity is accessible to children from 14 years old.
Other gigantic ziplines in the French mountain ranges: a 1000-meter descent above Lake des Confins in La Clusaz, fantasticable (lying zipline) with a 240-meter vertical drop in Super-Besse, 1.35 km long with speeds of over 100 km/h in La Bresse in the Vosges, 240 meters above the ground in Châtel in the Alps, etc.