Mountain activities: what to do during your holidays?

In the heart of winter, once snow covers the mountains and ski resorts finally open, a multitude of activities are available to you. Here are the sports and winter mountain activities to try absolutely!

ESSENTIALS FOR A WINTER MOUNTAIN STAY

You can't talk about the mountains in winter without mentioning winter sports. In most resorts, the choice is vast, between downhill skiing, off-piste skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, ski touring, etc. Choose a resort that will allow you to practice your favorite discipline and that has slopes and developed areas corresponding to your level.

The snowy slopes are also suitable for snowshoeing, to explore hidden places and climb to the most beautiful viewpoints. The trails are accessible independently, but you can also hire a guide for a guided outing. It's a great opportunity to discover untouched areas, learn about local wildlife, and even go night snowshoeing. 

Landscapes can also be discovered in many other ways, more or less sporty, but always conducive to adventure: snowmobile touring, FatBike outing, dog sledding initiation, paragliding, etc.

MORE ORIGINAL WINTER MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES

Fancy a memorable stay and activities you've never experienced in the mountains? Depending on the resorts and providers, there are many opportunities to experience something original: 

• Ice diving in a lake (e.g.: lakes of Tignes and Chamrousse) 

• Giant zip line above the slopes (e.g.: Val Thorens, Châtel)

• Ice climbing

• Ski joëring

• Piste basher ride

• New supervised snow sports (Yooner, Snake gliss, snow tubing) 

• Outdoor spa and relaxation facilities, in the heart of the mountains, etc.

Remember to inquire at the resort's Tourist Office to discover all the sports, adventure and relaxation activities offered at your holiday destination.

Do you prefer to go to the mountains when the snow has given way to beautiful green expanses and cliffs? Here are some ideas to keep you busy throughout your stay.

UNMISSABLE ACTIVITIES DURING SUMMER VACATIONS

Among the essential mountain activities in summer, there is of course hiking. The advantage is that it costs you nothing, except for the equipment (walking shoes, technical clothing, backpack, and sunglasses). And with hiking, there's something for all tastes and all levels. Easy walks are often marked near villages or accessible by pedestrian lifts. And for the most motivated, there are always plenty of sporty routes with varying elevation gains, and trails ranging from a few hours to several days for trekking enthusiasts.

The mountains in summer are also very suitable for cycling. Mountain biking, downhill mountain biking, road cycling : choose according to what you like! To make your life easier and enjoy suitable equipment, think about mountain bike rental at a Sport 2000 store.

If you like to gain height, summer is also the ideal season forclimbing. Even if you are a beginner, you can enjoy easy routes and benefit from the expert advice of climbing instructors. More accessible and particularly fun, there is also Via Ferrata. A mix between climbing and tree climbing, it's a discipline that appeals to both children and adults. 
The tree adventure course is another very popular activity in the mountains in summer. It is suitable for the whole family, from discovery courses for young children to the most athletic course, and it is affordable (between 15 and 35 € in general).

Finally, let's mention white water sports, which offer their share of thrills and give another perspective on the mountain landscapes. In addition to traditional rafting, canyoning and canoe-kayaking, the offer has been developing for several years. An opportunity to go on an adventure with hydrospeed (white water swimming), ruisseling (aquatic hiking), airboat (inflatable kayak), etc.

OUR IDEAS FOR ORIGINAL SUMMER MOUNTAIN ACTIVITIES

Want to change up traditional activities a bit? So, why not book your stay in a resort that has a rail luge circuit, for example? This family activity can be found in many mountain resorts, such as Gets, Saisies, Saint-François Longchamp, Monts Jura, Saint-Martin de Belleville, etc.

It is also possible to hike in a more unusual way, especially by opting for cani-hiking. Accompanied by a dog (often a sled dog), you will go for a sporty walk of one or two hours. With animals, you can also choose horseback riding, donkey trekking or even with llamas.

Another idea for an original mountain activity: mountain-kart. On a 4-wheeled vehicle, you will descend a mountain trail for several kilometers, as close to the ground as possible and with the summits in sight.

If you love the shimmering colors of autumn or the beauty of nature awakening in spring, mountain ranges are excellent destinations. While the tourist offer is less developed during these periods, there are still great activities to do, and it's an opportunity to pay less for your accommodation and certain services.

So, what to do when you spend a holiday in the mountains in spring or autumn? Hiking remains one of the flagship activities, to discover lakes, ridges, alpine pastures and other mountain landscapes. You just need to check the trail conditions and the weather before you go. And put on snowshoes if there is snow at altitude.

Just like in summer, mid-season is also suitable for mountain bike rides. Not all paths are open, but there are always beautiful places to discover, whether in the alpine pastures that regain their greenery with the arrival of spring or in the forests with their orange reflections in autumn.

Finally, spring and autumn are ideal seasons to enjoy tourist sites, as there is less crowds. You can then fully enjoy the experience, whether it's
strolling through mountain villages, visiting producer farms or going to mythical sites (e.g., Aiguille du Midi in the Alps, Puy-de-Dôme in the Massif Central, Cirque de Gavarnie in the Pyrenees, etc.).