What to do on a ski holiday in France besides skiing
Whether you’re looking for something else to do between hitting the pistes or are headed on a group ski holiday in France and you fancy trying out something a little different, there are plenty of alternative activities to keep you entertained on the slopes. From adrenaline-seekers to those who prefer to take it easy, resorts such as Courchevel, Meribel and La Plagne offer an endless array of exciting experiences for visitors in the winter season. Here are a few of our favourite ski alternatives to try out this year.
Sledging
If you’re looking for a thrill that will make you feel young again, sledging is the perfect choice. Ideal for families with children who are too young to ski, sledging is a sport that absolutely everyone can get stuck in to. Most resorts have specially-designed toboggan runs on or close to their main skiing pistes. If you’re looking for something with a little bit more edge, various locations such as La Plagne even offer skeleton bobsleighing which you can experience on their former Olympic tracks!
Husky rides
When first-time visitors to the mountains envisage the Alpine lifestyle, huskies and sleds often feature. Particularly in the Christmas season, a husky ride is at the top of many people’s bucket lists. Whether in the midday sun or in the soft glow of the moonlight, the sensation of getting tucked into a sled with blankets and setting off into the snow led by your pack of huskies is unbeatable.
Try snow shoes out for size
The moment you reach the mountains it is likely that you’ll want to get exploring the surrounding area. Often, the winter means huge amounts of snow, preventing ordinary walkers from accessing some of the more extraordinary locations. However, there is an alternative. Snow shoes spread your body weight over a larger area, allowing you to tackle deep snow and access some incredible mountain walking tracks. This is the perfect activity to embark upon if other people in your group are off skiing because you can often meet up for food or a warming chocolat-chaud (hot chocolate).
Ice Skating
Ice skating is a huge part of almost everyone’s idea of the winter, and what better place to try out your latest moves than among the mountains and some of the most stunning views you’ll ever see? Many resorts boast their own outdoor skating rinks, so if you fancy putting your toe-loop to the test, head out for a skating session! They usually cost little more than a few euros, and you can even catch shows and events such as ice hockey or ‘ice-gliding’ (bumper cars on ice).
Paragliding
If you like to take life to the extreme, then why not try the once-in-a-lifetime experience of paragliding? There’s nothing quite like the views you see when paragliding above the mountains. Tandem or solo, this is a popular activity that everyone can try out. Courchevel, Meribel and many more resorts can be seen from birds’-eye view with this fantastic sport!
So if you’re not sure about skiing, or just want to break up the day with something a bit different, rest assured that France is the perfect destination for a holiday in the mountains, whether you want to ski or not!