For a holiday out of the ordinary, French resorts offer a whole range of original activities to make the most of the benefits of the mountains. In the air, on the ground and even inside the mountain, here are 5 ideas to enjoy the French massifs in a different way this winter.
A step into the air in Morzine
A bit of adrenaline and a lot of contemplation: to feel the immensity of the Alps, go to the Pas de l'Aigle in Morzine. At an altitude of 2019 metres, this footbridge offers a 360° panorama with a view of Mont Blanc and as far as Lake Geneva. A great breath of fresh air and the mountains as far as the eye can see to your left, to your right, and even under your feet!
Tyrolean traverse over the Val Thorens slopes
After the opening of the highest zip line in Europe, Val Thorens is back with a new innovative flying experience in the heart of the resort. Securely fastened by a harness and with your skis on your back, set off on a 1600 metre long flight, 65 metres above the slopes. Start at the top of the Moutière chairlift and reach the ground on the Place Caron. The zip line is accessible to skiers and pedestrians and reaches an average speed of 75 km/h.
Exploring the heart of the mountain in Devoluy
In the Hautes-Alpes, dive inside the mountain! It is in Dévoluy that the via souterrata course "Cathédrale" was recently inaugurated: a mixture of via ferrata and speleology, this activity can be practiced even in winter, because here, the temperature is around 12°... all year round! In order to evolve in the best conditions and with the necessary equipment, it is strongly recommended to go with a professional.
Try yoga in the snow in Pralognan-la-Vanoise
Among all the yoga practices that exist, this one is well and truly worth discovering during a stay in the mountains: Toumo yoga, which comes straight from the Himalayan high plateaus, consists of reactivating one's inner fire through the cold. To do this, your meditation session will take place in the open air, surrounded by the mountains, and will end with an immersion in the snow or in a cold bath. A total renewal that can only be experienced in the mountains!
Cycling on the tracks on a Fat Bike
Do you know these new kind of bikes, equipped with XXL tyres? Fat Bikes are so successful that you can try them in many resorts (Alpe d'Huez, Saisies and Val d'Isère, Serre Chevalier Vallée Briançon to name but a few). Accessible to all levels, the activity will allow you to enjoy sublime views and to pedal in all simplicity thanks to the tyres which adhere easily to the snow. The descent is often done on the slopes when they are closed to allow plenty of space for fun.
Visit Tignes on snowshoes
To explore Tignes off the beaten track, there's nothing like putting on your snowshoes for a timeless walk. Accompanied by a guide, set off to explore the white immensity of fresh snow, untouched by footprints, get close to chamois and ibex and enjoy the unique silence of the mountains!
By The editor
The editorial staff of France.fr follows the trends and news of destinations to bring you stories from France that reveal its innovations and traditions that make you long to (re) discover its territories.
