Some days are simply meant for playing

Stop kicking the table!  But I’mmm bored…. well, go and tidy your room then…no…feed the cat….no…. read something….no, but I’m reeeelly bored….and on it goes.

Whether you’re a parent, a grandparent, or just a big kid yourself, you’re probably familiar with the plaintiff cry of the mini me, it goes something like …..

….‘whaaaaaat are we doing todaaaay’?

It’s a cry that can strike fear into the heart of the most dedicated children’s entertainer, bottle washer, and general tidy upper.

Instead of slipping into panic mode or reaching for the gin, here are some cool, fun things to do close to the eastern end of Lake Geneva.

Let’s start with the great outdoors

Here in the Chablais, we’re surrounded by ‘the great outdoors’. We have mountains, alpine meadows, rushing rivers, cycle tracks, lakes, beaches, and so much more.

Rock Climbing with Alpevianature (from 6 yrs upwards)

If you’re looking for something a bit more adventurous than just a walk in the hills perhaps a little rock climbing could fit the bill. Alpevianature organise ‘discover rock climbing sessions’ including safety aspects for children from the age of 6.  They also supply all equipment necessary.  Sessions last for 2 hours or half a day. Climbs are adapted for age and experience.

Group sessions from 6-8 year olds – a maximum of 6 children. For children over 8 a maximum of 8 per group.
Material: All material is provided. You will need to bring a pair of trainers or climbing shoes, small backpack, a bottle of water, biscuits and dried fruits.

Via Ferrata for older children – from 12 years old upwards

Via Ferrata are metal rungs, safety wires and/or ladders, and metal walkways permanently fixed to a rockface. They enable you to cross steep rockfaces safely as you’re constantly attached to a steel cable.

It’s an exhilarating experience for children from the age of 12 upwards and perfect for big kids as they offer adult sessions too.  Children must be accompanied by an adult, no dogs.

the mud will wash off but the memories will last a lifetime

Leman Forest at St Gingolph – from 2 years old upwards

A great way to burn off some energy and have some good outdoor fun is at the Leman Forest woodland adventure playground. With over 1km of forest rope walks, tunnels, nets, zip wires, and 100+ games to play in the trees, there’s plenty to keep the whole family occupied.

Adults and children 8 years or older can enjoy the 3 hour long descent alongside a waterfall with stunning views over the lake and the mountains.

play is a super power

For the over 16s there’s the ‘Black Run’ where you can cross the French/Swiss border by zipwire.

For younger children there are 2 ‘Lutin’ courses for 5-8 year olds and 2 ‘Bambino’ courses especially adapted for 2-5 year olds.

If that’s not enough activity for one day, there’s also the outdoor laser game for age 6 and above.

Refreshments and light snacks available and there’s a picnic area with panoramic views.

Barryland, Martigny, Valais – the home of the famous St. Bernard dogs

Here in the Chablais we’re on the doorstep of the home of the iconic St Bernard dogs. Barryland is dedicated to the history of these well-known dogs and is also a training and breeding centre.

At certain times of the year, you can visit the kennels to see the latest batch of newborn puppies before they leave for their forever homes. See the Facebook page for details of new puppy arrivals.

There are several dogs at the centre and every afternoon there’s a supervised petting session with a St Bernard for children. They can also take part in feeding time at around 17h00.

Hiking with a St Bernard Dog – 8 years old upwards

In July and August, you can hike part of the Great St Bernard Pass accompanied by a guide and her St Bernard dogs.

The hike lasts around 1h30 at an altitude of 2400 metres and takes place in all weathers (although will be cancelled in extreme circumstances).

kids don’t need more toys – they need more adventures

This is a hike for experienced walkers and children must be 8 years or over. Some sections are steep and you need to be in good physical condition.

For safety reasons mountain boots and suitable clothing are necessary. The number of participants is limited to 10 people divided into a maximum of 3 groups (1 dog per group).

Workshop for Children – Understanding Dogs and how to Interact with them – 6 – 10 years old

I wish I’d been able to do this as a child! This is a workshop where children aged 6-10 learn how to interact with dogs, how to gain their confidence and how to make a lifelong friend.

Donkey Trekking in Thollon, on the slopes of the Memises

Another fun way to experience the spectacular countryside of the Chablais is donkey trekking.

La Ferme du Genti’Anes at Thollon les Memises organise excursions for children along woodland paths rich in wildlife.  You can meander along little known tracks with panoramic views with one of their four resident donkeys, Calicot, Igor, Gigolo or Casimir.  Read more about them here

Excursions can either be for half a day, either morning or afternoon, or you can choose to amble along for the whole day.

Beunaz Water Park – St Paul en Chablais

The Beunaz waterpark is a natural lake situated at 900 metres in the heart of the Chablais, close to St Paul en Chablais.

Open every day in July and August and on bank holidays and weekends in June, it’s a popular spot for local families and sun-seekers.

Image by Indianadventures – plage de la beunaz

So much to do

La Beunaz adventure playpark has an array of great amenities and activities to make your day truly unforgettable.

If you’re looking for aquatic fun, there’s a large swimming pool fed by lake water, complete with diving boards and inflatables. Lifeguards are on duty during July and August to ensure a safe and enjoyable experience. There’s also a shallow paddling pool for little ones.

But the excitement doesn’t stop there! Take to the water and explore the surroundings with pedalos, paddle boards, and canoes. Or feel the wind in your hair on a zipwire.

Put your climbing skills to the test with exciting tree-climbing activities, there are several different tree top trails depending on age. Children can also burn off a bit of excess energy on the trampolines.

New this year is the possibility to rent a pontoon or wooden shelter by the lake side, perfect if you want to bring a picnic, a good book or just to relax in the sun.

If relaxing isn’t your thing you can take part in a lively game of petanque or challenge fellow visitors to a match on the volleyball pitch. It’s the perfect way to stay active and have a blast in the great outdoors.

Sleep under the stars

If you’re looking to extend your adventure, there’s a range of unique overnight accommodation.

Sleep under the stars in a cosy tipi, yurt, or cabins nestled within the trees. It’s a magical experience that allows you to fully immerse yourself in nature.

For detailed pricing information on overnight stays and all offerings, please visit the website or contact the super friendly staff.

Chateau Chillon near Montreux – for children of all ages, including the ‘big kids’

Do you remember visiting a castle when you were a kid, maybe on a school trip, and thinking how incredible they were? Magical but a bit creepy all at the same time. Well, whatever that was, Chateau Chillon has it in buckets.  It has everything a proper castle should have… and more.

Firstly, there’s the moat, well, not actually a moat…more of a lake really because the chateau sits in Lake Geneva. It’s connected by a small bridge to the shoreline at Montreux. There’s also a wooden drawbridge, another tick on the list of top castles.

play is the highest form of research

It has turrets, covered wooden walkways with arrow slit in the walls, large rooms, small rooms, treasure chests and wine cellars and views to die for, quite literally. Because like all good castles, Chateau Chillon has a murky history.

Down in the deep dark dungeons are remnants of the pillars and chains where the prisoners who occupied the chateau over the centuries were kept.

There’s also the gallows. Many met their end here while gazing across the lake to the distant mountains.

All in all, it’s a castle that fits the brief in every way, which is what makes it Switzerland’s number one tourist destination.

Here’s an example of some of the tours on offer at Chateau Chillon this summer:

‘Daily Life in the Middle Ages’ – for all the family

Every Sunday afternoon there are free guided tours themed around discovering what people ate in the castle, how they cleaned their teeth, how did they wear their hair, and much more.

Chateau Chillon always has cool exhibitions and events going on. You can learn all about medieval life, check out some awesome art, and really get a feel for how this castle shaped the region’s history.

So whether you’re a history buff, an art enthusiast, or just looking for a good time, Chateau Chillon is definitely worth a visit.

You can get to Chillon Castle via the A9 motorway, Villeneuve or Montreux junctions. Chillon Castle is by the lakeside between Montreux (4 km away) and Villeneuve (2 km away).

The Olympic Museum in Lausanne – Perfect for a wet day

Fancy owning your own Olympic torch or showing off your Olympic medals?

The Olympic Museum on the Quai d’Ouchy in Lausanne celebrates everything associated with this legendary sporting event.

During the summer they’re organising “Design Your Own Torch” and “Design Your Own Medal” workshops for children age 6-9 and 9-12 on the last Wednesday of every month.

Unique and vibrant

Here, children are encouraged to express their interpretation of the Olympic spirit through various forms of art. They could choose to recreate the iconic Olympic rings, design their own medals, or even draw a poster for the upcoming games. The Art Lab staff are on hand to assist and provide materials, but creativity is left to the children.

These activities enable children to explore different sports, the values of the Olympics, and express themselves artistically, making the Olympic Museum in Lausanne a unique and vibrant place for children to visit this summer.

The museum is also offering #STRONGERTOGETHER tours celebrating solidarity, respect and friendship at the Olympic Games.

(There is also a special “Memories of the Games” tour for you to share your Olympic memories with the family – available only in French (for ages 6 and over)

is is only a small selection of all the amazing children’s activities taking place this summer around Lake Geneva. I just don’t have space to include anymore!  I hope it’s given you a few ideas for those days when you’re racking your brains for something new or a bit different to do….

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Skiing in France, in the beautiful Haute Savoie

The Haute Savoie is an area of outstanding natural beauty.  Home to western Europe’s highest mountain, Mont Blanc. With over 2,200 km of ski runs and 750 ski lifts, it attracts thousands of skiers each year. You might have heard of Chamonix, the most famous resort in the Mont Blanc range, but have you also heard of the Portes du Soleil, Avoriaz, Chatel, the valley of Abondance? Perhaps not.

The best time to ski

Hugging the southern shores of Lake Geneva, the Chablais region of the Haute Savoie offers great skiing, excellent accommodation, and incredible views at reasonable prices. Popular with families, the peak period here is during the school holidays in February. This is the month that the slopes are full of hyper-excited children, bumbling adults, and Super G speed freaks heading full pelt down the mountain.

In January however, you can have the slopes to yourselves.  In March the days are longer and the weather is warmer. After a morning’s skiing, you can enjoy a long lunch on the terraces of the mountain restaurants basking in the sunshine. Perfect

Other Winter Activities

But what if you want to escape the overcrowded February slopes? There are a huge variety of other winter activities too.

Here are a few of the other things you could have tried this winter:

• Snowshoeing
• Ski Touring
• Cross Country skiing
• Ski Joering
• Horse Drawn Sledges
• Dog Sledging
• Snowcat Excursions
• Snoga or snow yoga

Snowshoeing

Snowshoeing has to be one of the best alternatives to downhill skiing. With snowshoes, you can head off into the great outdoors, along forest trails and mountain paths soaking up the stillness and peace of the crisp mountain air. Snowshoes are super cheap to hire and of course, you don’t need an expensive ski pass to enjoy that winter holiday experience.

Ski Touring

Ski touring has also gained in popularity.  Specially adapted skis and ‘skins’ enable you to walk uphill, remove the ‘skins’ and ski back down again.  Walking up the pistes is challenging but ideal for those wanting a good workout. You can discover the best ski touring routes in the Chablais area of the Haute Savoie on the interactive map here.

Cross-country skiing

Cross country skiing follows specially prepared tracks and is always fairly popular. At Chapelle d’Abondance you can combine it with rifle shooting with the ESF offering Biathlon lessons and providing rifles and targets.

Ski Joering

What’s ski joering? If you’ve been to the Dolomites you might be familiar with horses towing skiers across flat sections of pistes.  There’s been a growth recently in ‘ski joering’ as it’s known. Horses are rigged with a harness that allows a skier to be towed on skies, at a safe distance from the rear end, along snow-covered tracks.

Horse Drawn Sledges

Horse-drawn sledges are a staple winter tourist attraction and are available in many larger resorts such as Avoriaz. You can even have your new mattress delivered by horse-drawn sledge in this car-free town. Some of the smaller resorts such as Thollon Les Mémises and Bernex, along with many others, are offering pony rides for children too.  The Portes du Soleil website has great examples of all the winter activities available in Avoriaz.

Dog sledging

If a horse is a bit intimidating when you’re trying desperately not to cross your ski tips, then there’s always dog sledging.  Be prepared for a bumpy but exhilarating ride as you hurtle across the snow, pulled by teams of huskies.  There’s also a chance for children to learn how the dogs are trained and cared for.

Snowcats

Snowcat excursions have also been on offer at Chatel, where you can fulfill those Tonka Toy dreams by riding snowcats up the empty pistes while the driver explains the geology and management of the ski slopes and surrounding areas.

photo @talesfromthebalcony

Yoga overlooking Mont Blanc

Yoga is the perfect antidote to all those energetic activities in the snow. Nothing can beat a yoga class facing the awe-inspiring snow-covered summit of Mont Blanc. Lots of resorts are offering outdoor yoga sessions, weather dependent obviously. What better way to go home feeling on top of the world?

So many winter activities to choose from

To tell the truth, this is just the tip of the iceberg.  I could add skating on the lakes in colder weather, ice hockey, ice hockey mini-golf, tobogganing, outdoor swimming in heated pools, snow hiking, car racing on ice, etc., etc., but I think you get my drift.

So next year, don’t forget to add a few extra activities to your list of things to do when you get here, you might discover a whole new passion.

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Snowshoeing?  Not for me!  I’d always thought snowshoeing was just for wimps. However, I’m a convert and in this beginner’s guide, I’m hoping to convince you to try snowshoeing too.

Definitely not for us daredevil downhill skiers who like to feel the wind in their hair and the whoosh of snow under their skis (no, that’s not me either but I can dream…)

I discovered the joys of snowshoeing during those dreary pandemic months of winter 2021. There were no ski lifts running in France throughout the winter season. The super-fit were heading up the slopes carrying their skis on their backs. Children tobogganed on the lower slopes, and people like me had their noses pressed against the very cold glass in their apartments, dreaming of being in the first two categories.

Until I discovered the snowshoe! Once considered by myself to be deeply uncool and mind-bogglingly boring, it suddenly took on a new allure.

It was, in fact, the start of a whole new love affair.  A means of getting out into nature, of experiencing the beauty of sparkling white branches in the forests, fresh virgin snow, and the compulsory thawing with a hot wine afterwards.

So why not come with me?

 Let me introduce you to a whole new world with my

‘Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing’.

A Beginner’s Guide to Snowshoeing list of essential equipment

First things first. You’ll need to either hire the snowshoes and poles or buy yourself a set.  Hiring will cost you roughly 8-10 euros per day. If you decide to go mad and buy your own set then prices start at around 80 euros. If you already have ski poles with a basket, then these should do the job at helping you balance on sloping sections, although I think the longer cross-country ski poles might be even better.

You’ll also need:

• Strong high necked walking boots that fit well and don’t let your heel ride up and down.
• Multiple layers of clothing as you warm up quickly when striding out
• A bottle of water for when you get thirsty
• Good warm waterproof gloves or ski gloves
• Sunglasses on a bright day, as you’re constantly looking at the snow, especially as a beginner, checking your footing.
• A snack – high energy bar or choc bar
•  And, probably a phone, just in case… (and remember, keep your phone warm in your pocket so the battery doesn’t drain with the cold)

Stay Safe

The next thing is to pick your route.  Your local tourist office should have a map or plan of areas specifically suited to snowshoeing (see here for the Evian/Abondance region).

Keep in mind that going up on snowshoes is considerably easier than coming down, so it’s best to stick to the routes marked ‘for all’ rather than heading off across country and finding yourself stuck at the top of the mountain.

Or do what we did…and sign up with the local tourist office for an introductory session.

We paid 22 euros each for roughly 3 hours, snowshoe hire included and headed off with a small group of 6 fellow shufflers and a mountain guide from Alpevianature.

We had a run-through of what to do and what not to do. Basically, keep the straps tight and unclip your boot at the back so your heel lifts when you walk…unless you’re jumping a stream (no!) when you need to reclip, and, don’t try walking backwards unless you want to get really  close to the snow!

The benefits of a mountain guide

Far from circling the carpark our guide pointed us towards the snow-covered slopes of the Memises and off we went.

Looking like a string of washing hung on a line we ambled through snow-covered forests and out onto the windblown expanse of the alpine meadows. The stunning views made up for the horizontal snow that gusted around us intermittently.

Two things about going with a guide. Firstly, they know so much, from the ‘ooh look, squirrel footprints!’ to the ‘now these berries are edible, but in French, we call them ‘gratte cul’, which I’ll leave you to Google Translate for yourselves.

And here’s the second good thing about going with a guide…. in his rucksack were the emergency rations. Gathering us all, including the stragglers, under a clump of fir trees he produced his homemade mountain ‘juice’, a hot sweet, non-alcoholic beverage made with honey from his own beehives and a mixture of mountain herbs and flowers.  Sounds wonderful. Think ‘boiled sweaty sock’ and you’d be close. Fortunately, to wash that down, he also produced a palate-cleansing little eau-de-vie, which certainly revived the stragglers who led the pack on the way back down.

Now it’s your turn!

So, it’s true what they say…. every cloud has a silver lining.  There’s no way I’d have tried snowshoeing if the lifts had been open, but this has forced me to try something new.  From now on I’ll be keeping those snowshoes in the boot of the car and heading off into the wild white yonder whenever I feel like it. What a discovery

Share your top tips for snowshoeing or other winter activities in the mountains in the comments section below.

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