France has some of the best skiing in the world, with over 400 ski resorts scattered throughout the Alps and the Pyrenees. While many of the better-known resorts cater mainly for the rich or the super-rich you can still find stunning ski destinations here at reasonable prices.
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.
