For Kids (and Parents) who aren't afraid of anything
Are your little mountaineers ready for new adventures? Now is the perfect time to try new winter sports and experience fresh sensations.
Sledding of All Kinds
Sledding is a must-do activity for children. Most resorts have dedicated sledding runs where the little ones can have fun safely. Starting from 8-10 years old, kids can tackle longer and more technical runs, with or without parents. Or they can try new variations like snowtubing (replacing the sled with a big round tube) or snake gliss (individual sleds linked together to form a long snake, up to 10 sleds max).
Holiday on ice
The ice rink is the traditional après-ski rendezvous. All major resorts have an outdoor or indoor ice rink, some even Olympic-sized. It’s an excellent opportunity to put on ice skates and get into the art of gliding, try curling, attend a figure skating gala, or watch an ice hockey match. In La Clusaz, try the Bumper Hurricane experience, a kind of bumper cars on ice. Laughter guaranteed!
Dog sledding
Under the guidance of a musher, hop aboard your sled and race with the wind in your face, pulled by a magnificent team of dogs. The snow crunches under the runners, the snowy landscape passes by, time stands still… A magical experience that the kids will love, not to be missed if you’re staying in Tignes, Val d’Isère, Chamonix, Megève, La Clusaz, or Val Thorens. Another canine experience to try in Val Thorens: cani-hiking, less fast but just as intense.
Outdoor escape games
An escape game in the middle of the mountains—that’s something unusual. In Courchevel, the game takes place at an altitude of 2,000 meters, in a yurt buried under the snow, where you have to save the resort from a terrible avalanche (for ages 12 and up). In Méribel, you’re invited to the Tueda Nature Reserve for an Explor Games. Challenges, puzzles, and traps await you in the great outdoors for an unexpected family adventure. It’s your move!
Discover the ski resort with mountain pros
Fascinated by the ballet of snow groomers on the slopes? In Courchevel, you can climb aboard one of these big machines and go for a nocturnal ride conquering the ski slopes. It’s an opportunity to discover the area from a different perspective. If your children want to know more, Val Thorens offers 6-14-year-olds a mini boot camp called Ski Patrol Experience about mountain professions. Four fun and educational workshops are on the program: grooming with a mini groomer, signage and code of conduct on the slopes, mini snowmobiling, and rescue with stretcher carrying and towing. Enough to inspire future careers!
For those who prefer to stay warm
After a busy day, it’s time for a well-deserved break, preferably in warmth. Indulge in a good moment of relaxation and recharge your batteries while having fun as you wish. Indoor activities abound and are excellent alternatives to skiing on bad weather days.
Spa and water games
In recent years, ski resorts have equipped themselves with state-of-the-art facilities to help you relax. Aquatic centers with pools, spas, balneotherapy, water games, and fitness areas have sprung up everywhere for the greatest pleasure of both young and old. Swap skis and parkas for swimsuits and slip into a relaxing bubble bath while the kids can’t get enough of the slides. For thrill-seekers: how about a surfing session on the artificial wave at Aquamotion in Courchevel?
Indoor Climbing
We never stop climbing in the mountains, even in winter! Climbing enthusiasts will find initiation walls, bouldering areas, and climbing routes suitable for all levels in several resorts. Whether you’re a novice or experienced, come test your aerial abilities and defy gravity on these different indoor climbing walls, either freely or in private lessons with a specialized guide. Children are welcome from age 5, and at the Courchevel Forum, they have an aerial acrobatic course just for them.
A game of bowling
There’s nothing like a game of bowling to put everyone in a good mood and regain energy. In the major resorts of the 3 Valleys or in Val d’Isère, it’s a must during family vacations. Children can play from the age of 4, and you’ll find plenty of other games (foosball, billiards, video games). Ready for a strike?
Mountain culture
Take advantage of your family stay in the mountains to learn more about local history and culture. Head to the Hameau des Alpes in La Clusaz, an old farm transformed into a cultural space where you’re offered a fun and educational journey through two themes: skiing and Reblochon cheese, pillars of the development of the resort and the surrounding valley.
The advantage of winter holidays in the mountains is the multitude of activities available to families. Skiing is great, but it’s even better when you can vary the experiences and live unforgettable family adventures. Book your accommodation in the French Alps with Pioma Home now to experience such exceptional moments.
Photos : © Arthur Bertrand, Yann Gbs, Paul Besson, Unsplash, Pixabay
