Winter holidays have never been so trendy. Despite inflation, the French favor snowy destinations, from the Hautes-Pyrénées, to Isère and Savoie, via the Hautes-Alpes, the Vosges massif and the Massif central. But in the context of global warming where France is seeing the number of snow days inevitably decrease, the time has come for decarbonization at altitude. There is a desire for everyone to consume differently and to seek to recharge their batteries while better respecting nature. As if at the top of the peaks its fragility was felt more. Hence multiple activities for everyone: hiking on snowshoes, hurtling down the slopes of the most beautiful ski areas, looking at the stars, meditating in the middle of nowhere, immersing yourself in cold water, exploring wild landscapes and rich wildlife, climbing an ice waterfall, relaxing in a Spa, sleeping in a treehouse, an igloo or even a cave, etc. A short tour of France’s ski resorts based on your expectations.
Outdoors and extreme cold
– In the Catalan Pyrenees, the resort Font-Romeu is accessible by night train (Latour-de-Carol, twenty minutes by shuttle). It offers a “glamping” stay – or glamorous camping – surrounded by nature in one of the 34 Huttopia cabins, equipped with a sled and a wood stove. On site, various activities are offered to children. Cabin for 6 people, 50 square meters, from €747/7 nights. europe.huttopia.com
– Above Lake Serre-Ponçon, the domain of La Draye (1,400-1,600 meters) and its Nordic ski site were born from an alternative and eco-responsible project. The lodge offers regional products at its table, sometimes aperitif concerts and theater, and also facial/hand/foot treatments, under the Esprit Parc brand of the Ecrins National Park. €53/night/half board, €71/full board (4-12 years old, €38 and €50). gitedeladraye.fr
– From Les Cabannes (night train), just before Ax-les-Thermes, a shuttle joins the Plateau de Beille (1,800 meters), one of the largest Nordic areas in the Pyrenees. On the edge of the forest, the Angaka village opens onto the virgin landscape of Ariège. You sleep there in a yurt, a cabin, a teepee or an igloo in the trapper’s bivouac spirit. It’s also up to you to plan your meals. €86 (€71 for children under 12)/night in a cabin and 2 snowshoe walks planned. angaka.com
– The village of Plan Bois, Montchavin-Les Coches (La Plagne), was designed to change the visitor’s relationship to time (and comfort) and enhance the environment. Compost, sorting, table of local products, no plastic bottles or cans. We stay there for two days, with a cani-snowshoe or sled dog outing on the first day, and skiing or snowshoeing and sophrology in the forest the next day. 490 €/1 night/2 people. all inclusive. evolution2.com
– From Barcelonnette, thanks to biofuel shuttles, we are building a star-shaped stay: alpine skiing in Sauze and Pra-Loup, cross-country skiing in Val d’Oronaye and Saint-Paul sur Ubaye, free hiking in Sainte-Anne, dogs sledding and snowshoeing in Haute Ubaye… • The Cheval Blanc hotel is labeled Esprit Parc du Mercantour; The Villa Puebla guest house is affiliated with the Mercantour ecotourism brand. Information on ubaye.com
– Located at an altitude of 1,500 m above Termignon, Le Relais de Charlemagne is a quiet eco-lodge, accessible in 15-20 minutes by snowshoes or ski touring. Designed for 2 people, this old alpine chalet of 46 square meters is equipped with photovoltaic panels, a spring water catchment, a wood stove and dry toilets. From €550/week. gites-de-france-savoie.com
– In Ailefroide, in the Écrins massif, there is no road in winter. So, to reach the Ailefroide chalet-hotel, it’s by snowshoes or ski touring. chalethotel-ailefroide.com
To consume during the day…
– HAS Lans-en-Vercors, a unique site of its kind allows you to learn or train in ice climbing. The Rocher de l’Aigle, 30 meters high, is equipped with six lines which serve ten ice routes, depending on your technical level. Several guides share their passion there, including Jehan Roland Guillot. 60 €/4 hours, equipment included. vercors-experience.com
The Eagle Rock, 30 meters high
© / SDP
– In Super-Besse, on the Sancy massif, the X-Trem adventure course of La Biche, sporty and committed, is made up of 45 workshops, including 20 zip lines, 10 suspension bridges, 4 quick jumps… (€29.40/pers., from 12 years old, 35 kilos, 1 .40 meters). On the Mont-Dore side, meet at 4:30 p.m. for a long fatbike descent, from the top of the cable car to the village (2 hours, €40). sancy.com
– Winter canyoning in Sixt-Fer-à-Cheval. Descend a narrow gorge of Haut-Giffre, explore nature, learn rope progression techniques, become aware of the water cycle… Splendid and informative. From €50, family €165. 1 hour 30 minutes approach, 1 hour 30 minutes descent. www.latitudecanyon.fr
– At Contamines-Montjoie, with the Bureau of Guides and Leaders of Val Montjoie, we go up the course of a frozen torrent with crampons and ice axes to the heart of the secrets of the Contamines nature reserve, the highest in France. Prices on request, lescontamines.com
– HAS La Féclaz, in the Bauges, adopt the Swincar style, a 100% electric and 100% French 4-wheeled machine, articulated like a giant spider which contorts on the slopes, ideal all-terrain for exploring the mountain without disturbing nature. 30 kilometers per hour, and 3 hours 30 minutes of autonomy. One hour, €75 (€95 in tandem). chauffmarcel.fr
– HAS Flaine5 trail courses on snow cross the territory, 3 in dilettante mode and 2 in a timed white challenge version (free, flaine.com).
– HAS Praz-de-Lys, the white trail is practiced with snowshoes on your feet to run in virgin spaces (prazdelys-sommand.com).
– In the Pays des Écrins, 450 waterfalls of all levels transform the valleys (Fournel, Freissinières, etc.) into gigantic “halls of mirrors”. From €70/half day. From 8 years old. guides-ecrins.com
– HAS Lans-en-Vercors, good high shoes on your feet and adequate clothing for the snow, you are off towards still virgin snowy territories, your airboard on your back. This light and easy to handle inflatable sled will be your instrument of freedom from the first slope down. vercors-aventure.com
– Valloire. Named Catelle, it is the first electric zip line in France. Its technology allows you to regulate your speed yourself (up to 100 kilometers per hour) to vary the sensations, while recharging it. Little extra: the bi-cable installation allows you to set off in pairs over a 1.3 kilometer length and 400 m difference in altitude. €49. valloire.net
…And in the night
– From Orcières, a 1 km walk leads to the Rocherousse plateau (2,300 meters) from where you can admire the sunset over the Ecrins before a dinner by the fire. Then it’s time to hunker down in an igloo in the Williwaw village until the next day. Unforgettable. From €110, meals and supervision included. alpi-traineau.com
– In the Bauges massif, above Chambéry, here is a rare experience: an underground bivouac in the Bange cave. Equipped like a speleologist, you penetrate the bowels of the earth, inhabited twelve thousand years ago. After a Savoyard meal, we sneak into a suspended tent while listening to the abyss breathe. €150 + meal. karst-3e.fr And chamberymontagnes.com
Bivouac in a cave
© / SDP
– In Lake Geneva region, we experience our first winter bivouac after a snowshoe hike of 5 to 8 kilometers (€285, support, equipment and meals included); or a beautiful overnight stay under igloo (€225).
– HAS Serre Chevalierafter a 30-45 minute snowshoe walk, it’s melted at dinner Igloo Food (€60, equipment included), and night in a teepee heated by a wood stove if you want to express your trapper side (price on request).
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