What can I do in the mountains if I don't ski ?

Exceptional landscapes

A feast for the eyes

A holiday in the mountains guarantees you’ll be right up close to the exceptional scenery our mountain ranges have to offer. But if you don’t ski to the top of the resort to see this breathtaking panorama, don’t panic! Resorts often have designated viewing points or ‘cliff-edge’ lookouts, accessible to pedestrians, which are guaranteed to take your breath away.

For example, the Belvédère des Écrins in Les 2 Alpes is accessible from the glacier funicular station. At an altitude of over 3,400 metres, you’ll enjoy a majestic view from a platform suspended over the abyss.

In the Pyrenees, the Pic du Midi – whose reputation is second to none – can be visited from the Grand Tourmalet resort. Once at the top, the ‘Ponton dans le Ciel’ awaits you with a panoramic view at an altitude of over 2,800 metres, with a 1,000-metre drop beneath your feet.

Why not take in this panorama with a hot drink or a traditional mountain dish? There are plenty of panoramic restaurants in the resorts, with terraces or dining rooms offering direct views of the peaks. A winning combination! In particular, enjoy a 360° view at the restaurant Le Signal 2108 inAlpe d’Huez, which offers an exceptional vantage point over the Alpine massifs.

Finally, check with your resort’s tourist office: a torchlight descent might be organised during your stay! The perfect opportunity to amaze young and old alike with these lights racing down the slopes. A real feast for the eyes.

Slow mountain activities

To relax in the fresh mountain air

Whether it’s for a weekend or a week’s holiday, the aim is also to relax. And there’s no shortage of gentle activities to help you do just that! Why not give ‘snow yoga’ a go? Introductory classes are available, such as in Vaujany, where you can relax whilst trying your hand at an unusual mountain activity.

For a more traditional activity, strap on some snowshoes and set off along snow-covered trails amidst towering fir trees, whose tranquillity and beauty are sure to put you at ease. There are trails of varying levels of difficulty, ranging from a 100 per cent relaxing and contemplative stroll to a more strenuous outing. Even children can join in – hire shops offer snowshoes to suit all sizes!

Finally, for those who feel the cold, treat yourself to a completely relaxing experience at the spas and thermal baths. At Mont Dore, for example, in the Massif Central, you’ll find saunas, hammams and various pools, all with a direct view of the Auvergne mountains!

Downhill activities

For a different kind of adrenaline rush and thrills

If you’re still in the mood for a bit of excitement – whether mild or intense – why not try the downhill activities available thanks to facilities such as rail-guided toboggans or zip lines? You’ll hurtle down the slope at top speed for kilometres on end without the risk of losing your footwear, whilst taking in the scenery! At Monts Jura, the rail toboggan sends you spinning in a 540-degree twist, giving you a completely different perspective on the Jura Mountains… And of course, there’s no shortage of activities in the resort: snow scooters, horse-drawn sledge rides, snow tubing, ice climbing and mountain karts – there’s something to suit every adrenaline seeker!

For a more nature-based experience, why not try a dog-sled ride? The dogs have an average speed of around 20 km/h, but this increases even further on the descents! It’s enough to get your adrenaline pumping, whilst sitting cosy and warm in the sledge.

Traditions and lifestyle

Discovering mountain culture

The mountains also represent a whole culture, traditions and a way of life in their own right. There are many ways to discover the wonders of the resorts, thanks to those who live and work there.

If you’re a fan of good food (especially cheese-based dishes – as you’d expect in the mountains), you’re bound to find a restaurant specialising in local produce, such as Chez Pépé Nicolas in Val Thorens, where you can sample the finest Savoie specialities in the cosy setting of a chalet.

If you’re more of a creative type and like to take home a souvenir, the resorts are also home to passionate craftspeople who’ll introduce you to their creative or traditional products.

Finally, if you enjoy cultural visits, the mountain museums are not to be missed, and art is also very much present in the mountains, in forms you won’t find anywhere else! The resort of Font-Romeu in the Pyrenees, in particular, boasts a ‘Museum Without Walls’, where you can discover art in the open air, right in the heart of the mountains!

As you’ll have realised, there’s no shortage of things to do, and there are countless ways to enjoy your stay in the mountains if you’ve chosen not to ski. Do also remember to check your destination’s events calendar, so you don’t miss out on any festive, fun or sporting events that will make your visit to the resort even more memorable!