If you think it’s just skiing and snowboarding then think again. These French Alps offer more than you’d ever expect and a lot of is actually quite surprising.
Speaking to KarryOn, Megève’s General Manager, Marithe Crozet, said there are a number of people that visit the popular French ski area and find they don’t actually hit the slopes.
She said around 50 percent of her visitors are not skiers and simply come to enjoy other aspects of the resorts.
“It’s just one of the things you can do. There are so many activities.”
Marithe Crozet, Megève’s General Manager
Marithe was joined by representatives from four other French ski resorts in Sydney this week, where they discussed highlights of each of their properties.
According to the group, France is the second most frequented snow destination worldwide, with 55.3 million ski nights every year.
This is slightly below the US, which is currently at 56.2 million nights.
So if people aren’t just going there for skiing, snowboarding and a hot chocolate by the fireplace, then what are they going to the French Alps for?
Well here are nine things we bet you didn’t know you could do in the French Alps – and if you did know, pull us up on it by leaving a comment about how much you enjoyed doing these activities.
9. Michelin-star dining
It’s not just incredible gastronomy, it’s some of the best food dishes in the world.
France has 27 Michelin-starred restaurants and around 10 of those are in the French Alps.
Megève alone has three of these accredited venues, including Face au Mont-Blanc, which is a high-altitude restaurant featuring a terrace that faces out to the Mont-Blanc.
8. Ice diving
It may sound crazy, but at Val Thorens – the highest ski resort in Europe – they have an activity where guests can go under a frozen lake.
Fitted into a waterproof drysuit and diving equipment, adventurers go beneath the frozen Lac du Lou.
Thankfully, there’s a 20 minute limit to their underwater experience to prevent freezing.
It’s open to anyone aged 16 and over, even if they have never been diving before.
7. Care for a Yeti Race?
This is a new one, but over at Les Menuires (a ski resort built in the 60s – also the most affordable of all the French ski resorts) they have introduced Yeti Races.
Running on 19-20 March next year, the ski resort describes it as a boot camp on snow with famous sports stars.
Care to try?
6. Ski like (or with) a celebrity
High-end destination, Courchevel doesn’t just attract the likes of Leonardo di Caprio, but also royalty!
According to Head of Sales and Marketing, Veronique Beulz, Prince William and Prince Kate have skied from her resort, as have other royals from Saudi Arabia.
And if knowing you’re potentially sharing a resort with the rich and famous isn’t enough, the destination also has private jets that take guests from the local airport.
Veronique describes her resort as similar to Monaco but surrounded by gorgeous mountains.
5. Private lessons at almost any age
In addition to having the largest ski school, with over 1,000 instructors, Courchevel provides lessons for anyone – even those that can barely walk.
The resort’s youngest skiers are two.
4. Ski vertically
France’s large mountains offer some of the steepest slopes for the more daring skiers and snowboarders.
Val d’lsere has a vertical drop of 1,900 metres.
In total, the resort has 300 kilometres of slopes and there are even two glaciers.
I’m not a skier, but that’s #incredible
3. Eat locally
Back over at Megève, the destination still has around 50 farms that are active and producing not only local cheese and yogurt, but local ice cream.
I can almost taste it.
Val d’Isere also has farms still operating, however, it’s not as many as Megève.
2. Visit ancient churches
Val d’Isere isn’t just known for its unique adventures and local produce but also its history.
It has real villages operating alongside its resort and within one of the villages is an ancient 11th century church.
It’s open to travellers who want to see where mass took place back in the day.
1. Polo & golf
For the last two decades, Megève has been hosting polo competitions on the snow where guests hop on a horse and play the competitive sport.
Or how about spending the day putting with your friends during a game of golf?