The pressure is on. You’ve got six full days in the Alps and by god you’re going to use them. Skiing or snowboarding from first lift ‘till last, straight to Apres before you sink a vat of cheese for dinner. But you’ve probably not noticed the abundance of other adrenaline-fueled activities your ski resort has to offer this winter. Allow us to share some of them with you…
Skidooing
Give your Apres Mutzig a miss tonight and go skidooing instead. From 5.30pm, and then every hour until 10pm, you can join an organised tour and take turns driving the snowy trails through the forests on these motorised snow beasts. As the twinkling lights of Morzine or Avoriaz come alive below, you’ll be roaring around the piste having a great time.
The Avoscoot base is on the road between Morzine and Avoriaz at the top of the Serrasaux chair lift in the Super Morzine ski area. Open every day during the winter season (weather permitting!), adults are charged at €90 for a 45 minute session on their own skidoo, a driver and a passenger are charged at €110 in total and a passenger along with a guide is €45 per session. Give them a call on +33 (0) 6 08 22 18 15 or +33 (0) 4 50 84 00 93 or visit the Avoscoot website
Ski Joering
Combine a pair of skis, a horse and some stunning mountain scenery, and what do you get? A hilariously fun couple of hours and you don’t even need to be a great skier to get involved. A harness is attached to a horse and you hold on behind, keeping your skis parallel and enjoying the ride. The horse tacks around groomed trails specially reserved for the sport.
The Ski Joering base is in Les Gets at Ranch du Lac, next to the Gentiane piste. An hour with a guide and a horse is €45 per adult, while two hours is priced at €60. At the same base they have ponies too, which kids can ride on for just €10 an hour. Call Samuel or Catherine on +33 (0) 6 08 18 78 54 or +33 (0) 6 88 81 31 56 or visit their website.
Snowshoeing
If moving slightly slower is more your thing, snowshoeing is the perfect way to relax and enjoy the mountains. Yes, snowshoeing is that thing where you put the tennis rackets on your feet and head off into the wilderness, far away from the busy pistes. Taking a guide with you ensures you have all the correct equipment and that you make the most of the sights.
Indie Snow offer group based or private snowshoeing trails throughout the winter season in Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz. Half day walks cost €40 per person, while full days are €60. A night walk to a restaurant, including your evening meal is €40. Contact Indie on +33 (0) 7 60 45 06 12 or visit the website.
Parapenting
Also known as paragliding, absolute thrill seekers will find themselves soaring high above the mountains, getting a unique perspective on the resorts below. Tandem flights are readily available during the winter season, and as long as conditions are right, you’ll be able to see for miles before a nice soft landing back in your resort.
Aireole, with their office on the Pleney road in Morzine, offer tandem parapente flights from €70 per person and the flight lasts as long as the thermals allow. Remember to wrap up warm! Contact Aireole on +33 (0) 4 50 74 71 01, visit their website, or drop into their office for more information.
Night Sledging
With just a sledge and a head torch to guide you, night sledging has become one of the most popular after hours activities in recent years. From the top of the Pleney in Morzine for example, you’ll head down Piste B with the village lit up at the bottom to guide you down. There will be a pisteur on hand to help if you need one!
Night sledging is best done with a big group of mates and Indiana’Ventures can make all the arrangements and provide a guide for you. Night sledging costs €23 per person and includes the head torches and sledges. Contact Indiana’Ventures on +33 (0) 4 50 49 48 60 or visit the website.
