What to do in the Alps - Mont Blanc?

From the mythical Mont Blanc to the Portes du Soleil, the Alps invite you to use and abuse superlatives. Perfect your schuss in the world’s largest ski area, track one of the most beautiful views of the Alps or improve your swing in Chamonix, the highest golf course in Europe. It’s up to you!

What to do in the Alps in winter?

• Skiing in all states
For downhill skiing, you will be spoilt for choice between all the major international and sports resorts, such as Courchevel, Val d'Isère, Alpe d'Huez, Tignes, Les Arcs. If you prefer cross-country skiing, head to Megève, the Méribel valley, Les Ménuires or Morzine. Do you prefer ski touring or snowshoeing, closer to nature? Then, Serre-Chevalier, Auron, Chatel, Saint Gervais Mont Blanc will seduce you.

• Crashing down kilometres of trails
Many resorts in the Alps are connected by ski areas, it is a French specificity. A single package, and to you the tracks without taking off, over hundreds of kilometers: the space Tignes/Val d'Isère; Paradiski between the Arcs, Peisey and La Plagne; The 3 Valleys that connect Courchevel, Les Ménuires, Méribel and Val Thorens; Les Portes du Soleil, a link between Avoriaz, Chatel, Les Gets and Morzine,…

• Skiing, but not just
Skiing is fantastic but there are so many other activities to do in the Alps and in Savoie Mont Blanc! Dive under the ice in Tignes, ride a sled dog team in Vars, try the snooc (a kind of toboggan and ski touring) in Serre-Chevalier or the fat bike (snow bike) in Villard-de-Lans, hike on horseback in Méribel, Paragliding in Peisey-Valandry…

• After the effort, comfort
The après-ski is more and more lively in the resorts. Work on the dance floor outdoors at the Folie Douce in Val Thorens, or at the Tomorrowland electro festival in Alpe d'Huez. You prefer jazz? Groove at the Jazz'Alp at the Grand Serre. Relax at the Nuxe spa in Chamonix, opposite the Aiguille du Midi. Treat yourself to tartiflettes and cheese fondues, and discover the peaks of gastronomy in one of the 20 Michelin-starred restaurants in the Alps: Albert 1er in Chamonix at the foot of Mont Blanc, Explorers at Val Thorens, Le Roc Alto at St Veran, to name but a few…

What to do in the Alps and Montblanc in summer?

• Recharge in the lakes
The great lakes of Savoie Mont Blanc are small paradise. Aiguebelette, Annecy, Bourget, Léman offer a multitude of nautical activities, and even stand up paddle! The waters are translucent and calm, the white sand beaches, and the beautiful mountain landscape.

• Hike around Mont Blanc
In Savoie Mont Blanc, there are no less than 4200 kms2 of natural areas. Try the Mont Blanc tour, a mythical experience in 8 to 15 days, against a backdrop of majestic landscapes. Hop on a red train to the ice sea in Chamonix, at an altitude of 2000 metres.

• Explore national parks
As close as you can to marmots, chamois and other royal eagles, take the great hiking trails with the scent of gentian, in the many national parks of the Alps: Les Ecrins, la Vanoise, la Maurienne, … Drive to the Geopark of Haute-Provence, classified by Unesco, with exceptional geological heritage. For the bravest, start on the great crossing of the Alps, on 620 kms and 40 stages, from Lake Geneva to the Mediterranean.

• Chill safely
Summer in the Alps is a safe adventure. Paragliding over Lake Annecy, ziplining in the gorges of the Arc, via ferrata over the lake of the Gittaz, the slopes of the beaufortain by mountain bike.

• Occupy your hands
Mountain craftsmen organize manual workshops. Ideal for disconnecting. You can carve wooden devils in Bessans in Maurienne, work leather in Grand Bornand, or make pottery in Les Gets.

• Rediscover the right products
Summer is the season for sweet blueberry sweets, fruity cheeses, homemade charcuteries, honey from the four corners of the mountain pastures.

To go further (links to websites):

  • Provence Alpes Côte d'Azur Tourism
  • Great Alpine Crossing - Move Your Alps
  • France Montagnes
  • Savoie Mont-blanc
  • Chamonix
  • Hautes Alpes Tourism
  • Alpes de Haute-Provence Tourism
  • Haute-Savoie Tourism
  • Isère Tourisme
  • La Drôme Tourism
  • Alpes-Martimes Tourism
  • Vanoise National Park
  • Ecrins National Park
  • Mercantour National Park
  • Airport of Geneva
  • SNCF
  • Yes SNCF

Going to the Alps