The non-skiers skiing holiday

There are many people who love the idea of a mountain holiday in the snow during the winter months but who don’t like to ski for a variety of reasons.

With this in mind, L’Ancienne Poste – an English-owned-and-run ski lodge in the village of Avajan in the French Pyrenees – has launched a four-night package with an itinerary composed of non-ski activities including ice climbing, dog sledding, a paragliding flight and a visit to a local spa to revitalise tired limbs.

The break commences on day one with a visit to the Blanea Spa, to enjoy an afternoon enjoying its luxurious waterfalls, hot tubs, Jacuzzi, saunas, steam rooms, cold water plunge pools, indoor hot tubs, outdoor hot pools and swimming pools. Other treatments which can be booked at a supplement include massages, mud baths and face packs.

Fully refreshed, James Dealtry, owner of L’Ancienne Poste will host a pre- dinner cocktail party with canapés before guests enjoy a four-course dinner with wine and coffee.

Day two will include a morning ice climbing lesson (up frozen waterfalls with tuition from James – equipment provided) followed by a skidoo trip in the afternoon.

Day 3 is more relaxed with dog sledding in the morning followed by another visit to the spa in the afternoon.

Day 4: time to get active again with a snow-shoe trek to spot winter wildlife followed by a paraglide flight in the afternoon to see the snow-capped mountains from the air.

The four-night break costs from €699 pp (two sharing a room) which includes airport transfers, four-nights’ half board, wine with evening meals and activities as detailed.

Flights are not included but the area is well served by three main airports Pau, Lourdes-Tarbes, and Toulouse and can be accessed using low cost airlines such as Easyjet or Ryanair plus other airlines including British Airways.

For more information, visit ancienneposteavajan.com.