Snow activities in Savoie Mont Blanc
On wheels
In Courchevel, holiday-makers can drive a piste-basher. After a briefing from a professional, they can drive this real beast of 470CV on a private circuit.
In Val Thorens, the Ice Driving Academy has acquired four legendary vintage cars: the BMW 316 (propulsion), Subaru Justy (4x4), Golf (traction) and Ford Escort (traction). Equipped with special tyres designed to drive on ice, they offer their drivers adrenalin-packed thrills in the company of qualified instructors.
In Les Gets, children aged between 5 and 12 can test drive electric snowmobiles in the Mountain E-Park. On a closed circuit, they can have fun with these electric vehicles made by the Swiss brand Quantya, the only brand to develop electric snowmobiles.
In Morillon, holiday-makers can try electric skateboards with a guide. Equipped with big 4x4 wheels and an electric engine controlled by a remote, the skate can reach speeds of up to 40km/hr. This is a fun and ecological way to discover the resort's tracks.
Toboganning
There are over 80 runs dedicated to tobogganing in Savoie Mont Blanc. Tobogganing is a hugely popular activity and some new runs are opening this winter. There is a XXL run in Courchevel with four tunnels, 450m of vertical descent and an average gradient of 15%. Les Saisies has a new 2km run, and Megève is also opening a long run. Valmorel and Cordon are opening some runs as well.
Activities by night
Launched last winter in Le Grand Bornand, 'Ski coucher de soleil' (skiing at sunset) allows skiers to ski for an extra hour. The resort is offering a new pass this winter that starts at 3pm and includes the 'Ski coucher de soleil'.
In Peisey, discover the Glacier de Rosuel by night with torchlights, accompanied by reindeers.
In Tignes, try scuba diving under the lake's ice by night.
For the competitive ones
With Alpina Watches ESF Experience, Le Grand Bornand opens its slalom stadium to the public. Skiers can time themselves and compared their times to champions such as Tessa Worley and Steve Missillier. Their run is shown on a giant screen and can be shared on social media via a dedicated app.
Pralognan-la-Vanoise has developed an exclusive system that gives skiers the details of their day on the slopes (distances skied, accumulated vertical descents, etc) based on their lift pass. The resort won a Digital Moutain Award for it at Alpipro 2017.
Pampering
Aussois in the Haute Maurienne Vanoise has a new aqua-centre with a 140m2 pool, a pool with bubbles, a paddling pool, as well as a hot tub, steam room, sauna and relaxing room with beautiful views of the mountains.
Altispa is a new spa in La Rosière, with aqua bikes, hot tubs, a Japanese sauna, treatment rooms and a salt therapy grotto to energise and vitalise after a day on the slopes. Visitors will also love its sauna with panoramic views on Aiguille Rouge, one of the most beautiful views of the French Alps.
The chefs René and Maxime Meilleur, who have three Michelin stars for their restaurant La Bouitte in Saint Martin de Belleville, have launched their own beauty products for their spa. Named 'Meilleur Nature', their range of products have extracts of rosebay willowherb and, like their cooking, includes many mountain plants. Rich in flavonoid, vitamin C and pro-vitamin A, Meilleur Nature products help to firm up the skin.
The five-star hotel Aman Le Mélezin in Courchevel has been renovated and has a new Aman Spa. Designed with Japanese influences, the spa has stones on the floor, and lots of plants and bamboo to create a relaxing atmosphere. It includes five treatment rooms, two massage rooms for couples, a sensorial shower, a 14m long pool with two hot tubs, a stone steam room and a sauna. The wellness area has a room for Thai massage, a very well equipped gym with TRX equipment and a yoga studio.
The Aquamotion Centre in Courchevel is offering new activities, including aqua biking and an aqua gym, as well as yoga, pilates, sophrology, hypnosis and osteopathy, and it has opened a new fitness centre. For skiers and snowboarders wanting to aid muscle recovery and rehabilitation, cryotherapy – spending two to three minutes in a -160° chamber – is the latest experience to try.
And last but not least, a new experience that will appeal to all technology fans: ICAROS, which brings virtual reality to fitness and exercise.
At the four-star Araucaria Hotel & Spa in La Plagne, the 450m2 Nuxe spa has a sauna, a pool, a tepidarium (a warm relaxing room), an ice cave, and treatment rooms. While the parents are pampered, children can have fun in the children's pool.
Les Sybelles organises a Zen week, from 27th January to 2nd February. A temporary village will be set up at the top of the ski area where many free courses will be available, including Qi gong, yoga, sophrology and meditation. Skiers can also stop for a healthy juice or have a rest at the nap bar. In the evening, workshops and talks will take place in resort.
In Val Thorens ex pro-freerider and local Amélie is opening a concept store, Supernova, in the Péclet shopping centre. The concept is, enjoy fresh, healthy cuisine while shopping. Amélie will be sharing her recipes for vitamin-packed breakfasts; the dishes are all vegetarian, some are vegan, and there are even gluten-free options such as delicious chestnut-flour waffles.
For more information, visit savoie-mont-blanc.com.
