The Alps revisited | Eight unusual activities to discover

A week in the Alps is certainly too little. In addition to skiing and fondue, here are eight rather unusual activities to try.

Paddle yoga on Lake Annecy (winter!)

Of course you have to visit Annecy, get lost in its old town, under its charming arcades. Seeing its castle and especially its palace (the Palais de l’Isle), makes it a former prison. But as a bonus, know that this Venice of the Alps, which saw Rousseau meet his Madame de Warenz, has recently offered an extraordinary winter activity: paddle yoga. “People have this idea that it’s a summer sport, but it’s much more relaxed in winter, in calm weather,” explains Benoît Monren, president of the NCY Sup Center (to whom we owe the GlaGla Race, international SUP race). We are here and on the lake indeed almost alone in the world, the water is clear and the landscape, priceless. We didn’t believe it, but armed with a wetsuit, we didn’t get cold, and our teacher Élodie Bossuto managed to pull off several proud postures. Our most inspiring and inspired warrior ever.

Visit a Reblochon farm

There is the very pretty Reblochon museum (Le Hameau des Alpes), which will explain everything about this delicious unpasteurized milk cheese, originally underground: the history of its name (from blocher, that is to say milking in patois, and reblocher, milking again!), its manufacture and its appellation contrôlée. Even better ? Visit one of the 130 farmers in the region. Go to the source, what. If they spend the summer in the mountain pastures, in the winter it is possible to visit some of them, easily spotted at the bend of the roads, such as this farm in Corbassières, near La Clusaz, planted in a breathtaking setting. breath, in the heart of the Aravis range. Here, we milk the cows (50) and make the cheese (250 per day) in the family, from father to son (and niece!), and for several generations. And we are also very proud of it!

Treat yourself to a snowshoe hike with a guide

Snowshoeing in the Alps is good. With a guide, it’s much better! If only because it will take you off the beaten (and marked) paths, will have the flair to avoid avalanches and will help you to spot, there, in the distance, the little black spots which are in fact chamois. Magic, you say? During our outing, in the Col des Aravis, in the company of Astrid Marty, from the Compagnie des guides des Aravis (and for less than 30 euros per person, in a group, for half a day), one morning without too many clouds , we were lucky enough to spot Mont Blanc, Europe’s most famous peak, on the horizon. To tell you the feeling of freedom, after a sporty climb, then to descend the mountain in this immaculate powder.

Do lengths at the foot of a snowy mountain

Several hotels have here their swimming pool, their sauna, sometimes even a steam bath. We will not spit on it, of course. But nothing beats a dip in the open air, with a view of the snow-covered mountain. This is what the Aravis aquatic area offers, in the heart of the very pretty alpine village of La Clusaz (2000 inhabitants). Without a doubt one of our most memorable après-ski experiences ever. Note that this municipal swimming pool, in addition to its outdoor corridors (25 m) (heated, but not too much), has an indoor pool (supervised, for children), a fountain, a jacuzzi, in addition to a sauna, a hammam (13 euros entry). Friendly advice: go there one afternoon, so as not to miss the unique view of the mountains.

Rediscover genepi

If you thought that genepi, this alcohol from the Alps, a cousin of absinthe, was a digestive of the past, think again. Sarah and Romain Gauthier, brother and sister and children of distillers, recently bought the Distillerie des Aravis and gave it quite a facelift. Free visits, tastings, all the excuses are good to make rediscover this alcohol of plants made here according to the rules of the art and in the purest alpine tradition. Think: picking in the mountain pastures, maceration, distillation (in a still called Serge and 96 years old!) and bottling (by hand, of course). And to convince the most reluctant, we have also thought of cocktail recipes based on genepi (Genepito, mojito based on genepi; Yéti, or Génépi lemonade; or why not Généponche).

Visit Chamonix and its baths

Located in the hollow of the mountains, Chamonix, with all the ski area that surrounds it, its Aiguille du Midi and its Mer de Glace (unfortunately unreachable during our stay due to strong winds), is a real gem to visit. Lose yourself in its city center to admire its Art Deco architecture, its chic ski shops, its grand town halls, this freshly renovated Rose du Pont café which bears its name too well, without forgetting its church with its original stained glass windows colorful skiers!). And then, to end on a high note, head to QC Termes, a huge spa, both sober and contemporary, from Italy: swimming pools, hydromassage jets, hammams, salt rooms, saunas, hot and cold baths, it there are so many rooms here, it’s dizzying. But oh so refreshing. (From 56 euros, aperitif, charcuterie and cheese included, these people know how to entertain!)

Dare Ice Floating in Tignes

Ice what? Ice Floating, an experience that apparently comes from Finland, picked up here in Tignes by polar explorer Alban Michon (and his box: Evolution 2), to the delight of skiers. Basically: just put on a neoprene survival suit (over your snow pants) and you’re done. You can then slide into a hole dug in the lake and literally float, like an inflated balloon. No, it’s not elegant, but yes, it’s surprisingly relaxing (and warm!). We almost fell asleep there. However, the cold ended up catching up with our extremities after a good half hour, still making us doze off looking at the sky. Let’s say that after a day of alpine skiing in the body, it takes rather well. Ten years and more. From 50 euros.

Moment Factory in the Alps

We couldn’t resist it. We had to go and see: Alta Lumina, Moment Factory’s first luminous path in Europe, is located here, in Les Gets, a cute little alpine village not far from the Swiss border. As part of the desire to diversify the tourist activities of the area, Alta Lumina tells the legend of a peddler of music from the Alps, in sound and light, therefore, in the heart of the forest. The course is truly enchanting, although a bit shorter (30 minutes) than what Moment Factory has accustomed us to at home. Note that during our stay, the village hosted the first edition of a comedy festival (Montreux Comedy is skiing, in collaboration with the City of Montreux). If you’re visiting in January next year, treat yourself and don’t miss this quirky condensed humour.

Part of the costs of this trip as well as part of the transport costs to France were paid by Atout France and Air France, which exercised no right of inspection over the content of this report. Note that Air France offers two flights a day to Paris in winter, with possible connections to Geneva and Lyon.