Now for something completely

Now for something completely different – try some non-ski activities!

THE ALPS ARE HOME TO SOME OF THE BEST SKI RESORTS IN THE WORLD, WHICH OFTEN LEADS PEOPLE TO THINK THEY ARE ONLY GOOD FOR ONE THING – SKIING. BUT THAT IS JUST THE TIP OF THE SNOW-CAPPED MOUNTAINS! THERE’S MUCH MORE TO ENJOY, FROM OTHER ADRENALINE-FILLED ACTIVITIES TO SIGHTSEEING TOURS IN THE AIR

The French Alps may well have more than 10,000km of slopes serviced by over 3,000 ski lifts, but you don’t need to strap on a pair of skis to enjoy all the region has to offer by way of fun this winter. Just take a look at our list of alternative activities to see why.

And when choosing a non-ski holiday in the Alps, destination is everything. Apartment Les Sorbiers is located within a luxury building and ideally situated at the very heart of high-altitude resort Val d’Isère.

Lying just 100m from the church in the old village, this open-plan duplex apartment sleeps 10 adults and four children and is perfect for families and groups of friends alike.

It also features an outdoor Jacuzzi, TV snug and office area, so it’s a superb place from which to explore all the non-skiing options available.

Snowshoe walking

Leave the crowds behind and discover the ‘real’ mountains off the beaten track. Snowshoes allow everyone to go off-piste, and the best part? It’s easy!

Snowshoeing is an almost silent way of exploring the Alps, allowing you to experience the peaceful stillness of the picturesque surroundings. It is truly a great way to reconnect with nature and see all the wonderful wildlife there. Discover

the fauna, forest and local history of the resort from a new perspective while taking part in aerobic, low-impact exercise.

Evolution 2 operates half-day and full-day snowshoeing experiences from Val d’Isère. www.evolution2.com

Dog sledding

Want to go at speed through the mountains but without having to learn to ski? Then try this original way to explore.

Enjoy an adventure while comfortably seated in a sled with a pack of adorable pointers and mushers guiding the way. Dog sledding is an experience like no other and is a wonderful way for skiers and nonskiers alike to take in the breathtaking scenery of the slopes.

If you love the idea of dog sledding, but would like a little more adrenaline, then why not lead a pack yourself? Dog driving requires a basic level of fitness and is open to adventurers over 12.

Activity firm Evolution 2 also operates incredible dog-sledding experiences from Val d’Isère.

Visit a sports centre

Aqua Sportif in the centre of Val d’Isère is a hub of non-ski adventure for both adults and children, boasting 800m² of water-based fun!

A whole host of activities can be carried out in a leisure pool or lazy river, with water cannons, massage jets, bubble bench, and a 25m swimming pool so you can get in some good lengths while at high altitude.

If you would like to relax, Aqua Sportif also offers a traditional sauna, an infra sauna, a hammam, spas, massages, wellbeing body and facial treatments and even waxing.

For adventurers, there is a 200m², 12-metre-high climbing wall, while fans of sports such as volleyball, indoor football,

Image: © Yann Allegre_ à préciser

basketball, badminton and table tennis will enjoy the centre’s 540m² multi-activity hall.

So there’s more than enough to occupy the whole family for a whole day and more!

www.centre-aquasportif.com

as your instructor takes care of the rest. If conditions allow, you may even be allowed to take the controls for a few moments.

Evolution 2 operates flights of 500m to 1,300m descent, meeting near the Tignes le Lac centre – only a 20-minute drive from Apartment Les Sorbiers.

Heli tours

Sit back, relax and take in awe-inspiring views from a helicopter as you explore the French Alps and into Italy as far as Mont Blanc.

Val Heliski will fly you over your resort so you can see the beautiful snow-dusted chalets from above, and then travel away to see rolling powder fields, huge cliff faces, gorgeous glaciers and wide expanses of forest and national parks during the trip.

Val Heliski’s heli-scenic tours are available from Val d’Isère, Courchevel and Méribel. Read more in our feature ‘Aim for the sky’ (page 46).

www.valheliski.com If you would like to enjoy any of these activities while on a Consensio holiday, simply call your sales concierge before your stay or ask your resort manager to arrange once in resort. To book Apartment Les Sorbiers for your next non-skiing adventure in the Alps, get in touch. www.consensiochalets.co.uk

Paragliding

Soaring above those glistening white mountains is quite unforgettable! Take in phenomenal 360° views while gently descending over Val d’Isère’s stunning snowy peaks.

From the summit of Tovière, or the glacier of la Grande Motte, let yourself slide on skis for a few metres before taking off for the experience of a lifetime. Sit back in the harness, relax and take in the magnificent panorama