From Bikes to Boards - Fun Activities Besides Skiing in Les Menuires

In the delightful resort of Les Menuires, skiing is one of the foremost reasons it sees so many visitors each year. There are, however, quite a few other ways to make the most of the pristine powder on the slopes. Here are some of the other fun activities to add a little variety to your trip.

Snowboarding

This sport offers a unique take on flying down the slopes. If you have been skiing in Les Menuires for some time, you may have to fight old habits - like relying on poles for balance and dealing with your feet being constrained. Once you get the hang of it though, you will definitely find the off-piste courses in the area an absolute delight to blitz down – especially when you have a lot of really fine powder to work with!

Mountain Bike Pistes

Handling a mountain bike on a snowy mountain is a very different experience. There are, however, many biking pistes designed for this popular alternative to skiing in Les Menuires. Breaking and slaloming with a bicycle presents requires very different techniques than most skiers are familiar with – offering a thrilling challenge when you want something to stretch the limits of your capabilities on the piste.

Snowmobiling

Looking for a little more power to rip and roar through tracts of snow and ice? Snowmobiles are just the thing to get your blood pumping! A guide will teach you the basics of operating the machine, and if you fiddle around with the positioning of the handlebars, take it easy the first few times as you learn how to balance between braking and throttling, you should be good to go in no time at all!

Dog Sleighing

Feeling a bit tired from skiing in Les Menuires and just want to take in all the sights and sounds at your leisure? Hiring a dog sleigh could be just what you are looking for! This is a great way to casually enjoy the countryside, with a skilled guide handling the dogs as you sit back and watch the snow-wrapped world whizz by. If you want to up the fun quotient, you can speed things up and mush through the ice and snow at a surprising pace.

Toboggan Runs

Looking for an experience that you can enjoy with friends, family and loved ones? Toboggan sledding is a great way to do just that. As you slip and slide down pistes designed especially for sledding, the various shenanigans that you can enjoy with a group makes this a really fun activity – even for young children. Snowshoe Hikes

Perhaps you'd rather use foot power to explore the landscape: snowshoe hiking is a very valid alternative to skiing in Les Menuires, especially if you are aiming to explore the various peaks and summits dotting the area. There is quite a lot to see given the rich natural and cultural heritage of La Vallee des Belleville, where the resort is located.

Danielle Hodges is the Marketing Manager for Ski Amis, a specialist ski travel agency and booking service offering bonded ski holidays. When it comes to skiing in Les Menuires this superb destination has many excellent catered or self catered chalets. For a luxury or good-value break and the best catered chalets call Ski Amis.

Writer and Online Marketing Manager in London.