Whether you visit the French Alps is the winter months or in the height of summer, there are plenty of activities to keep the whole family entertained.
But with so many thrilling possibilities, it’s easy to blow the budget having fun in the fresh mountain air.
The good news is that there are lots of activities which you can try which won’t cost you a penny and won’t mean compromising on having fun. Here are some suggestions for free activities for the whole family to enjoy in the French Alps.
Getting out to see the surrounding hills and enjoy the panoramic views has to be high on the list of priorities for every visitor to the region and mountain biking offers a great way to do this.
Mountain biking in the Alps is a surreal experience.
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You don’t need to be super-fit to get on two wheels and you can even take your bike on the ski lifts to enjoy the sights from the very highest point.
Once you’re at the top, you can cycle round at altitude without struggling with a lung-busting climb to get there! Once you’ve finished for the day, simply take the lift back down again!
There’s also more than 400km of dedicated purpose-built bike trails which are suitable for all abilities, including the smaller members of the family.
Many activity holidays include mountain-biking for free so blasting around the hills won’t cost you a thing.
Suitable for children aged 7-8 onwards, Nordic walking is rapidly growing in popularity to become a new fitness craze. So where better to enjoy it than in its natural environment, the Alps?
Nordic walking uses two poles to propel you along but it shouldn’t be confused with either trekking or hiking. Nordic walking requires a particular technique and uses the poles and the upper body to literally propel the individual along more quickly, providing a more strenuous workout that actually makes it feel much easier!
Poles are typically provided for free and it’s an activity that can be enjoyed in all seasons, allowing the whole family to enjoy the sights and sounds of the French Alps.
Although this activity comes at a cost in some places, certain resorts in areas such as Val d’Isere offer it for free.
Suitable from age 8 upwards, canyoning is a wet and wild adventure that takes participants through a number of different types of terrain to reach the bottom of a river canyon.
With white water rapids, pools and chutes, canyoning takes any route possible to get to the bottom. Expect to climb, jump, slither and swim through a spectacular natural assault course before reaching the exit point to hike back out.
If you’ve ever fancied walking on water, then this is the activity for you! Perfect for the summer months, stand up paddle boards allow riders to experience the thrill of rising over the waves or coursing down a river whilst stood upright.
Although it looks tricky, it’s surprisingly easy to get the hang of and is suitable for younger children too and can be enjoyed from the age of 4.
Paddle boarding is a way of walking on water!
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In certain resorts in Tignes, paddle boarding can be offered at no cost and is a great way to travel around the bay and soak up some Alpine sun.
When you are in the Alps, there’s always the possibility of going for a walk or a hike and seeing some of the most spectacular sights that nature has to offer, as well as spotting some of the local wild life. But if you fancy something a bit different why not try paddle boarding or canyoning, or simply mountain-biking around the hills to pack in more miles? All of the activities can be enjoyed for free if you stay in the right resort, making your holiday not just fun but thrifty too!
Image credits: Citizen 4474 and Miamism
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