The mountains are an exceptional playground in the heart of nature, no matter the season. While some activities are must-dos, such as skiing or hiking, others deserve to be better known. To help you organize your vacation and make the most of the mountains, we’ve listed activities for every interest. Discover everything you can do with family, friends, or as a couple, whether you choose the Alps, the Pyrenees, or other mountain ranges in France!
During the heart of winter, once the mountains are covered in snow and the ski resorts finally open, a wide range of activities becomes available. Here are the winter sports and activities in the mountains you absolutely must try!
You can’t talk about the mountains in winter without mentioning snow sports. In most resorts, the choice is vast, including alpine skiing, off-piste skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing, sledding, ski touring, and more. Choose a resort that allows you to practice your favorite sport and has trails and areas suited to your skill level.
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The snowy slopes are also perfect for snowshoe hiking, allowing you to explore hidden places and reach the most beautiful viewpoints. Trails are accessible independently, but you can also hire a guide for an accompanied hike. It’s a great opportunity to discover untouched areas, learn about local wildlife, and even enjoy night snowshoe hikes.
The landscapes can also be explored in many other ways, more or less sporty, but always adventurous: snowmobiling, FatBike rides, dog sledding experiences, paragliding, and more.
Looking for a memorable stay and activities you’ve never tried before? Depending on the resort and providers, there are plenty of opportunities for unique experiences:
Check with the resort’s Tourist Office to discover all the sports, adventure, and relaxation activities available during your stay.
Prefer to visit the mountains when the snow has melted and green meadows and cliffs dominate the landscape? Here are ideas to keep you busy throughout your stay.
Among the essential summer mountain activities is, of course, hiking. The great thing is that it’s mostly free, apart from equipment (hiking boots, technical clothing, backpack, and sunglasses). Hiking trails suit all tastes and skill levels. Easy walks are often marked near villages or accessible via pedestrian chairlifts. For the more adventurous, challenging routes are always available, with varying elevation and trail durations from a few hours to several days for trek enthusiasts.
Summer is also perfect for cycling. Mountain biking, downhill biking, road cycling—the choice is yours! To make things easier and ensure proper equipment, consider renting a mountain bike at Sport 2000 stores.
If you love heights, summer is also ideal for climbing. Even beginners can enjoy easy routes, with guidance from experienced instructors. Another fun and accessible activity is via ferrata, a mix of climbing and ropes course, popular with both children and adults.
Adventure courses in the trees are also highly popular in summer, suitable for the whole family, from beginner paths for young children to more challenging courses, generally priced between €15–35.
Finally, there are white-water sports, offering thrills and a different perspective on mountain landscapes. In addition to traditional rafting, canyoning, and canoeing/kayaking, new activities have emerged: hydrospeed (white-water swimming), ruisseling (water hiking), airboat (inflatable kayak), and more.
Want to try something a little different from traditional activities? Book a stay at a resort with a summer alpine coaster. This family-friendly activity is available in many mountain resorts, such as Les Gets, Les Saisies, Saint-François Longchamp, Monts Jura, Saint-Martin de Belleville, etc.
You can also hike in a more unusual way, such as dog hiking (cani-rando). Accompanied by a dog (often a sled dog), you can enjoy a one- to two-hour sporty walk. You can also choose horseback riding, hiking with donkeys, or even llamas.
Another original mountain activity is mountain karting. On a four-wheeled vehicle, you’ll descend a mountain trail for several kilometers, close to the ground, with the peaks in full view.
If you enjoy the vivid colors of autumn or the beauty of spring, mountain ranges are excellent destinations. The tourist offer is less developed in these periods, but there are still plenty of activities, and it’s an opportunity to pay less for accommodation and some services.
So, what to do during spring or autumn mountain holidays? Hiking remains a top activity, exploring lakes, ridges, alpine meadows, and other landscapes. Just check trail conditions and weather before heading out, and wear snowshoes if snow is still present at higher altitudes.
Like in summer, mid-season is also great for mountain biking. Not all trails may be open, but there are always beautiful places to discover, whether in alpine meadows greening in spring or forests with orange hues in autumn.
Finally, spring and autumn are ideal for visiting tourist sites due to fewer crowds. You can fully enjoy the experience, whether strolling through mountain villages, visiting local farms, or exploring iconic sites (e.g., Aiguille du Midi in the Alps, Puy-de-Dôme in the Massif Central, Cirque de Gavarnie in the Pyrenees).