Top 15 outdoor sports and activities to discover in February
1 – Skiing (yes!) for beginners
The ski lifts are closed until further notice. But the good news is that the Children’s snow garden for kids aged 3 to 5 is operational for beginners! The Praz-sur-Arly Ski School welcomes your little ones from the age of 3 years old with fun and playful instruction in a secure area. The garden is equipped with two conveyor belts making it easy for the little ones to move around.
These supervised activities for children are not subject to the 6-person maximum (compliance with the current health protocol is ensured by the supervisor).
It is also possible to book a private lesson for children and adults (skiing, snowboarding) with an ESF instructor.
2 – Ski Trekking
3 – Cross-country skiing and laser rifle
Marked track of 3 km in the direction of Cassioz, in a flat and sunny area. Easy level. Free access. Groomed for alternative and skating steps.
Departure from near the ESF chalet at the foot of the Varins slopes.
The itinerary takes you to the hamlet of Cassioz and then returns to Praz-sur-Arly.
To improve your skills, or discover this activity for the first time, you can go off accompanied by an ESF instructor. You can also try your hand at laser rifle shooting in a private lesson!
4 – Snowshoeing
The Val d’Arly is an exceptional natural site for this leisure activity accessible to all. Through forests and snow-covered Alpine pastures, discover the magnificent mountain landscapes and winter wildlife. Praz sur Arly has two marked trails for free access. Half- or full-day group outings and themed outings (at night) are available with professional mountain guides. Loan of equipment is included (snowshoes, batons).
Companies: Two companies offer half-day outings: the Bureau des guides de Megève and Altitude Nature (25€ adult/18€ child). A representative is available in the winter season at the Tourist Office.
5 – Sledging and other snow sports
Holidays without sledging are not holidays! There are plenty of places to enjoy this fun sport!
Secured piste: a purpose-built and safe sledging piste at the foot of the slopes, depending on the amount of snow available.
Sledge rentals: Our sports shops offer a vast choice of sledges for all ages, either for sale or for rent.
SNOOC/SKIBRID/YOONER/SNOW SCOOTER
Every Wednesday, try out these new activities during the PRAZ ADRENALINE DAYS: from 10.00 to 16.30 at the foot of the slopes.
6 – Snowtubing
A new activity for all. Slide down a specially-groomed track on an inflated rubber ring. As of 3 years, price: 5€ for two runs down. From 9.45 to 16.45. Helmet available on loan. Suggested clothing: ski pants and anorak, gloves and mountain shoes. Place: foot of the slopes on the Baby ski run.
7 – Pony Sledging and 8 – Ski Joering
Come and discover a new snow sport for the little ones: enjoy the sensations of being pulled in a sledge by a pony. Also ski-joering with the ponies.
The “Cheval de Feug” Equestrian Centre offers this fun activity every Thursday from 2.30 pm to 5.30 pm at the foot of the Praz slopes. Obligatory registration at the Tourist Office (no telephone inscriptions).
Pony-sledging: 5 euros for 10 minutes.
Ski-joering with a pony: 10 euros for 10 minutes.
9 – Dog sledding – Fully booked at present/No inscriptions via the Tourist Office
Make your dream come true, take a ride in a dogsled driven by a passionate and experienced musher. Better still, try learning to drive a team of dogs yourself!
Dogsledding companies:
+ Le Mont du Villard Nord :
After a presentation of our dogs and the “polar” world, comfortably seated in the musher’s sled, you will be able to watch your dogs getting into their harnesses… a fun atmosphere is guaranteed! You will then be driven off at the rhythm of our four-legged friends in a unique site facing the Mont Blanc. Maximum weight: 200 kg (i.e. 2 adults + 1 or 2 children).
Rates: 85 € per adult – 60 € per child (from 8 to less than 12 years) – 50 € per child (less than 8 years).
+ Evolution 2 Megève :
Piloted by one of our mushers, you will be able to experience a unique moment gliding through the snow pulled by one of our faithful dog teams. For adults and children alike, in a sled weighing 200kg max, it’s a moment you will long remember!
Rates: 90€/per person.
10 – Trail running
Praz sur Arly is the new Trail destination! In partnership with the SCOTT Running team, discover our marked trails available on the “Praz sur Arly Sports and Nature” application. This smartphone application, available on App store and Google store, offers you numerous trail itineraries and allows you to find your way easily and take advantage of many other features to facilitate your outdoor excursions in Praz sur Arly.
11 – Ice climbing
Are you looking for an unusual activity? Then ice climbing is for you! The guides will arrange suitably adapted artificial ice cascades. Accessible to the youngest (from 10 years old under specific conditions), you can try your hand at ice climbing with crampons and ice picks. Thrilling sensations are guaranteed! More information at the Bureau des guides de Megève .
12 – Electric Mountain Biking – Fat bike
It is possible to rent electrically-assisted mountain bikes for a day or half a day, but also to go off with a mountain bike instructor on a group or private outing. The electrically-assisted mountain bike allows you to tackle the summits directly from Praz sur Arly and offers you welcome extra help on the steepest climbs and even to ride in the snow! More information at Bureau des guides de Megève.
13 – Accro-branch Courses
Progress from tree to tree in complete safety for 2 hours through some 60 obstacles. During the whole course you will not go back down to the ground, so it is a real stroll through the 6 to 10 m high trees. It is composed of 3 circuits, 2 of which are optional as they are more difficult.
Children’s course. Minimum age 5 years, measuring at least 1.15 m. About thirty games at 2 m above the ground. The presence on the ground and the supervision of the accompanying adult are compulsory. The duration of a tour is about 30 minutes.
20 minutes by car in the direction of Megève then up to Côte 2000.
An acrobatic course that is different because of its obstacles, its layout, and thanks to a unique site in the Rhône Alpes region. Zipline traverses of up to 150 m long and 40 m high, Nepalese bridge, via ferrata, rock climbing, via corda, Tarzan liana, flying surf ….
3 different possibilities: family, classic, expert.
Open all year round on reservation (minimum 2 hours before).
Open to all from 6 years old in summer and 8 years old in winter.
A kid’s course is available from 4 to 7 years old.
Winter departure times: 10 a.m.; 2 p.m.; 5 p.m. with headlamps. 20 minutes by car in the direction of Les Saisies.
14 – Hot Air Ballooning
Praz-sur-Arly is well known for its hot air balloon flights. Flights leaving from the village are possible all year round, in all four seasons. It’s an amazing sight. The view from the basket is magical as the balloon lifts up over the mountain tops. It’s like an open balcony on the Mont Blanc range, the Aravis Chain, the Beaufortain, and part of the Swiss and Italian Alps… Thanks to the exceptional aerological conditions of this “corner of the Alps”, the resort of Praz sur Arly has a balloon company operating on the spot all year round.
2020 rates of our hot air balloon flights in the Pays du Mont Blanc :
260 € (including taxes) per adult
480 € (including taxes) per couple
240 € (including taxes) per person (as of 2 simultaneous inscriptions)
180 € (including taxes) per child (as of 1.30m height; 40 kg weight; less than 15 years old) Children measuring less than 1.30m are not permitted on board our hot air balloons. Alpes Montgolfières
15 – Paragliding
Take off and discover the magic of free flight in the heart of the Pays du Mont-Blanc. Tandem flights, initiation, technique improvement…
Rates from 70€ to 120€, from 6 years. More information available at the Tourist Office Reception.
Need some more ideas?
SAVOIE HELICOPTERS
15 to 50 minute flights (Aravis, Mont-Blanc)
+ Telephone : 04 50 47 25 30
PAINT BALL/LASER GAME
Open to all (as of 6 years), rental of equipment + 6 playgrounds, daily on reservation 9.00-19.30.
+Paint Ball Expérience (Megève): 06 09 81 31 17
RIDES IN A HORSE-DRAWN CARRIAGE
Take advantage of the beautiful sunny days, or even when it’s snowing, to get out in the fresh air and recharge your batteries as a family in Gilles Grosset’s horse-drawn carriage.
+Telephone reservation recommended: 0682525259
+ All these activities will be available depending on snow conditions and the lifting of restrictions related to the Covid-19 epidemic. A special health protocol may be required to participate in certain activities.
