Winter sports activities

There's no shortage of activities throughout the year, but it's in winter, with the arrival of deep, persistent snow, that Chamonix really comes into its own. Sportsmen and women of good or even high level are sure to be able to express their art to the full, while occasional winter sports enthusiasts are sure to have a great time on holiday.

Mountaineering, downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, Nordic skiing and ski touring, as well as snowshoeing, dog-sledding, ski joëring, ice skating, ice hockey, speed-riding, sledging, snowboarding, snooc, ice climbing and paragliding - winter offers a whole range of activities.

Paragliding is a sport that involves flying with a parachute. To do this, you first need to find a starting point at altitude that will allow you to launch yourself into the void from the heights of a cliff, mountain, peak, etc. This obviously requires a minimum knowledge of aerodynamics and training in how to steer, accelerate, slow down and, of course, land your glider.

This activity is supervised by state-qualified instructors. There's no shortage of paragliding spots around Chamonix. You can take off in a two-seater paraglider, for example from Planpraz-Brevent, at an altitude of 2050 metres, above the Chamonix valley and soar towards Mont Blanc with a pilot.

The performance lasts between 15 and 20 minutes and promises a landing 1000 metres below. For the more experienced, another accompanied "baptism" departs from the Aiguille du Midi and will leave a lasting impression on your memory.

The choice is yours: Plan de l'Aiguille, Planpraz, Flégère, Grands Montets, and also Aiguille du Midi (for the latter, please note: difficult level with significant weather hazards). These spots range in altitude from 2,000 to over 3,840 metres. Beginners will be able to fly from the lowest points.

In winter, snowshoeing is one of Chamonix's must-do activities. In fact, snowshoes allow you to increase your load-bearing capacity on the snow. They are therefore a sine qua non for any long walk in heavy snow, as they prevent you from sinking knee-deep in the snow.

For the record, it was the first inhabitants of North America who built the first snowshoes, in 4000 BC. At the time, snowshoes were used to get around in winter, but today they are used primarily for hiking, which has become a leisure activity.

Chamonix has plenty of trails suitable for snowshoe trekking. You'll be able to admire different snow-covered reliefs and landscapes. If you're taking your children on this walk, we recommend the golf route, which will take just over half an hour, starting at Les Praz station or the golf car park. It's a flat, easy route.

If you're a good walker, we can't recommend enough the Index snowshoe trail, starting from the top of the Index chairlift, at 2,595 m, this rocky peak that rises up to the sky like a finger. A signposted loop awaits you in the direction of La Floria, offering less than an hour's walk with a breathtaking view of the Mer de Glace and the Grandes Jorasses. A must-do.

The bravest will opt for the Glacier des Bossons route, which starts at the Bossons station or the Mont Blanc Tunnel car park, and takes you along the right bank of the Glacier des Bossons, through a beautiful larch forest. Allow 1 hour 45 minutes for an ascent of 325 metres. Your reward will be a breathtaking view of the glacier.

The Les Tines route is an alternative to the others, both easier and shorter than the previous one (duration: 1h20). Leaving the village of Les Bois at your back, this route takes you to the ancient moraine of the Mer de Glace.

Snowshoeing is an ideal activity for families. For non-skiers, it's the best way to enjoy Mother Nature at your own pace. What's more, apart from suitable clothing and snowshoe hire, no other equipment is required.

Sled dogs are typical of cold regions, including Savoie. There are two ways to enjoy this pastime: as a high-level sport or as a leisurely pastime, snuggled up under one or more blankets. There's no doubt that it's an exhilarating way to immerse yourself in nature, because it's such an unusual and invigorating sensation.

What's more, the energy these dogs put in is infectious: they need to work out, they love the snow and they love to challenge each other. This company of dogs who stop at nothing, neither the cold nor the long stretches of snow, will boost your morale.

So if, like us, you've always dreamed of going for a dog sled ride, Chamonix is just waiting for you. Don't forget to dress appropriately, take something to eat and drink, and possibly some dog-friendly treats if your musher allows you.

Driving dogs were probably invented by the Inuit people, who depended on them to get around. In these lands, where adaptation to the cold is a prerequisite for survival, the complicity between humans and dogs was a godsend from the outset.

This harmony with the animal is a prerequisite for these teams, which bring together beautiful, robust dogs with thick, protective fur: huskies, samoyeds, Canadian Eskimos and Alaskan malamutes will be your travelling companions. For nature lovers, this experience of gliding down the slopes pulled by our furry friends is a great way to get out and about.

There are a number of places offering dog-sleigh trips at the foot of the Mont-Blanc massif. It's a great way to spend some quality time with the family or as a couple.

Some sledging trips leave from the Aiglons refuge, where you can have something to eat before setting off on your adventure.

Never heard of ski joering? Luckily, Chamonix offers this little-known discipline, which has been practised since ancient times. This is equestrian skiing (or "harnessed skiing"), which consists of a skier being pulled by a harnessed horse. It is practised with a horse or pony; in spirit, it can be likened to sledding pulled by dogs.

To do this, first make sure you're fit enough for this activity, which is a real sport and can be hard on your thighs, knees and back. You will be equipped with a harness attached to a rigid structure with two handles. Make sure you wear a waterproof suit that fits snugly around your body, because once you've set off, you won't be able to adjust your gloves and hat, as your hands will have to stay in control.

Once dressed, your horse will treat you to an emotional moment in communion with nature, where you'll be alone with him and the elements. It's also worth noting that this natural activity, which has no ecological impact, is not hard on the draught horse, unlike riding, which requires it to carry a lot of weight from the outset.