You’ve planned a holiday in the mountains and you’re taking your teenagers with you – now it’s time to plan some activities to keep the whole family busy in the Alps.
The first things that come to mind are skiing, snowboarding and tobogganing – the essential activities in winter. But why not surprise them with some other activities, that are a long way from their normal school life? Take them out of their comfort zones with these sporting, mindful and foodie days out.
A gourmet experience
Everyone knows that growing teenagers have big appetites! And when they’re hungry, they need feeding fast.
Surprise them with a taste of some typical mountain dishes. Haute Savoie, in particular, offers some wonderful dishes, each as delicious as the next!
You won’t have any trouble tempting your teens with dishes made from the area’s wonderful cheeses – Reblochon, Abondance, Tomme, Beaufort… The whole family will be happy to tuck into specialities such as fondue, raclette, or perhaps croziflette, accompanied by “diots” (local sausages).
There are also plenty of sweet treats that will have them salivating – the light and tasty gâteau de Savoie is delicious with a cup of tea. As for the pastry praline brioche, it looks just as good as it tastes: the pralines in the dough give it a wonderful pink colour and a sweet flavour when they melt.
Adventures for your teenagers in the mountains
The Pumptrack
The pumptrack in Combloux was originally designed for BMX, and is accessible by mountain bike, scooter and rollerblades.
Users can practise their skills on slopes with bumps, hollows and curves. The red circuit, with a total length of 110km, is ideal for experienced teenagers who aren’t easily frightened.
By contrast, the blue circuit is easier and ideal for beginners who want to get into Pumptrack. You’ll also find Pumptracks in Sallanches, Morillon, and Carroz-d’Arâches…
Rail sledging
The advantage of sledging on rails is that you can do it all year round. It’s an activity that’s available in many resorts – here are some of them:
- In Les Carroz, Le Speed Dragoz is a thrilling ride in summer or winter. Head downhill with your eyes wide open if you want to see the high-speed run through the forest, or you can put on a virtual reality headset which will transport you to a fantastical universe throughout your ride.
- In Chamonix, the Alpine Coaster is open all year round. The 1300m track, with its jumps, twists and turns, will make your teenagers feel like they are on a rollercoaster.
- In Megève, you can ride the Luge 4 saisons all year round. Teens will love the twinkling lights that illuminate the track when night falls, in time with the frenzied music.
- In Les Saisies, the Mountain Twister will take your teenagers down an 800m track – thrills are guaranteed as it travels almost 8m above the ground at points!
- In Les Ménuires, Speed Mountain guarantees thrilling descents, with riders in control of their own speed.
- In Les Orres, the Orrian Express rail luge feels like a rollercoaster. Open in winter and summer, the thrilling descent features waves, jumps, hairpin bends and three 360° spins on a 710-metre track.
The Bun J Ride
For a guaranteed adrenalin rush, head to Tignes, where the Bun J Ride combines the thrills of a zipline, bungee jumping and springboard jumping.
Wearing skis and a safety harness, your teenagers will jump off a 30m springboard into the void. After a 40m drop, they’ll complete the descent on a zip line! Bun J Ride is also available in St Jean de Sixt.
Snowtubing
Snowtubing involves sliding down a snowy piste on an inflatable tube. Fun and laughter are guaranteed! And if you want to do it again, just climb onto the conveyor belt and head back up to the start.
You’ll need helmets, warm clothing and waterproofs to join in the fun. You can find snowtubing in a number of resorts, including Tignes, Savoie Mont-Blanc, Les Alpes d’Isère and Chamrousse.
Exclusive Alpine experiences
Spend a night in a mountain igloo
Are you ready for an unusual night out? Why not spend the night in a mountain igloo? There are plenty of resorts this offer this activity, which is sure to create special memories.
After a torchlit snowshoe walk, you’ll be invited to dinner around a fire. If you’re lucky, you’ll be offered the choice of a night in an authentic basic igloo or a heated igloo! And why not learn how to build an igloo? Your teens will love it.
You’ll find this activity in the following resorts (please note some websites are in French only):
Take a dog sled ride
Teenagers who love animals, particularly dogs, should try the dog sled tour. Guided by a musher and pulled by a team of beautiful dogs, your teens will learn all the secrets of life in a pack.
Dog sled rides are available in many destinations – to find out more, visit the local tourist office in your resort.
Le Belvédère des Écrins viewing platform
The Belvédère des Écrins in Les Deux Alpes is a footbridge over a void, which will give you and your teenagers an incredible view of the Aiguilles D’Arves, the Écrins massif and Mont Blanc! It’s the perfect time to get some great panoramic photos and capture this incredible moment.
Ice diving
Diving beneath the ice is a unique experience for your children. Supervised by professionals, they will put on a wetsuit, mask and oxygen tank ready for their dive under a thick layer of ice.
Once under the water, silence reigns, and the light gives the divers an extraordinary feeling of calm.
Days out for teenagers in the mountains
Alta Lumina
Alta Lumina is a magical 1km night walk in Les Gets, in the heart of the French Alps. You’ll discover a story told through light, scenery, music and pictures, taking the audience into a poetic and enchanting world.
Radio Meuh Circus Festival
Radio Meuh Circus Festival takes place in La Clusaz, from March 30 to April 2, 2023. Set at the foot of the snowy peaks, your teenagers (14 and over) will get the chance to see some favourite artists and discover some new ones.
Discover our properties in La Clusaz
Wellbeing holidays for your teenagers in the mountains
The Balnéo du Palais spa
In Megève, your teenagers will relish the chance to relax at the Balnéoforme du Palais spa. The water in this indoor and outdoor aquatic centre is heated to a temperature of between 32° and 34°, and they can explore the counter-current river, massage beds, bubble pools and massage jets.
Aquariaz aquatic centre
Relax and enjoy the water at Aquariaz in Avoriaz. This fun water centre is full of surprises, spread across several different “worlds”.
- The Slidewinder is particularly for those high-adrenalin adventure seekers – slide down a half-pipe over 10m high on an inflatable tube.
- Relax in the central pool and whirlpool. You’ll also find a lazy river here, water games and massage benches. Climbers can tackle the climbing wall which runs the length of the pool, and there’s another pool with bubbles and geysers.
- Use the rope swing to leap into the pool, just like Tarzan.
The thermal spa at St Gervais
A relaxing day at the St Gervais thermal spa might appeal to your children – there are time slots reserved just for them.
The thermal water at the spa flows down the slopes of Mont Blanc and is enriched with minerals and trace elements before it reaches the spa, giving it many benefits. It’s a great way to enjoy some downtime.
The Aquasports centre in Val d’Isère
This aquatic centre has several different themes to entice you:
- Enjoy some play time in the beach area, with a river, water cannons, massage jets, bubble bench, aquagym and aquabike;
- Saunas, steam rooms and spas will help you relax in the wellness area;
- Boost your energy levels in the sports area, where you’ll find climbing walls, weight training, treadmills and fitness equipment.
- Relax and be pampered with massages and body treatments in the wellbeing area.
Get back to nature
Holidays are the perfect opportunity for teenagers to take a break from their daily routine of school, studies and sleep.
Yoga, meditation, relaxation, fishing, horse riding, mountain biking and hiking are great ways to relax. Sometimes, simple pleasures are the best.!
By now, you should have plenty of ideas for activities to keep your teenagers entertained in the mountains. But this list is not all there is! There is so much to do in the mountains, whenever you visit.
You could also consider tree-top adventure courses, ski jöering, ice skating, snow biking, zip lines, climbing, canyoning, rafting, via ferrata… It’s impossible to be bored!
If you’d like some help planning your holiday, please get in touch with us – we’d be delighted to help. And don’t forget to share your most beautiful memories of family holidays in the Alps on our social networks!
