Nestled at the foot of the Mont Blanc at 1,164 meters altitude, Les Contamines is a charming Alpine village set in the traditional decor of mountaintops and snowy pistes. Come and judge for yourself and get carried away by the magic of the summits, as well as the many things to do in Les Contamines in the winter…
To help you prepare for your next winter holiday, we’ve narrowed down the top 10 things to do in Les Contamines outside the pistes. The list includes:
- Snowshoeing
- Husky sledging
- E-fat biking
- Night snow golfing
And more!
Read on to find out more about what to do in Les Contamines…
Winter activities in Les Contamines
Les Contamines is based in the Evasion Mont Blanc area, making it a popular winter destination for tourists in the French Alps. With an exceptional snow cover and 120km of pistes, it provides the perfect environment to ski, with panoramic views from the Mont Blanc to Beaufortain!
- 48 pistes including 8 green, 12 blue, 19 red and 9 black
- 25 working ski lifts including 4 cable-car lifts, 8 chairlifts and 13 drag lifts
- 2 beginner zones in the village centre
- “Ludo Park” fun course for the whole family
You’ll find something for everyone in terms of ski level and type of activity. The ESF school in Les Contamines offers lessons for alpine skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing and more – find out more here!
10 things to do in the winter at Les Contamines
1. Snowshoeing
If you’re a non-skier or fancy discovering the terrain by trying something new, then snowshoeing may be a great option for you. By attaching snowshoes or ‘raquettes’ to your feet, which stop you from sinking into the powder, you can take a snowy hike through the trees and maybe even spot some local wildlife!
By booking a tour with a small group through Les Contamines Tourism Office, you can let yourself be guided through the winter wilderness and open space reserves. You can also choose the length of your course, from half a day at 25 € to a full day at 38 €. Night time tours are also available and can be booked through the Bureau des Guides (website in French only).
2. Biathlon classes
Biathlons combine cross-country skiing and rifle shooting for a fun-filled afternoon out in the snow. The aim is to complete a course on skis, stopping only for four shooting sessions (lying down and standing). You can choose to watch the teams training, or try this discipline yourself if you’re up for the challenge!
Prices for individual classes are fixed at 60 € for one hour, or for bigger groups up to 6 people at 200 € for 2 hours. Children aged 9-14 years can also try out the activity with laser shooting, with a 3-morning group deal at 96 €.
You can find the full list of prices and more information on the ESF Les Contamines website here.
3. Husky sledging
Dog sledding is an incredible experience to try on your ski holiday. For animal lovers especially, there’s no better activity than discovering the mountains with a pack of four-legged friends!
Several options are available to enable you to discover the world of mushing. These options include: daytime outings, evening outings with a trapper’s meal in a heated tent or a raid of several days!
The best part? This activity is available all year-round, with ‘canirando’ tours available during the summer season. Head over to the Contamines website to find out more.
4. E-fat biking
In winter, there’s still the opportunity to get out and about on two wheels. In Les Contamines, you can try an excursion on ‘e fat bikes’ – electric mountain bikes with large wheels to withstand snowy conditions.
If you fancy trying something different to skiing or boarding, then this could be a great option for you. There are various offers available, with sessions supervised by an instructor for 1 or 2 hours, or a night session with dinner in a mountain restaurant included. See the website for more details!
5. Horse-drawn sleigh rides
In both winter and summer, families can enjoy a ride around the village and surrounding area by horse and carriage! Kids especially will love this enchanting experience, plus it’s a great way to see all the top sights through the eyes of a local.
Departing from the Nordic Park, enjoy a charming horse drawn sleigh ride up to Notre Dame de la Gorge with a group of two to three people. There are several routes available, including a visit of a local farm; head over to the Tourism Website to book your place or find out more!
Browse our properties in the Evasion Mont Blanc area
6. Ice skating
For a light-hearted bit of fun, we would recommend visiting Les Contamines’ outdoor ice rink. Located in “Les Loyers” in the village centre, you’ll be able to skate while enjoying the stunning view of Les Dômes de Miage! Find the opening hours as well as prices by visiting this website.
7. Night snow golfing
Whether you’re an experienced golfer or just curious to try the sport, the night snow golfing in Les Contamines is a great activity to try over your winter holidays. The activity is supervised by a graduated instructor on a 5 hole pitch. Head over to the village course every Friday of winter or on Tuesdays during school holidays to try it out!
For more information including opening hours and prices, visit this link.
8. Snow groomer trip
Keen to try something unique? Head over to Nordic Park to discover the backstage of the snow groomer profession, and prepare the track of Nordic Park aboard the snow groomer!
Sessions are 30 minutes long, with one person per round. Prices are fixed at 30 € per session, or 50 € for two. Registration is done by phone – visit this link for contact details.
9. Electric quad bike ride
Heading to Les Contamines with your children? Satisfy their need for speed on the electric quad bikes!
Kids aged 4 years and older can ride around the snow on a closed and secured track next to the ice rink. Prices are fixed at 5 € for an 8 minute ride – no reservations needed!
If you’d like to find out more, head over to Les Contamines Tourism Office website.
10. Eat out
Last but not least, be sure to make the most of the various addresses around Les Contamines for a fabulous winter dining experience…
If you’re looking for a creative cuisine rich in local flavors, why not book a table at L’Ô à la Bouche? Head over to Notre Dame de la Gorge during opening hours to get a table; however, we would recommend booking in advance by visiting their website.
Finally, be sure to visit L’Ours Noir, an OVO Network team favourite! Serving pizzas and local specialities (including fondue!), expect a lovely evening with fantastic views over the Dômes de Miage.
Heading to Les Contamines this winter?
Check out stunning self-catered properties in the area with fantastic facilities below…
