BEST OF OUR SUMMER STAYS IN SAVOIE
You probably know the charm of the mountains in winter. Do you know that of summer mountain holidays?
Our Pointe de Sel customers tested our all-inclusive stays last summer and share here their finest memories of their summer holidays in Savoie and the discovery of unusual activities.
Could you picture yourself in their shoes and would you let yourself be tempted next summer in the French Alps?
Summer mountain holiday experience #1: The magic of a mountain sunrise
In the ranking of life-marking experiences, watching sunrise from the top of a mountain holds a very strong position. It is, in fact, simply the best summer mountain holiday memory of Thomas’s family, who came to Savoie for the first time last summer.
To be honest, the spectacle is earned, especially if early-morning starts on summer holidays are not part of your habits. Nicolas, our mountain guide, met the family in front of the chalet with a thermos of tea and coffee and led them off on the dawn hike. With a few warm-ups, the early-morning effort was quickly forgotten. Very soon, Thomas was able to appreciate the variety of mountain colours in the early morning.
The early hour also let him observe the animals in complete serenity, before they were disturbed by more numerous walkers : marmots of course, and also relatively shy species such as a herd of ibex followed for a few minutes through binoculars.
The children walked well, motivated by the wish to be first in the race against the sun! Reaching the summit, the path runs along the ridges and offered them a breathtaking view.
Thomas literally felt “true fulfilment” during this striking moment when the sun pierces the horizon. The chance for some stretching or, why not, a few yoga moves at altitude.
Then, after a good breakfast, the hike continued gently along the ridges to finally reach their chalet in La Plagne, all delighted and proud to share their experience and superb shots taken at the summit.
Summer mountain holiday experience #2: A family trapper-style bivouac
Those with teenagers know that they are often more keen to play on their phone than to go out into the fresh air. During his family mountain holidays last summer in La Plagne, Hugo suggested an unusual trapper-style outing.
Their mountain guide Guillaume took them to an idyllic clearing, with a small stream and a wooden cabin in the middle, immediately transporting the holidaymakers into another world.
Guillaume then introduced them to fire preparation in the heart of the forest. Searching for lichens and dry kindling, positioning the wood to build the fire, lighting it with a fire-starter and a competition for the best blaze. To round it off, the toasted marshmallows reminded some of scout outings and made these summer mountain holidays unforgettable.
Summer mountain holiday experience #3: Brushing the peaks on via ferrata
Héloïse is 8 and, for her first summer mountain holidays, she tried climbing and via ferrata with her parents.
The advantage of the via ferrata at Peisey-Nancroix is having several sections of increasing difficulty levels, from easy and accessible to children to more difficult, with escape routes at the end of each section with the option to head back down to the valley.
Did you think Héloïse would settle for the first section? Not at all! With great confidence, she impressed her parents with her ability to put aside the void. Something that was actually less natural for some adults.
When summer mountain holidays rhyme with pride!
Summer mountain holiday experience #4: An adrenaline-filled descent in a mountain bike–rafting combo
When you can do an extraordinary activity, it is great. When you can combine 2, it is even better! That is what Pauline and Christophe tried – big fans of nature sports and adrenaline, and lovers of summer mountain holidays.
Setting off from their chalet in Les Arcs on downhill mountain bikes, they took small natural trails between forest and alpine pastures to reach the valley, with a total descent of nearly 1,100 m. A mountain-biking descent full of sensation, which they did each at their own pace with their guide.
On reaching the valley, change of scenery and outfit! Pauline and Christophe put on their wetsuits, grabbed their paddles and, after a brief, climbed aboard their inflatable boat to continue their sporty descent on the Isère, one of France’s most beautiful rivers.
The Isère in summer has a good steady flow and the route is suited to families with children. After a calm start to get familiar with the navigation rules and manoeuvres, the rafting builds gently in intensity. It crosses the very prestigious Aime rapids, for a very fun, fresh moment in the heart of unspoiled nature.
Halfway, their guide stopped the boat to give them a surprise… He had them climb the bank and offered (without obligation, of course) to jump into the water pool below… 5 metres down! Pauline hesitated, and finally let herself be persuaded – she did not regret it, the moment was so powerful! She then had to be hoisted back into the raft, which would have been a small ordeal in itself if it had not been helpfully made easier by their guide, who lifted them by firmly grabbing their life jackets.
The descent then continued through the magnificent Centron gorges, whose narrowest, steepest passage is striking. “An invigorating and fun experience!”
Summer mountain holiday experience #5: An unforgettable night in a mountain refuge
When “summer mountain holidays” rhyme with disconnected… When Miriam suggested to her family that they choose the activities for their all-inclusive Pointe de Sel stay, the night in a refuge was immediately voted in. And they were not disappointed!
Their guide took them to the gates of the Vanoise National Park to the Lac de la Plagne refuge. A grand spot that gives the impression of being alone in the world.
The superb hike starting from the Rosuel cirque in Peisey-Vallandry takes them through pastures, scree fields and forest before reaching the plateau by the Lac de la Plagne. Accompanied by fascinating conversations with their mountain guide on the fauna, flora and history, the climb passes quickly.
The discovery of the refuge where they settle in for the night enchants them. Before a well-deserved Savoyard dinner, they enjoy the last instants of the setting sun for an impromptu group stretching session. Doing themselves good in a sublime spot, there is nothing like it!
The night at the refuge is not, objectively, the height of luxury, especially after leaving the comfort of one’s cosy chalet. Even so, it is an unforgettable experience and the view of the mountain on waking is fantastic. And sharing this experience as a family was a source of intense wonder.
And you, what was, or what will be, your finest summer mountain holiday experience?
Does one of these experiences appeal to you? Note that at Pointe de Sel, everyone can find mountain activities to their taste and enjoy them at their own pace.
And once you are won over by the benefits of summer mountain holidays, do not miss our blog tips for packing your bags.
See you soon for your next summer mountain holidays!
PS: do not miss the recommendations from our Pointe de Sel customers on Tripadvisor
