Activities for all the family

Here’s a few suggestions for activities for all the family based in the Chamonix valley.

Parc De Loisirs De Chamonix

Based at Les Planards, easily found where the Montenvers railway tracks cross the main road on the approach to the town centre. There’s a variety of attractions for children such as trampolines, free play area, electric motorbikes and the ‘nautic jet’, which launches you from an 8m ramp into a pool of water.

The highlight is the Summer Luge, the longest in France at 1820m long. 2 ups with young children are permitted and its free for childen under 6 when accompanied by an adult. It’s a scream!

Parcours Aventure

Based on the same site, the office for Parcours Aventure is by the play area, though the actual course is at the top of the chairlift in the trees. It’s the Chamonix equivalent of ‘Go Ape’, with wires, bridges, swings and zip wires between the trees. There’s a mini course suitable for 3 years and upwards, whilst older children can go on the main course, missing out a few of the more difficult sections. Great fun!

Parc de Merlet

The Parc de Merlet is A nice little animal park down near Les Houches (on the opposite side of the valley). Your chance to get close to some of the valley natives such as marmots, chamois and other assorted sheep and deer-like creatures.

Chamonix Swimming Pool

With an outdoor pool at the apartment it’s more likely that this might appeal on a rainy day. However, in addition to the main indoor pools with hot tubs and flume, there’s also outdoor pools and a grassy area by the lake where you can catch some rays and relax beneath the aiguilles. A million plus Euro refurbishment of this area through the 2008/09 winter season should really lift the appeal of the pool complex.

Bowling

There’s a bowling alley in town, again probably a good retreat for the odd rainy day. You find it by the bus interchange in Chamonix Sud.

Climbing Wall

Also located at the sports centre, there’s an indoor climbing wall. There’s also a gym, tennis courts and next door, the ice rink. Plenty to choose from!