Slope off for an Alpine summer
French Alpine resorts Tignes and Courchevel are much more than winter ski destinations, says BEN MITCHELL
EVERY year, some of the most exciting racing of the Tour de France are fought out on the slopes of the mountainous roads of the Alps.
The race may be over for this year but the vibrant green hillsides of resorts such as Tignes and Courchevel, best known for their winter skiing, are increasingly becoming a magnet for adrenaline junkies all year round.
Here are five ways to get a summer adrenaline hit in the Alps.
■ E-BIKING
ELECTRIC bikes can be as challenging as you want them to be.
Adjust the amount of assistance provided from none through to boost, which will get you up any slope. A full battery should give you a half-day of riding, or more.
High above Courchevel, a cycle-only path has been created leading a wriggly and, at points, extremely steep path up to Col de la Loze at 2,304m and down to neighbouring resort Meribel, setting a challenge fit for any professional cyclist.
But it is not restricted to elite pedallers; electric bikes can make it manageable for almost anyone.
E-Bikes can be hired from £37 for a half-day. Visit izibike.fr
■ HOT JUMPING
IF you walk around the lake at Tignes on a sunny day, you’ll hear the sporadic screams of someone flying past in a wetsuit before crashing into the water.
Several 35m slides were invented by freestyle skiing specialist Henri Authier to enable beginners and experts to practise ski jumps and acrobatics with the knowledge they would have a safe landing in the water.
If you prefer, you can just slide down on your front or back wearing a wetsuit.
Admission is £11 and is open to those aged over 14. Visit en.tignes.net
■ VIA FERRATA
THE concept of via ferrata originated in Italy during World War I to allow troops to manoeuvre through the mountains. Nowadays, it involves a steel cable which you clip on to while you make your way along a series of rails, steps and bridges.
The age limit for this terrifying activity at Lac de la Rosiere at Courchevel Moriond is from eight years old but it seems the older you are, the harder it is to embark on the 600m course.
You’re kitted out with a helmet and harness with two carabiners, which ensure you’re always attached to the steel cable. Despite the presence of your guide and the knowledge that you are safely attached, clambering around cliff edges will still get your heart thumping. Don’t look down!
Via ferrata with Les Guides de Courchevel costs £32 for a two-hour experience. See guides-courchevel-etecom.webnode.fr for details.
■ SKIING
THE 3,456m Grande Motte Glacier at Tignes provides enough snow to keep you on the slopes well into July and even August.
An upgraded 17m Euro cable car, with a panoramic terrace to enjoy the lunar-like views at the mountain top, has just been opened.
If you don’t ski, it’s also possible to enjoy the breathtaking views and learn about the glacier and how climate change is rapidly depleting the ice.
A ski pass costs £32 per adult; pedestrian access costs £18 plus £9 for the panoramic roof.
Visit esf-tignes.com/ete
■ DOWNHILL MOUNTAIN BIKING
ONCE you’ve collected your full-suspension bike and put on your helmet, take a cable car specially adapted to carry bikes up the mountains to enjoy all the benefits of gravity without the climb.
Instructors demonstrate how to use motorbike-style disc brakes to ensure a safe flight down the 160km of dirt tracks that criss-cross the hills above Tignes.
There are five ski lifts at Tignes bike park, open June 29 to September 1 Access costs £9 for a day. An instructed ride costs £60 for a two-and-a-half hour tour including bike rental.
See mountainstory.fr