Activities for Non Skiers
Activities for non skiers in Courchevel and La Tania
La Tania’s pedestrian-friendly village is a lovely place for non skiers to holiday.
Whether you’re a grandparent, travelling with young children or simply prefer a slower pace to your holiday then there are plenty of options to keep you entertained away from the slopes…
Pedestrian passes
Pop into the lift pass office and ask for a ‘forfait pieton.’ This will open up the lift system and give you plenty of opportunity to explore and meet up with the skiers in your group. You can purchase a pass for one day or for a whole week. Alternatively you can buy single trip rides (which include the downwards journey as well!)BusesThe free navette will take you to all the different stations of Courchevel and it’s a great way to get around. Do plan your return journey times in advance so that you don’t get caught out.
Where to go
La Tania – travel up the La Tania bubble lift and have a wander around and enjoy a drink or lunch in the Bouc Blanc. It’s especially lovely on a sunny day on the terrace. There’s a new snack bar outside which is excellent value but the restaurant lunches are pretty reasonable and despite the 400 places on the terrace, the service is always welcoming.
1850 – take the bus to Le Praz from La Tania and from the bus stop you’ll see the bubble lift that takes you to 1850. Once you’re there it’s a short walk to the main centre and there you’ll find the razzle dazzle of designer shops, expensive restaurants and fur-clad fashionistas which is all jolly good fun for people-watching. With your pedestrian pass you can travel on the 3 bubble lifts – Jardin Alpin, Chenus and Verdons – from the snow front (as you disembark the bus, turn right and enter the Croisette building and up the steps. If you take Verdons you’ll be half way to the very top! You can then get on the huge cable car Saulire and be on top of the world in a few minutes. To return to La Tania you can take the bubble inside the Croisette down to 1550
Moriond – the village is nice for a little wander and shop, then you can head up the Ariondaz bubble to the Bel Air restaurant which has a lovely terrace with deckchairs on the lowest or tables on the higher levels. They’re usually very accommodating to people requesting coffees before the lunch reservations arrive and they also do a good vin chaud! It’s definitely worth reserving for lunch if you’d like to sit outside. Off the beaten track Take a look behind the scenes of the ski resort and backstage, you’ll find a myriad of walking paths, criss-crossed with the frolicking footprints of deer, rabbits and foxes, and dappled with the light and shade of the tall pines. You can be independent and grab a walking map from the tourist office and hire snow shoes from a rental shop, or you could book an outing with the knowledgeable Pip who will organise everything for you and take you on a real adventure. www.pipofthealps.com
Taking it easy
Our outdoor hot tub is the first port of call for anyone requiring some bubbly relaxation, but if you want to get a little more active, then the new Aquamotion Swimming Centre between 1550 and 1650 has a swimming pool, spa area, climbing wall, surf pool, and diving pool to keep you entertained. For a taste of real luxe you could also make your way up to the Chabichou spa which has a huge pool and everything for watery indulgence you could think of, including rainforest sounds to accompany your chromotherapy shower.
Adventures in Wonderland
For those who like to indulge in a little adrenalin boosting activity every now and again, then there are a number of options from husky sledding to skidooing, or even skydiving or a pleasure flight in a tiny plane from the altiport in 1850. We’d also recommend a tandem parapente for a gentle initiation into taking to the air. It’s peaceful and the views are incroyable!