Summer Activities

Spring, summer and autumn each bring their own charm and appeal. The area offers a variety of activities or just pure relaxation. From late spring to early autumn the valley has several companies that provide rafting, canoeing, climbing, canyoning, Via Ferrata climbs, parapenting and horse riding. From June through to September many of the local ski resorts - Les Arcs, Courcheval, Meribel, Tignes - become golf courses.

La Plagne - Montalbert, which is 4km from Montvilliers, during July and August becomes a children's activity area offering archery, mini biking, mountain biking, mountain boarding and other activities. The chair lifts are open on Tuesdays and Thursdays which gives access to the Mont Jovet range and La Plagne for hiking, mountain biking or just taking a picnic, relaxing and enjoying the stunning scenery. There are various themed walking paths for both adults and children who want to discover more about the region's nature, history and environment. Across the valley is the Massif de Beaufortain which offers more challenging hiking with spectacular views. The walk Le Tour de Mont Blanc can be accessed at Le Chapieux via Bourg St Maurice as can the Vanoise national park.

The 6000D mountain races take place between 20th and 25th July 2010 with courses of varying distances and for all abilities. Aime is the main centre of entertainment and races start in Aime, Longefoy and La Plagne Bellecote.

The mountain biking (VTT) routes are well sign posted and there are a variety of routes to meet all abilities. There are also ample opportunities for road biking with the col de Madeleine, col d'Iseran and col du St Petit Bernard all being accessible and within cycling distance. The Tour de France race crosses the alps every summer and it is usually possible to access the route via one of the local cols.

In the valley just 5km away, near the small town of Aime, is a leisure area with a lake which has a supervised swimming area, a café/snack bar, a trampoline, a cycle path and a children's playground. There is also a rafting centre, an adventure course and bike hire. The towns of Moutiers and Bourg St Maurice are twenty minutes away and Albertville with its medieval city of Conflans is 40 mins away. Annecy with its beautiful lake, mountains, gorges and old town is about an hour away. There are regular markets selling local produce at Aime on Thursday morning, Bourg St Maurice Saturday morning, Moutiers Tuesday and Friday morning.

See our Summer in the Alps photo gallery

Photograph: View of Massif de Beaufortain from Col des Genisses 2348m