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Relaxing Winter Activites in the French Alps

Three Alternatives to Downhill Skiing in Grenoble's Mountains

Mar 1, 2009 Christina Rebuffet-Broadus

For winter visitors looking for something new, mountain villages near Grenoble organize hikes and even outdoor baths, allowing visitors to rediscover the Alps.

While skiing can pump your adrenaline and get your blood rushing faster than a black slope schuss, not everyone wants to kamikazi down a mountainside during their winter vacation. For those looking for the enchantment of tranquil snowscapes, a handful of villages organize outings that let visitors take advantage of the natural alpine beauty without risking a broken leg.

A Nice Hot Bath...And a Roll in the Snow

Imagine bathers outside, in their swimsuits. And one small detail, it's -10°C and night is falling. They quickly plunge into the "Storrvat," an outdoor hot bath, heated by a wood-fed fire. The water bubbles at 40°C. The crackling of the logs, consumed by the furnace, break the silence. All their muscles relax, an entire day's fatigue evaporates with the steam. Then, according to the Scandinavian tradition, the bathers hop out and roll in the snow before coming back to their senses and back to the Storrvat.

For more information contact the Refuge de Gève in Autrans 04.76.95.33.89 or the Gîte d'Arcanson 04.76.95.23.51 or the Gîte de la Verne 04/76.95.21.18, both in Méaudre.

Follow The Way of the Chartreuse Fathers

In Saint Pierre de Chartreuse, professional guides invite visitors to venture along the path followed by monks who, for the past 900 years, have been living according to the rules laid out by Saint Bruno. Climbing the snowy slopes, hikers can take advantage of one of the most remarkable historic heritage sites in the Chartreuse chain. Anyone can participate, as photo stops and panoramic pauses break the rhythm of the uphill hike.

For more information contact the Saint Pierre de Chartreuse tourism office and ask about the Cartusiana trek.

In the Tracks of the Lynx

Gerard Remillier, who, come sun or snow, has been exploring the the Grande Chartreuse forest for the past 30 years knows these woods better than most urbanites know their neighborhood. This forest ranger leads visitors under the stars and into the woods, on a hunt for traces of nocturnal life. In snowshoes and headlamps, animal lovers learn how to move through the night forest silent as a snowflake and how to read animal prints dented in the mountain's snowy coat.

For more information contact Gerard Remillier at the National Forest Office of Le Sappey en Chartreuse. 06.16.31.05.76. Snowshoes available on site.

For those who prefer the calm of a hike in the snow or a heated bath in the frosty outdoors, these activities offer a great alternative to downhill skiing. And even for those who feel no fear when faced with a 50 degree slope, a calming hike or realxing bath offers another way of discovering the French Alps.

The copyright of the article Relaxing Winter Activites in the French Alps in W Europe Travel is owned by Christina Rebuffet-Broadus. Permission to republish Relaxing Winter Activites in the French Alps in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.

Carthusian tracks in contemplative snow