In summer, with blue skies and the mountains bedecked with wildflowers, Chamonix becomes a wonderful adventure playground for children. There is quite literally a mountain of activities there for the taking!! Here are just a few ideas for some exciting days out.
For younger children this woodland area is a real gem. A relaxed 3km walk or a short 10 minutes walk from the Chamonix Golf Club car park, there is a pretty area with a stream running through and a small lake for paddling. There is also a playground area, a sandpit and often pony rides are on offer. It is open most days of the week May – September and there is also a little cafe with outdoor seating.
Organised on the River Arve in Chamonix, this is great fun and the perfect activity for a hot summer’s day, children just love it. Offered by Pôle Accueil at Compagnie des Guides, it is available for children over 1.3 metres tall.
If it’s all getting just too hot why not take the children on a trip to the ice cave and the Mer de Glace? The little red rack and pinion railway train will take you on a 5km scenic journey up to the glacier, and from there you can take a gondola to the ice cave which is just amazing – who knew that ice could be so many colours? Perhaps not ideal for very tiny legs – there are 170 steps each way from the gondola to the cave. This year the train runs from 31 May.
The equestrian centre in Les Houches offers riding for children. You will find it at 130 chemin du Paradis, tel + 33 6 13 08 33 58, or you can email them. 1 or 2 hour riding sessions are offered both for beginners and experienced riders. There is also trekking for full or half days, or for several consecutive days.
You may have been husky sledding, but have you ever been husky hiking?! Great fun for children and adults, a mountain adventure attached to the huskies via a harness and lead. Meet the delightful owners of a herd (?!) of huskies, Elizabeth and Christophe and then head off for a wonderful summer's hike in the company of these beautiful and well trained dogs. Email or call +33 (6) 84 99 34 67
Down the slopes of Les Planards and through the trees, with thrilling jumps, twists and 540 degree spins - this will WOW the youngsters (and adults) - all amidst stunning views of the mountains and looking towards Mont Blanc.
1300m long, it is designed for adults and children over the age of 3.
Open 11am - 5.30pm 15 June - 30 June and 2 - 15 September.
Open 10.30 - 7.30 during the Summer Holidays.
Full details can be found on the website.
Set mid-mountain above Les Houches this beautiful 52 acre park is totally family friendly and has some stunning views. It is home to many mountain animals including ibex, deer, llamas, marmot and chamois. There is a one hour trail which is suitable for pushchairs and another 2 hour trail which is steeper and not pushchair friendly (the park suggests bringing a papoose). There is also a restaurant there and picnic tables. Booking is essential May - September and you can book 10 days in advance. For more information and opening time check here.
Chamonix is the most magical place for paragliding - and a thrilling experience for any child who is not frightened of heights! There are various organisations in Chamonix who offer paragliding, Les Ailes du Mont Blanc offer 20 minute tandem flights for children aged 5 - 15.
There is no better place to look than the website of the Compagnie des Guides (or Guide Company) who offer a whole host of summer activities for adults and children from climbing to biking to canyoning. Through Cham-Aventure they also offer daily children's clubs - highly recommended!
So, as you can see, the children are set to have a wonderfully energetic time in Chamonix, enough adventures to ensure some possibly tired but very happy little faces at the end of each day!
