Winter Activities List
We have a diverse range of activities to choose from and of course they are not all the same price!! So to make it easy for you we have divided the activities into four categories,
Green, Blue,
Red and
Black.
Each colour is worth a number of points:
Green Activities are worth
1 point
Blue Activities are worth
2 points
Red Activities are worth
3 points
Black Activities are worth
4 points
With this holiday you have nine points, so you can choose a mixture of activities from each colour to make up your nine points. Please note that a couple of the activities fall between categories and require an extra 1/2 a point. You can choose 2 of the same activity - eg 2 half days guided snowshoeing.
Please be aware that some activities do require a lift pass. Where practical we have included these in your points. However, some activities are best to combine with a day on the pistes such as paragliding or the giant tyrolean so we haven't included skis and pass but recommend you choose a ski or snowboard day to combine with these activities. See individual activities for info.
Green Activities - 1 point
Moonlit Snowshoe The glow of red and orange as the sun sets over the mountains is a truly beautiful scene. And what better way to enjoy it than in the peace and tranquility of the high mountain environment on snowshoes. This is a guided evening snowshoe walk looking at the sunset and / or the stars (depending on time of year) Find out more about
snowshoeing
Snowshoeing Half a day of guided snowshoeing. Choose from a list of themed snowshoes from Chamois spotting to snow security or just a straight forward walk! Listen to the crunch of snow beneath your feet as you snow-shoe through the alpine wilderness. Look out for chamois and Ibex. It is possible to upgrade to a full day using 1/2 a point.
Cross Country Skiing (self guided) A days cross country ski hire and piste pass. Give your lungs and legs an aerobic workout as you explore the alpine winter landscapes. The Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys have an extensive range of cross country skiing pistes including a high altitude circuit. If you have never cross country skied before, you may want to choose the blue option with a lesson.
Ski Joering Ski joering is an unusual but very good fun activity. Wearing your skis, you hold on to a specially adapted harness behind a horse and let the horse pull you along the snow! It is a quick tour taking a few minutes around a closed off piste. Participants must be able to ski down a green run.
Takes place in Ancelle ski village (pls note there is no public transport from Orcieres to Ancelle). Ski hire isn't included. One point gives you three tours each for two people (6 tours in total).
Snake Sledge A roller coaster ride down the pistes in a collective snake sledge. Each person sits on a segment of the sledge which all joins together to make one big snake. The snake sledge descends at the end of the day once skiers have left the piste. Min age 7 from half way up and age 12 for advanced descent from top of resort.
For advanced descent an extra 1/2 point is required. Lift pass to start included.
Giant Tyrolean Zip Wire The tyrolean is an extra 1/2 point. Travel at speeds of up to 140km per hour head first through the Alps. An extreme adrenalin buzz on the largest tyrolean zip wire in Europe (1.9km long)! Please note you will need to get a ski lift up to the tyrolean and then ski or snowboard back down to the cable car from the end of the tyrolean.
Skis and lift pass to get to the start of tyrolean not included. It is best to combine this activity with a days skiing or snowboarding in Orcieres (see blue activities).
Downhill Skiing in a ski village. Although this is a holiday aimed primarily at non-skiers, the lure of a quick blast on the slopes may be too much to resist! Includes lift pass and ski or snowboard hire for 1 day in one of the ski villages.
Requires an extra 1/2 point .
Blue Activities - 2 points
Igloo Building - have a go at building your own igloo in the snow! There are several techniques to choose from to build a perfect igloo! And as you will see the end results vary - enormously! This is a guided 1/2 day activity and usually involves some snowshoeing to get to a good igloo site!
Snow Mountain Biking Catch the last lift up in the ski resort of Orcieres with your specially adapted mountain bike and, after a few top tips from your instructor, ride down! A great fun activity to finish off the day. Minimum age is 8.
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
Husky Dog Sledding A one hour sled driving your own team of huskies across the alpine snow fields of the Southern French Alps. Min age 12 to drive sled.
Cross Country Skiing Lesson You will either have an hour private lesson or a two hour lesson in a group where your instructor will give you top tips on technique. Then you have the afternoon free to go off on your own and make the most of the extensive range of cross country skiing pistes in the region!
Downhill Skiing in Orcieres 1850. Although this is a holiday aimed primarily at non-skiers, the lure of a quick blast on the slopes may be too much to resist!
Includes lift pass and ski or snowboard hire for 1 day.
Snowscoot This is a unique sport and consists of a non-motorized scooter type contraption with a surf board instead of wheels that you surf down the pistes on.
Includes lift pass and snowscoot hire for the day.
Red Activities - 3 points
Night in an Igloo Wrap up warm and go 'eskimo' for the night. A truly memorable experience on a high Alpine plateau. Special mattresses and sleeping bags are provided and evening meal and breakfast is included. Minimum age is 8.
Ice Diving Explore the underwater world of a frozen high altitude lake. You will be one on one with an experienced diving instructor and will be kitted out in full dry suit and scuba diving kit. No previous diving experience is necessary. Minimum age is 16.
CURRENTLY UNAVAILABLE
Ice Climbing Discover the magical world of icicles, ice sheets, snow gullies and other weird and wonderful snow and ice formations. This is a half day of ice climbing with a high mountain guide and all equipment included. It is possible to upgrade to a full day for an extra point. Minimum age is 8 (or size 36 feet)
Paragliding Get the best view of the Alps as you fly above the mountains in the peace and quiet. This is a tandem flight with an experienced instructor. You will be in the air for approximately 10 - 15 minutes. Minimum age is 8.
Ski pass to get to the top and skis not included but we recommend you combine this with a day's skiing (see blue activities)
Husky Dog Sledding A 1/2 day sled with your own team of huskies across the alpine snow fields of the Southern French Alps.
Please note this activity uses an extra 1/2 a point (it is worth 31/2 points).
Black Activities - 4 points
Speed Riding Skiing with a parachute - ski fast and furious with the aid of a parachute in specially designated off piste zones. A 3 hour taster session learning the basics of the sport. Only for experienced skiers. It is possible to upgrade to a full day (5 hours) for an extra point.
Ski pass and skis not included.
Overnight Igloo Building Expedition
For a real eskimo adventure.... this is an overnight snowshoe trek into the snowy alpine wilderness where you will build your own igloo and sleep in it for the night. Evening meal and breakfast are provided. All technical equipment included. Min age is 14.
Ski Touring / Mountaineering Put skins on your skis and head off to explore the mountains in winter ... take in a col, climb a summit and enjoy the sun, spectacular views and ski down in powder..... A full day out with a qualified UIAGM high mountain guide. Suitable for intermediate skiers.
Ski touring equipment not included but is available to hire for an extra point.
Please note that some activities are subject to minimum group numbers, weather conditions and availability. In the unlikely event we are unable to provide your first choice you will be offered an alternative or the possibility to pay a supplement to cover the extra guide costs.
