This blog is not meant to be a comprehensive guide to each of the resorts featured, but is based what we were able to do in each of the mountain resorts whilst we were there with friends this summer.
If nothing else, it may give you some ideas of the range of things you can do in mountain resorts that you may not have consdiered before. Personally, I think we will go back to the mountains in the summer again for sure.
One thing to note; we found the weather forecast apps provided a guide only, but were often not 100% accurate for the local area. We found that plans are best to be kept flexible and fluid to make the most of your time. With that in mind, I would have bought full access to lifts, or bike rental, for the duration of my stay in each resort to save time and money.
Mountain biking features pretty heavily in our activities, mostly as Max is such a keen rider, whilst Shannon and I play catch up. Each resort (and lift for that matter) tend to get the bikes to the top of the mountain in slightly different ways using the ski lifts. It takes a bit of getting used to but essentially it allows you to spend more time going downhill than up!
We hope you find it helpful, if you are looking to spend some time in the mountains at some point - being as active or relaxed as you like.
The village is part of the 3Valles ski area at the top of the central valley. Due to it's central location it's perfectly positioned to explore all 3 vallies be it by bike, e-bike or walking.
I'd not been to the resort for almost 20 years, when from memory it felt very quiet. Visiting this year, there certainly seemed to be more going on for families and those wanting to be more active. It feels that the resort is good for those wanting to get into the mountains and enjoy a more relaxed type of holiday.
Via Ferrata - fantastic if not slightly frightening, but an amezing experience for those wanting to test themsleves. A wonderful view over Courcheval for lunch. A great day out - loved it!
Mountain biking - hired bikes, helmet and protection from central Mottaret for either full or half day (89 or 69 Euros for a mountiain bike)
Walking - using the open chair lifts to get higher or walking around the Lake Tueda and up into the national park
Other activities available included tennis, volleyball, boules, cinema, table tennis for those wanting to keep active
Lower down in Meribel there's more to do with indoor swimming pool, golf, ice skating rink, horse back riding and there's a more vibrant shopping area than in Mottaret
The Tour de France also passed through the area this year so it's worth keeping an eye out if it does so again in the future
The local tourist board was really helpful in making bookings so certainly worth contacting them. It felt that the Mottaret offers a lower key summer mountain holiday than those in Morzine; in some ways, not dissimilar to Nendaz but set in a quieter village rather than a town.
We only spent a few days in Morzine but there certainly is a more up beat vibe that you tend to experience in ski resorts in the winter. If you are really keen on a wide range of mountain bike trails, then this would be the place to come. I suspect there is more of an apres ski feel in the evening too.
Thinks to do in Morzine
Swimming - Open Water - Lake Montriand is a gem; a lovely place to walk around and also to swim in for FREE...which is always nice
Paddlie boarding - Lake Montriand - a lovely setting to paddleboard
Tennis / Paddle - I loved playing Paddle for the first time with friends
Mountain biking - there's so much choice - see below. This is a resort that lives / breathes mountain biking in the summer. We popped into a shop and hired a bike really quickly and easily.
Horse back riding - one our younger members of the group spent a number of days riding horses throughout the summer and had a great time
Water Park - Les Gets Leisure - we didn't manage to go to due to the weather but we've heard good reviews
We spent a week in Nendaz and loved the vibe and options of things to do for whole family from time in a spa, down hill scootering and mountain biking to surfing and open water swimming in Sion.
Things to do in Nendaz
Swimming - Open Water - swimming in Sion Lake (Domaines de Iles) - 1km in length and for free. It was lovely and suprisingly warm wiht a choice of restaurants and bars on site (be careful where you park - they seemed to give out tickets to international registration cars)
Swimming - Open Air Pool - 25 meters just off the main square to get some laps in
Surfing at Alaia Chalet - awesome fun if you get the right waves. In hindsight perhaps our wave was too big for us, but lots of fun for £100 per hour session
Alaia Skatepark - the boys had a great morning there when the weather looked a bit dodgy, spending time indoors on the trampolines
Scootering from Sivez - for those not keen on biking this was a great family / group option
Tennis - just next to the swimming pool. It seemed pretty easy to book with reasonable availability
Walking - either getting Le Tracouet or lifts from Sivez to get some height to explore some of the paths
Walking along the Bessi's - the local irrigation channels around the mountains
Zip Wire from Mont Fort - unfortunately it was closed when we had planned to do it but the views were worth with, as was lunch at the restaurant at the top!
The Hotel Nendaz has a relaxing spa for those wanting to chill out - we had a lovely few hours there - though wish we'd had more time to enjoy the pools, sauna's along with cold water plunge pool and cold room
1st August is Swiss National Day so the town laid on traditional dancing and light show which provided a fun evening
We stayed at @chalet_aurore - a 5 minute walk from the main cable car - La Tracouet. If you'd like to book it visit the Instagram page and contact the owner directly.
If you have a week in Nendaz, I'd rent a bike and get a pass for a week - as it's more economical and convenient to do so (and would avoid the expense at Verbier)
