The Alps for non-skiers

Words by Matt Hampton

The Alps are a playground even for those who don’t ski: ice skating, dog-sledding and snow-shoeing are popular alternative activities and most resorts have lift-accessed toboggan runs. In La Plagne you can even ride on the Olympic bob sled run with a professional driver. Fat biking trails are also springing up everywhere, or if you want to take to the sky, try paragliding or parapenting – soaring down from the snowy peaks to the valley below is an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience. What’s more, before skiers came to the Alps, visitors sought spa towns such as Evian-les-Bains and Brides-les-Bains and wellbeing is still a focus across the region.

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