So, you’re looking for the best outdoor activities to do in Les Sybelles? Here they are, carefully selected by Generation Voyage.
Les Sybelles is a French ski area in the south of Savoie. Conceived in the early 1990s, the project was completed in 2003. Les Sybelles takes its name from a… pun. In fact, « six belles » is simply the association of six winter sports resorts in the Maurienne region.
This magnificent natural area is now France’s fourth-largest ski area. Les Sybelles includes splendid villages and historic resorts such as Les Bottières, Le Corbier and La Toussuire.
Dominated by the Aiguilles d’Arves, Les Sybelles attracts tens of thousands of visitors every year. Winter and summer alike, the best outdoor activities are on offer in Les Sybelles! Some of them are unique in Europe, and we’d like to introduce you to them. Choose the period of your stay and come and discover Les Sybelles: you won’t regret it.
Summer
Hiking
Photo credit: Facebook – Saint Sorlin d’Arves – Les Sybelles
Les Sybelles lends itself well to bucolic escapades on high-altitude trails. You could set off to explore the verdant estate. Generation Voyage particularly recommends the Plan chaud, Adret and Champ Pérouse loops. These physically accessible itineraries will plunge you into a fantastic alpine setting.
The Aiguilles d’Arves majestically dominate the area, occasionally overflown by golden eagles. Marmots can sometimes be seen wriggling about, watching you as you pass. To meet them, a good pair of shoes, appropriate clothing (bring a jacket) and sunglasses will suffice. In July and August, don’t forget your sun cream, which can sometimes come in handy…
Orienteering
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Paya Mona
Go to the Tourist Office in the heart of the resort to pick up your essential game kit. The aim? Take part in an orienteering race on the ski area, which has the look and feel of a police investigation. Fun and (slightly) sporty, this outdoor activity at Les Sybelles is for everyone, but especially for families with children.
The idea is to have a good time with your friends and family, and to make a change from the classic summer leisure activities. Three courses are available, from the simplest to the most challenging!
Paragliding
Photo credit: Facebook – Saint Sorlin d’Arves – Les Sybelles
There are more than eagles, falcons and jackdaws in the sky. At Les Sybelles, paragliders share the airspace with these graceful birds. Would you like to join in? No problem: come to one of the take-off zones for a tandem paragliding experience.
In La Toussuire, Le Corbier, Saint Jean d’Arves or Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, winter and summer alike, you’ll enjoy a breathtaking view of the entire ski area. It’s one of the most exciting outdoor activities you can do in Les Sybelles.
Stand-up paddle
Photo credit: Shutterstock – sergua
Welcome to the Lac Bleu leisure park! This landscaped lake in the heart of the resort is dominated by the Maurienne massif. Swimming is supervised here from mid-June to the end of August, to the delight of the whole family.
Would you like a refreshing change from the usual swimming by opting for a stand-up paddle across the lake? Half-surfing, half-pirogue, stand-up paddling is a refreshingly fun outdoor activity at Les Sybelles. What’s more, it’s designed for a very broad public. The only requirement? Sunscreen, and lots of it: the sun beats down hard in this part of the Alps!
Mountaineering
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Evgeny Subbotsky
Accompanied by a guide, discover the glaciers and peaks that dominate the Arves valley in the Maurienne. You can learn to ski tour, progress on glaciers or climb in complete safety.
Linked to your guide by a rope – your lifeline – you’ll discover the thrill of the climb. The techniques are ancestral, the equipment less so: ice axes, crampons and harness will ensure your salvation at altitude. For an unforgettable holiday, opt for mountaineering!
Climbing
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Leo Zhukov
Wall climbing is a modern variant of the mountaineering of yesteryear. More than just a leisure activity, this sport requires technical skills, vertigo control and good physical abilities. That said, the spots available at Le Sybelles can be chosen according to your level.
An introduction in the presence of an instructor is essential for safe progress while defying the void. Since you can try this outdoor activity at Les Sybelles, why not enjoy this unique experience?
Canyoning
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Natalia Schuchardt
Canyoning consists of descending a riverbed in a series of jumps, abseils, slides and swims. And it’s possible to practice this outdoor activity in Les Sybelles. Here you’ll find the splendid canyon of the Ruisseau du Vallon.
If you want to get there, head for the hamlet of Entraigues. After a short approach walk, you’re off for a three-hour descent. Slides, natural pools, splashing and laughter are all part of the program! Supervised by an instructor, you’ll enjoy the welcome coolness of the site during the summer season.
Hiking donkeys
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Delpixel
Here’s an outdoor activity to enjoy in Les Sybelles that will delight young and old alike. Donkey trekking consists of hiking in the company of a donkey specially trained for the occasion. You’ll set off with family or friends on selected, signposted itineraries.
La ferme des ânes is located in the hamlet of Le Mollard, in the commune of Saint Jean d’Arves. As well as buying delicious donkey milk products, you can hire a donkey to walk the trails through the mountain pastures. Rest assured, the donkey is less stubborn than it looks, and always very friendly.
Winter
Snake Gliss
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Bosnian
Make a change from skiing or snowboarding. Reveal your originality after the slopes have closed, and opt for the Snake Gliss! This snake sled is made up of ten sledges attached to each other. The aim, as you can imagine, is to make your way down the slopes, adapting to the sometimes unpredictable changes in trajectory.
Safety is ensured by the absence of skiers (the slopes are closed), and a helmet is compulsory in the event of a fall. And there are plenty of them, guaranteeing lots of laughs!
Snowshoe trekking
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Bouvier Ben
This outdoor activity at Les Sybelles is particularly magical. With 18 itineraries specially designed for snowshoeing, the resort has thought big! The area offers different levels of difficulty and a majestic setting.
Wherever you look, the panorama will take your breath away… probably more than the altitude difference. For a safe approach, why not opt for a mountain leader? These instructors are not mountain guides, but they know the flora and fauna like the back of their hand. They’ll help you make the most of this unique activity!
Nordic skiing
Photo credit: Facebook – Saint Sorlin d’Arves – Les Sybelles
Nordic skiing is an institution in Les Sybelles! And it’s one of the best outdoor activities you can do in Les Sybelles. The Alpine ski area coexists with an exceptional Nordic ski area. There are 23 kilometers of groomed and marked cross-country ski trails between La Toussuire and Le Corbier, for all levels.
Nordic skiing allows you to cross magnificent landscapes while improving your physical condition. More than just a means of transport, it’s a true mountain sport combining technique, speed and endurance. Too physical? Not at all: you don’t sweat as much in winter, and you can take advantage of the few downhill sections to relax…
Ski-mountaineering
Photo credit: Shutterstock – shchehlov serhii
This outdoor activity at Les Sybelles is without doubt one of the most rewarding. Ski-mountaineering is, as the name suggests, a blend of these two complementary sports. In addition to mountaineering tools (ice axes, crampons), the equipment includes touring skis. Les Sybelles benefits from the presence of the Belledonne massif.
In fact, events dedicated to amateur athletes are organized here every year. Two routes are offered, with positive gradients of 2,500 (!!!) or 1,000 metres. The high point of the competition is the Col de Montfossé: once up there, what a view of glacial locks and snow-covered valleys!
Electric Fatbike on snow
Photo credit: Shutterstock – mimmikhail
The fatbike is a mountain bike equipped with wide tires. They are essential for proper grip on snow.
It’s great fun, and we recommend that you give it a try: go to the heart of the resort to try out this outdoor activity at Les Sybelles. Powered by an electric motor, you won’t feel the steep climbs or even the heaviness of the snowy terrain.
Snowmobile
Photo credit: Shutterstock – Taras Hipp
Snowmobiling is a must in ski resorts. Snowmobiling in Les Sybelles is a popular outdoor activity! Snowmobile tours take place in La Toussuire or Le Corbier. Under the supervision of a guide, you’ll discover the fantastic Les Sybelles ski area.
The only requirement is that you have a valid driving licence. A passenger is accepted from the age of eight to accompany you. Your child or your other half, for example?
Sled dogs
Photo Credit: Facebook – Valmorel
Head to the resorts of Saint-Sorlin-d’Arves, La Toussuire and Saint-Jean-d’Arves and enjoy an incredible experience with sled dogs.
Huskies, samoyeds and malamutes are the stars of this outdoor activity in Les Sybelles. Whether you let the musher pilot you, or take the controls yourself, you’ll enjoy the thrill of gliding through the larch forests.
If you have children, they’ll be delighted. If you don’t, our advice is to opt for a two-seater sleigh driven by a musher, and to plan a little aperitif (yes, it’s possible, and it’s ultra-romantic)!
Now you’re ready to enjoy the best outdoor activities in Gérardmer!