Ski Joering & Fondues 😉
For my daughters 8th Birthday this year we decided to get her a completely different kind of present – an experience! There is a lot of research that shows that experiences actually bring people more happiness than material goods. With three little girls, I often feel like our house is jam packed with toys galore and increasingly resembles a large playroom! I recently, also, read the statistic that the average child in the developed world owns over 200 toys (wow) but only plays with 12 of them on average per day! I must agree my kids only seem to play with a small percentage of their stuff…Sooooo EXPERIENCE it was.
My daughter LOVES the outdoors, animals (in particular horses) and being active (she has energy to burn – even the head mistress of her school once commented – is she like this all the time? – YES she is!!) …After some researching, it was narrowed down to a choice between husky rides or ski joëring. I decided to follow up on the idea of ski joëring, followed by a fondue – a simple, fun way to combine some of her favourite things – Horses, Skiing & Fondues – despite my English origins she is definitely a local when it comes to food 😉
WHAT IS SKI JOËRING?
For those who don’t know what ski joëring is: Essentially you are towed behind a horse on skis. The horse has a small harness that you hold on to. Initially you start off slowly, via a small trot so you can introduce yourself to the activity. Subject to everyone’s ability you finish galloping along snow covered tracks.
WHERE CAN YOU DO IT?
I booked in with Aravis Passion in La Clusaz. They provide ski joëring for children from aged seven. The criteria being that they can ski up to a one star/yeti one level. We opted for the “Formule Découverte” – the discovery formula. It’s 55 € / person and takes 1h30 of which there is 1h of activity, with a 15 min safety explanation before setting off and 15 min to care/groom the horses at the end. There are 2 people per horse and the full group consists of 2 to 9 people maximum.
The following two photos are from : Aravis Passion
WHAT DO YOU YOU NEED?
You need to be equipped like you are going skiing – ski clothes including gloves, helmet, ski boots and skis.
PRACTICAL INFO
The communication preceding the activity was smooth and clear with a final confirmation the night before by SMS, clearing explaining everything including where we should park. The timings were slightly modified to take into consideration the weather (and an incoming storm 😉 which we were also keen to avoid).
THE DAY ITSELF
We arrived “en mass” as a full family, fifteen minutes before the activity was due to start (including an ill younger sister who had thrown up twice en route, but still insisted on coming along, all part of the joys of la famille nombreuse 😉 and a granny with a broken arm !!!) . My daughter was super excited and told us “this was the best present EVER“!!!
Upon arrival, there is a mini farm with hens, pigs, rabbits, sheep and goats…providing entertainment for all the family.
The group was composed with mixture of adults and kids. The instructor mixed everyone according to age/ability/affinity and briefed them accordingly – reassuring us that the instructions he had given the adults didn’t apply to our kids. My daughter got to go at the front of the group and pair up with the instructor, Julien – she was in heaven.
The group set off to go on their seven kilometer adventure in the snow-covered fields above La Clusaz and the surrounding winter wonderland, crossing streams and winding through forests.
We decided to get some fresh air and walk along the ideally located pedestrian track nearby, to see them come back (and hopefully revive the afore mentioned younger sister who we had propped up in a sledge). The fresh air did us all the world of good and it was great to see them hurtling back 45 mins later – smiles galore!
WOULD I RECOMMMEND IT?
Absolutely. Aravis Passion are a professional, friendly team and they clearly love what they do. This shines through. The horses are beautiful and clearly well looked after. The location is idyllic – a true winter wonderland. My daughter was in paradise and LOVED EVERY SECOND.
A LIGHT LUNCH AFTERWARDS 😉
After all this fresh air and exercise, the icing on cake was a fondue at Le Foly. Le Foly is one of our favourite, family-friendly restaurants in the area. Its location is simply fabulous, located up at les confins overlooking the lake and surrounded in every direction by mountains. Whatever season you go there – the food, the service and the location never disappoint us. In the winter, you are greeted by a roaring open fire and a true, cosy, Alpine chalet feel. Our favourite dish in the winter is of course the fondue – which has become a firm favourite of my eldest daughter.
To book the Ski Joëring with Aravis Passion:
To eat at the restaurant Le Foly:
If you have any comments, feedback or suggestions please share.
