All winter long, you've been dreaming of summer, shivering under your plaid. Now that it's here, you find it a little too warm for your taste... Life is definitely tough for those who only feel good at 23°C! Lack of energy, the desire to do nothing, the unpleasant feeling of wasting your day by staying indoors with the shutters closed... Trust us, we've got the solution!
Yes, it's hot out there, but we've got a 3-part action plan to help you lower the temperature. Say goodbye to the stifling heat of the city and the unpleasant smell of burning asphalt; hello to a cool vacation in La Plagne!
Strategy n°1: take refuge in the shade of the forest
Close your eyelids and imagine you're walking along a path that leads into the woods. A few more steps and you're there. In the shade of the trees, your skin cools, your eyes rest sheltered from the sun's aggressive rays, the gurgling of streams sounds like a caress to your ears.
The forest acts like a giant parasol! Here, sun protection is natural. Less constraints, just exploration, games (and a good sylvotherapy cure in the process).
💡 3 ideas for forest walks: le chemin du Bois de la Follie (in Montchavin-les-Coches, easy level), le sentier du Bois des Fornettes (in Montalbert, easy level), les Gorges de la Pontille (in Champagny-en-Vanoise, intermediate level).
Strategy n°2: gain altitude
Did you know that air temperature drops by around 1°C every 100 m? Doesn't that make you want to go higher? Here are two ideas for spending your days in the cool:
- Express version: take the Roche de Mio gondola, then the Glaciers gondola to reach Live 3000a space for contemplation located below the summit of Bellecôte, at an altitude of 3,080 m.
Up there, take your time! Admire the panoramic view of Mont-Blanc and the Vanoise glaciers, indulge in a sweet or savoury treat at the Le Sixième Ciel restaurant... or warm your hands with a cup of chocolate (unusual in the middle of summer!). - Slow hiking version: opt for all hiking itineraries that lead to high altitude passes. Not only will it be cool there, but you'll also benefit from the draughts that often blow hard in these exposed areas.
💡 3 ideas for hikes to high-altitude passes: Col de la Chiaupe (sporty level, from Montchavin - Les Coches or Champagny-en-Vanoise), climb to Mont Jovet (intermediate level, from Plagne Centre, or Champagny-en-Vanoise), Col du Lac (sporty level, from Montalbert).
🗺️ See maps of hiking trails around La Plagne.
Strategy no. 3: Live on love... but especially on fresh water!
For the greatest ills, the greatest means: for an immediate burst of freshness, take to the water! And not just any water: Isère water, straight from the Vanoise glaciers (the Isère rises in Val d'Isère, at the aptly named Glacier des Sources de l'Isère, beneath the Grande Aiguille Rousse). Icicle effect guaranteed, even if protected from head to toe by your thick wetsuit designed for whitewater swimming (or Hydrospeed)...
Another refreshing idea for adventurers at heart: canyoning. There are no rapids here, but rather steep, winding gorges at the bottom of which flows a river that can be explored by walking, swimming or jumping... Among the natural "obstacles" you'll have to face are slides and abseiling descents! A real thrill, literally and figuratively.
👉 Whitewater swimming is accessible to all, including beginners and children (discovery sessions from 10/12 years). Canyoning, meanwhile, is available from the age of 8. All you need is to be able to swim... and to listen carefully to your guide's advice!
👀 Read also the article 3 swimsuits to pack this summer (+ 1 to forget...)
👀 Read also the article Le grand frisson: cool activities
🌿Fighting heatstroke at source: best practices for planet-friendly vacations
The fight against global warming doesn't stop when the vacations begin. For a more sustainable holiday:
- Use soft mobility(train, public transport...) to get to your vacation rental.
- Choose recently built or renovated accommodation with good energy performance.
- Keep the good habits you already have at home: sort your waste, avoid buying over-packaged products, go for local and seasonal food at mealtimes, don't overdo the extended showers, prefer renting (or second-hand) to buying when possible etc.
👀 Read also 5 tips for leaving no trace behind (when hiking, skiing...)
