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TRAVELLER
be a perilous jaunt with smaller kids,
but it’s certainly a source of relief
from the heat. The ice grotto itself
was surprisingly trippy – its walls are
bathed in neon colours and displays
include a stuffed St Bernard dog.
“Touching the ice walls was cool,”
says David, “even though my hands were
totally frozen. That put me off trying to
lick them – I was afraid I might get stuck
in there forever. The crystal museum next
door is worth checking out too.”
Return journey, and visit to grotto and
museum: children €22.30, adults €26.40;
compagniedumontblanc.fr
DAY 2
Our itinerary was fully booked with a bumper
crop of activities offered by Cham Aventure.
These included an introduction to rock climbing
in Gaillands crag, which failed to rock David’s
world, and rafting down the Arve river with Walter
the guide. The latter left my son far more enthused.
“This was really fun,” says David, “because we were
all working as a team. I was a bit scared when we
were swimming alongside the boat and learning
rescue techniques – the river’s water is melted snow
from the glaciers and it felt cold, even with wetsuits.”
Rock climbing, 2½ hours, €40; rafting, 2 hours
(including 45 minutes in the water), €38;
cham-aventure.com
DAY 3
What a scorcher! Just as well we spent the morning
at Planards Leisure Park, a ski slope that in warmer
months is converted into fun rides for adults and kids,
including flying boats, slides and the new rollercoaster
luge on rails. How could you ever choose? It was –
unsurprisingly – a great hit with David: “I loved those
attractions, especially the luge. It’s great that you can
actually choose your speed!”
Free entry. Luge €5.50 per ride, other attractions €1.50
per go; chamonixparc.com
That afternoon, we escaped the sun under the trees
of Parcours Aventure, where there are three zip-line
circuits. “At first, you’re really scared to go flying
through the trees on the zip wire,” says David, “but
once the instructors have taught you tricks, it’s really
easy. By the way, you’re really a wuss, Mum! [I plead
vertigo.] You should have at least tried it!”
Minimum height 1.4m, adults €22, kids €20 (allow 2
hours); parcoursaventurechamonix.com.
DAY 4
As he slowly lurches towards full-blown adolescence,
David and I agree on less and less, so it’s nice that he
and I got an equal kick from the last day’s activity
– hiking through Les Bois woods led by huskies (on
a break from pulling sleighs in winter) that we were
attached to via a harness. The dogs are gorgeous and
their masters, Elizabeth and Christophe (who own
more than 30 of them), make great company. “It was
excellent playing with the huskies before going hiking
with them and chatting to the owners about the
breed,” gushes David. “My dog, Yuka, was the leader of
the pack. I wish our dog at home was half that clever.”
Cani rando half-day: children (7-11) €13, adults €19,
families (2 adults + 2 children), €55; huskydalen.com
If hiking with huskies wasn’t surreal enough, our
trip ends with an even more unexpected mode of
transport in the Alps: we’re taken back to our hotel
on a rickshaw. This, courtesy of Englishman Mark
Gloyne, who runs the Chamshaw taxi service year
round (
chamshaw.com
).
It’s a fitting end to a terrific trip, but what’s David’s
verdict? “This has been the best part of all my holiday,”
he says, “and it’s made me curious about seeing
Chamonix in winter – so you know what you need to
do now, Mum!” I guess I’d better start digging out
those blasted skis. The things you do for your kids, eh?
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CHAMONIX
Getting into the swing
In the driver’s seat
Leading the pack
A raft of possibilities
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