When winter arrives, some travelers have only one idea in mind: to go to a ski resort to enjoy the snow and the many possible outdoor activities. And the good thing is that there is something for everyone. The regulars join the slopes to get a good dose of sensations, but those who discover the world of the mountain for the first time can be reassured! It is quite possible to have a good time in this remarkable natural environment, via activities that require very little skill. Here is a summary of possible activities in the mountains, for all publics. And to leave with peace of mind, don't forget to be well insured.
What activities for an experienced skier?
Before seeing why it is important to be well insured before going to the mountains, let's take a look at the activities not to be missed by vacationers who are comfortable on powder snow. In the Alps, the Pyrenees, the Vosges, the Jura or even in Auvergne, alpine skiing enthusiasts will always find beautiful slopes to practice their favorite winter activity. Be careful to evaluate your level from the start, in order to make the right decision when choosing a green, blue, red or black run. This is essential to avoid putting yourself in danger.
Want to vary the pleasures a little? Why not try mogul skiing? Be careful, this practice requires real technical and physical abilities to avoid injury, but the sensations are definitely there. In Alpes d'Huez for example, the Tunnel slope is full of surprises. Mogul skiing is similar to another trendy activity for experienced skiers: freestyle skiing! It is often practiced in snowparks or off-piste, and allows you to let your imagination run free to achieve combinations of figures. The resort of Vars, in the Hautes-Alpes, has a snowpark of choice. For those who are more into freeride skiing, i.e. off-piste skiing, the Pic du Midi in the Pyrenees has a descent ranked among the 50 most beautiful freeride ski sites in the world! Finally, there is snowboarding, a practice that has become as common as alpine skiing for many years. For an introduction or to practice in complete freedom, head for La Plagne, Grand-Serre-Chevalier or Avoriaz, the European capital of snowboarding.
What to do when discovering the mountain world for the first time?
People who have never skied before can also feel a deep desire to join the mountains in winter. Because the snow that covers the ground and the relief is sublime, especially on sunny days. Also because of the festive and friendly atmosphere that reigns in the resorts. In addition, many activities are offered to those who do not know how to ski or who simply do not like it.
First of all, wherever you are, the bars provide deckchairs to enjoy the panoramas and the sun. There are even high altitude restaurants, like in Courchevel for example.
In the mountains, paths are accessible to pedestrians for quiet walks in the snow. Not to mention the beautiful cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. The best places to enjoy these soft practices in France are the resort of Lac Blanc in the Vosges, Grandvaux in the Jura, the Queyras Natural Park in the Alps and the ascent of Dourmidou in the Catalan Pyrenees Regional Natural Park.
Other ways to enjoy the beautiful mountain scenery include dog sledding, snowmobiling, but also a number of fun activities to enjoy with family or friends, such as sledding and tobogganing.
One important point to remember when deciding to go on vacation in the mountains in winter, outdoor activities such as downhill skiing, snowboarding, freestyle skiing and even sledding and cross-country skiing are not without risk. No one is safe from a bad fall in these slippery lands. Even if the majority of accidents are not serious, it is recommended to be insured to avoid expenses that could affect your budget.
How to go to the mountains while being well protected?
Some travelers don't know it, but insurance and travel assistance are part of the services associated with a bank card. It is therefore interesting to take stock of this subject before considering a ski vacation, because yes, the level of coverage depends on the card you have and your bank. While online banks are popular because of their financial advantages and their ease of use, the online bank Orange Bank has developed a card with countless advantages for globetrotters: the Premium card (1). It's simple, this card has everything it takes to be the best ally during stays in the mountains, thanks to its "snow and mountain" guarantee (2). One objective: leave with peace of mind and make the most of your trip!
A special feature of Orange Bank: the snow and mountain guarantee
The Orange Bank Premium card offers interesting advantages to travelers who like to spend time in the mountains in winter. The "snow and mountain guarantee" provides coverage without mileage deductible in the event of an accident while skiing, snowboarding, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing. It applies to all those who practice mountain activities as amateurs.
It provides for the reimbursement of medical costs, medication and hospitalization in France; the cost of ski passes, ski lessons and mountain rescue; the cost of renting equipment from a professional rental company in the event of breakage of the insured's personal equipment; and finally, the cost of repairs in the event of breakage or theft of equipment rented from a professional rental company.
The Orange Bank Premium card offers many advantages to all those who like to spend their vacations in the mountains, but also to travel the world. For €7.99/month + €100 (3) welcome bonus*, you get one of the most generous banking offers on the market and an innovative application (4). Guarantees cover :
Loss, theft and damage to luggage
Delayed transportation
Hospitalization and repatriation
Civil liability
Trip modification, cancellation or interruption
Vehicle rental
The card and the application also facilitate financial management during trips with the possibility of consulting the balance in real time (5), contactless payments (6), sending and requesting money by SMS (7) and personalizing the card code.
(1) Chargeable card issued after agreement with Orange Bank. See conditions and rates in force in the contractual documentation.
(2) Insurances included in the Premium card subscribed with Mutuaide Assistance, Groupama Paris Val de Loire. Guarantees within the limits and conditions of the information notice.
(3) A €50 bonus: for 10 or more card transactions (payments or withdrawals) made with a Premium card before the end of the month following the opening of afirst Orange Bank account with a Premium card and/or a Premium Pack, between 03/02/22 and 05/10/22, with an extension until 01/02/23. One bonus per person credited within 30 days of the 10th transaction. A bonus of €50: for the debiting of an Orange bill on afirst Orange Bank account opened with a Premium card and/or a Premium Pack, between 03/02/22 and 01/02/23, provided that this debiting occurs within 3 months of the account opening. One premium per person credited within 30 days following the presentation of the direct debit.
(4) Orange Bank application to be downloaded on the mobile, available only on Android and iOS, with compatible mobile equipment (Android 5 or higher with a version of the Orange Bank application greater than or equal to 3.3.0 and a Google account, or iPhone 6 or higher with iOS 10 or higher and an iCloud account).
(5) Subject to conditions and merchant payment rules. Balance given as an indication. See conditions on orangebank.com.
(6) See conditions and limits on the Orange Bank app and in the contractual documentation.
(7) Orange Bank sends an SMS to the payer at the customer's request to invite him/her to make a payment to the customer on an Orange Bank space on orangebank.fr.
Partnership sponsored by Orange Bank
See conditions on orangebank.fr - Orange Bank - 572 043 800 RCS Bobigny
