What activities can you do on holiday?

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What activities can you do on holiday? The best choice depends on the season, the weather, your budget and who you are travelling with. Walking, cycling, swimming, cultural visits, family games and creative workshops are simple options. In the mountains, you can also ski, snowshoe, mountain bike, explore lakes or spend time at an aquatic centre. A balanced day usually combines movement, discovery and genuine rest.

This guide provides practical ideas for summer, winter and school holidays, whether you are travelling as a family, a couple, with friends or alone. For more help planning an Alpine break, read our guide to mountain holidays.

How do you choose a holiday activity?

Ask four questions before filling your schedule: who is taking part, how much time do you have, what is your budget and what weather is forecast? The activity should suit the least experienced person in the group and the age of any children.

What you want	Good choices	Typical budget	Wet-weather alternative
Fresh air and exercise	Walking, cycling, swimming, snowshoeing	Free to moderate	Swimming pool or indoor climbing
Family time	Picnic, sledging, treasure hunt, games	Free to moderate	Cinema, library or cookery workshop
Discover the destination	Village, heritage, market, museum	Often free or inexpensive	Guided visit or exhibition
Excitement	Skiing, mountain biking, rafting, via ferrata	Moderate to high	Bowling, indoor surfing or ice skating
Slow down	Reading, photography, spa, yoga	Free to high	Board games, a film or crafts

25 activities to do on holiday

Outdoor activities

Go for a walk or hike: choose a marked route with a suitable distance and ascent.
Cycle or mountain bike: a short loop can reveal a village, valley or forest from a new angle.
Plan a picnic: combine an easy walk with lunch in a permitted area and take all rubbish away.
Go swimming: use a supervised lake, pool or aquatic centre.
Try a water activity: canoeing, paddleboarding, rafting or fishing, depending on ability and local conditions.

Culture and discovery

Visit a museum or exhibition to understand local history and skills.
Explore a village through its architecture, chapels and viewpoints.
Browse a local market and build a meal around regional produce.
Join a workshop in cookery, pottery, photography or wildlife discovery.
Make a travel journal with photographs, drawings and favourite addresses.

Activities for families and friends

Organise a treasure hunt suited to the children’s ages.
Hold a games tournament with cards, pétanque, badminton or board games.
Try a high-ropes course or climbing on a supervised route.
Watch wildlife with a guide who can help protect animals and habitats.
Visit the cinema, bowling alley or ice rink when the weather changes.

Quiet activities and things to do at home

Reading during the summer holidays in Courchevel

Read for pleasure and set aside screen-free time.
Cook together using a local recipe.
Create something through drawing, music, crafts or a photo album.
Learn a skill such as a language, photography, cookery or first aid.
Take a proper break with a nap, yoga, spa session or phone-free walk.

Mountain activities

Ski or snowboard on pistes suited to your level and book a lesson if you are a beginner.
Go snowshoeing to discover snowy forests at a gentler pace.
Try sledging or dog sledding and check age restrictions when booking.
Hike or mountain bike in summer on a route that matches your fitness.
Choose an indoor activity such as swimming, wellness, climbing or indoor surfing.

What can you do on a mountain holiday?

The mountains are not only for skiing. They combine sport, nature, heritage, food and relaxation in every season. French mountain areas recorded 43.1 million overnight stays in summer 2023. The figure was stable compared with 2022, while stays by non-resident visitors rose by 7.8%, according to INSEE.

In winter 2023, the French Alps recorded 18.2 million overnight stays in hotels and other collective accommodation, 4.9% more than in winter 2019. These figures help explain why lessons and limited-capacity activities should be booked early during school holidays.

Period	Activities in Courchevel	Best for	Practical advice
Winter	Skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledging, cross-country skiing	Families, couples, active travellers	Book lessons and equipment before arrival
Summer	Hiking, mountain biking, lakes, via ferrata, rafting, heritage	Families, friends, active travellers	Start early and check the mountain forecast
All year	Aquamotion, swimming, wellness, climbing, skating, food	All travellers	Check seasonal opening times
Bad weather	Library, cinema, bowling, cookery, games	Families and groups	Keep one indoor option in the plan

Explore more activities in Courchevel, ideas for Courchevel in summer and our guide to Courchevel in winter.

What can families do during the holidays?

With children, plan one main activity per half-day and leave some unstructured time. Alternate effort, play and recovery.

Young children: a short walk, playground, sledging, supervised swimming or crafts.
Teenagers: mountain biking, climbing, rafting, an escape game or indoor surfing.
Several generations: panoramic walk, market, picnic, village visit or Savoyard meal.
A quiet day: swimming pool, library, board games, cookery or cinema.

See our advice for family holidays.

What can you do on holiday on a small budget?

A successful day might simply combine a walk, a picnic and a village visit. Free or inexpensive ideas include:

a walk on a marked trail;
a bike ride using your own equipment;
a picnic and wildlife watching;
a village, market or chapel visit;
reading, photography or a travel journal;
cards, pétanque or a treasure hunt;
swimming at an authorised, supervised site.

What can you do when it rains?

Keep an indoor backup and only head outside during a break in the weather when conditions are safe. In Courchevel, Aquamotion, indoor climbing, ice skating, bowling, the cinema and the library offer varied alternatives.

How to prepare safely for a mountain activity

Check the forecast and, in winter, the avalanche bulletin.
Choose a route for the least experienced participant.
Confirm opening times and conditions with the tourist office or provider.
Carry water, sun protection, warm layers and suitable footwear.
Tell someone your route before an isolated outing.
Use a qualified professional for technical or unsecured terrain.

Local advice from Avila Courchevel

Based in Saint-Bon Courchevel, Avila recommends keeping each day realistic: one major activity, one easy discovery and time to rest. During school holidays, book lessons, guided outings and limited-capacity activities first, then keep enough flexibility for the weather and the group’s energy.

Frequently asked questions about activities on holiday

What is the best holiday activity?

The best activity matches the group’s interests and ability. Walking, cycling, swimming and heritage visits are easy to adapt. In the mountains, combine one active experience with something calmer.

What activities are good for summer holidays?

Walking, mountain biking, swimming, canoeing, rafting, climbing, markets and village visits are excellent choices. Start strenuous activities early and check the risk of thunderstorms.

What can you do on a winter holiday without skiing?

Try snowshoeing, sledging, cross-country skiing or dog sledding. Indoor choices include swimming, spa treatments, skating, bowling, climbing and the cinema.

Which holiday activities are free?

Walking, picnics, village visits, reading, games and photography are usually free. Always check local access and parking rules.

Should Courchevel activities be booked?

Booking is recommended for ski lessons, guided trips, rafting, via ferrata, paragliding, dog sledding and some Aquamotion activities.

Plan your stay in Courchevel

Choose accommodation close to the activities that matter most to your group. Explore our guide to things to do in Courchevel and our Courchevel holiday rentals.