Alps Summer Road Trip - What to do?
Discussion
Just picked up an F90 M5 and its only done 2k. Am planning on a summer Alps trip to stretch its legs, should be great fun on the twisties!
This is my first Alps trip with my girlfriend of two years (mid forties both divorced), She has never been to the alps and doesn't ski/board etc but I have been countless times snowboarding, mountain biking and motorbike trips. After me banging on about how lovely it is there we are going to go for a week in mid July.
She is a keen walker so we are heading to Val d'Isere and Tignes for a few days which I know well and will do some walking in the alps as you can catch the chairlifts etc up the mountains and there are approved trail walks in the quietness.
I am not sure exactly where to stay. I prefer Val d'Isere to Tignes as its more scenic but its very quiet in the summer, in Tignes there is more to do on the lake and around it and its just more lively.
I also want to take her over the Col de L'Iseran and maybe down to Bonneval Sur Arc just to experience going over the Col really. Also am in two minds whether to make it up as I go along or plan all hotels now. We are away for 9 days.
The other idea is do the Val D/Tignes/Col De L'Iseran thing then head back to Bourg St Maurice and take the road to Courmeyer via La Thuile (is this open in the summer as if I do it now on google maps its has a 150km detour??) and then onto Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Tunnel and take her to the Aguille Du Midi and then home from there.
All ideas welcome or advice would be great. Thanks in advance
This is my first Alps trip with my girlfriend of two years (mid forties both divorced), She has never been to the alps and doesn't ski/board etc but I have been countless times snowboarding, mountain biking and motorbike trips. After me banging on about how lovely it is there we are going to go for a week in mid July.
She is a keen walker so we are heading to Val d'Isere and Tignes for a few days which I know well and will do some walking in the alps as you can catch the chairlifts etc up the mountains and there are approved trail walks in the quietness.
I am not sure exactly where to stay. I prefer Val d'Isere to Tignes as its more scenic but its very quiet in the summer, in Tignes there is more to do on the lake and around it and its just more lively.
I also want to take her over the Col de L'Iseran and maybe down to Bonneval Sur Arc just to experience going over the Col really. Also am in two minds whether to make it up as I go along or plan all hotels now. We are away for 9 days.
The other idea is do the Val D/Tignes/Col De L'Iseran thing then head back to Bourg St Maurice and take the road to Courmeyer via La Thuile (is this open in the summer as if I do it now on google maps its has a 150km detour??) and then onto Chamonix and the Mont Blanc Tunnel and take her to the Aguille Du Midi and then home from there.
All ideas welcome or advice would be great. Thanks in advance
Have a look for a Via Ferrata climb - something different to enjoy in the mountains in the sun 
https://www.ultimatefrance.com/via-ferrata/french-...
https://www.ultimatefrance.com/via-ferrata/french-...
As you say Val is very quiet apart from it being one big building site during the “off” season. Only one bread shop open and full of workmen getting sandwiches. Tignes is slightly better small market and more shops open. Bourg is still alive but lots of places closed but more choice of restaurants etc, so practically Bourg wins but it’s not in the mountains is it?
If you want peace and quiet then it’s up the mountain, but if you want to eat out it’s restricted.
If you want peace and quiet then it’s up the mountain, but if you want to eat out it’s restricted.
Edited by leyorkie on Wednesday 16th March 19:02
If consider splitting my time between France and Switzerland if going in the summer. A lot of the French resorts are lacking in character during the summer (as has already been mentioned) and the benefits they deliver in winter (more terrain, cheaper accommodation) are less relevant out of season.
Watch out for the police of speeding though.
Watch out for the police of speeding though.
Road (Petite St Bernard) to La Thuile is open in summer, and well worth doing.
Worth going beyond Bonneval sur Arc to Lac du Mont Cenis for a day out.
As said Val is very quiet in summer. Other resorts such as Morzine will be much more lively as lots of walking/biking takes place.
The 3 valleys resorts may also have more going on.
Worth going beyond Bonneval sur Arc to Lac du Mont Cenis for a day out.
As said Val is very quiet in summer. Other resorts such as Morzine will be much more lively as lots of walking/biking takes place.
The 3 valleys resorts may also have more going on.
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