Location The chalet is in the ski station of Ste Foy at an altitude of 1550 metres. The main village of Ste Foy is 3km down the hill. Children The local tourist office organises free daily summer activities in the resort for children: e.g. nature walks, pony trekking, cycling, outdoor games, badminton, table-tennis, acrobatics, swingball, petanque competitions, canoeing, orienteering, climbing, etc. If you don't mind a short drive you will find fun 'parcours aventure' areas where zip wires, ropes and climbing have been constructed in the trees, and there is a swimming lake with a small beach and childrens' playpark in the valley near Aime. The chalet and apartment have cots, a high chair and toilet-seat trainer. Swimming Near to the chalet, one of the spa centres in Ste Foy has an indoor swimming pool which is open to the public. There are also open-air and indoor swimming pools in Bourg St Maurice, and a lovely swimming lake with beach near Aime. Walking Guides to the walks around Ste Foy are available from the tourist office which is open every day. Favourite walks include to Le Monal, a 'site historique', a relatively gentle and push-chair friendly excursion through stunning scenery, with opportunities to picnic by the river. Continue to Le Fenil for views of the glaciers or, if you have the legs for it, up to the Lac du Clou in the hanging valley above Le Monal. The more adventurous could try some of the 'via ferrata' routes - favourites are in Val d'Isere or on the Cormet de Roseland. Guided walks, often free, are regularly organised by the Tourist Office. There are family-friendly walks, forest walks, wildlife walks, tours of local peaks or glaciers, or of the famous local Baroque churches. Pony Trekking There are a choice of different rides and a variety of sizes of pony for all sizes and standards. Biking In summer 2008 the Grand Plan chairlift is open for mountain bikers three days per week. There is a new downhill mountain bike course as well. Most of the walking tracks double as mountain bike tracks and there are a vast array of tracks and paths. The area's best freeride descents are around the chalet. If you prefer road biking we have many guests who have coincided their stay with the Tour de France. Try some of the classic climbs for yourself such as the Col del'Iseran, Cormet de Roseland and Col de la Madeleine. Mountain bikes can be hired in resort and local guides are available if required. Nearby Les Arcs runs more skilifts for hikers and bikers in the summer, and is renowned for having hundreds of kilometres of marked bike pistes. From easy greens to world class competition descents, there is something to suit all levels of ability. Climbing There are several 'Via Ferrata' routes nearby, sport climbing on nearby rock outcrops (French grades from 4 to 8a) and high alpine mountaineering around two of the highest peaks in the Vanoise - Monts Pourri and Sassiere. The Tourist Office and local Guides run 'taster' sessions if you want to try rock climbing or Via Ferrata for the first time. Groups are taken and all equipment supplied. There is an indoor climbing wall in the resort. Relaxing Just sit on the chalet's terrace, which faces south and west, or at the picnic table outside the apartment, and enjoy the spectacular, uninterrupted views of the mountains. For more serious relaxation, there are two spa centres offering heated indoor swimming pools, hot tubs, saunas, steam rooms and a variety of treatments. Watersports The Isere river in the valley bottom and Bourg St Maurice are home to world class canoeing with instruction available for all levels. White water rafting is also available with the new adrenaline sports of hydro-speeding and canyoning. The Tourist Office offer group 'taster' sessions to try out these sports. The swimming lake at Aime, complete with a small beach, is a very popular suntrap. Other activities Other activities available locally are fishing, horse riding, outdoor badminton and table tennis, volleyball, paragliding (tandem jumps are popular), tennis (in Ste Foy main village), pilates, golf (courses in Les Arcs and Tignes), glacier skiing (in Tignes) and husky walking! Eating In A small but well stocked local supermarket sells all the essentials and is open seven days a week. Next door is a boulangerie/patisserie, and there is a newsagent which stocks English newspapers. The nearest large supermarket for your self-catering needs is the Super-U in Bourg St Maurice. There is also a variety of small shops in the main village of Ste Foy, plus a regular small village market (wednesdays 5-8p.m.). Eating Out        There are four restaurants serving modern or traditional Savoyard food in the resort. They all have bars if you just want a drink and there is often live music. There are more bars, restaurants and cafes in the main village of Ste Foy and other neighbouring villages such as Seez. A short drive away, the restaurant at Le Crot is a favourite, with traditional dishes cooked on an open fire in front of you. Or try Chez Merie, in Le Miroir - it has been described by reviewers as one of the best restaurants in the Alps.    Inside and outside views of Restaurant Le Crot Back to Summer Menu