15 Things to Do in Val Cenis in Winter Beyond Skiing
Val Cenis sits in the Haute-Maurienne, at the foot of the Mont-Cenis pass. According to the resort's tourist office, its ski domain climbs from roughly 1,400 to 2,800 metres across 125 km of pistes. Yet plenty of visitors arrive with no intention of clipping into skis at all. This guide focuses on things to do in Val Cenis in winter for visitors who are not planning to ski.
If you are looking for things to do in Val Cenis in winter away from the groomed runs, the choice is far wider than it first appears. This Val Cenis France winter guide gathers fifteen snow activities, cultural visits and family outings spread across the five villages of the valley. Our sled dogs appear in it too, since our activity sites are less than twenty minutes from the resort.
15 Things to Do in Val Cenis in Winter Beyond Skiing
Reading time: ~8 min
Why Val Cenis Suits Non-Skiers
Val Cenis is not a single purpose-built station but a group of five mountain villages: Bramans, Sollières-Sardières, Termignon, Lanslebourg and Lanslevillard. Each has its own history, architecture and local producers. That structure is exactly what makes Val Cenis activities for non-skiers so varied.
You can spend a morning on a snowshoe itinerary through larch forest, an afternoon in a baroque chapel and an evening at a concert, without ever buying a lift pass. The resort also borders the Parc National de la Vanoise, which keeps the surrounding landscape close to genuine national park wilderness rather than a continuous run of lifts and buildings.
The altitude range matters too. The snowpack holds well on the upper slopes while the villages themselves stay walkable, so a family-friendly mountain resort stay can mix high-altitude viewpoints with low-level strolls depending on the weather and on the energy levels of the group.
15 Things to Do in Val Cenis Besides Skiing
From mushing to baroque heritage, here is the full list of Val Cenis activities for non-skiers.
1. Take a Sled Dog Discovery Ride
A guided ride behind a team is the simplest way into the world of mushing. You sit in the sled, the musher drives, and the only sound is the runners on the snow. Our discovery rides are detailed on our sled dog discovery rides page.
2. Learn to Drive a Team Yourself
Val Cenis dog sledding does not have to be passive. On an introduction to sled driving, you stand on the runners, learn the commands, manage the brake and feel how a team of Alaskan huskies and Eurohounds responds. More experienced visitors can move on to a skills session.
3. Visit Our Dogs at Home
Some travellers come for the animals rather than the speed. A visit to the dogs' home means meeting the teams where they live, hearing how they train, rest and recover, and understanding the breeds and personalities behind the harnesses. Our approach is built on mid-distance racing with longer rest periods for the dogs, and everything we do starts with their wellbeing.
4. Go Snowshoeing
Val Cenis snowshoeing opens up the snow-covered villages, forests and plateaux at a slow pace. Marked routes allow independent walking, and accompanied outings with a mountain leader are available for those who prefer guidance on route choice and snow conditions.
5. Walk the Canopée des Cimes
The Val Cenis Canopée des Cimes is a panoramic walkway set at around 2,800 metres, with an altitude viewpoint over the Lac du Mont-Cenis and the surrounding peaks. Skiers reach it from the Met chairlift, and it remains one of the most photogenic stops in the resort.
6. Try the Toboggan Run
Val Cenis tobogganing is centred on a 900 metre toboggan run reached from the Val Cenis le Haut gondola lift. The resort states that it is open from the age of 5 with a compulsory helmet, and evening sessions are sometimes organised on a floodlit run depending on snow conditions.
7. Slide Down on an Inflatable Snow Tube
Val Cenis snowtubing takes place at the top of the same gondola, on a descent of around 60 metres, also from the age of 5 with a helmet. It suits short attention spans and mixed groups who want fun without technique.
Good to know
Several sliding activities in the resort share the same conditions, a minimum age of 5 and a compulsory helmet, so check these details before promising anything to younger children.
8. Switch to Nordic Skiing
Val Cenis cross-country skiing gives access to quiet Nordic areas in Savoie, for classic technique or skating depending on the trails prepared. It is a calmer, more aerobic way to cover ground than alpine skiing and appeals to the same visitors who enjoy trail running or hiking in summer.
9. Climb a Frozen Waterfall
Val Cenis ice climbing is presented by the tourist office as an activity that beginners can discover with the right supervision, crampon and ice axe in hand. Conditions change quickly, so this one always goes through a qualified professional.
10. Fly Over the Valley
Paragliding tandem flights, microlight and helicopter options are offered locally and give a different reading of the terrain, the villages and the ridgelines around Mont-Cenis.
11. Visit the Baroque Chapels and Churches
The Chapelle Saint-Sébastien de Lanslevillard, with painted walls telling scenes from the life of Christ, together with the baroque churches of Termignon and Lanslevillard, form a compact circuit of Savoyard heritage that works well on a grey day.
12. Spend an Hour at the Musée d'Archéologie de Sollières
The museum covers the long history of the village and runs workshops for children, which makes it a useful fallback when the weather closes in.
13. Meet a Local Cheese Producer
Dairy visits, craft workshops and tastings of Savoyard specialities are part of the resort's recommended experiences and give a sense of how the valley works outside tourism.
14. Wander the Five Villages
Walking between Lanslebourg, Termignon and the hamlets around them costs nothing and reveals stone barns, fountains, bread ovens and views towards the Vanoise. It is the quietest entry point to Val Cenis winter experiences.
15. Test an Unusual Snow Craft
The resort also lists yooner, snooc, airboard, mountain kart, wingski, electric mountain bikes on snow, ice diving and snowkite. Availability varies with conditions and providers, so confirm before you plan a day around one of them.
Val Cenis Family Activities in Winter
Family highlights off the slopes
Families tend to want three things: a short travel time, a clear age policy and something children will still talk about weeks later. Tobogganing, snowtubing and the children's areas on the domain cover the first part of the holiday. Meeting sled dogs usually covers the rest. Children can approach the teams calmly, learn how the dogs are fed, harnessed and rested, and see an athlete-animal relationship that has nothing to do with a petting attraction.
Mixed groups and different fitness levels
For mixed groups, including families with teenagers or friends with very different fitness levels, the practical answer is to split roles within the same outing. Some members drive a sled under supervision while others ride as passengers, and everyone shares the same route and the same photographs afterwards.
Comparing the Main Non-Ski Options
Here is a simple comparison of the main non-ski options to help you plan.
Activity | Suits | Physical level | Advance booking |
Sled dog ride or driving session | Families, couples, groups | Low to moderate | Yes |
Snowshoeing with a guide | Walkers, nature lovers | Moderate | Yes |
Tobogganing and snowtubing | Children from 5, teenagers | Low | Usually not |
Cross-country skiing | Active visitors | Moderate to high | Pass required |
Ice climbing | Adventurous adults | High | Yes |
Heritage and museum visits | All profiles, poor weather | Low | Check opening hours |
Winter Events Worth Checking
The resort calendar includes the Festival National d'Accordéon de Val Cenis-Termignon each January, the Nature et Ski event run with the Parc National de la Vanoise, the Tous en Piste season opening, and a programme of concerts, theatre and après-ski culture at the Laurent Gerra auditorium. Dates and programmes change from one season to the next, so the official Val Cenis calendar remains the reference before you build a trip around a specific date.
Important
Lift opening times, trail grooming, snow activities and guided outings all depend on the snowpack, the weather and mountain safety decisions, so confirm conditions with the resort shortly before you travel.
Practical Tips Before You Go
What to pack for Val Cenis in winter
What to do in Val Cenis in winter depends partly on preparation. Waterproof boots with ankle support, layered warm clothing, gloves, a hat, sunglasses and sun cream cover almost every activity on this list. A helmet is required for the sliding activities that provide them. Insurance covering winter sports is sensible if you plan on ice climbing, ski touring or flying.
Book key activities in advance
Booking ahead is the second rule. Supervised activities fill quickly during French and European school holidays, and that applies in particular to the following.
Dog sledding sessions, guided snowshoe outings, ice climbing and tandem flights, all of which depend on small group sizes and qualified staff.
Ski lessons and unusual snow activities, where equipment and time slots are limited.
Dog Sledding Near Val Cenis with Husky Adventure
We are based in the Haute-Maurienne Vanoise, less than twenty minutes from our main activity sites, within reach of Val Cenis, Aussois, Modane and Bonneval-sur-Arc. We run activities in English, in small groups, and we adapt the format to the people in front of us, from a first sled ride to a driving session for those who want to take the reins.
Our four-season programme continues beyond winter with cani-kart, canicross and cani-hiking, and you can reach us through our contact page.
Planning Your Val Cenis Winter Adventure
Val Cenis rewards visitors who look past the lift map. Between the panoramic walkway at altitude, the snowshoe trails through the forest, the toboggan run, the baroque chapels of Lanslevillard and an afternoon spent with sled dogs, a full week of Val Cenis winter activities can be built without a single day on the pistes.
Plan the supervised outings first, keep the museums and village walks as weather-proof alternatives, and leave room for the slower moments that mountain holidays are actually made of.
FAQ
Are your activities run in English?
Yes. We guide in English and provide briefings, safety instructions and explanations about the dogs in English, which matters for visitors travelling from the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium or Scandinavia.
Can a group with very different fitness levels book together?
Yes. Within the same session, some participants can drive a sled while others take part as passengers, so nobody is excluded and the group shares the same experience.
What should I wear for a sled dog activity?
Warm layers, a windproof outer jacket, waterproof trousers, gloves, a hat and boots that cope with snow. Sunglasses are useful on bright days at altitude.
Is it possible to meet the dogs without taking part in a sledding activity?
Yes. A visit focused on the dogs at home allows you to discover how they live, train and rest, which suits visitors who care above all about animal welfare.
Do you operate outside the winter season?
We do. Our programme runs across the four seasons with cani-kart, canicross and cani-hiking, so the dogs stay active and the experience remains available outside the snow months.
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