The Alps are a favourite destination for active holidays all year round, and in spring and summer, water activities are very popular. With crystal-clear lakes and fast-flowing rapids, you’re sure to find a water activity to suit your tastes, whether you’re planning an active break or a family holiday.
From paddle-boarding on Lake Annecy to canyoning in the Giffre, water-skiing on Lac du Bourget or swimming with a view of Mont Blanc, there’s no shortage of ideas to combine relaxation and adventure. Our guide will help you prepare for your next water sports holiday in the Alps!
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The top 4 alpine lakes for water sports
Lake Annecy
With its crystal-clear, turquoise waters surrounded by mountains, Lake Annecy is a picture-perfect setting for your water sports holidays. And its landscaped beaches are the ideal place to combine relaxation, a variety of activities and lakeside walks.
Guests who love water sports have plenty to choose from, including paddle boarding, sailing, water skiing and kayaking. There’s no shortage of rental companies based all around the lake, in Sévrier, Doussard, Talloires and Annecy itself.
Lac aux dames in Samoëns
It is in the heart of the mountains, in the Giffre valley, that you’ll find the calm, leafy setting of the Lac aux Dames, perfect for families and guests looking for the chance to be active in peaceful surroundings. The leisure centre offers pedalo hire, fishing and paddle-boarding, all within easy reach of many other sporting activities in the mountains and valley.
It’s an ideal place for children and beginners to try water sports. What’s more, it’s a friendly place that’s easy to get to from one of the most charming villages in Haute-Savoie.
Combloux biotope lake
Combloux’s natural lake has a stunning view of Mont Blanc and a well-maintained ecosystem. It is the first ecological swimming lake in France, filtered naturally by plants, without any chemical treatment.
Its services and facilities are designed to appeal particularly to families and nature lovers. However, this ecological site is just as appealing to guests looking to combine a little activity with a relaxing environment.
Lac du Bourget
The Lac du Bourget, which lies to the west of Aix-les-Bains and to the north of Chambéry, impresses with its wild beauty. It attracts swimmers as well as water sports enthusiasts of all kinds: sailing, rowing, paddling, diving, etc.
Its well-equipped harbours and beaches make it the perfect destination for sports enthusiasts, families and lovers of the great outdoors. On top of all that, the sunsets are absolutely unforgettable.
Good to know: Lac du Bourget is said to have inspired the writer, poet and historian Alphonse de Lamartine and French Romantic poetry.
The best watersports to try in the Alps
White water sports: rafting, canyoning, hydrospeed
Rafting down rapids, canyoning through a pool or hydrospeeding down a river promises thrills you won’t soon forget.
White water sports in the Alps are a real treat for fans of adrenaline and wilderness. They are aimed at sports enthusiasts, groups of friends and adventurers looking for thrills and challenges in the heart of mountain streams.
Good to know: Hydrospeed, or white-water swimming, involves floating down a river using only a float and flippers. For guaranteed thrills in the rapids!
Family activities: canoeing, pedaloes and paddleboarding
Are you looking for a gentler way to enjoy the water? Canoeing, pedal-boating and paddleboarding are the perfect way to challenge yourself as a family or with friends, without the intensity of other water sports.
These activities are easy, fun and accessible from a very young age, allowing you to explore the Alpine lakes in complete safety. It’s a great way to share a moment together while admiring the sensational scenery for which the Alps are so famous.
Thrills and spills: waterskiing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing
Waterskiing, wakeboarding and kitesurfing are a must for those who love speed and water. These fast-moving disciplines may require a bit of technique, but they reward you with an incomparable sense of freedom.
These water sports are a must for thrill-seekers and those who want to push their limits on the water, in a stunning Alpine setting.
Tips to help you plan your holiday on the water
The perfect time to enjoy water sports in the Alps
The best time to enjoy water sports in the Alps is from May to September. However, this can vary, depending on your destination and activity.
Spring is ideal for rafting and canyoning, as the rivers are swollen by melting snow. In summer, head for the mountain lakes to try swimming, paddle-boarding, kayaking or pedalo. Water-skiing and kitesurfing are best enjoyed from June to August, when the waters are warmer.
Equipment to bring with you
To make the most of your water sports holiday in the Alps, you need to consider what equipment you might need, depending on the activities you plan to try:
- For kayaking, paddling or pedal-boating, light clothing is all you need;
- For rafting, canyoning or hydrospeed, the service providers will supply you with a wetsuit, helmet and lifejacket;
- For water-skiing and kitesurfing, the equipment is usually included if you use a company, but it’s best to find out in advance.
Remember to bring a water bottle, a waterproof bag and, depending on the activity, water shoes and a T-shirt to protect against UV rays. And of course, don’t forget your swimming costume!
Good to know: If you’re staying with children, some of our chalets include all the equipment they’ll need, from bottle warmers to board games. Take a look at our “Cool for Kids” chalets.
Discover our chalets close to lakes
The Alps are an incredible playground offering a wide range of water-based activities, from the calm of a lake to the intensity of a mountain stream. Whether you’re sporty, a nature lover or just planning a holiday with your family, your water sports holiday will be full of discoveries and fun.
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