26.08
2011 Mountain activities

Challenging and fun, climbing is one of the summer’s most popular activities.  Adapted to all ages and all fitness levels, climbing attracts everyone with a taste for adventure and a desire to defy gravity.  A sport for the whole family to enjoy.

Challenging and fun, climbing is one of the summer’s most popular activities.  Adapted to all ages and all fitness levels, climbing attracts everyone with a taste for adventure and a desire to defy gravity.  A sport for the whole family to enjoy.

On the cliffs or on artificial climbing walls, climbing is a challenging test of skill and strength, a game whose objective is to go higher and higher.  Climbing attracts kids and adults alike, and can be practiced on different types of structures.  Bouldering, one of the disciplines en vogue, consists of climbing on walls several metres high, using quick movements, without a harness but with a protective mat on the ground. Bouldering is an accessible climbing style for everyone. Many climbing enthusiasts attend climbing schools, designated zones with access to all the necessary equipment, where one can climb on natural cliffs with access to safety checkpoints.  Climbing schools are ideal for beginners who are looking to get a taste of what climbing is all about or perfect their techniques ; all while climbing to a moderate height in natural surroundings.  For those who want to go further, the major climbing routes offer spectacular panoramic views and stretch hundreds of metres above the ground.  Finally, in numerous mountain stations, artificial climbing walls allow the climber to test out the activity on structures of approximately twelve metres.   

The joy of defying gravity, the satisfaction of completing a tough ascent, the spine-tingling sensation of seeing the empty space below, the physical effort… climbing is a complete sport that allows each practitioner to test his own limits.  With a grading system going from 3 (easy) up to 9 (very difficult), setting a personal objective is straightforward. Naturally, climbing requires safety equipment (helmet and harness), and it is essential to practice the sport accompanied by an instructor or someone who masters the technique.  Challenging and reinvigorating, it is a sport you will love.  And the fun isn’t reserved for adults : kids also love the challenge of climbing, playing Spiderman, testing their weight and flexibility.  In all of the mountain stations, at the guide office or climbing schools, one can find qualified instructors ready to share their knowledge and passion for climbing ; and provide the necessary guidance in order to practice the sport safely.  So for your next mountain holiday, discover this exceptional, spectacular sport !

Photos : P.Schreyer, P.Royer, T.Legrand

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