The Ultimate France magazine is where we write up the trips, the kit and the ideas that don’t fit neatly into a destination guide — adventure sports in France as we actually find them, season by season.
Expect trip reports and gear tests from both ends of the country: a night train from Paris to the Tarentaise, a 24-hour splitboarding mission above Chamonix, the best off-piste descents in the French Alps, and what an electric mountain bike really changes on a Provençal enduro trail. When a piece covers ground in depth it feeds back into the main guides — skiing in the French Alps, mountain biking in the French Alps, surfing in South West France and Provence.
Everything here comes from skiing, riding and surfing in France rather than reading about it, so expect straight opinions on what’s worth your time and what isn’t. New pieces land through the season — snow from December, bikes and waves through the summer.
The Travelski Night Express Sleeper Train London to the Tarentaise Valley by sleeper train — an overnight ride to eight days on the slopes. The Travelski Night Express is the sleeper train the French Alps has been waiting for — a Friday-night departure from Paris that drops you at the foot of some of France’s … Read more
Just as the January blues hit northern Europe with full force, Jones Snowboards releases Octopus, transporting us to the lesser-known heights of Chamonix and firing up our passion for adventure. Join Julien ‘Pica’ Henry and his French friends as they take on a formidable 24 hour mission in the northern French Alps. See it as … Read more
The French Alps Must-Ski List After 7 months of serious snow withdrawal symptoms, I am soooo excited about the fast approaching ski season. Even before the summer was over, I was already obsessively planning my winter’s skiing. This winter I’ve decided to keep it classy…ish – I’m going to mainly get my skis on in … Read more
These 8 essential yoga poses are designed to improve your flexibility and build strength and balance to help get you fit for skiing and keep you injury free. Skiing and yoga are two activities at opposite ends of the spectrum. Where skiing is fast and exhilarating, yoga is calm and meditative. Although very different, both … Read more
The French Alps Off-Piste Must-Ski List If you’re a skier looking to add a touch of adventure to your next season, it might be time to up your game and head off-piste. Step away from the crowds and experience the mountain as it’s supposed to be experienced. After all, there’s nothing as exhilarating as going … Read more
Enduro MTB in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence The hills behind Forcalquier in the southern France’s Alpes-de-Haute-Provence are renowned for their quality cross-country mtb trails. But bikers who favour more consistent downward gradient are taken care of too. Philippe Leouffre from rando-alpes-haute-provence.fr heads out with local rider Mathieu Vincent to discover the Montagne de Lure Enduro trail. No … Read more
The world of mountain biking can’t sit still for a minute. Wheels are getting bigger, tyres are getting fatter, geometry’s getting slacker and pedal power is getting a power up. It’s a bewildering landscape for any newcomer to the sport. But, the e-bike phenomenon is cutting through the noise and sparking the interest of an … Read more
Hossegor Surfers perform the Bikram yoga eagle pose | © Laurent Pujol Photographie Backstory My name is Kevin Olsen and after 28 years of surfing my body decided enough was enough. I’d put myself through massive periods of stress with no real recovery program and my body was feeling the pinch. Physically the sport of … Read more
Once you try trail running, there’s no going back! Ultramarathon runner Dan Chabert talks us through what it takes to get into trail running, from choosing your first trail to running your first race. I’ve been a runner for most of my life, and it wasn’t until I had been running for nearly a decade-plus … Read more
Sam Hill and Cecile Ravanel each take the win after 2 days of gruelling racing at the Enduro World Series in Valberg The seventh round of the Enduro World Series will be remembered as the race where Sam Hill earned his enduro stripes. In a race that promised drama from the start thanks to an … Read more