Winter Activities
Winter Activities For Those Staying In Villefranche-sur-mer
You don’t have to limit your visit to the French Riviera only for the summer months. Because Villefranche-sur-Mer is in the heart of the Maritime Alps, you can easily book your stay at Villa Hippocampo during the colder months and take advantage of the many outdoor activities available in the broader area.
Here are some suggestions that should be on your itinerary if you enjoy outdoor activities. Among the highlights are the many ski options in the Alps. Most ski tracks are about an hour or two drive from Villefranche-sur-Mer; other winter activities are tempting and offer much entertainment, some of which we’ll cover here.
Ski at Isola 2000
The main suggestion for any ski enthusiast is to visit Isola 2000, a major ski resort in the south of France, about 90 km north of Nice and Villefranche-sur-Mer. The skiable area covers about 20 sq. km and has 4 black, 11 red, 21 blue, and 7 green ski runs for 120 km of pistes. Also, there is a ski lift system for all the paths, and the entire area has a favorable micro-climate. Also, there are snow cannons to guarantee constant skiable conditions, and any fan of winter sports, or downhill skiing and snowboarding, can take advantage of the winter season while still enjoying the beauty Cote d’Azur has to offer.
Ski at Auron
Auron is another excellent ski resort in the French Alps that you can visit when you stay at Villa Hippocampo in winter. It is about 100 km to the north, which you can reach in less than 2 hours driving. Once at Auron, you will encounter a modern ski resort with all the accouterments: 135 km of piste for skiing and snowboarding, including 3 green, 16 blue, 15 red, and 9 black runs. There is a massive ski lift system, downhill racing facilities, and a snow park; snow cannons ensure favorable skiable tracks throughout the entire winter season. Auron is a favorite winter ski resort for celebrities and wealthy visitors of the French Riviera.
Snowboard at Valberg
The Valberg/Beuil les Launes ski resort is 92 km away from Villefranche-sur-Mer, and the resort is another excellent place for ski and snowboard lovers. With over 90 km of slopes, 11 green, 11 blue, 28 red, and 6 black, a massive ski-lift system, and desirable elevation, the Valberg ski resort is a must-see for anyone staying at Villa Hippocampo during the winter.
Winter in Nice
You can book your winter holiday at Villa Hippocampo in Villefranche-sur-Mer and experience all the wonders this region offers. Winters in Nice have been attractive for years because of the mild climate, and this city, only 8 km away from Villefranche-sur-Mer, has attracted many famous names and has been the primary winter retreat for the European aristocracy for centuries. It is why UNESCO recognized Nice as the Winter Resort Town of the Riviera.
For example, the winter storms in the Mediterranean offer an incredible opportunity for wave-watching while you cozy up with a cup of mulled wine in one of the many bars along the Nice Promenade de Anglais. Ride the winter Ferris wheel or discover delicious hot chocolate at the many chocolate shops just off the Promenade.
Of course, the Christmas season in Nice is something else, with many old traditions and modern features like holiday lighting and traditional and modern representations of the Nativity scenes all over the city. Take a walk and explore one of the many Christmas markets all over Nice. Plus, only a week later, you can celebrate the start of the New Year by popping the bubbly on the world-famous Nice Promenade and then feast on the famous Galette du Roi, which you can buy from any bakery in town during the first week of January.
Enjoy another Nice tradition held every year on the first Sunday after New Year’s, the Prom Classic 10k Run along the Promenade des Anglais; if you are up to it, you can even sign up and participate in the run, but you’ll have to register beforehand.
Ice-Skating in Monaco
During the winter, the open-air Olympic-sized pool, Rainier III Nautical Stadium in Monaco, becomes an open-air skate rink. The pool is transformed into an ice rink from December to March and is a seasonal attraction to all winter sports enthusiasts and visitors to the area. When staying at Villa Hippocampo in Villefranche-sur-Mer, you only need to travel 15 km to the east and pay a fee of €7 for entry and a pair of skates. The ice rink is open daily from 11 AM to 6 PM on workdays and from 10 AM to 7 PM on the weekends, which leaves you enough time to enjoy a lovely winter breakfast, get your time on the ice, and enjoy a nice cozy dinner at one of the many seaside restaurants overlooking the Mediterranean.
