Carriage experience - Horseback riding

Presentation

I tested for you: the horse-drawn carriage ride

"An enchanted interlude in the company of horses"

December 2022, Chamrousse 1600, horseback riding with friends
Florence, city girl in love with the mountains
  • Chamrousse florence activity test carriage ride arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © F - OT Chamrousse / Julien Jay
My friends and I met at the Arselle plateau in the early afternoon to discover the new activity of the Chamrousse Nordic area, the carriage ride.
I had already had the opportunity to go there as part of a cross-country skiing trip and to see the sled dogs, but this time, it's an opportunity to rediscover the path practiced on foot with an outing between girls to relax, laugh, enjoy the snowy landscape, oxygenate...

Originally from Lille city, I come from the city, far from the summits, but I really appreciate the mountains, the fir trees, the snow... and clearly, I was in need of nature, so this break came at the right time. Moreover, we were lucky, the blue sky was there that day. All the planets are aligned.
  • Chamrousse carriage ride activity test arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © CP - OT Chamrousse
  • Chamrousse carriage ride activity test arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © CH - OT Chamrousse
It all started with meeting the coachman, Fernand Montoto. His good mood and his smile won us over immediately!
After a presentation of his three draft horses: Tina, Baya and Houps, well recognizable with their eyes, but also with their nose, "it smells good the horse", and the preparation of the carriage, we set off.
We set off from the Arselle nordic area, at the leisurely pace set by Tina, under the distant supervision of the pet dog lounging on a sun-warmed rock.

The Arselle plateau is a magical place with a very pretty forest, in total immersion, we are far from the frenzy of the holidaymakers, cut off from the town and the resort centre, which is nevertheless not very far.
  • Chamrousse carriage ride activity test arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © CP - OT Chamrousse
  • Chamrousse carriage ride activity test arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © CH - OT Chamrousse
We rediscovered the path in the company of walkers, our passage did not go unnoticed. People are at first surprised then amused and smiling by this unexpected meeting with a horse, because it is the first winter of this new experience in Chamrousse.
Besides, it would be too good for the family too, for the children but also for the adults, it is a very friendly moment. The atmosphere is fun and the snow-covered fir trees transport us to a fairy-tale world!

Tina sets the pace, quite a pulling force to carry 6 people on the sled, with a beautiful view as a bonus, "It makes her a big bottom haha!" I'm not familiar with horses, but the draught horse that pulls the carriage is a powerful animal and at the same time a quiet force.
At our request, the coachman tells us about his love for horses and his experience: a new personal project which combines respect for the animal and passion for horses. The opportunity was too good in Chamrousse, the stables used by the pony club in the summer were quite free in the winter and the meeting with these three experienced horses.
  • Chamrousse carriage ride activity test arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © CH - OT Chamrousse
  • Chamrousse carriage ride activity test arselle plateau nordic area mountain ski resort grenoble isere french alps france - © CP - OT Chamrousse
We raise our heads, we admire the landscape, the light is beautiful, there is an air of Christmas magic in this moment shared between friends. We didn't see the hour go by, we have already arrived at the end of our walk, our destination Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin at the other end of the resort. It is an experience that my eyes and my buttocks will remember (unpadded benches). I am delighted to finish this walk, with the promise to come back!
Next time, we'll have to try the gourmet evening with tasting! Yummy!

More information on this new activity in the Nordic area: "La liaison" nature tour in a horse-draw carriage.

Photo credits: CH and CP - Chamrousse