Snowmobile, igloo and fat bike: guided evening outings in Albiez

Once the pistes have closed, the evening can carry on outdoors. In Albiez, four guided outings take place at nightfall: riding a snowmobile, reaching an igloo by sledge, snowmobiling followed by fondue at a restaurant, or riding an electric fat bike. Three of them leave from the Mollard, a few minutes' walk from the apartment.

Who runs what

• Snowmobiling, igloo evening, snowmobile and restaurant evening, trapper evening: Mustang, the resort's ski hire shop, with two shops open all year round. Mustang 1650 (Skiset) is right at the foot of the slopes in the Mollard, near the apartment; Mustang 1550 (Skimium), the resort's largest sports shop since 1980, is in the Chef-lieu, near place Opinel.
• Fat bike: the Albiez ESF, leaving from the ESF chalet in the Chef-lieu.

All these outings run from 19 December 2026 to 21 March 2027, on booking. The tourist office states that times are not guaranteed: the programme may change with the weather or the snow conditions.

Riding a snowmobile

After a briefing, you take the handlebars yourself and follow the guide on a reserved 4-hectare circuit, facing the Aiguilles d'Arves. Groups are 5 people at most. Two on the same machine, driver and passenger can swap places halfway round.

• How it goes: welcome and briefing 10 to 15 min, riding 30 to 35 min, return and kit removal 10 to 15 min.
• Departures: 6 pm, 7 pm, 8 pm, 9 pm and 10 pm, every day. Taster rides are listed from 5:30 pm.
• To drive: aged 18 or over with a car driving licence (permis B), according to Mustang's terms and conditions. The helmet provided is compulsory.
• Passenger: 1.30 m minimum, able to put their feet on the footrests and hold on to the driver.

Read the terms before booking: according to Mustang, a snowmobile outing can be neither cancelled nor postponed by the customer, and the booking only becomes effective with payment and the deposit, 24 hours before the outing. Only Mustang can cancel or reschedule, in particular in bad weather.

The Inuit igloo evening

This is the outing that suits everyone, children included, because nobody drives. You leave from the foot of the slopes in a sledge pulled by a snowmobile, on a reserved circuit. Then comes a short, easy walk through the woods to the igloo, where everyone is served a hearty aperitif of local produce, with a view of the Aiguilles d'Arves and mont Émy. The guide tells the story of the village, then the sledge brings the group back to the resort, after dark.

• The tourist office describes it as suitable for all ages. Elderly people or those with reduced mobility can be dropped off right at the igloo.
• Special menus and dietary requirements catered for on request: mention it when booking.

For this evening, Mustang's terms provide that any cancellation less than 24 hours ahead is charged in full. Minors must be accompanied by a responsible adult.

The Eskimo evening: snowmobile and restaurant

The long version, on Wednesdays only. An introduction to riding on the same 4-hectare circuit, then dinner in a Savoyard restaurant at the foot of the pistes, chosen by Mustang. The name of the restaurant is not published.

• On the menu: kir as an aperitif, a choice of fondue or raclette with cured meats and salad, a choice of dessert.
• As a pair, driver and passenger swap halfway round.
• Driver: 18 minimum; passenger: 1.30 m minimum.

Electric fat biking at night, with the ESF

A fat bike is a mountain bike with very wide tyres; this one has powerful electric assistance and lights. The outing follows the Albiez trails at nightfall, led by Arnaud, a qualified instructor, in groups of 6 at most.

• Minimum height: 1.40 m. No minimum age is given.
• Clothing: ski clothing, snow boots or walking shoes, gloves (to change gear and control the motor). A ski helmet is recommended.

The fat bike rides on the trails; the Sunset Ride des Aiguilles, on the other hand, goes down the pistes on electric mountain bikes after Thursday's last chairlift. They are two different outings, with two different organisers.

And the trapper evening

On Wednesday and Thursday evenings, Mustang also offers a snowshoe evening: shuttle from Albiez to Montrond, a climb of about 45 minutes with a mountain leader up to the Broue alpine chalet (1,800 m), a hearty aperitif around the braziers, then a 3 km sledge descent by headtorch. Departure at 6 pm, back around 10:30 pm. From age 8, 4 to 7 people, €99 per adult and €79 for under-11s, on mustangsport.lokki.rent. No snowmobile in this one.

Which one to choose

• With young children: the igloo evening, the only one open to all ages, and leaving from the Mollard.
• Adults looking for thrills: the snowmobile on its own, or the Eskimo evening if you want to dine out on Wednesday.
• With teenagers over 1.40 m: the fat bike. They cannot drive a snowmobile before 18, only ride behind.
• To walk a little: the trapper evening.

The youngest can also enjoy husky sledding at the Contamines, during the day, and the Albiez C'Show on Tuesday evenings during the school holidays, free. More ideas in Albiez with children.

Book before your stay

Groups are small: 5 people per snowmobile departure, 6 for the fat bike, a single Eskimo evening per week. During a school-holiday week, book at the same time as your skis and lessons. Dress as you would for skiing: in the evening, at 1,600 m, it gets very cold very quickly.

These activities depend on the weather and the snow, and their times may change. If in doubt, call the provider or the tourist office on +33 4 79 59 30 48.

See also: husky sledding, the Sunset Ride on e-mountain bikes down the pistes, Albiez with children and the winter page.