Other activitiesphotographic guide
Other summer sports are available. There are water sports, canyoning, rafting, kayaking, tennis, arapaho and swimming.
On dry land: pelota, bowls, miniature golf, horse riding, archery.
After all that, you deserve some pampering.
Canyoning is descending small rivers in a wet suit - to avoid turning into an icicle! This sport is practised only with one to one tuition from an expert. You will have to jump off small falls, or climb down them while roped safely to your guide. This is unforgettable, perhaps the challenge of your life, but it is not too dangerous because of the excellent supervision. The Hotel des Sports recommends you to Passion Montagne, truely professional experts at canyoning.
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Other River sports: rafting, hot-dog, hydrospeed, air-boat, canoe, kayak?
Rafting is done in a large inflatable boat on which you are one of ten people, bounced around by the torrent of water. It is often on the Garonne, which has calmed a bit by the time it has reached us. "Garouno" means torrent, in local patois.
The hot-dog is small a inflatable boat for two, the guide and you, to overcome the animal! In the air-boat, or inflatable kayak, you are alone to face the river!
On the hydrospeed, you are in a wet suit and lying on a small hard plastic hull, with flippers to direct you through the water.
If you are not feeling strong, the canoe has two seats. The kayak is a small boat and these activities are done on the Garonne, where it flows more smoothly.
For all these activities, go to the base of Antignac, a small village 3km from the Hôtel Alouette.
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Are you familiar with the arapaho? It's like a child's scooter with large wheels, large tyres and brakes. You can take it on the cablecar and then zoom down to Bagnères-de-Luchon on the paths or forest tracks. You can hire these in cycle shops.
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If tennis is your passion, you will enjoy yourselves in Bagnères-de-Luchon. The tennis courts are in a superb place, a 10min walk from the Hôtel Alouette. There are six courts framed by the mountains. To make a reservation: Telephone 05 61 79 03 03.
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If you prefer to swim there are two swimming pools for your use in Bagnères-de-Luchon. One is covered, in the old building of the Thermal baths and is 25m long with a constant depth, approximately 1,80m. Swimming caps must be worn. The other is outside, right in the middle of the valley, a 10min walk from the Hôtel Alouette. This one is larger, you can dive, swim or sit in the sun on the grass that surrounds the pool. The environment is very pleasant with plenty of bushes, so you see only the surrounding mountains. The swimming pool is heated! Telephone 05 61 79 20 97.
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The pelota court (Fronton) is just opposite the entrance to the swimming pool. Many competitions are organised each summer. To find out more about the Reserve de la Pique, which has many activities, consult our page devoted to the walks and parks of Bagnères-de-Luchon.
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Miniature golf is in the same park called "Réserve de la Pique", because the river, la Pique, runs alongside it. You can book a game by telephoning 05 61 79 03 03.
There is also a childrens playground close to the swimming pool and the pelota court(Fronton).
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Boules is played on pitches located in the park by the casino, a 5 minute walk from the Hôtel Alouette. There are two large shaded pitches there.
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If archery is your passion, contact Mr.Bianic on 06 84 45 03 86.
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If you prefer a ride a horse in the forest, contact the riding school of Bagnères-de-Luchon on 05 61 95 55 34.
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Holidays are there for you to relax and have fun and massages, jacusies and mud baths are there to help you do it! At the new building in the thermal baths ask reception to tell you about what Vitaline and Sourcéa can offer.