Zipping – a combination of outward bound and aerial trekking - has become a fast growing recreational activity both for kids and adults in the Lake Geneva region. Known as ‘Parcours Aventure’ in French, there are now centres in places such as Col de la Faucille in the French Jura, Divonne, Le Signal above Rolle, and Aigle in the Valais (See contacts at the end of this story). But the pastime has now moved well beyond the Southern Alps. Using a combination of Anglo-Saxon frontier adventure plus the security of topflight Swiss technology, two gungho British entrepreneurs have introduced the concept of zipping to India.
If you’re looking for a simple, but intriguing weekend escape, we found the Hotel Lac du Bretaye above Villars-sur-Ollon a good option both in winter and summer. The Villars-Gryon-Diablerets region may not be the most challenging of skiing areas, yet you’re only an hour and fifteen minutes from Geneva. And the slopes are superb with lots of red and blue pistes with some blacks tossed in. The crosscountry skiing is exceptional. And you have the most amazing views of the Alps from all sides. During the summer, you are surrounded by pastures with hiking trails and lots of wildlife in all directions. There are several nature areas within hiking distance promoting varied examples of alpine flora. If you are lucky, you will also see chamois, Ibex and eagles. And even if you just want to do a day’s trekking, picnicking or skiing, the area is a great option. The sort of place to take visitors who need a bit of impressing and you’re running out of ideas…
Judging by the strong interest for previous sports updates among both new and habitué residents in the Lake Geneva Region, here are some items regarding where to play squash or enroll for winter soccer for your children.
The Geneva Squash Club is offering a special Christmas deal of 50 CHF vouchers – plus the whole month of December for free - if you bring a friend to join. There are some 30-odd places to play squash in the region, but this club, which is located just off the Geneva to Lausanne autoroute at the foot of Petit Saconnex, is one of the least pretentious. It is also one of the most socialable for both serious and informal players of all nationalities. They offer free coaching on Wednesday afternoons to young people and regular instruction for adult beginners.
Membership rates are reasonable and you can pay on a monthly basis, so it's a good deal.The club also boasts a very active tournament schedule with other clubs plus a family social gatherings with Thursday evening informal dinner lively bar evenings.
Intersoccer, the English soccer coaching initiative in Geneva, is offering its usual Christmas and February half-term camp sessions for kids at Chataignerie School in Founex, at the sports centre in Versoix and at the Bout du Monde Indoor Hall in Vessy.New soccer courses for kids start at Bout du Monde and Versoix this week, and there are still some places. Christmas Camp, including a daily special indoor Goalkeepers Camp, will also take place. For more information and signup go to the Intersoccer website. The Christmas Camp is 5-9 January, 2009, and the February Camp 9-13 February from 1000 in the morning to 1500 in the afternoon. You can also sign up now for spring and summer soccer training.
If you or your club have special updates or new sports activities and events for both kids and adults in the Lake Geneva Region, please let us know or contribute an article.
As usual, the English-language Intersoccer group will be holding its autumn half-term mini-soccer camps later this month. These will take place both in Versoix (week of 20 October) and at the Chataignerie School in Founex (week of 27 October) outside Geneva. More information, including after school minisoccer, is available on www.intersoccer.ch You can also reserve places online at this site. Intersoccer also continues to hold Saturday soccer (except 11 October) for 6-12 year-olds. Girls are also welcome. In addition, Intersoccer is holding special coaching days as part of teacher training at the College du Leman and La Chataignerie. The Versoix coaching will on Friday 17 October and Friday 24 October at Founex from 1000-1500 hrs.
For further information, contact Steve Long or Gordon Nunn at
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Interested
in a recreational challenge that will leave your nerves tingling but is still
safe and fun? A chance for you to bond with your kids, your partner or your
friends? A place to hold an birthday party in the open? The Forestland
adventure complex in Divonnes-les-Bains on the French side offers a great way
of giving you and your family that outward bound sensation while spending a
couple of hours with your kids. It’s guaranteed to leave them
excited, and, for those of us parents grateful for a bit of respite, happily exhausted.
Zipping – a combination of outward bound and aerial trekking - has become a fast growing recreational activity both for kids and adults in the Lake Geneva region. Known as ‘Parcours Aventure’ in French, there are now centres in places such as Col de la Faucille in the French Jura, Divonne, Le Signal above Rolle, and Aigle in the Valais (See contacts at the end of this story). But the pastime has now moved well beyond the Southern Alps. Using a combination of Anglo-Saxon frontier adventure plus the security of topflight Swiss technology, two gungho British entrepreneurs have introduced the concept of zipping to India.
If you’re looking for a simple, but intriguing weekend escape, we found the Hotel Lac du Bretaye above Villars-sur-Ollon a good option both in winter and summer. The 
Judging by the strong interest for previous sports updates among both new and habitué residents in the Lake Geneva Region, here are some items regarding where to play squash or enroll for winter soccer for your children. 
Membership rates are reasonable and you can pay on a monthly basis, so it's a good deal.The club also boasts a very active tournament schedule with other clubs plus a family social gatherings with Thursday evening informal dinner lively bar evenings. 
Christmas Camp, including a daily special indoor Goalkeepers Camp, will also take place. For more information and signup go to the 
As usual, the English-language Intersoccer group will be holding its autumn half-term mini-soccer camps later this month. These will take place both in Versoix (week of 20 October) and at the Chataignerie School in Founex (week of 27 October) outside Geneva. More information, including after school minisoccer, is available on 