Among the options for anyone holidaying in a ski resort, the chance to take a walk with birds of prey is one of the more unusual.
It’s now an option at Morzine in the huge Portes du Soleil ski region which has 600km of slopes stretching over the French-Swiss border.
This very special aviary has been established at 1,500 metres, at the Pointe de Nyon restaurant, accessed by the Nyon gondola from the valley.
Jacques-Olivier Travers’ ‘Les Aigles du Léman’ is a full aviary of fascinating birds of prey, ranging from the gigantic condor to the snowy owl.
The aviary offers visitors a unique encounter while raising awareness of conservation and the highly knowledgeable falconers teach visitors about these incredible birds.
Participants who wish to can hold birds of prey on their arm, fly and feed the birds, and walk down a snowy track with eagles flying overhead.
Fletcher, a white-tailed eagle, is a regular on the mountains and is the figurehead for re-wilding its breed.
Last summer, Jacques-Olivier Travers and his team released four white-tailed eagles – that had been bred in captivity – into the wild. With those four still going strong, the team plan to release 10 more this year.
The eagle experience is priced from €75 / £66 pp. Alternatively, four flying shows are offered to all visitors free of charge every day.