Hautes Alpes Ski Areas
The Haute-Alpes is endowed with a number of well-known ski resorts: Le Dévoluy, La Grave-La Meije, Montgenèvre, Orcières 1850, Les Orres, Puy Saint Vincent, Serre Chevalier and La Foret Blanche (Risoul and Vars).
Le Devoluy
Le Dévoluy is one of the largest ski areas in the Southern Alps. It sports more than 100 km (62 miles) of pistes and an excellent lift system. The skiing is varied and not overly demanding, the right pistes for the intermediate level. Exceptions are the La Pierra (2.510m/8.200ft) and the Dévoluy on Les Mules runs. "Le Mushrooms" is a popular snow park offering jumps, pipes and other adventures.
La Grave-La Meije
Le Grave-La Meije is renowned for its natural beauty and one of the most demanding runs in Europe with a vertical drop of 2.150m/7.050ft. The aerial tramway gives access to Le Meije, a high-altitude glacier, and transports passengers to the Ruillans Pass (3.200m/10.500ft) in 30 minutes. The Trifides and Dome de la Lauze lifts transport skiers up to 3.550m/11.650ft with its huge snow fields. Pay attention to hidden crevasses and avalanches.
Montgenèvre
Right on the Italian border, Montgenèvre, a traditional alpine village, offers 65 km (40 miles) of slopes. It is part of the Milky Way ski area which offers a combined 400 km (250 miles) of ski slopes. The high-altitude village (1.860m/6.100ft) sports modern lifts which transport skiers up to a maximum height of 2.700m/8.860ft. Cross-country skiing and sledge runs are popular as is the local ice rink.
Orcières 1850
An ideal resort for family holidays, the Orcières ski area is located opposite the Ecrins National Park with many peaks exceeding 4.000m/13.000ft altitude. Orcières sports a well linked system of more than 100 km (62 miles) of pistes with 29 ski lifts as well as 50 pistes for cross-country skiing. A chair lift takes you from the resort up to 2.200m/7.200ft. You can ski back down to the village on either blue or red runs. There is a high altitude snow park for snowboarders. The village has a good selection of shops, cafés and restaurants. "La Grande Ourse" leisure and fitness centre includes an ice rink, a swimming pool and a water slide.
Les Orres
Sunny Les Orres is a large resort with 23 lifts offering skiers an incredible 1.200m/3.930ft vertical descent. The 34 pistes with a total length of 34 km (21 miles) are best suited to intermediate skiers and snowboarders. There is also terrain for beginners and advanced skiers as well as 40km (25 miles) of cross country ski trails.
Puy Saint Vincent
Puy St Vincent (1.600m/5.250ft) is nestled at the edge of the Ecrins National Park. It offers access to 60 km (37 miles) of pistes for all levels. A modern purpose built resort, family oriented with all amenities, including nursery runs for beginners, an excellent ski school and many childcare facilities. The village has family-orientated restaurants as well as a good selection of shops.
Serre Chevalier
Serre Chevalier is a long south-facing valley with a number of villages stretching north from Briançon: Puy Saint Andrè, Puy Saint Pierre, Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monetier les Bains. Serre Chevalier is one of the largest ski areas in Europe with 250 km (155 miles) of pistes and altitudes reaching 2.800m/9.200ft. Its slopes are suitable for all levels from beginners to expert skiers.
Risoul & Vars
Risoul and neighbouring Vars sport a combined 174 km (108 miles) of pistes. The ski area is called the Domaine de la Foret Blanche (White Forest Domain), has a maximum height of 2.750m/9.000ft and features many tree-lined runs, reliable snowfall and lots of sunshine in between. It is particularly well suited for beginners and intermediates.
Access:
The Haute-Alpes ski areas are served by the international airports of Grenoble, Turin and Chambery, meaning a 2-3 hours drive to the various ski villages. Trains and buses provide regular links to the mains towns of Gap, Briançon, and Embrun.
