Just a few minutes from Orcières Merlette 1850, a hamlet of 25 inhabitants hides one of the most confidential ski spots in the Hautes-Alpes. Three lifts, ten kilometres of pistes, a larch forest and often exceptional snow. Welcome to Serre Eyraud, the favourite playground of locals who want to ski away from the crowds. No huge snow front, no buildings or endless queues. Serre Eyraud is more like a well-kept secret than a traditional ski resort. A single building serves as bar-restaurant, lift ticket office, tourist office and hors sac room. The...
Author: Romain Boisaubert
At dusk, when the mountains are calmer, Font-Romeu Pyrénées 2000 offers a rare experience. An ascent in a groomer followed by dinner at altitude, in a restaurant perched high above the snowy peaks. An intimate, sensory interlude, far from the hustle and bustle of the resorts. The evening begins with the engine running, at the foot of the slopes. Guests board the Gallinette, the snow groomer that climbs slowly through the sleeping mountain. As you climb higher, the silence settles in, the lights of the resort fade away, and the relief of the Pyrenees massif takes shape under the stars. Head for the...
France, with its varied mountain ranges and exceptional Alpine heritage, is full of ski resorts. Some attract crowds of visitors every season. Others, more discreet, remain sheltered from mass tourism and offer a more intimate experience. Among them, one small Savoyard village stands out: Aussois. In the heart of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, in the Maurienne valley, Aussois lies at an altitude of 1,489 metres, just south of the Vanoise massif. This traditional village at the gateway to the...
The winter holidays are in full swing, and in Saint-Sorlin-d'Arves, February is shaping up to be a particularly lively month. Between Carnival, night-time freestyle shows, festive get-togethers on the snow front and solidarity events, the Savoyard village has a packed programme designed for families and mountain enthusiasts alike. The festivities kick off on the weekend of 14 and 15 February with a Valentine's Day revisited in ski resort style. A special «Welcome to St So’» welcome, a heart hunt in the village, fun challenges and interactive activities will punctuate these two days, with a simple idea: to create memories, whether...
In Tignes, when the snow fronts are full of freshly-waxed skis and the streets vibrate to the rhythm of the arrivals of holidaymakers, there are very few places that make it through the seasons without ever taking down the curtain. L'Escale Blanche is one of those exceptions. Before it was a restaurant, L'Escale Blanche was a mountain hut on the outskirts of the village, long before the dam was built. Inside, an original wall is still a reminder of this pastoral past. Martial Debut took over the address in 2000, with a simple idea: never close again. «By staying open all year round, we...
Ski touring is attracting more and more mountain enthusiasts. Halfway between alpine skiing and mountaineering, this discipline allows you to get away from the crowds and explore immaculate landscapes. If you're tempted by the idea of climbing summits before enjoying powder runs, here's everything you need to know to get started safely. Ski touring offers incomparable freedom. Unlike downhill skiing, you're not restricted to marked runs. The ascent, equipped with sealskins under your skis, becomes an adventure in itself. You take the time to admire nature...
In the shadow of the big 3 Vallées resorts, Orelle cultivates its discretion and authenticity. Located in the Maurienne, this little-known gem appeals to skiers looking for tranquillity and unspoilt open spaces. There are no long queues at the lifts and no noisy hustle and bustle, just raw, mineral scenery, unspoilt nature and an atmosphere where silence reigns supreme. In Orelle, you can enjoy skiing in a different way. Away from the tourist crowds, this little-known part of the 3 Vallées offers uncrowded pistes and an intimate atmosphere. For adrenalin-seeking skiers and snowboarders, it's also the perfect place...
When Arc 1800 comes alive with the first snowfall and the snow fronts fill with colourful combinations, some places tell the story of the resort even better than others. Start with the Belambra Hôtel du Golf, the first hotel to open here in 1972, at the very beginning of the Les Arcs adventure. More than fifty years later, the hotel has lost none of its central role. Right in the heart of Arc 1800, at the foot of the ski lifts, it remains a veritable winter hive. Early morning skiers, families, international groups, corporate seminars... all converge on this great liner...
In winter, when Tignes is in full swing and prices are soaring, some resorts continue to cultivate a different idea of the mountains. Simpler, more human, fairer. On the south bank of the lake, facing the frozen expanse and the peaks of the Vanoise Park, Le Terril Blanc is one of these rare refuges. A discreet hotel on a human scale, it has stood the test of time without ever denying its DNA. The only two-star hotel in the resort, open in both summer and winter, it offers a privilege that has become almost unusual in Tignes: a direct view of the...
Perched at an altitude of 1,850 metres in the Haute Tarentaise, La Rosière is a resort in a class of its own in the French Alps. Authentic, sunny and looking towards nearby Italy, its mountain charm and international ski area will win you over. Here are three reasons not to miss La Rosière this winter. 1. Authentic charm and a preserved mountain spirit At La Rosière, there's nothing standard about the architecture: stone chalets, lauze roofs, wood and fireplaces blend harmoniously into the landscape. Here, the spirit of the Savoyard village lives on, offering visitors a real change of scenery. See this publication...
Pelvoux-Vallouise has long been out of the limelight, but is now establishing itself as one of the most accessible resorts in France. With day passes priced at €23 for children, €26 for young people and €27 for adults, this destination in the Pays des Écrins boasts a model that goes against the tide. Here, there is no ostentatious architecture or oversized snow fronts. Skiing takes place as close as possible to the village, in a raw, open and soothing environment. The area attracts families as well as skiers looking for natural slopes, peace and quiet and wide open spaces. At Pelvoux-Vallouise, skiing...
It's the big news of the new year in Serre Chevalier. On Saturday 7 February, the brand new Spa La Rotonde officially opened its doors at the Grands Bains du Monêtier, in the heart of Le Monêtier-les-Bains. Inaugurated in mid-January, La Rotonde welcomed its first visitors to kick off the winter holidays. The aim is to offer much more than just a place to relax. Among the flagship facilities is an immersive sensory pool equipped with a 12-metre panoramic screen, where images and natural elements accompany relaxation. Another signature feature is the sparkling water pool, using the latest technology...
A wild fondue, an aperitif in a yurt, a night in a snow-covered teepee or a stay in a tiny house... Valloire Galibier cultivates a different idea of winter travel, one that's more intimate, more sensory. Here's a look at four interludes to add to your list. A fondue, wherever you want First up for lovers of melted cheese and impromptu lunches: the «Jean-Claude Duss» rucksack, designed by Kosa Kruta. The principle is simple: everything you need for a fondue is slipped into a bag ready to set off on an adventure. Stove, fondue pot, Beaufort cheese, Valloire tomme, bread, wine...
At l'Alpe d'Huez, there's more to skiing than meets the eye. Off the slopes, the resort offers a range of original experiences to help you make the most of the mountains in a different way - thrills, shared laughter and pure emotion guaranteed. Become a musher in the middle of the tundra Head for the great outdoors with Mika and his Second Souffle team. Accompanied by their Nordic dogs, holidaymakers set off for a ride to the rhythm of the huskies' panting and the crunch of skates on the snow. This immersion in the world of sled dogs is a different way of getting close to the mountains and experiencing them for themselves...
At the end of the Aure valley, nestled between fir trees and stone villages, there's a resort that makes the hearts of Pyrenean families beat faster. Val Louron has never sought to rival the giants of the Alps: it cultivates something else, something even more precious. Its simplicity, the charm of a village clinging to the slopes, and a gentle way of life that recalls the most authentic aspects of the mountains. There's no frenzy here, no honking horns, no endless queues. Just the calm of the lake below, the peaks watching over you, the laughter of children on the fresh snow. «...
In Orcières Merlette 1850, winter is like a dress rehearsal for the start of the Olympic Winter Games in Milano Cortina. Here, you don't need a race number or an international record of success to enjoy the thrills of the Olympic disciplines. The resort has structured its offer around the great classics of top-level sport. The showcase remains the Camille Ricou piste. This FIS-approved red run is not just another sports track. For several years, it has been the backbone of Orcières' competitive development. A regular venue for European Cup alpine skiing events, it is also used as a training ground for...
From 9 to 12 April, the resort of Les Deux Alpes will be launching the very first edition of the Festival 2 l'Humour des 2 Alpes, a new national event combining altitude, stand-up comedy and free access for all. Sponsored by Camille Chamoux and Vincent Dedienne, the festival aims to be popular, demanding and resolutely open. Created by Les Deux Alpes resort and produced by Black Dynamite, part of the Mediawan group, this unique event will take over the resort for four days in the middle of the spring season. A strategic period, when the snow is still very present and the...
While some people associate winter with the speed and adrenalin of skiing, others enjoy a gentler, more contemplative approach to the mountains. In Cordon, facing Mont Blanc, snowshoeing is a real invitation to discover, with its grandiose panoramas, sleeping forests and unusual experiences. From dawn onwards, the routes lead into the heart of a majestic setting. Guided by passionate guides, hikers make their way through the half-light to reach unique viewpoints. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Haute-Savoie Mont-Blanc (@hautesavoiemontblanc_) Breathtaking panoramas...
Winter in Saint-Martin-de-Belleville is not just about skiing. Nestling in the heart of the 3 Valleys, the Savoyard village cultivates the art of offering its visitors a total immersion in nature, between timeless interludes, unusual adventures and well-being. A break at the Refuge du Trait d'Union Perched at an altitude of 1,725 metres, the Refuge du Trait d'Union can be reached on foot or snowshoes from the village. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Les 3 Vallées (@les3vallees_officiel) Away from the hustle and bustle of the slopes, it welcomes guests for a warm night's sleep by candlelight,...
From the Alps to the Pyrenees, via the Vosges and the Massif Central, discover the mountain villages that make up our rich heritage. Saint-Véran (Hautes-Alpes) In the heart of the Queyras Regional Nature Park, at an altitude of 2,042 metres, Saint-Véran is often cited as the highest village in Europe inhabited all year round. Read the full article here. Évol (Pyrénées-Orientales) Perched at an altitude of 800 metres, Évol is one of the jewels in the crown of the Pyrénées-Orientales, recognised as one of the most beautiful villages in France. This medieval hamlet, part of the commune of Olette, boasts shale walls and lauze roofs. Read the full article here. Combloux (Haute-Savoie) Dive in...
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