À Orcières Merlette 1850, As the end of the season approaches, it's got a real family feel. With free skiing for under-12s, a week of activities, and unique packages combining lessons and skiing, the Hautes-Alpes resort is clearly putting children centre stage until the slopes close on April 12th.
With over a metre and a half of snow still at the summit of the resort, spring is shaping up to be particularly pleasant on the slopes of’Orcières.
The days are getting longer, the sun is becoming more generous and the atmosphere is becoming more relaxed. A period that the resort has chosen to dedicate to families.
From 21 March to 12 April 2026, children under 12 can enjoy the slopes without paying for a ski pass. This initiative, called «Orcières invites your children», is designed to encourage families to extend the ski season.
During a period often quieter after the winter holidays, the operation allows younger people to discover or perfect their skiing or snowboarding skills in particularly pleasant conditions: softer snow, less crowded slopes, and milder temperatures.
Learn... then put on your skis
The resort also offers an original package that is proving increasingly popular with families: the «Snow Schoolbag».
Created in the 1970s, this scheme allows children to go skiing outside of school holidays while continuing their educational programme.
The pupils, aged 6 to 11, alternate between homework support and ski lessons supervised by the ESF.
The programme combines half-day school learning sessions with morning skiing sessions, with the added bonus of access to the resort's swimming pool and ice rink. An original way to combine mountains, sport, and school in a single trip.
A whole week dedicated to children
The end of the season is also set to be particularly busy with Orcy Kids Week, organised from 5th to 11th April.
For several days, the resort transforms into a playground for the young ones. Magic shows, dance or snowboard taster sessions, cooking workshops, parent-child yoga, cinema and snacks, or snowman-building competitions will fill the spring holidays.
- READ MORE: In the Hautes-Alpes, this small, inexpensive ski resort is the secret spot for powder lovers.
The traditional Easter egg hunt will bring this festive week to a close, having become an eagerly anticipated event for many families.
For the final days of opening, the resort is also planning special offers on packages with discounts of up to 25 % in early April.
And to round off the season, skiers can look forward to a special weekend: on 11 and 12 April, skiing will be completely free for everyone on the Orcières slopes.
One last chance to enjoy the snowy slopes facing the Champsaur peaks before putting the skis away… until next winter.
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