For the first time in its history, Ailefroide, an emblematic village in the Écrins massif and the last inhabited village before the great high altitude faces, is opening up its landscapes to Nordic skiing. During the Christmas holidays, almost 15 kilometres of pistes will be created in a setting that has remained untouched, silent and almost untouched.
The start is at the Pelvoux icefall, with skis on. The first few kilometres immediately set the tone. The climb is an integral part of the adventure.
Approximately 3.5 kilometres of gradual ascent will take you to Ailefroide by road, in a Nordic crossing atmosphere where effort blends with silence and contemplation. It's an accessible warm-up, but one that immediately puts the outing in the context of a committed activity, akin to hiking.
Once you reach the village, the playing field widens. The groomed runs wind around the campsite and through the surrounding meadows, creating gentle loops that are perfect for fun, immersive Nordic skiing. You'll lose yourself in the forests, glades and peaks that dominate the site, in a timeless atmosphere far from the hustle and bustle.
the famous Ailefroide fissure visible
Depending on safety conditions, some routes even allow you to cross the river to explore the area around the famous Ailefroide fissure, a mecca for summer mountaineers. It's a rare way of linking the vertical history of the site with a winter sport that is still a secret, where the landscape becomes the real guiding thread.
The ski area is open every day from 9am to 1pm during the Christmas holidays, with access exclusively on skis from the Les Claux tunnel. Prices are deliberately kept low: €7 for children aged 5 to 15, €10.50 for adults, reflecting the desire to offer a gentle, open and respectful way to discover the site.
This opening is part of a wider initiative to promote alternative winter sports in the Pays des Écrins. Just a few metres from the start of the Nordic trails, the Pelvoux icefall is being prepared by the Bureau des Guides des Écrins. An emblematic spot, eagerly awaited by ice enthusiasts, which will add to this emerging winter offering.