Activities - Skiing and Snowboarding
The Southern French Alps offer fantastic skiing and snowboarding - a great snow record, quieter and cheaper than the Northern Alps, amazing views across the Ecrins National park and a sunny climate.
We are based on the southern edge of the Ecrins National Park in the Champsaur valley. There are six ski resorts in Champsaur, and what's really special about this valley is the preservation of the five small ski villages on the way up to the main ski resort of
Orcieres 1850, a large high altitude resort.
All the ski villages are very friendly, quiet and peaceful with a strong emphasis on relaxed, family friendly skiing. Each has their own special character.... south facing sunny
Chaillol, the pretty alpine village of
Ancelle, the tiny but cute
Laye, the steep larch forested
St Leger les Melezes. and for skiers with a passion for powder there is one tiny but tough little ski village called
Serre Eyraud which has some great lift accessible off piste routes to be done!
And for a large ski resort with high altitude skiing straight from your door, a fantastic sports and leisure centre with a glass wall so you can swim with a view, a great range of shops, restaurants and bars and a choice of other non-skiing activities, there is
Orcieres!
Scroll to the bottom of the page to see the location map of all the resorts.
The season stretches from December until April. The best time to come if you want to avoid the French school holidays are the months of January and March, but even in peak season you will be surprised at how quiet it is compared to some of the better known resorts.
Most of the ski villages and the main resort of Orcieres have
child care facilities for little ones from 3 months - 6 years old, and a special ski kindergarten for 3 - 6 year olds.
Half or full day lessons with an English speaking instructor are also available for all ages, either as part of a group or as an individual at all the villages and Orcieres.
Have a look at the piste maps
Orciers Piste Map Serre EyraudChaillol Piste Map Ancelle piste map St Leger les Melezes piste map Laye piste map
Ski Passes
One pass covers all the ski villages and they are all a short drive from each other so you can spend a few days exploring each one soaking up their traditional french charm. And you won't be spending hours queueing at the lifts either!
Orcieres has a separate pass, which is more expensive than the ski villages but still a very good price for the facilities on offer - and still cheaper than most other large ski resorts!
Skiing, Snowboarding or Winter Multi Activity Holiday
We can organise you a skiing or snowboarding holiday in any or all of the resorts, with or without instruction. You will find our
Ski and Snowboard Adventure Holidays here, which come complete with activity points for you to use on some fantastic activities! We can plan a trip out on
snowshoes, a
husky dog sled or a day
cross country skiing or you can try other snow sports like
ice diving,
snow mountain biking, speed riding.....
If the activities sound more your thing, have a look at our
winter multi activity holidays if you would prefer more activities and less skiing!
And you can benefit from
discount ski and snowboard hire by booking online with our partner shops - anywhere in France.
For more information or if you would like to chat through your ideal holiday, please
contact us.
