Mountain and winter sports Lorraine

Discover the snowy forests of the Vosges under the guidance of professional musher Morgan Bachmann. Various formulas are proposed to you. Initiation visit, 1/2 hour baptism, 1 hour or 1/2 day excursion. You will learn how the musher prepares his team and will share unforgettable moments in the company of superb dogs in the magical setting of a winter nature majestically draped in its great white coat. The rest of the year, Morgan swaps his sled for a kart specially adapted to his team of Nordic dogs.

Opened since October 2018, the largest indoor climbing gym in Lorraine offers 1,150 m² of climbing surface, 350 m² of boulders with walls up to 13 m high! Rope wall, training area, acrobatic course and other areas are accessible to all from 3 to 99 years. Little climbers, beginners and initiated will find their happiness with new itineraries renewed every month. This large climbing hall is the only one in France to be equipped for physically and mentally handicapped people of all ages.

The Grand Ballon is a truly astronomical coup… High point of the Vosges massif (1,424 m altitude) it is easy to access when snow is not part of the game, and fully accessible in the winter, including when a thick layer of fresh snow covers its gentle slopes and access paths. To get there, just take the roads open on its slopes (the Cranes Road, on the other side, is closed in winter), for example from Thann, and then snake nicely until the foot of the summit via Goldbach-Altenbach. The last kilometers in winter may require the establishment of chains or the use, at minimum, of snow tires. In winter always, unless you know the place perfectly, we strongly advise you to go up the day to track the path to go to the radôme and even mark the route through a GPS. This detection avoids a few disagreements when, very close to the summit, possible locks interfere in the last hectometers. It is equally imperative to take into account the weather conditions (only a completely clear night can give the green light for such a shipment). The ideal way is to make the end of the day, attend the sunset, then descend by the same path during the evening or night. Snowshoes may be required. In all cases the climb, which lasts less than 30 minutes, must take place from the parking lot of the Grand Ballon pass (and the corresponding hotel), i. e. slope is, and not on the other side (west slope) whose path is less direct, thus more difficult (the transformed snow can be icy!). Finally, last advice: it can be very cold up there, all the more so since the wind (ice in winter) can get off the side and accentuate the sensation… Very hot clothes are therefore mandatory, as are front lamps (white or red light) for the rise or descent at night. The other basic accessories are added to this package: mobile phone with duly loaded, thermos with hot drink, cereal bars in case of fringal, foot and hands heaters in case of very cold, and photographic material (box + tripod) if you wish to immortalize the event and the celestial vault.

What do we see once up there? At this altitude and with much of the light pollution rejected in valleys and east towards the big cities, it is a small slap waiting for the visitor, caught between the quality of the sky offered, the vision on the valleys around (sometimes submerged by sea of spectacular clouds), and the ghosts of the radôme, its control building, and the Blue Diables monument a little lower. If the moon is present during the visit (in neighborhood for example), blafards and strange white reflections on snow slopes appear to be unreal. In summer, the vision is less spectacular and access is easier, it is not rare to cross a few lovers of night lights coming to impregnate the atmosphere of the place. In any case, and regardless of the number of hours spent up there, once you're down, you're coming to pinch and wonder if we really have experienced this adventure!

The longest indoor ski slope in France, Snowworld has everything you need to experience the pleasures of winter sports, whatever the season! A 100 m long beginners' slope and a 620 m long slope, all on 35 m wide. Come and ski, snowboard, sled and even float on the snowy slopes. New evening passes even allow you to ski after work at a special rate. If needed, all the necessary equipment is available for rent. Food and beverages are available on site.

Situated at an altitude of 1,247 m, the resort renews summer and winter activities, making it a popular place for sports enthusiasts. The alpine ski slopes are open at night and the slalom stadium for World Cup races has been completely refurbished and equipped with snow-making machines. In the summer, the resort remains very attractive, as it is equipped with toboggans on rails, a salto-trampoline and a miniature golf course. Don't miss out on a paragliding or hang gliding tour either, as the site is a perfect place to take off. To get there, there is the ridge shuttle.

More than 14 km of downhill ski runs and 67 km of cross-country ski runs, 153 snow guns, 7 ski lifts and a 6-seater detachable chairlift, but also a freestyle area (with a boardercross), a snowpark, a Nordic Park (which has been awarded the So Nordic label ), a trail for sled dogs and ski joering, two secure toboggan runs and a 1 km Trick Track (4 seasons)... This superb resort has absolutely nothing to envy to its Alpine alter egos! And in summer, it's mountain biking!

In Alpine skiing, the Bresse Lispach is a small family resort of six tracks (2 green, 2 blue, 1 red, 1 black) with 5 ski lifts and 7 snow cannons, of all levels overlooking the lake of Lispach.

The Mauselaine ski area offers a 9-kilometer snowshoe trail open to all. This marked trail first crosses the tobogganing area before entering the forest, temporarily following the track that links up with the Bas-Rupt Nordic area. Other snowshoe trails are also accessible, with maps available from the Gérardmer tourist office. During vacation periods and at weekends, shuttles are available from the town to take you to the starting point of the trails and snowshoe circuit.

Come and discover the very first ski resort in the Vosges; the Schlucht ski area has existed since 1936. Today, the estate has two blue slopes, a snowpark and a 700 m boarder cross. Extending over 2 ha, the snowpark has a 6 m long gun box, two big air lines, rails... When the weather permits, snow scooters and downhill bicycles are allowed. In summer, don't worry, you can do other equally exhilarating activities such as the summer toboggan with 107 metres of altitude difference, 2 slopes of 850 metres! This resort is ideal for beginners and will satisfy everyone.

The largest ski area in north-east France extends over 220 hectares in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Natural Park, offering a mountain of emotions to share with family and friends. Younger skiers can enjoy the new Opoualand play area, specially designed for children. What's more, the sliding experience is amplified with the Schlitte Mountain: a latest-generation toboggan inspired by amusement parks. Like a snow roller coaster, this toboggan on rails offers thrilling descents in both winter and summer.

At La Schlucht, what is the chill… We roll, we glide, we stop, we watch the brave for whom a track is reserved. If you're brave, you can walk back, it's cheaper. If not, you will return to the seat by the lift, for a new start.

The mission of the French Alpine Club? To make the mountains accessible to all, through numerous activities, courses, outings, winter and summer, of skiing (alpine, nordic), climbing, mountaineering, trail, nordic walking, hiking, glacier hiking, snowshoeing, caving, mountain biking and trekking. On Sundays from December to March, the Bus des Neiges takes you to the snow-covered summits of the Vosges and from March to October, by RandoBus, hikes supervised by instructors within a radius of 150 to 200 km from Nancy.

Located in the Alsatian Jura, the Winkel Nordic ski area is a paradise for winter sports enthusiasts. Here, tobogganing, cross-country skiing and snowshoeing take center stage, offering an unforgettable snow experience. Once a discreet spot, it's now a popular destination for cross-country ski enthusiasts. Every year, a handful of volunteers carve out a dozen or so trails, allowing skiers to enjoy the great outdoors. Please note: the trails are not groomed!

Small but known as the longest ski run in the Vosges, the Schlumpf resort is acclaimed for its friendliness, mulled wine and simplicity. Very popular with thrill seekers, the resort (municipal management) is run by volunteers! Passionate, they spend their weekends maintaining the piste and the lifts, always taking care of the skiers. Another delight: the arrival at the top (1,012 m) is a great reward: the view is unforgettable.

A small ski resort in the wild nature of the Haute valley, the Frenz offers 32 km of snow-capped circuits for your pleasure. Enjoy Nordic walking! In the shadow of the Grand Ball or more famous stations like the Bresse, the Frenz continues to exist and for any real ski enthusiast it really is worth it.

Affiliated with FFME, this club offers training on artificial walls 5 evenings a week at Collège Saint-Saëns, but also on the weekends at Viéville, Cohons, Bourmont… Climbing, you hit the right door! Beginners are framed, equipment is lent. For contact, a free introductory session is offered.

Created from the union of the Club Vosgien de Mulhouse, founded in 1872, and the Club Vosgien Mulhouse-Crêtes, founded in 1933, this famous association, with around 30 guides and leaders, organizes numerous hikes of all levels, 3 Nordic walking sessions every week in all seasons, snowshoe outings and orienteering walks. The association currently has almost 600 members, 25 of whom are very active in maintaining our trails.

Larcenaire has always been the place to be for skiing, even when the ladies wore big dresses. A family resort, Larcenaire has four ski lifts and eight runs: one black, one red, three blue and three green. There are snow cannons which guarantee sufficient snow in winter. The slalom stadium and the ski jump for beginners are ideal for enthusiasts. It is the ideal place for your holidays!

At the Xonrupt-Longemer cross-country skiing and snowshoeing area, you can take routes through the woods, offering exceptional views of the surrounding valleys. These routes will allow you to contemplate remarkable landscapes, including the Massif and Lac de Longemer. Routes are also signposted for snowshoe enthusiasts, with options such as the 4 km Les Plombes blue trail, or the 6 km green and red trails.