Mountain and winter sports Provence-Alpes-Côte D'Azur

Les amis de la neige propose a day of orienteering on downhill or cross-country skis or orienteering on snowshoes in a friendly atmosphere... So, get on your skis! The health situation and the fact that gatherings are still limited have forced many towns to cancel or postpone their events, so check with the tourist offices or town halls.

Price: 8 €.

Distance:5 km.

Departure :at 9:30 am in Chabanon.

Difficulty:easy.

In this family-run boutique, you can come and rent your ski equipment with complete peace of mind, whether you're with friends or the whole family. You'll be pleasantly greeted by a team of mountain sports professionals who will advise you perfectly on finding the right equipment for you. Through their advice, they also share their love of the Valley with you. And if you're in the mood for shopping, let yourself be tempted by the clothing collection, which has something for everyone: skiers, snowboarders and hikers, with exclusive items to suit all tastes.

Put on your lifejacket and let's go! To supervise you: a team of enthusiasts, including Stephan the manager, a true child of water skiing, are waiting to share their love of water sports with you. Whether you're a novice or an expert, you'll be able to indulge in the joys of parasailing, jet skiing, water skiing, wakeboarding, wakesurfing and towed buoys. There's something for every taste, level and age, from 4 years upwards. Book online

Expénature is the region's most comprehensive leisure facility! It offers a wide range of activities for beginners, as well as half-day, full-day, weekend or longer courses for sports vacations supervised by a state-qualified guide, and rentals for water sports activities. Disciplines on offer: Mountain biking, sea kayaking, paddling, climbing, canyoning, caving, trekking, snorkeling. The must : a weekend of kayaking with an overnight stay aboard a sailboat. Expénature raises environmental awareness.

Ceillac is an authentic village resort that doesn't try to compete with the big Alpine resorts by remaining "Ceillacool". However, you can enjoy all kinds of winter sports on slopes bordering the highest peaks in the Queyras. The ski area comprises 6 lifts, including 1 chairlift. Good snow cover is guaranteed from the plateau at 1,700 m, with exceptional panoramic views from the summit at 2,500 m. The Nordic ski area is not to be outdone, with 37 km of runs. Nearly 40 km of hiking and snowshoeing trails through the valley.

La Colmiane has a remarkable Via Ferrata, the Baus de la Frema. With a length of 1,600 m and a difference in altitude of 446 m, the route is extremely challenging. The aerial ramps allow you to observe the landscape, and it's not unusual to take breaks to enjoy these moments of communion with nature. It takes around 4h30 to complete the entire route, with varying degrees of difficulty in different parts, including two monkey bridges.

Located 7 km from Gap, at an altitude of 1,250 m, on the RN85 or "Route Napoleon", the Bayard plateau is a major sports and tourist attraction. In winter, 50 km of Nordic trails allow you to skate and classic ski all over the plateau. In the summer, two health courses of 3.5 km and 6 km surround the 18-hole golf course - par 72 of 6,025 m - which offers a real relaxing setting between forests and pastures. Catering and accommodation on site all year round.

Don't resist the call of the slopes! For downhill skiing, Vars is linked to Risoul by the Forêt Blanche ski area. Specialized in speed skiing and strong sensations, this natural resort is made for you. Vars is known for its speed skiing or KL with its Chabrières slope with many records. As part of the new snow sports movement, Vars is recognized as one of the best freeride spots with the mythical couloirs of the Eyssina chain.

Nestled at the foot of the Ecrins National Park, this resort is renowned for its sunshine and the diversity of its ski area. The Serre-Chevalier Nordic ski area crosses all the villages in the valley, offering the chance to discover magnificent runs, 10 km of which are dedicated to skating. During the summer season, Serre-Chevalier offers a variety of activities including a horse riding club, swimming pool, snowmobile excursions and hiking.

Cairo in the Alpes-de Haute-Provence also has its impressive vertiginous and aerial monument which is worth the detour, but it is not a large pyramid... No, here it is especially its via ferrata which is worth the detour, not to be missed under any circumstances for thrill-seekers.

Sporty friends, don't hesitate to go on the Via Ferrata de la Grande Fistoire. Spread out on a 250 m high limestone wall, it includes a 60 m long footbridge. The access is autonomous for the most experienced. For beginners, accompanied by a guide, they can also discover this hike of vertigo. It is necessary to have a strong heart, but the adventure is worth it. Beware! It is dangerous to embark on the via ferrata without suitable alpine equipment and without perfect knowledge of its use. All the necessary equipment can be rented on the spot, by reservation and at very reasonable prices as for the access, taking into account the essential maintenance costs of the site.

Victim of its success, in busy periods, waiting times for equipment are possible. Respect the direction of the itinerary and do not leave it. For reservations and a list of available guides and climbing instructors, contact the Maison du tourisme, which manages this beautiful via ferrata on site. For those who have never been there, don't hesitate to discover it on its particularly well done and detailed website.

A via ferrata is a climbing route with iron ladders... Enough to get thrills in complete safety. It is accessible from the city centre and the experience is unique in France! It is hung on the cliffs of the Saint-Jacques hill with a 360° view from the Ventoux and passes through the Luberon and the Alpilles. On the technical side, the experts say it's a good route to get back on your feet! In any case, on paper, the via Natura is more suitable for families.

A magical site overlooking the lake of Serre-Ponçon in the heart of an immense larch forest. A ski area with beautiful slopes for experienced skiers and areas designed for beginners through the woods. In total, 100 km with 36 slopes, 17 lifts and 1 recent and well thought out snowpark. Numerous white activities - snowshoeing, tobogganing, paragliding, snow scooters - and many summer possibilities - hiking, mountain biking, SpeedLine... - when the heat crushes the shores of the Serre-Ponçon lake below.

In recent years, Risoul, in association with the Forêt Blanche ski area, has made its mark in the field of new snow sports. With 116 runs totalling 185 km, the area offers a wide variety of courses, including 7 snowparks, 2 boardercrosses, a renowned KL run, and two natural toboggan runs. Forêt Blanche is a welcoming destination for all skiers. Cross-country ski enthusiasts also have 17 km of marked trails at their disposal. In summer, white water sports await you on the Durance and Guil rivers.

Pleasant and friendly, Pra-Loup is one of the most famous resorts of the Alpes de Haute Provence. Its 180 km of tracks allow to connect the domain of Foux-d'Allophones by the Agneliers. The station has 4 lifts, 80 of which are cable, 40 of which have a purple brand Milka… and the famous Rider Space, which offers   ha of facilities for extreme sports. The resort on a family atmosphere (Label family Plus Mountain in 2006) with activities for all ages  : a fitted luge space, quad and 4 x 4 children and a creative animation program  : creation of neige, hunting of clues, contes,), modelling and carving… Practice if time isn't the  !

The discovery of sumptuous landscapes by snow scooter, a real nature adventure. The rental of snow scooters is offered for guided tours, for 1 or 2 people per machine. The ride is done in a part of the ski area (plains sector) for 30 minutes or 1 hour, with a view on the heights at sunset. For safety reasons, the first departure is at 5:30 pm, after the slopes have closed. Information and reservations are required depending on the weather conditions at the bottom of the Aiguille slope.

This group of friends, all seasoned mountain professionals, share their extensive mountain experience with the public. Their activities include the supervision of many mountain activities, in all seasons: white water sports, climbing and mountaineering, hiking, cross-country skiing or snowshoeing, via ferrata of Tende, La Brigue and Peille. They provide the necessary equipment and also offer multi-activity stays adaptable to families.

Linked to the one of Molines, the ski area of Saint-Véran offers the largest area of Queyras. At this high altitude, the domain culminates at 2 830 meters, the snow is well present under a sun which allows us to enjoy splendid landscapes. Panoramic view with the emblematic Mont-Viso as a focal point. Descents on virgin slopes for freeriders or in the larch trees at your ease. 34 trails for all levels. 55 km of Nordic trails and itineraries.