Mountain and winter sports Provence

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.

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.

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.

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.

Formed nearly 40 million years ago, the sandstones of Annot arouse for various reasons a growing interest on the part of sportsmen admiring this unique geological manifestation in the region. The grandiose aspect of these cliffs dominating the village leaves no one unmoved... The sandstone benches can reach 250 metres in thickness! For walkers, take the marked path and discover these unusual rocks and the flora that surrounds them. As for the climbers, they will find nearly 150 equipped routes.

The Ministerial committee is the decentralized organisation of the French mountain federation and climbing for Bouches-du-Rhône. There is a myriad of clubs and sites in our region to practise safely. The committee also intervenes in various actions, such as a partnership with the second chance school in Marseille, or that with the hospital Edouard Toulouse. To also know the conditions of access every day during the summer period at the various climbing sites in Bouches-du-Rhône, take them a little bit of thread, they will know you. Or visit the website.

Explore the thrills of the via ferrata du Rocher, tackling features such as the Nepalese Bridge, beams, footbridges and chimney. The route, which lasts from 2 to 2h30, promises a thrilling adventure. You'll need the right equipment or an experienced guide to take part in this experience. After a 40-minute walk from the town center, you'll enjoy an exceptional panorama and 2h30 of exploration on the rock.

From mid-January to the end of March, the Train des Alpes du Sud (Southern Alps Train) will take you to 23 resorts in the Southern Alps every Saturday and Sunday (except during school holidays) from Aix-en-Provence. This is a great initiative by the Region, in collaboration with TER SNCF, which allows the inhabitants of the Aix-en-Provence region to enjoy the snowy slopes or simply the beauty of the mountains. It's a combined ticket (train and shuttle) that takes you to the resort of your choice.

Whether it is raining, selling or snowing: physical activity is all year round! Yes, even in winter! If the motivation is not always at its peak during this cold season, here is an activity that should change your mind: cross-country skiing! With 40 kilometres of slopes in the heart of the Mercantour National Park and in the Vallon valley, the northern area of Larche has everything to seduce the athletes - and the less sporty! You are upgrading on trails at varying levels of difficulty between 1700 and 2000 metres. Do we not feel tiny in this white and wild vastness?

Tariff: from € 8 per day, € 6 per 3 h; free of charge for people under 5 years of age (70 years and older).

Skiing area: 22 km of green slopes, 4,5 km of blue slopes, 14 km of red slopes, 13 km of black slopes.

Difficulty: very easy (green) to very difficult (black).

Special provisions: if you leave solo, we strongly recommend that you prevent the gendarmerie before leaving, specifying your itinerary.

Situated between 1400 and 1600 metres of altitude, the northern area of Saint-Paul-sur-Ubaye enjoys an exceptional location between iscles and larch forests. In all, 25 kilometres of cross-country ski runs and 5 km of snowshoe trails; what you spend and make progress at your pace, taking advantage of the performance of Lady Nature in his great white coat… Even if you are not a seasoned sportsman, you will see that the training will never have been so pleasant!

Tariff: from € 8 per day, € 6 per 3 h; free of charge for people under 5 years of age (+70 years old).

Skiing area: 2,5 km of green slopes, 3 km of blue slopes, 4,5 km of red slopes, 10,5 km of black slopes, and 5 km of pedestrian trails (snowshoes).

Difficulty: very easy (green) to very difficult (black).

Special provisions: if you leave solo, we strongly recommend that you prevent the gendarmerie before leaving, specifying your itinerary.

The Ferrata is located in a very impressive wall 130 m high, and is not surprised by its very athletic side. You will start by crossing a tile that will use your arms to a game where you can rest a little. The second part is more sporty and discourages amateurs. Total difference of 600 m. 3 routes are possible: The Bear Discovery Itinerary (3 to 4 hours); The Coq du Coq route Sports and Air route (3 to 4 hours); The August Tower Very aerial and Athletic Route (5 to 6 hours). A wild and preserved framework.

As far as cross-country skiing is concerned, the Val d'Allos has a very popular Nordic area with 12 km of groomed and marked trails divided into two routes located at the foot of the village and the resort. Skiers must pay the compulsory fees at the Val d'Allos 1 400 - Allos ski lift ticket office, near the cross-country ski "info point". Walking and snowshoeing are forbidden on these trails, but marked routes reserved for walking and snowshoeing are available free of charge.

The ESF at Le Seignus has existed since 1973 and has the "Famille Plus Montagne" label. Its team of 18 permanent instructors increases to 45 during the vacations to satisfy the growing demand and to participate in the development of the resort. The group or individual lessons are well adapted to the level of practice of the students and according to the vacation periods. The ESF also offers off-piste skiing and a Nordic ski school for children aged 8 and up. For people with reduced mobility, the ESF offers sessions sitting on a ski chair, guided by an instructor.

Situated at an altitude of 1,450 m in the heart of the Monges massif, this nature resort offers activities and entertainment all year round. Le Fanget is the starting point for numerous hikes in the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence geological reserve. You can also head off in the direction of the Clues de Barles or the Gorges de la Blanche, whatever the season. The inn offers discovery hikes, themed evenings and a treasure hunt for children. Don't miss the "Fangiflette", a tartiflette revisited as a house specialty.

Inside the Nartuby gorges, more than 400 level 3 and 8b+ certified sport climbing routes are set up and spread over 7 different sites. Several times a week, climbing lessons, "vertical adventure" outings to learn techniques and practice, in private lessons, in small groups or with the family, are organised by Philippe Bugada, La Corditelle, a state-certified climbing instructor. To reach these sites, take the D955 road westwards, along the river.