Mountain and winter sports Auvergne

The Falgoux Nordic ski area is located in a glacial cirque at the foot of the Puy Mary at an altitude of 1,200 meters. 32 kilometers of trails for all levels are regularly maintained. You can rent cross-country skis and snowshoes on site. A room to eat by the fire is at your disposal. Two trails for snowshoeing are marked out in the pine forest. Depending on the weather, please inquire as the access road can be difficult.

In winter on snowshoes, in summer on foot or by mountain bike, the team of mountain guides of Le Mont-Dore takes the curious eager to discover the landscapes of the Sancy and its most unusual places. Geology, fauna and flora, the Auvergne will have no more secrets after your trip. Numerous activities, to be done in groups or individually, are proposed by these qualified enthusiasts: stroll to the waterfalls, night hike with snowshoes, hike to discover medicinal plants... The outings take place in a good mood and conviviality.

This is the place to be for outdoor activities in both summer and winter. In fine weather, hiking, mountain biking, orienteering and biathlon courses are available. Enjoy the fresh air and magnificent scenery. In winter, once the snow has fallen, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, tobogganing and biathlon sessions are all on the agenda.

The biathlon track is a new feature at La Stèle in 2024: a 1 km track, a penalty ring, a shooting range for 10 m and 50 m shots are all part of the facilities. This activity is open to all. All you need to do in winter is master the basics of cross-country skiing. Individuals are accompanied by a certified instructor. Whichever activity you choose, you'll cross the forests and plains of the Sancy. The scenery is varied, and magnificent views of the Sancy, the Monts du Cantal and the Artense plateau await you. The advantage: the landscape is totally different in summer and in winter, a double reason to come!

The on-site reception area offers a wide range of services, including an out-of-bagroom, sanitary facilities, sales of cross-country ski, snowshoe and biathlon passes, and equipment hire for all seasons: cross-country skis, snowshoes, sledges, bicycles, ski-wheels, rollerblades, scooters and draisiennes. There's also a tourist information office to help you organize your stay.

In summer and winter alike, the Pertuyzat - Pavin ski area is constantly evolving. It now includes a play park, a Nordic site, a nature area and a regional restaurant. The playground features a secure net course where you can climb, slide and jump your way through a variety of challenges. This activity is a must for all the family to share a unique moment. A brand-new pumptrack is accessible by mountain bike. It features a succession of bumps and turns for maximum technique and adventure. Hiking is also on offer.

In winter, the 76 km Nordic ski area is marked out, some by cross-country skiers and others by snowshoers. The scenery is magnificent, and some itineraries offer a view of Lac Pavin. Free-access trails are reserved for sledges.

Don't have the right equipment? Don't worry, Fond/VTT Evasion rents out cross-country skis, skating skis and snowshoes in winter, and DH, cross-country and electric mountain bikes in summer.

Throughout the day, the La Table du Grand Duc restaurant welcomes sports enthusiasts young and old. On the menu are platters of local charcuterie and cheeses, soups, salads, burgers, truffade, dishes of the day... and in the afternoon, sweet treats include crêpes, waffles and more. Everything you need for a great time in the fresh air, in a unique setting.

Situated at an altitude of around 1,000 meters, just 3 km from the village, the small family resort of Plateau de la Verrerie offers a wide range of winter activities. You can rent skis, snowshoes and sledges on site. The resort has four ski runs, ranging from 1.8 km to 7.5 km, with different levels of difficulty. Two snowshoe trails of over 4 km are also available, offering walks through the heart of the forest.

Located at an average altitude of 1,200 metres, the Meygal ski area is a real playground for the whole family. Whether you're a beginner or an experienced skier, you'll find the pleasure of skiing in the heart of unspoilt nature, with 44 km of cross-country trails. For lovers of tranquillity and contact with nature, nine kilometers of trails are specially dedicated to snowshoeing, close to the starting point of the ski trails.

Cross-country skiing awaits you in the picturesque setting of Chaudeyrol, about ten kilometers from Les Estables (in the direction of Saint-Front from the village of Les Estables). The site offers five snow-covered runs, including a blue-level run that takes you close to Lac Saint-Front. Less crowded than the Mezenc, Chaudeyrac is ideal for those seeking solitude and tranquillity.

The Massif du Massif Association was first founded in 1985 following the Mountain Law, under the name Auvergne Ski de Fond. It is responsible for the coordination and enhancement of the northern areas of the Massif Central. Activities, fees, training of staff, organisation of stays… all information is on the website of the association.

The Raquettes snowshoes is a day dedicated to raquette and good humour. Each year 500 and 700 participants participate in this mass hike in snowshoes from La Bourboule. Two courses are proposed. A hot tub and hot meal are offered to the participants. Don't miss this rendez-vous in Auvergne!

Today, a real sliding sport combining skiing and horse-drawn carriage, ski-joëring was once a means of transport. Valérie proposes the discovery of this little-known sport, which is nevertheless accessible to all: you just need to know how to keep your skis parallel. For the youngest, the pony sledge will delight them. In summer, depending on the weather, riders can enjoy day rides to discover the Cantalien massif.

The Rochers de la Miramande offer a sublime setting for Via Ferrata enthusiasts, with exceptional views over the Allier gorges. Between walking and climbing, three routes are available, two relatively accessible (the green and red) and one more difficult (the black). These routes, with their south-facing exposure, involve more climbing on rock than on rungs. Each route takes just under two hours. To reach the site, follow the signs after passing through Saint-Jean-Lachalm.

This climbing site is undoubtedly one of the most popular in the Haute-Loire, not least because of the diversity of its walls and its easy accessibility. After a 10-minute walk, you'll reach the site, which offers no fewer than 49 routes. A dedicated beginners' area is also available. The other routes are suitable for all climbing enthusiasts, the longest stretching for around 30 meters. From the summits, you can enjoy views of Mont Mézenc.

The journey rises along this volcanic fireplace, offering beautiful views over the surrounding landforms. Information panels help to understand the formation of these rocky peaks. The steep climb is rewarded by the view since the summit. Orientation tables will tell you the other summits to see. Once down, you can enjoy a swim in the lake of Bouchet, of volcanic origin as well. If you want to walk by foot, you need an extra 45 minutes.

Tariff: free.

Duration: 1 p. m.

Difficulty: .

Want to discover an activity with sled dogs? In summer and winter, you can enjoy a first experience in a sled driven by a musher, in the heart of the volcanoes. A unique and unforgettable experience. Each baptism begins with an educational session, comfortably installed in a yurt, to learn but especially to understand the functioning of these Nordic dogs and their pack. Here, the huskies are sumptuous and the musher passionate. In short, an experience to be tried, just to think you are Paul-Emile Victor or Jack London.

At the Jardin des neiges de la Prairie des Sagnes, the PiouPiou club is ideal for a first approach to skiing, in complete safety, in a protected and equipped area (snow line, conveyor belt, educational modules, etc.). The instructors are state-qualified. ESF test every Friday: at the end of a week of lessons, the young skiers leave with their first badge and stars in their eyes. The PiouPiou mascot hands out the awards herself. So, the little skiers are on the right track to becoming real champions.

Outdoor activities in summer and winter? Sancy Park has done it! Thrill-seekers will try out the zip line, unique in Auvergne. In summer, you can take to the skies with the tubby jump. Toboggan runs are open for children and adults. On sunny days, you can ride an all-terrain electric scooter or test your agility at the disc golf. Two activities are exclusively dedicated to children: the infernal tower which includes a climbing wall, a slide and a jump in the void and the snowmobile driving.

Known to all for over fifty years. Classified as an outdoor resort at an altitude of 1,100 metres at the top of the Monts de la Madeleine. Leisure park in summer, scooter tracks, tubing tracks, quads circuit, jumping tower, children's course in the trees, slide in the trees, large tyrolean traverse, tyrolean cascades, Skydive, X-Raycer and 3G Ejection. Winter resort, three ski lifts and a conveyor belt for beginners. Downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, sledding and snowboarding. Equipment rental and creperie. Ski school.

In summer or winter, Auvergn'Attitude professionals always have an activity to offer. Hiking, electric mountain biking, climbing, via ferrata, leisure biathlon, tree climbing, gold panning and canoeing are all available in summer. Winter activities include snowshoeing, biathlon, Nordic walking, dog sledding, orienteering, paragliding, trail running and a snow-knowledge workshop. All under the watchful eye of the guides. Auvergn'Attitude members are passionate about sharing their knowledge with others.

Fancy trying out a new activity? Biathlon is coming to La Stèle this year. On the program: cross-country skiing and archery. The track is just under a kilometer long, with a penalty ring, a 10 m and 50 m shooting range and a fun zone. No fewer than 15 shooting lanes are available for groups. This activity can be enjoyed alone or with a teacher. Advantage: this activity is adapted to be practiced in the middle of summer, without snow. A new discovery in the Auvergne!

Auvergne Traineau is a dog sledding service based in La Bourboule, Auvergne. Run by Julien, a qualified professional musher, and his pack of around 30 dogs, Auvergne Traineau can turn your vacation into an unforgettable experience. Whether by sled, cani-kart or cani-marche, you can discover the wonderful tracks of the Charlannes plateau all year round. Services are available for cani-karters aged 3 and over, and for cani-walkers aged 6 and over, and are also suitable for people with reduced mobility. Auvergne Traineau accepts payment in cash, cheques, bank transfers and vacation vouchers.

Sarl Centsix Snowscoot is a bike rental service located in Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise. They offer a variety of bikes, including downhill scooters and around 50 mountain bikes for hire. Their fleet of mountain bikes and downhill scooters is regularly maintained to provide a quality experience for customers.