Serre-Ponçon: after the beaches in summer, the far north in winter

After 15 years of closure, the La Draye Nordic ski area reopened its doors on 15 December 2021. The cross-country ski trails are now open to the public, offering hikes at an altitude of 1,500 m, in a setting combining larch forests and the Hautes-Alpes mountains. A true Lapland experience, exploring the countryside with sled dogs. At Serre-Ponçon, a pack of huskies and a musher guide you through a wild mountain setting.

Good to know: You can take your dogsled directly from the gîte de la Draye. The price is around €30 per person for a one-hour introduction.

Close to the Serre-Ponçon lake, the Crévoux ski area offers a wide range of Nordic activities. Far from the big ski resorts, this unspoilt site has 6 cross-country ski trails and 3 pedestrian trails for snowshoeing or fat-biking. Sledging and dog sledding are also on the programme at the Nordic hostel.

This year, a permanent hiking itinerary has been designed to give nature lovers greater independence and freedom. Without ever crossing the ski slopes, the route allows you to discover the treasures of the region, such as the Razis waterfall, which freezes over with ice in winter, the Ratelle ridge and the larch forests of the Southern Alps.

Can you imagine putting on your skis to go to a museum? In Crévoux, the fairy trail offers this unique experience. The works on display in the heart of nature in summer are dressed in white in winter and completely transformed. In all, there are around twenty works created on site by international artists to discover. Some of them can be seen from the Crachet cross-country ski run. An original and poetic walk.

In the evening, the atmosphere in the Serre-Ponçon mountains is different from that of the day. In the dark of night and under a starry sky, a mystical atmosphere takes hold of the valley. To experience this spellbinding magic, snowshoe treks are organised with a guide who accompanies young and old alike on a 3km trail while telling the stories and legends of the mountains. The white snow is revealed by the sound of footsteps and candlelight.

To find out more: The walks take place on Tuesdays and Fridays, and cost around €26 per adult and €20 per child for the 1.5-hour route. More information on the website.