TOP 10 ski resorts opening up dedicated ski touring areas in France
Ski touring for everyone!
Ski touring has been growing in popularity recently. Yet this activity has deep roots and a long history of adventure. Also known as ski mountaineering or mountain skiing, ski touring combines the rewards of physical effort with the joy of gliding on snow. For mountain lovers, it is a return to the essentials, in harmony with nature: a balance between effort and tranquillity, far from the ski lifts.
One thing is certain: this activity requires some knowledge of the mountains, which can sometimes hold people back from heading out on an adventure.
That is why, to meet the growing demand from ski touring enthusiasts, many French ski resorts have created dedicated areas where the public can enjoy the activity safely. These take the form of touring-parks, ski fitness areas or marked routes, giving everyone who loves wide-open spaces a taste of ski touring.
AYAQ has selected the TOP 10 French ski resorts opening up dedicated ski touring areas for you:
The La Rosière ski area has offered three permanent ski touring routes since 2015: l’Hermine, du Roc and à Serge. These three marked routes allow beginners to discover the activity safely. Introductory courses are available through Evolution 2 or ESF.
TOP 2: La Plagne
Located in the Tarentaise valley, this resort offers the largest number of marked, secured ski touring routes. There are seven routes catering to beginners through to experienced tourers: three easy, two intermediate and two difficult. The bonus? Forest trails, breathtaking views of Mont Blanc and descents both on the pistes and off-piste.
TOP 3: Arêches-Beauford
The resort of Arêches-Beauford is a must-visit, as it hosts the world’s most iconic ski mountaineering race: La Pierra Menta!
It was also one of the first resorts to create dedicated routes for all abilities. Enjoy your first taste of ski touring on “La Trace Bleue”, hone your skills on “La Trace Rouge” or push your limits on “La Trace Pro”. Time to make your own tracks!
TOP 4: La Chartreuse
The Chartreuse ski area was one of the first to offer marked, secured ski touring routes. La Scia is a popular route suitable for all abilities, with four alternative trails. Take care not to stray from the marked route on the ascent, however, as there are rocky cliffs nearby.
The route starts at the ski-touring-area in the Raidlight-Vertical building and finishes at the top of the resort. The descent can be made on blue, red or black pistes.
TOP 5: Les Reallons
This is the home resort of multiple ski mountaineering world champion Laetitia Roux! Les Reallons offers four marked ski touring routes. The trails have everything a ski touring enthusiast could wish for: long traverses through the forest and wide-open spaces with breathtaking views of Lake Serre-Ponçon and the Aiguilles de Chabrières.
TOP 6: Pralognan La Vanoise
Vanoise National Park is another essential destination and a superb training ground for ski touring. With two marked routes close to the pistes, you can switch off and immerse yourself in nature. Discover the beginner-friendly Le Rosset route or head higher on Le Moriond!
TOP 7: Chamonix-Mont-Blanc
The iconic Chamonix valley attracts skiers of every kind and nationality. Renowned for its ski slopes, it now has four secured ski touring routes: Les Houches, Les Grands Montets, Le Tour Charamillon and Les Posettes. The most popular is Les Houches, an ideal route for trying the activity without straying too far from the pistes. Several exit points allow you to adapt the outing to your goals. The descent follows the ski pistes.
TOP 8: Puy Saint Vincent
Puy Saint Vincent offers a route called “Rando Ski de Pré Rouge”, designed to introduce you to the pleasures of ski touring. The trail winds through forest and along a ridgeline with breathtaking views. Beginners are advised to stop at around 2,000 m above sea level. Beyond this point, a more technical section leads to the summit of Rocher Noir, which also marks the end of the ascent. The full route involves almost 1,000 m of elevation gain.
TOP 9: Les Arcs
This resort in Savoie offers three routes specially designed as an introduction to ski touring: La Trace (Arc 1600), Les Tétras (Arc 1800) and Les Verdaches - Peisey-Vallandry. You can also enjoy the Big Up&Down event, which brings ski touring enthusiasts together for challenges, introductory sessions and free demonstrations.
TOP 10: Serre Chevalier
We could not finish this list without mentioning Serre Chevalier, the resort that hosted the first Ski Mountaineering World Championships in 2002. The resort offers one free marked route and many others that can be explored with a guide.
An introduction to ski touring and the equipment you need, in La Plagne
Thanks to the work of these resorts, you can experience all the thrills of ski touring while staying safe on a marked trail. Please note that in France, ski touring is prohibited outside trails designed for this activity.
Remind-yourself that before every outing, it is essential to check the weather and snow conditions thoroughly. Having the right equipment is equally important to ensure your trip goes smoothly.
We hope you enjoyed this TOP 10 and that it helps you plan your next mountain outings and ski touring adventures!
