A great weekend in the mountains in the Serre-Ponçon Lake region

Review of this weekend in the High Alps to discover the charming resorts of Réallon, Crévoux and Les Orres, located near the Serre-Ponçon Lake. The opportunity to enjoy everything that the destination has to offer, starting with a good dose of fresh air and relaxation… But that’s not all! Anyone who says they are going to the mountains in winter inevitably also means skiing, breathtaking snowy landscapes and delicious food… This is my first time visiting this region to enjoy the joys of «the mountains» in winter, but what particularly touched me was the kindness of the inhabitants, Good people, proud of their region and their local heritage. I wasn’t expecting such a warm welcome in these friendly and small-scale stations !

It all starts with discovery the Réallon station where I had the opportunity to make my first ski descent of the season DE NUIT! A first… I was excited, but I won’t hide that the experience remains quite scary! A big thank you to Matthieu, the driver of the chairlift who dropped me off at the top of the slopes from where I could enjoy a magnificent view of the Chabrières needles and the Serre-ponçon lake at sunset. The opportunity to have an aperitif while enjoying a local sausage 🙂 After the descent I went to have dinner at the station at the restaurant the wooden spatula. Inside, it’s warm (good point, it was insanely hot!) The main room resembles the interior of a wooden chalet; there are many decorative accessories like old skis; the owners are welcoming and above all The local dishes are delicious and very filling! I chose the the pierrade served with 4 different kinds of meat… I’m drooling just thinking about it!

The ski resort of Réallon has 30 km of slopes with 4 green, 5 blue, 3 red and 1 black slopes. There are 2 chairlifts, 3 ski lifts and 1 sledging track for young beginners who want to start with the sports of sliding at a very young age. For the day pass, you will have to pay 23.50€ per adult and 21€ for children under 12 years old. A small ideal resort for Enjoying the mountains as a family for a weekend. On occasion I would really like to return in the summer because there are many activities around the Serre-Ponçon lake. Water sports, hiking or horseback riding, paragliding, wellness, etc… In the end, you can enjoy all the pleasures of the coast but also the mountains! The month of May sets the tone with the OutdoorMix festival From May 18 to 21, 2018, an extreme sports and outdoor music festival was held on the water surface of the city of Embrun.

After this discovery Réallon, Return to the valley the hotel of la Robéyère Located in Embrun to enjoy a good night’s rest so that the next day we can be ready to start our adventures. Charming hotel dating from the 18th century, it has a good restaurant and even a spa where you can enjoy the heated swimming pool, Hammock, sauna and Nordic bath on the hotel terrace with a clear view of the mountains.

After having eaten my breakfast at the restaurant’s buffet, I headed towards the Crévoux, a charming small village with a human scale where you can enjoy the 16 tracks spread over 22km (trail map) and some alternative activities like the Fat Bike. At the top of the slopes, at the Arête de la Ratelle, you can admire a spectacular 360° view of the valleys on both sides. Then, a change of scenery, you can enjoy the sensations of skiing in a remarkable natural setting by crossing the forests of holm oaks to reach the resort quietly. Before leaving, stop by Samuel’s, a milk producer Very nice place where you can buy delicious local cheeses. Also note that you have the option to buy local cheeses as well. cheese dairy in Château-Queyras, a cooperative that works with a dozen dairy producers.

I highly recommend the station to anyone who wants to enjoy the tranquility and charm of Crévoux… A beautiful discovery! The one-day pass costs 21€ per adult and 15€ per child. If you want to stop for a tasty meal in a friendly restaurant, head to TitiLulu. A must-try: the hot box, a delicious local specialty!

Finally, I went to the station Les Orres, This is the final stage of this great weekend in the Serre-Ponçon region. It is undoubtedly the resort that offers the most variety of activities. greater choice of activities for the greatest happiness of both young and old. One can enjoy the 100km of slopes (38 runs) to get your fill of excitement, have fun in the snow park, go hiking on snowshoes around the resort, and also learn new activities like the Airboard, a kind of inflatable sled that moves by tilting the body to one side or the other… I had the opportunity to test it and the sensations are great… Something to do and to do again with family or friends, guaranteed laughter! Throughout the season there are many Highlights and of Events to bring together all the holidaymakers: concerts, torchlight descent, fun activities at the skating rink, etc…

Photo credit: Tintin Photos

Before leaving the region the next morning, I spent one last night in a truly remarkable guesthouse located near the Orres: House Cimes. I was once again charmed by the hospitality of the owners and especially by the decoration of the rooms and living spaces in a style that blends Scandinavian (Hygge) touches with contemporary and mountain-style elements. A real success! So much so that many journalists specializing in interior design came to take photos and write articles about it.

I was delighted to discover these ski resorts with Thomas from the Serre-Ponçon tourism office and Magali from the CRT Provence Alpes Côte d’Azur, with whom we spent 3 unforgettable days! Thank you both 🙂