Alps cross country skiing weekend in France

Itinerary

Itinerary for Alps cross country skiing weekend in France

Day 1: Arrival

You will travel independently to Guillestre, where you can check in at the hotel located in the heart of this picturesque village. The closest train station is Gare de Mont-Dauphin Guillestre, about 4 km from the village centre, and there are buses (both free and paid options) available from the station to the centre. You can find links to the various timetables here. If you prefer, we can organise a taxi for the final 4 km leg, and whenever possible, we'll coordinate with other participants to help share the cost. This will be arranged closer to the date.

Guillestre is a delightful village with quaint, pedestrian-only streets perfect for a stroll, and offers plenty of outdoor seating on terraces in the main square (near the hotel) for people-watching or enjoying a coffee.

We suggest gathering in the hotel lobby around 18:30 this evening (depending on arrival times) to meet your fellow participants. We’ll reserve a table for the group at a local restaurant for dinner (payment directly at the restaurant) and will confirm this with you nearer the time.

Day 2 Cross Country Skiing in Crévoux

Your instructor will collect you from the hotel in the morning and take you to Crévoux. Once there, you’ll get equipped with your ski gear before heading out for your first lesson.

If there are very different levels or people choosing different disciplines (skating or classic) we will organise a second instructor and split you into groups, or, if you are less than 8 people, the instructor will split his time between you with different workshops.

Crévoux is a stunning ski domain situated high in the mountains above the Serre Ponçon lake. Thanks to its high altitude of 1700m and ideal exposure, it boasts an early and consistent snow cover throughout the season – a true winter wonderland!

The area offers 45 km of groomed cross-country ski pistes, with a variety of green and blue runs perfect for beginners and those looking for easy tours. For more advanced skiers, there's a fantastic long red-level ascent that winds up the mountainside to the Refuge des Cébieres.

As you glide along the trails, keep an eye out for unique art sculptures seamlessly integrated into the landscape.

For lunch, there's an excellent on-piste restaurant that comes highly recommended. If you’re interested in trying something different in the afternoon, downhill skiing or snowshoeing are also available options at Crévoux.

Day 3 Cross Country Skiing in Ceillac and Biathlon

Today you will visit Ceillac which is the nearest Nordic ski domain in the renowned Queyras mountain range and is extremely popular, thanks to its perfect exposure that maintains cold, quality snow throughout the season. With numerous slopes suitable for all skill levels, it offers a fantastic variety for both beginners and seasoned skiers. You can explore the piste map showcasing 48 km of slopes, providing plenty of options for both classic and skate skiing.

For more experienced cross-country skiers and skaters, the challenging black-level traverses offer an exciting adventure, while others can enjoy the more relaxed blue and red runs. There’s also a great picnic room on-site for a cosy lunch break, or you can head to one of the charming restaurants in the village.

In the afternoon, you have the chance to participate in a biathlon initiation, which combines the thrill of cross-country skiing with the precision of target shooting. A fabulous experience learning how to shoot biathlon style using a biathlon rifle and then combining this with cross country skiing to finish with a race against your fellow participants. Race is adapted to take into account different levels.

Day 4 Cross Country Skiing in Arvieux

Today, you will visit Arvieux, a renowned destination for Nordic skiing situated at the foot of the Col d'Izoard. The area offers 28 km of groomed cross-country ski trails for both classic and skating styles, ranging in altitude from 1550m to 1780m. Thanks to its reliable early-season snow and artificial snowmaking, Arvieux is a favourite training ground for local, regional, and even national teams.

You'll start at the Nordic ski stadium in Brunissard, located at the base of the Col d'Izoard. This area offers 16.5 km of trails, including a mix of green, blue, red, and black routes. which is perfect for skills lessons for all levels. It’s also where you'll find the Nordic ski centre next to the Jamberoute site.

If you’re looking for a long route for your afternoon tour, there's the scenic Col d'Izoard trail, stretching up to Col de la Platrière, which starts directly from Brunissard and covers 14 km. This iconic path is part of the annual "Intégrale Izoard" events, when the trails are groomed exclusively for Nordic skiers in the mornings.

In the afternoon, other activities like husky sledding, sledging, or snowshoeing are possible or continue enjoying the cross-country ski trails in this stunning mountain setting.

Day 5 Return Home

This is the sad day we say goodbye, and we hope you are going back exhilarated and feeling on top of the world. It is possible to extend your stay to do more self guided cross country skiing if you wish or try other winter activities. Please just ask when you book.

We can organise grouped taxi bookings for you to get to the station.