Winter ski touring

A landscape rich in variety

The Ardèche is a mountainous region, with a wide range of activities, from via ferrata climbing to canoeing down the Gorges de l'Ardèche, a region that reveals itself in a whole new light in winter. With its mild climate, many tourists enjoy the pleasures of the snow, from downhill skiing to snowshoeing and cross-country skiing.

The region's only downhill ski resort, La Croix de Bauzon rises to an altitude of almost 1400 metres and offers a dozen runs for all levels of skier. For snowshoeing enthusiasts, there are four routes to choose from, ranging from 1.5 to 24 km.

The Ardèche is also a paradise for cross-country skiers, with the ski areas of La Chavade, Montivernoux and Lalouvesc. At La Chavade, more than 50km of pistes offer plenty of opportunity to exercise during the short winter days, before enjoying one of the many culinary specialities. Perfect for unplanned weekends with friends or family, the resorts of Montivernoux and Lalouvesc welcome travellers ready to enjoy a few kilometres of snowy fun.

From the end of December, the Ardèche winter resorts are abuzz with activity. Group snowshoeing sessions, igloo-building workshops, snow sculptures, biathlon and a host of other activities, including night-time events, keep the Ardéchois and tourists awake.

Whether on sledges, snowshoes, sled dogs, cross-country skis or snow buoys, exploring the Ardèche resorts during the winter season is a privilege and a little-known experience for travellers. To the delight of the lucky few, the towns and villages are very quiet, unlike the more famous areas of the Alps, which are often overrun as soon as the first snow falls. Affordable prices and no crowds - that's the promise of these small areas, which are very popular with families during the cold season!

In the low season, you can stay in some of the Ardèche's prettiest and most charming villages at reduced prices: the Villages de Caractère. Balazuc, one of the most famous, is just an hour's drive from La Croix de Bauzon and very easy to get to. Just a few kilometres from Vallon-Pont-d'Arc, it's ideally situated for all the must-see sights in the Ardèche, even in winter.

If you're a keen snow sports enthusiast and want to sleep as close as possible to the slopes and get your equipment on as soon as you can, there's a range of accommodation in the resort. At La Croix de Bauzon, the auberge welcomes visitors all year round, right at the foot of the slopes, while the neighbouring village of La Chavade is home to a sumptuous spa hotel, Le Provence. Perched at an altitude of 1,200 metres, the spacious, comfortable rooms are accompanied by a restaurant and spa area, much sought-after after a day in the snow.

Easily reached by road, many travellers visit the Ardèche winter resorts by car. Although the towns of Valence and Montélimar can be reached by public transport, such as the train, the resorts are not very well served by public transport. So opt for the car, and car-share if you can delight other tourists!

For visitors coming from further afield, opt for a flight, landing at Valence airport, before hiring a car for easy access to the pretty villages of the Ardèche.