Cross-country ski resort: where to practice in France?

While many North and South Alps resorts offer cross-country skiing, some are particularly worth a visit. Here are 3 alpine destination ideas for Nordic skiing enthusiasts.

The Haut-Vercors Nordic area (Isère)

Located between 1130 and 1560 meters above sea level, theHaut-Vercors Nordic area is divided into several sectors. It brings together the resorts of Villard-de-Lans, Corrençon en Vercors and Herbouilly, each offering an entry point to the Nordic domain.

There are a total of 43 slopes for 96 km of skiing, catering to all levels: 5 green slopes, 14 blue, 16 red, and 8 black. This varied area is therefore an essential meeting point for cross-country skiers, who can enjoy loops with varied landscapes and difficulties.

The area is also enhanced with equipped zones, such as the Martin Fourcade Nordic Park, a biathlon stadium, a beginner's area, a snow garden, and a sledging track for children. So there's everything you need to spend a full family day without getting bored!

The Olympic Nordic area of Les Saisies (Savoie)

Higher in altitude, you can also practice cross-country skiing in Les Saisies, whose Nordic area is located between 1650 and 1800 meters above sea level. Relatively extensive, this Nordic area can be explored starting from the Les Saisies resort or from Le Lachat.

More than 20 marked trails allow you to cover 180 km, between forests and open spaces with beautiful viewpoints. The majority of the trails are green and blue, and are therefore very suitable for novices, but there are also red and black trails, from 8 to 22 km.

In addition to cross-country ski loops, other Nordic activities are offered with the biathlon stadium, dog sledding introductions, a sledding track, a Baby Park, etc.

The Val Cenis resorts (Savoie)

For a great variety of cross-country ski trails in the Alps, you can also head towards Val Cenis, which has several Nordic areas:

• Monolith area in Aussois – Sardières, with 9 cross-country ski trails, fun areas, and trails for hiking or snowshoeing.

• Area of Bessans, culminating at 2000 m, with 13 routes, from the easiest (0.8 km for 8 m elevation gain) to the most athletic and technical (23.3 km for 250 m D+) and a Nordic Cross. The Bessans Nordic area also offers a varied range of other winter sports: shared trails that allow the practice of ski-joëring, discovery trails for ski touring, areas for dog sledding or moonbike rides, etc.

• Val d'Ambin area, on the resorts of Bramans and Le Cernay, with several snowshoeing routes, but also 6 cross-country ski trails (initiation loop, one green trail, one blue, 2 red, and one black).

The Pyrenees are an equally interesting playground for cross-country skiers, with several Nordic areas offering dozens of kilometers of trails.

The Capcir Nordic area (Pyrénées-Orientales)

Well known to cross-country skiers, the Col de la Llose area in Capcir is located about 15 minutes from the resorts of Font-Romeu and Les Angles.

6 trails are reserved exclusively for cross-country skiing, and some even allow you to reach beautiful viewpoints over Canigó and the Mediterranean Sea, whether you are a novice or an experienced skier.

In addition to this offer are additional activities: laser biathlon, snowshoeing trails, a fun area with a sledding track, catering, etc.

The Nordic site of Font-Romeu – Pyrénées 2000 (Pyrénées-Orientales)

In Font-Romeu itself, it is also possible to practice classic or skating skiing, particularly in the La Calme sector. Several trails have been designed for each level, with several green loops on the plateau, and blue and red trails leading to the La Calme refuge, Pic de Mauroux, or Roc de La Calme.

If you want to vary the fun, other routes are also to be discovered in Bolquère-Pyrénées 2000, which shares the same ski area.

The Jura is a popular destination for cross-country skiers, thanks to its many large Nordic areas. The list of cross-country ski resorts is therefore relatively long: we present 2 of them, which offer a great diversity of routes and activities.

Cross-country skiing in Les Rousses sectors (Jura)

In Les Rousses and in the surrounding resorts, there are 6 main Nordic sectors for cross-country skiing :

• Lamoura/Serra

• Darbella/Frasse/Massacre

• Bois d'Amont

• Les Rousses

• Risoux

• Prémanon

This gives you access to 37 marked trails : 10 green, 10 blue and 17 red, which offers an infinite number of possibilities, both for beginners and for covering long distances, in magical settings within the Mont Noir forest, the Risoux forest, around the lakes of Bellefontaine and Les Rousses, etc.

Some sectors also offer snowshoeing trails, dog sledding introductions, themed trails, fun areas, catering points, etc. A great concentration of activities for the whole family!

The Plateau de Retord resort (Ain)

Much further south in the Jura, another pleasant place for cross-country skiing is located at Plateau du Retord. This area is divided into an alpine sector, a sector for snowshoeing, and 3 Nordic areas dedicated to cross-country skiers, the largest of which is Plans d'Hotonnes.

In total, you have access to about twenty marked trails, including trails for classic or skating practice, a beginner's area, connections, and biathlon trails. There's enough to delight all practitioners, from pure novices to experienced skiers.

In the Massif Central, theSancy Nordic area is the largest cross-country skiing area, with 200 km of slopes. It is divided into 7 large sectors:

• Super-Besse Madalet : 7 slopes and a 13.6 km Nordic route, with a connection to Besse Petuyzat

• La Bourboule Charlannes : 6 slopes over 14 km, with a possible connection to La Tour d'Auvergne La Stèle

• Besse Pertuyzat : 5 slopes, which run along Lake Pavin (excluding the small green slope La Clairière)

• La Tour d'Auvergne : 45.4 km of trails, divided into 10 slopes of all levels, as well as a Nature Sport fun area and a biathlon stadium

• Chastreix Sector : one slope of each level, exclusively reserved for cross-country skiers, and connections to two other sectors

• Super Besse Plaine des Moutons : 1 red and 2 blue slopes, which culminate at 1600 meters of altitude, and are also reserved for cross-country skiers

• Le Mont-Dore Capucin : 7 forest routes for nearly 50 km of skiing, as well as 3 connections and a sledding track

Even on the lowest massif in France, cross-country skiing can be practiced in several areas: here are 2 sectors in the Vosges to know for cross-country skiers.

The La Bresse Lispach area (Vosges)

In Xonrupt-La Bresse, a Nordic area welcomes vacationers of all ages throughout the winter season. In La Bresse Lispach, 9 cross-country ski slopes are laid out there, with a length of 2 to 16 km, and green, blue, and red levels.

You can also gently learn the practice at Anicé Garden, experience more playful skiing at the Nordic Park, take biathlon lessons with an ESF guide and experience an outdoor Escape Game imagined on the green slopes of the area.

Not far from there, theGérardmer Nordic area allows you to vary the pleasures: 4 sectors are offered, providing cross-country ski slopes of all levels and trails for hiking or snowshoeing.

The Lac Blanc resort (Haut-Rhin)

Developed in the heart of snowy forests, the Lac Blanc area is another point of interest in the Vosges for classic or skating skiing. There are two small green routes, 6 blue slopes, 3 red loops, and 2 black trails for the more athletic. Beginner cross-country skiers, intermediate skiers, and experts all meet in the same area.

A Nordic Park and some snowshoe circuits complete these 68 km of marked trails.