CENTRE DE SKI DE FOND DE SAINT-BARTHÉLÉMY

The Saint-Barthélémy valley holds the title, shared with Cogne, of regional cross-country skiing capital. In total, the area offers three blue trails (from 3.5 to 9 km), six red trails (from 11 to 19.5 km) and one black trail (30 km). The trails start in the village of Porliod and run for dozens of kilometers in an absolutely magnificent environment of dense fir forests alternating with expanses of alpine pastures, for a total and soothing immersion in the mountains. The rather high average altitude (approx. 2,000 m) ensures excellent snow cover throughout the winter season, despite the south-facing aspect and sunny location. Nine different trails of all levels of difficulty, ranging in length from 3 to 30 km, wind their way up and down the high Saint-Barthélémy valley, passing by some fifteen alpine chalets, crossing dozens of streams and always staying well away from any inhabited area - a truly enchanting adventure in communion with nature, so rare and appreciated. The resort's "mythical" trail is the Gran Tor, the only black trail, which runs from Praz de l'Arp all the way to Alpe Ollière after a long, thirty-kilometer loop on the other side of the valley. The cross-country foyer has all the services skiers need (rental, bar, restaurant, toilets...) and there's even an alpine refuge on the slopes.