If you’re searching for a
French ski resort that has loads to offer families, then Orcieres Merlette is the perfect choice. With a history dating back to the 1960s skiing boom, it is a lively,
family-friendly ski resort that is packed with facilities on top of its excellent skiing. Boasting a great mixture of Mediterranean and alpine climates, you will find high altitude skiing with excellent sunny conditions. There are
100km of skiable slopes here that wind through the luxurious, snow-covered alpine landscapes with views of the famed peaks like Aiguille de Cedera and Pointes de Rougnoux. A total of 51 mixed-difficulty slopes, including 9 green beginner options and 7 black high-difficulty slopes are on offer so everyone will find their ideal circuit. This ski area is equipped with the best, high-quality performance equipment with 29 lifts in total, with a mix of chairlifts and convenient cable car systems. You'll also find a FIS-certified downhill run for the more competitive skiers among you and of course snow parks. You can also explore the linked resorts of Serre-Eyraud and the Haut-Champsaur Nordic domain, where quieter slopes provide a rustic, mountain village feel. Excellent international ski schools offer lessons allowing you and your family to gain confidence and hone your skills within safe and well-equipped areas.
Orcieres Merlette provides an idyllic
family ski holiday destination in France offering plenty of other leisure and sports activities besides skiing. The resort proudly holds a Famille Plus Label for its attentive kid-friendly clubs and services adapted for all ages. Whether having fun learning ice skating or getting competitive in the bowling alley, Orcieres Merlette is brimming with fun sports and leisure activities to keep the young ones busy and happy. You can even try downslope sledging or mushing with huskies – a wonderful alternative to snow shoeing that allows you to enjoy the alpine scenery and the relaxing silence of the dreamy landscapes. For adventurous excursions, ski touring is available throughout the sublime Écrin landscape with knowledgeable guides available in the village. Explore the tranquil Champsaur and Valgaudemar valleys on skis or ascend 3,000 m+ peaks ! Discover untouched frozen lakes and peaceful natural scenery bathed in silence and sunlight. Classics like tobogganing, snow buoying and ice carting are also at hand when you’re feeling that competitive spirit. One of the resort's main peaks, Drouvet, is also home to one of Europe's largest ziplines, hurtling you down to the pretty Lake Long head-first. What better way to build memories with your family than staying in an
Orcieres Merlette holiday rental on an unforgettable
ski holiday in France !
It may be difficult to tear yourself away from Orcieres Merlette’s superb slopes, but a day or two of sightseeing brings rich rewards. By far the biggest natural draw here is Parc National des Écrins, France's second-largest national park that's packed with eye-catching alpine meadows. This rugged landscape is home to diverse animal species like the chamois, ibex, golden eagle and eagle-owl. Orcieres itself and its 22 surrounding hamlets make for winter walks in charming, picture-postcard settings thanks to highlights like the impressive 14th-century Saint-Laurent church and its snow-covered steeple. The hamlet of Prapic exudes that traditional alpine village feel with ancient stone houses and cobblestone streets. Prapic’s church, Sainte-Anne, was built in the 19th century to spare locals the arduous winter hike to Orcieres. The nearest city is Gap, just a 40-minute drive from Orcieres and home to the Prefectural Hautes-Alpes Museum. If you can fit in a day trip, Briançon is the region’s most impressive cultural epicentre. The highest city in France, its splendid hilltop old town, Cité Vauban, is a time capsule of 14th-century life. This and the precarious Vauban Fortifications were awarded UNESCO World Heritage status in 2008. Whether skiing or sightseeing, there’s plenty to pack into your family ski holiday in Orcieres Merlette !
