Les Orres, French Ski Resort In The High Alps

By Author: Boštjan Hozjan
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The roads in this part of France are safe, if not a bit curvy and swervy. If you're interested in quality skiing as well as picturesque backdrops, then Les Orres French ski resort may be your one-stop ski holiday destination. With the Le Boussolenc (2822 m) and L'Aupillon (2917) massifs towering over the town, and the Durance and Serre-Poncon Lake sparkling a reflection, it's easy to see why Les Orres keeps locals and visitors coming each and every year.

Les Orres France ski resort is a purpose built resort, catering to the entire spectrum of skiers who come to challenge themselves on the pistes. It's easy to get to any of the three main ski areas, Pre-Bois in the middle, Pramouton to the west and Preclaux (Bois) to the east. If you speak a little French, then you might know that "bois" means wood or wooded. In this case, "bois" is an accurate description as Les Orres has forest and woodland surrounding the resort over 2200 meters high. There are plenty of ways to become situated here as there's a tourist office and shuttles running back and forth, going past Champ Lacas to the west of town.

Skiing in Les Orres ...
... is geared to an array of skiers and abilities, lone newcomers to traditional families. The area has so much to offer not only because of its sure-snow altitude, but also because of its heavily wooded and forested ski areas. When you step out your doorstep and can literally hit the slopes in seconds, you get more time to ski and feel the beauty all around you. Though Les Orres is built to attract skiers, it doesn't attract an exuberantly loud crowd. Les Orres is something special in that it provides a ski holiday that is toned down. There are cinemas and bowling alleys, bars, restaurants, discos and nurseries to put your children into. You can go snowshoeing, paragliding, horse-riding or ride quads. What you'll find in Les Orres is everything else you'll find in other Alp resorts, but here the mood is what makes it so different.

If you stick to red runs and slopes, then you'll love Les Orres. There are 19 well-marked red runs to choose from, some a bit more difficult than the next. If you conquer them all, you'll be one of the only few. Les Orres ski resort itself lies at1650 meters with the highest lift reaching 2720 meters, providing a long six-kilometer run and a 1170 max vertical. Additionally, there are a near 90 km of total skiable terrain and 63 km of that is on the slopes only. There are 29 marked runs and at last count 25 ski lifts: 9 chair- and 16 draglifts.

Beginners will be in luck and have some good training on the 12 dedicated slopes. Advanced skiers will only have three to choose from, but tackling some of the intermediate slopes will still give you a good challenge. Plus, experts can ride down the whole mountain from massif to base. There are over 100 snow cannons all around and the use of them may not be necessary as the altitude almost always ensures a snow level of several feet. Moreover, there are 40 kilometers of cross-country ski routes, and some are the prettiest in all the French Alps. Over 21,000 skiers per hour can ski in Les Orres without a queue forming. There is one quality snowboard and freestyle park to keep the best snowboarders huffing and puffing.

For Les Orres being in such a good location in the French Alps, the prices won't set you back so you can maybe take two ski holidays in the same ski season. At any rate, the price for an adult day pass is €21 and it's the same for children. A Saturday thru Sunday pass will cost you €47 for an adult and €38 for a child. A six-day ski pass giving you access to all of Les Orres is €130 for adults and just over €100 for children. If you're lucky enough to relocate close by or have the time to stay all season, then a pass will cost you €450 for an adult and €360 for a child. Now that the Euro is doing on par with the dollar, it may be wise to book your ski holiday to Les Orres in France sooner rather than later.