Skiing in the Alpes-Maritimes

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Skiing in the Alpes-Maritimes

It is often assumed that the Alpes-Maritimes mountains are too close to the Côte d'Azur with its mild winters to offer any serious skiing options however the high altitudes and favourable weather conditions can make skiing possible right through until April. 

The largest resorts in the region are Isola 2000, Auron and Valberg/Beuil but there are many small resorts that offer competitively priced lift passes and are in easy reach for a day or weekend trip.

The département has a long association with the sport of skiing and the first ski club, "Ski Club des Alpes Maritimes" was founded in 1909 by Victor de Cessole, from Nice, who spent much of his life conquering these tough mountains. 

There are 465 peaks over 2,000 meters in the region with, towards the Italian border, six peaks standing over 3,000 metres.

Some useful links

• Complete Skier: General European skiing info - what's hot/what's not
• Ski France: Portal for French Ski resorts, with web links
• GoSki France: General, multilingual chatter about ski resorts in France
• Snow forecast Tel: 08 92 68 10 20
• Meteo France: regional weather forecast
• Pistehors.com: French off-piste skiing and snowboarding news, in English
• Stations du Mercantour: Information on Auron, Isola 2000, Saint-Dalmas le Selvage and Saint Etienne du Tinée

Guidelines

Ski slopes - or pistes - are graded by difficulty:

• Down hill and cross-country skis and snowshoes can be rented from the skiing centres. They can usually be rented by the day or week. Ask at the lift pass office if there is a different access pass for these sports as you will be using a smaller area of the mountain than the Alpine skiers and snowboarders
• Mini Glossary: 
• Cross-country skiing - Ski de fond 
• Snow shoe - une raquette
• Chair lift - télésiège 
• Ski lift - téléski
• Snowboard - un surf
• Mountain Map - plan de Piste

Getting there: Public transport

Bus Services
Several bus companies have special winter routes leaving from the main bus depot at:

• Nice Bus Station (Gare Routière), Promenade du Paillon, 5 Boulevard Juan Jaurès
  Tel: 04 93 85 61 81 / 04 93 80 08 70
• Regular ski-bus service from Compagnie Santa Azur (bus company)
  Tel: 04 93 85 92 60
  Information on the ski-bus services: Click here (website currently under reconstruction)

Train Services

• SNCF Station, Avenue Thiers, Nice
  Mainline trains from Nice Central station to Cuneo via the Bévéra and Roya valleys
  Tel: 08 36 35 35 35 
  SNCF Web 
• Chemin de fer de Provence, 4 Rue Alfred Binet, Nice
  Train service from Nice to Digne via the Var valley
  Tel: 04 97 03 80 80
  Website 
  Route Map
• Train des Neiges is a TER train and shuttle bus which travels from Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence to the resorts Saturdays and Sundays during ski season.
  For details of the "snow train" to the southern Alps (Train des Neiges, Alpes du Sud): Click here
  For details of the "snow train" to the Roya Valley (Train des Neiges Casterino): Click here

Skiing Centres in the Alpes-Maritimes

L'Audibergue, Andon, Caille

Altitude: 1,640 m 

• Andon Tourist Office Tel: 04 93 60 00 17
• Caille Mairie Tel: 04 93 60 31 51 
• Access: Take the N85 (Route Napoléon) north of Grasse. Travel about 32 Km, then turn right onto the D79, for about 2 Km, then the D81 and the D181 
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 7 green runs, 8 blue runs, 6 red, 1 black, and a beginner's slope. Ski-lifts
  Cross-country and snow shoeing: 28 Km
  Hotel accommodation

Auron

Altitude: 1,600 to 2,450m (lowest accessible ski point: 1,140m. Highest accessible ski point: 2,450m)

• Auron Tourist Office  
  Tel: 04 93 23 02 66
  Fax: 04 93 23 07 39 
  Website 
• Access Car: 90 Km from Nice. Take the RN 202 towards Digne and Grenoble. After 30 Km, take the road towards Auron/Saint Etienne de Tinée
• Access Bus: Compagnie Santa Azur. Tel: 04 93 85 46 81 / 04 93 85 92 60
• Facilities: 130 Km of pistes in three areas, Las Donnas, Sauma Longue and Demandols. Alpine skiing: 4 green runs, 13 blue, 14 red and 5 black
  25 ski-lifts
  Ski de Fond: 4 Km circuit
  Snowboarding at Surf Land
  Snow-shoeing, paraski, snow scooters, dog-sleigh rides, skating rink, gym and movie house. Special facilities for children. Baby sitters available, info at tourist office
• Accommodation: Many hotels and guest houses
• Central reservation office Tel: 04 93 23 02 66

Beuil 

Altitude: 1,430 to 2,100 m

• Beuil Tourist Office Tel: 04 93 02 32 58 Fax: 04 93 02 35 72, website
• Access Car: 78 Km north of Nice, next to the larger centre, Valberg. A8 to Saint Isidore, then the RN 202 towards Dinge, take the D28 via the gorge du cians or the D2202 via the gorges de Daluis and Guillaumes. 
• Access Bus: Daily bus from Nice Bus station with Société Broch. Tel: 04 93 31 10 52/04 93 07 63 28.
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 59 pistes, 12 green, 13 blue, 22 red and 12 black. 
  21 ski-lifts and 6 chair-lifts. 
  Ski de Fond: 26km. 
  Nordic skiing: 12km. 
  Hotels and restaurants in the village.

Le Boréon

Altitude: 1,500 m

• Tourist Office Tel: 04 93 03 21 28 
• Access: Follow the RN 202 then take the RD 2265 via Vésubie to Saint-Martin-Vésubie and Le Boréon. 
• Facilities: Cross-country skiing with five courses, from 2 Km 7,5 Km
  Snow-shoe walking area and dog-sleigh rides

La Colmiane

Altitude: 1,400 to 1,850m

• La Colmiane Tourist Office
  Tel: 04 93 23 25 90
  Fax: 04 93 23 25 91
  Website
• Access Car: RN 202 towards Digne and Grenoble. Take the D 2205, then, after la Bollinette, turn right onto the D 2565
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 4 green, 6 blue, 8 red and 2 black
  7 ski-lifts 
  Cross-country and Nordic skiing: 16 Km 
  Snow-boarding and monoski
  Snow park
• Accommodation: 17 country lodges, hotels, guest houses and a caravan park

Estenc, Entraunes

Altitude: 1,250m

• Mairie Tel: 04 93 05 51 26 
• Access: (from Nice): Take the RN 202, then the D 2202, via the gorge de Daluis
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 1 alpine piste 
  Cross-country : 11 Km, with 3 routes 
  Several snow-shoe walking routes
• Accommodation: Hotel and country lodges

Gréolières

Altitude: 1,400 to 1,800m

• Mairie Tel: 04 93 59 95 16  
  Website
• Access: 27 Km north from Grasse. Take the N85 and then the D2 to Gréolières 
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 7 green, 3 blue, 13 red, 2 black. 
  11 ski-lifts 
  Cross-country skiing: 30 Km
• Accommodation: Hotels and restaurants in and around the town

Isola 2000

Altitude: 1,800 to 2,610m

• Isola 2000 Tourist Office 
  Tel: 04 93 23 15 15
  Fax: 04 93 23 14 15
  e-mail  
  Website
• Season: December to early May 
• Access Car: Take the RN 202 for about 28 Km. Turn right onto the D 2205 towards Saint Sauveur sur Tinée, then the Saint Etienne de Tinée to Isola
• Access Bus: Daily service from Nice bus station, SNCF train station and Nice International Airport. Booking essential. Tel: 04 93 85 92 60
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 8 green, 19 blue, 17 red, 5 black. 
  24 ski-lifts 
  Cross-country: 1 x 3km circuit 
  Snowboarding, ice driving, snow scooters, skating rink, karting, snow-shoe walks, helicopter drops, dog-sleigh rides, sleighs, ice diving, gym and cyber café
  Children: Ski school and sports club, and baby sitting facilities
• Accommodation: Many hotels, lodges and guest houses. Reservations through the tourist office

Roubion

Altitude: 1,410 to 1,910m

• Roubion Tourist Office 
  Tel: 04 93 02 10 30
  Website
• Access (from Nice): 70 Km from Nice. Take the RN 202, then the D2205 until Saint-Sauveur sur Tinée. As you exit the village, take the left fork to Roubion, on the D30 
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 2 green, 5 blue, 12 red, 1 black. 
  7 ski-lifts 
  Cross-country: 20 Km with 2 circuits, 1 red, 1 blue 
  Open Wednesday afternoons and weekends
• Accommodation available in self-catering and lodges

Turini, Camp d'Argent

Altitude: 1,600 to 1,920m

• Tourist Office 
  Tel: 04 93 03 60 52 
  Website
• Access (from Nice): Take the RN 202, then the D2565 towards Vésubie. Take the D70, after Lantosque. Pass la Bollène-Vésubie and continue for about 10 Km, to Turini 
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 1 green, 1 blue, 2 red. 4 ski-lifts to 1,900m
  Cross-country: 15 Km of routes, 1 green, 1 blue, 12 red, 1 black
  Snow-shoeing, walking routes and dog sled
• Accommodation: hotels, self-catering and communal lodges

Valberg

Altitude: 1,650m

• ValbergTourist Office 
  Tel: 04 93 23 24 25
  Fax: 04 93 02 52 27
  e-mail  
  Website  
• Access Car (from Nice): A8 to Saint Isidore, RN 202 towards Digne, take the D28 via the gorge du cians or the D2202 via the gorges de Daluis and Guillaumes. 
• Acces Bus: daily bus from Nice bus station with Société Broch. Tel: 04 93 31 10 52
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 11 green, 13 blue, 22 red and 12 black
  20 ski lifts, 6 ski chair lifts 
  Cross-country: 25 Km, 3 circuits
  Snow-shoeing: 10 Km of routes
  Paraski, ice climbing, movie house, disco and gym
  Children: mini ski chair lifts and special entertainment in the snow garden
• Accommodation: Hotels and lodges. Central reservations: 04 93 23 24 32

Val Casterino

Altitude: 1,540m

• Tende-Val des Merveilles Tourist office 
  Tel: 04 93 04 73 71 
  Website
• Access: Follow the RN 204, then take the left fork to the village, Saint-Dalmas de Tende 
• Facilities: Cross-country: 24 Km in the Roya valley. 1 green, 1 blue and 1 red. Snow-shoeing in the Mercantour

Val Pelens

Altitude: 1,600 to 2,035m

• Snow Station
  Tel: 04 93 05 52 83 
  Website
• Access: 109 Km from Nice, via Valberg, on the RN 202 and then D 2202
• Facilities: Alpine skiing: 4 green, 3 blue and 1 red
  3 ski-lifts 
  Cross-country and Nordic skiing: 3 routes over 10 Km
  Children: Special areas for children
• Accommodation in small hotels

Just over the border: Italy

Limone in Piemonte Italy, within easy reach from Southern France, is highly recommended.

• Tourist office: Limone Uffici di Informazione (242004)
  Piazza Municipio Via Roma 30
  Tel: +39 0 92 101 171
  Fax: +39 0 92 101 927 064
• Access: A8 to Menton. Exit 59, Menton, Sospel, D2566 through Castillon. Follow D2204, N204 to Italy. SS20 to Limone.
• Facilities: 29 Lifts - highest lift: 2,050m (6,725ft), lowest lift: 1,032m (3,386ft)
  46 Slopes cater for beginner, intermediate and expert
  Total piste length: 90 Km
  Cross-country: 9 Km piste
  Ice rink and paragliding, snowboarding

Rules for the snow

• Respect: All slope-users must always behave in such a way that they do not endanger others nor harm them by their behaviour or their equipment
• Stopping: Do not stop in a narrow area or one with restricted visibility. If you fall, get off the route as fast as possible
• Speed: Adapt your speed according to the conditions - crowds, poor visibility
• Walking: If you are walking up or down a slope, keep to the side
• Signs: Always take note of, and respect signs concerning slope and weather conditions
• Overtaking: You may overtake above or below a slower skier, or to the left or right of them, but only if there is enough space to do so
• Assistance: If you witness or cause an accident, you must stop to give help, and make yourself available to rescue teams or the Piste Patrol

Further Information

• INFOrmation Page on Safety in the Snow
• INFOrmation Page on Driving in Ice & Snow