10 ski resorts near Marseille

Large ski areas for the pleasure of skiing

Located less than 3 hours’ drive from Marseille, these large ski areas in the Southern Alps place the pleasure of skiing at the top of their list of assets. Wearing a pair of skis or a snowboard, you’ll be able to hurtle down kilometres of pistes of all colours, for descents that range from easy to thrilling! You’ll also find a wide choice of activities and services to make the most of your day, weekend or extended stay.

Serre Chevalier Vallée, the largest resort in the Southern Alps

With 80 slopes and 250 kilometres of downhill runs, Serre Chevalier and its ski area is one of the largest ski resorts in Europe. Its ski area stretches from 1,200 to 2,800 metres above sea level, guaranteeing you optimum skiing conditions with excellent snow cover and plenty of sunshine throughout the season.

Serre Chevalier offers a multitude of activities, with a snowpark at an altitude of 2,000 metres for freestyle enthusiasts, and Nordic ski runs stretching over 44 km of pistes. Off-ski activities abound, with thrilling experiences such as dog-sled rides and a giant 1,100-metre zip line offering panoramic views of the Ecrins National Park. You can also enjoy more leisurely activities, such as thermal treatments or a session at the spa. You can also visit Briançon, a UNESCO World Heritage town fortified by Vauban, or enjoy the authentic atmosphere in the villages of Chantemerle, Villeneuve and Le Monêtier-les-Bains.

The car journey from Marseille to Serre Chevalier takes around 3 hours and covers a distance of 260 kilometres. The resort is also accessible by train, with a TER line linking Marseille Saint-Charles and Briançon station.

The Espace Lumière, between the Alps and Haute-Provence

Located in the heart of the Southern Alps, the Espace Lumière brings together the ski areas of the Pra Loup and Val d’Allos-La Foux resorts. Stretching from an altitude of 1,500 to 2,600 metres, it offers winter sports enthusiasts 180 km of varied runs, suitable for all levels. 80 runs start from the summits or wind through larch forests and immaculate coombs, guaranteeing you an unforgettable skiing experience.

Pra Loup, perched at an altitude of 1,600 metres, enjoys generous sunshine and optimum snow cover throughout the season. The resort also has a number of areas dedicated to new forms of snow sports, including snowparks and boardercross, for the enjoyment of thrill-seekers.

Val d’Allos-La Foux, situated at an altitude of 1,800 metres at the source of the Verdon, completes this vast area, offering a magical setting and family-friendly facilities. Both resorts have been awarded the “Famille Plus Montagne” label, which rewards the quality of their welcome for young and old alike.

The drive from Marseille to the Espace Lumière takes around 3 hours and covers a distance of around 210 kilometres.

Vars and Risoul, the Forêt Blanche ski area

The resorts of Vars and Risoul have merged to create the Forêt Blanche ski area, which boasts 185 km of runs at altitudes of between 1,650 and 2,750 metres. With over 300 days of sunshine a year, it offers ideal conditions for skiing and quality snow cover throughout the season, thanks to its high altitude and snowmaking facilities.

Vars is home to the Chabrières speed ski run, the fastest in the world with a world record speed of 252.454 km/h and a maximum gradient of 98%. Rest assured, you’ll find runs to suit your level, with 20 green runs, 50 blue runs, 39 red runs and 10 black runs. The resort also offers the Vars Park, a renowned snowpark with seven sectors and two boardercrosses, where you can perform a series of tricks and jumps.

Built in the middle of a larch forest, Risoul offers a mountain atmosphere. The resort offers a variety of activities, including tobogganing, ice skating, ski touring and special areas for beginners.

The journey by car from Marseille to the Forêt Blanche ski area takes around 2 hours 40 minutes to 3 hours, covering a distance of between 235 km (Risoul) and 250 km (Vars).

Orcières Merlette 1850, Champsaur’s main ski resort

Situated in the heart of the Ecrins National Park, Orcières-Merlette 1850 is a dynamic ski resort with a vast ski area stretching from an altitude of 1,850 metres to 2,725 metres. Ski enthusiasts are spoilt for choice, with 100km of pistes and over 50 runs to suit all levels.

Like many of the resorts in the Southern Alps, Orcières Merlette 1850 enjoys a sunny climate, while its altitude ensures it has plenty of snow. The resort has been awarded the Famille Plus label, and makes a point of welcoming families with its play areas and child-friendly activities.

As well as skiing, the resort offers a wide range of activities for young and old alike, including a swimming pool, ice rink, bowling alley and a giant 1,870-metre zip line for thrill-seekers.

The journey by car from Marseille to Orcières Merlette takes around 2 hours 40 minutes, covering a distance of 220 km.

Les Orres, skiing with a view over Lake Serre-Ponçon

The resort of Les Orres offers 100 km of pistes stretching from an altitude of 1,650 metres to 2,720 metres. Its 36 runs offer generous lengths, and a snowpark and toboggan areas complete the range of facilities on offer.

The pistes wind their way through the larch trees, while the highest slopes offer panoramic views of the upper Durance valley and Lac de Serre-Ponçon. The north-west facing slopes guarantee top quality snow cover, enhanced by the production of artificial snow. You can also enjoy off-ski thrills, with a rail toboggan and virtual reality simulators offering an exhilarating and safe experience of mountain biking, downhill skiing, canoeing, paragliding or speed-riding.

The journey by car from Marseille to Les Orres takes around 2 hours 40 minutes, covering a distance of 220 km. The resort is easily accessible, with a large part of the journey via the motorway.

Puy Saint-Vincent, guaranteed snow in the Écrins

In the heart of the Écrins massif, Puy Saint Vincent is a family-friendly ski resort with a beautiful ski area stretching from an altitude of 1,400 to 2,750 metres. With over 50% of its ski area above 2,000 metres, the resort offers quality snow cover throughout the season. You can hurtle down 75km of pistes for all levels, take on the moguls of the boardercross or perform a series of tricks in the freestyle zones.

Looking for something closer to nature? There are 35km of Nordic ski runs, offering you the chance to enjoy some great walks in the heart of unspoilt Alpine landscapes. You can also take part in dog-sleigh rides or snowshoe walks.

The journey by car from Marseille to Puy-Saint-Vincent takes around 3 hours, covering a distance of 240 km. The resort is easily accessible, with a large part of the journey possible via the motorway.

Village resorts for a more authentic experience

Looking for a more authentic experience in a mountain setting? Village resorts close to Marseille welcome you in a friendly atmosphere in the heart of the Southern Alps.

Saint-Véran, France’s highest village

Perched at an altitude of 2,042 metres, Saint-Véran boasts the title of Europe’s highest inhabited commune. With its authentic chalets and unspoilt setting, Saint-Véran has also been awarded the coveted Les Plus Beaux Villages de France label.

This charming village is also home to the largest ski area in the Queyras, thanks to its link with the Molines-en-Queyras ski area. There are 36 km of pistes at altitudes of between 1,750 and 2,830 metres, with a maximum vertical drop of 1,080 metres. Enjoy panoramic views of the surrounding mountains, including Mont Viso at 3,841 metres.

The journey by car from Marseille to Saint-Véran takes around 3 hours 20 minutes, covering a distance of 265 km.

Montclar les 2 Vallées

Located in the Alpes de Haute-Provence department, Montclar Les 2 Vallées offers 33 runs suitable for all skiers. The ski area extends over two distinct slopes: one offers an exceptional panorama over the Ubaye valley, with abundant natural snow cover, and the other overlooks the Blanche valley and Serre-Ponçon lake, offering runs suitable for all levels. Other winter sports activities include an ice rink and accompanied buggy rides.

Montclar Les 2 Vallées stands out for its friendly atmosphere and its commitment to socially responsible tourism: in particular, it is the only ski resort in Europe to be self-managed by its residents!

The journey by car from Marseille to Montclar les 2 Vallées takes around 2 hours 20 minutes, covering a distance of 200 km.

Ancelle, Gateway to the Champsaur Valley

Forget the large housing developments in the heart of the mountains and the hustle and bustle of the slopes! Located above Gap, at the entrance to the Champsaur Valley, the village of Ancelle boasts a ski area accessible to beginners in a preserved setting. 30 kilometers of slopes suitable for all levels have been developed between 1,350 and 1,710 meters above sea level. You can also try your hand at Nordic skiing, with 18 km of groomed trails in the unspoiled Rouanne Valley.

The drive between Marseille and Ancelle takes approximately 2 hours and 20 minutes, covering a distance of 200 km.

La Condamine-Châtelard, a village resort in Ubaye

In the Ubaye Valley, the Sainte-Anne La Condamine ski resort offers 35 kilometers of downhill skiing with 17 slopes for all levels. The ski area stretches from 1,830 to 2,400 meters above sea level, ensuring quality snow throughout the season. This village resort is ideal for beginners, with 6 green runs and 5 blue runs, a tobogganing area, and a children’s playground.

In addition to downhill skiing, Sainte-Anne La Condamine offers activities such as snowscooting, available throughout the entire area except for the beginners’ area, as well as marked trails for snowshoeing. For a thrill, you can also try paragliding and speed riding from the resort’s dedicated trails.

The drive between Marseille and Sainte-Anne La Condamine takes approximately 3 hours, covering a distance of 240 km.