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Orcieres 1850 Ski Resort
It’s difficult not to employ the well-known cliché ‘something for everyone’ when talking about Orcières 1850. The purpose built facilities cater extremely well for anyone looking for the convenience of a compact resort with door stop skiing. Its Famille Plus label denotes outstanding provision of family orientated services so parents can book a holiday here, confident that facilities are up to scratch. On top of that, the lively après-ski and brilliant choice of restaurants will suit any taste, meaning that groups won’t find it too sleepy. The village has a vibe that anyone can tap into to make the most of their holiday.
Located in the very sunny Southern Alps, Orcières sits on the edge of the stunning Ecrins National Park overlooking the Champsaur and Valgaudemar Valleys, so stunning views are not hard to come by. Our favourite piece of Orcières 1850 trivia is that is has the longest zip wire in Europe (nearly 2km!) so if you fancy some aerial views from the safety of a harness, give it a try.
Despite being a purpose built resort, with less traditional architecture, the village has an authentically French feel, with previous visitors raving about the bakery’s delicious fresh bread, you can’t get more French than that! The resort is surrounded by very traditional, pretty alpine villages, so if you are in need of a French architecture fix, take a morning off the slopes and head off exploring.
The facilities in the village are outstanding, with La Grande Ourse leisure complex offering a huge variety of activities to keep both non-skiers and the ski-weary more than entertained. These include; a cinema, bowling alleys and a huge swimming pool. For little ones, La Petite Ourse’s crèche, kindergarten and kids club with a giant play room, dining room and even a sleeping room, will make sure your little darlings aren’t grumpy when you return from a great days skiing. As well as indoor activities, a number of brilliant outdoor activities include husky rides, snake sledging and more.
The ski pass gives access to 100km of varied terrain, with runs to suit all ability levels. There is also the Igloo Village for Nordic skiing, and the snow park at 2280m as well as two beginners’ areas.
Stats & FAQ
Location: Southern Alps, France
Established: 1962
Open: Mid-December - Late-April
Downhill: 100km
View our detailed Orcieres 1850 snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Orcieres 1850 snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Lyon | 2h35 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2725m |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1850m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1850m |
| Longest run: | |
| Slope Orientation: | S |
| Vertical Drop: | 875m |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | No |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 100km |
| Beginner slopes: | 48% |
| Intermediate: | 38% |
| Advanced slopes: | 14% |
| Lift Pass Price: | 166 euros (Adult 6 days) |
| Nearby resorts: Les Orres, Risoul | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Orcieres 1850
The two beginner’s areas, one close to the village itself, and one higher up on the Roche Rousse plateau are safe havens for learners to find their feet on the snow, with the high altitude area giving novices the same stunning views as more advanced skiers.
The ESF and ESI provide high quality lessons for both children and adults, and for children, Opoual, the friendly village yeti is on hand to help with learning to ski. His ‘Opoualand’ run, for 6-12 years is specially adapted to help little ones learn, with fun things on the way down like snow catapults and snow tunnels to provide the motivation to keep going to the bottom.
There are a number of greens around the village, accessible by drag lift, for beginners, and blues to be progressed onto afterwards. For low impact practise blue runs, catch the ‘Mirabeau TX de Charpent’ lift, connect to the ‘Telemix du Drouvet’ to head up to 2655m. Enjoy the view on a sunny day before taking the beautiful long ‘Les Pepes’ blue home, to perfect those parallel turns.
Intermediates are spoilt for choice with reds stretching across the whole area. Head towards the ‘Roc d’Alibrandes’ peak for some shorter reds like ‘Les Lauzieres’ or ‘Les Vallons Jartoux’ to get you back into the swing of things. Once these have been mastered, head further afield towards the ‘Lac des Estaris’ peak and start off on blue run ‘Sirenes’ to connect to the long red ‘Le Gourou’ for a bigger challenge.
Once experts have primed their ski legs to ‘peak’ condition, challenge yourselves on one of the black runs the resort has to offer. To start on a shorter run with a calming blue to start, take the ‘TC Drouvet 1’ lift, connect to the ‘TK de Meollin 2’ to try the ‘Siroc’ run, short and sweet it connects to a red and then blue to get you back for lunch in one piece.
With a new snow park sat at 2280m, freestylers can enjoy great snow throughout the season. Fixtures include; beginner jumps, boxes, tables and flat lines.
There is also a good amount of powder off-piste, but hire a guide to safely see the best bits. Finally, the Igloo Village for Nordic skiing has cross country trails, husky sledding and snow shoeing.
Orcieres 1850 Apres Ski
The après-ski scene is good, with a number of restaurants, bars, wellness facilities and alternative snow sports to perfectly compliment your day on the slopes.
For a lively drink straight from the piste, try the Irish New Guest Pub to get your evening started. As well as the traditional drinks list of wine, beers and spirits, they have pretty great whiskey provisions, and if you can’t have a warming whiskey in the Alps, when can you?
Anyone wanting to combine a beer and a bite to eat should check out the Café Merlettois whose food, drinks, live music and big-screen sports are sure to be a hit. If you’re still in the mood to party come closing time, stagger on over to the Yeti, the local nightclub. It’s open until 5am and moon boots are not only accepted but encouraged!
For a sophisticated après, take yourselves off to La Chouette Gourmande, which specialises in the French favourite patisserie, it’s a great place to succumb to sugar cravings and kick back with a cup of tea and something sweet.
To sample some very well cooked, typical mountain food after a long day in the cold, go for dinner at Le Cro Magnon for a romantic alpine atmosphere complete with cosy open fire. Once you’ve filled your ski-boots with as much cheese as you can handle, try L’Establou for a brilliant burger. This restaurant is great for larger groups as reviews comment on how quick and accommodating they were. Eat at La Potiniere for the French classic moules frites, or if you’re looking for a meal out on a budget, check out their €20 3 course menu.
To ease aching muscles, spend an evening in the Espace Détente de la Grande Ourse wandering from steam room to sauna, stopping only for a dip in one of the many relaxation pools.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Orcieres 1850
Best time to visit & ski Orcieres 1850
The beauty of a resort like Orcières 1850, whose slopes reach up high to around 2700m, is that the snow is present through the season, especially as 54% of the area is covered by snow-making technology. It therefore depends on what it is you want from your holiday, as to when it is ‘best to ski’.
For a festive break, full of holiday spirit, late December is a pretty safe bet. With plenty going on in the village itself, and high slopes for some normally good early snow, it’s a brilliant choice. Mid-season should see fantastic snow, so serious skiers will enjoy the range of terrain the resort has to offer. Powder-addicts should hire a ski touring guide, and set off on an adrenaline mission across the mountains. Late season tends to have good sunshine and good snow at the top of the ski area, so both serious skiers and those wanting to do some skiing, some sunbathing and some exploring will be more than happy.
If you want to have a chat with one of our ski experts in more detail about the different options you have, please don’t hesitate to pick up the phone and give us a buzz.
Peak Dates
For a veritable winter wonderland, Christmas in Orcières 1850 promises to deliver. With stunning alpine scenery and a really enthusiastic Tourist Office putting on all sorts of events, Orcières is oozing festive magic.
For a memorable finish to your year, head to Orcières 1850 over New Year’s Eve for plenty of festive fun. Do something different and go husky sledding before attending a village wide celebration courtesy of the Tourist Office.
If you want to take the kids skiing, February Half-Term in Orcières 1850 is the place to be. With brilliant learner areas and day-care options, a great family holiday is just around the corner.
To strike the perfect balance between skiing, exploring and relaxing, Easter in Orcières 1850 has it all. Glorious sunshine, high slopes for decent snow and lots of extra activities, it’s the perfect choice for a late season break.
Families in Orcieres 1850
The Famille Plus status of Orcières 1850 gives parents instant peace of mind that the resort is more than capable of providing high class family holidays. The beginner ski areas are the perfect place for little ones trying out their ski legs for the first time, and both the ESF and ESI are on hand to give confidence and ability improving lessons on skis or boards. The special area, ‘Opoualand’, run by the resort’s friendly mountain yeti ‘Opoua’ is for children aged 6-12 to learn to ski with a number of fun extras like snow catapults and tunnels on the way.
La Petite Ourse is a complex dedicated solely to the children visiting the resort, with brilliant day care facilities for little ones who are too small for the slopes, or just need a day off them. The highly qualified staff ensure they have fun in a really safe and friendly environment, with things like swimming, basketball tournaments and outdoor alpine lessons to keep them amused.
As well as this brilliant facility, the tourist office makes sure there is plenty going on in the resort throughout the season to keep both children and adults amused. As well as things like ice-skating, bowling and a cinema to keep them occupied for a couple of hours, there are free shows for children, plus a number fun snow extras like sledging and husky rides.
Family holidays have the potential to be a bit stressful, so eliminate travel stress with a package that includes flights and transfers, or a package with channel crossings included if you fancy a family road trip through France. Alternatively, grab an accommodation only deal if you’re not sure how best to transport the little darlings.
GroupsGroup Holidays Orcieres 1850
Groups travelling to Orcières 1850 are sure to have a brilliant holiday, as there’s plenty to do both on and off the slopes. The varied skiing, and brilliant newly refurbished snow park and Nordic Igloo village will have group members of all abilities and all interests feeling more than challenged for the week. The extra options like snowshoeing and cross country trails mean that anyone who fancies it, can give something new a try.
If really lively après-ski, is what you’re after, Orcières may not be the perfect choice, as the village whilst well equipped with bars, restaurants and a nightclub, it is not famous for its nightlife. For loads of bars, clubs and pubs, why not have a look at Meribel, St. Anton or Val d’Isere.
If, however, you’re happy building up a rapport with the owner in your favourite bar in Orcières, pottering to the Yeti club a couple of nights a week, and giving tipsy bowling a go, the après-ski scene in Orcières will keep you more than happy for a week. The L’Establou restaurant is not only famous for its delicious burgers; it has a reputation as being one of the best for large groups, with an accommodating attitude and quick service.
The leisure facilities in Orcières are excellent, with La Grande Ourse providing a wealth of things to do off the slopes, conveniently housed under one large roof, so you don’t have to worry about losing the wanderer of the group. Go for a swim to stretch sore muscles out, watch a film or head to the spa for some quality pampering. If you’re feeling adventurous and want a night to remember, get a group together and spend a night in an igloo, we’ve heard they’re not as cold as you might expect!
Booking a holiday for a group can be pretty chaotic, so let us to the organising and book a trip with flights and transfers included, or if you’re a group that enjoys a road trip, grab a package inclusive of channel crossings. Or, if you’re still squabbling over travel plans, book an accommodation only option.
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