• Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura
  • Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura
  • Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura
  • Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura
  • Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura
  • Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura
Jura / Burgundy-Franche-Comté

Nordic ski touring in the Haut-Jura

Réf : EEHCHS

In summary

  • Sports
  • Duration
    6 days
  • Level
    Confirmed

    Levels

    Nordic ski touring

    Beginner
    For those who have never tried Nordic backcountry skiing or off-piste skiing but are comfortable on red or black runs. You will ski for less than 3 hours a day, covering distances of up to 10 km with an elevation gain and loss of around 200 m per day. You must be able to hike uphill for approximately 1 to 2 hours.
    Intermediate
    For those with prior experience in Nordic backcountry skiing. You will ski for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering distances of up to 15 km and daily elevation gains and losses of between 200 m and 400 m.
    Confirmed
    For those who occasionally engage in Nordic backcountry skiing and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing almost anywhere and skiing for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, covering distances of up to 20 km and elevation gains of between 400 m and 700 m per day.
    Advanced
    For regular Nordic backcountry skiers. You are capable of skiing on all types of snow and handling varied slopes and ascents. You have full control over your speed, braking techniques, and uphill and downhill maneuvers. You have previously completed outings with significant elevation changes. You are able to ski for several consecutive days, covering up to 25 km and elevation gains of 600 m to 900 m per day, with six hours of skiing daily.
    Expert
    For regular Nordic backcountry skiers. You are capable of skiing on all types of snow, including on challenging slopes and ascents. You have full mastery of speed control and braking techniques. You have previously completed outings with an elevation gain exceeding 1,400 m. You are capable of skiing for several consecutive days, covering over 6 hours, more than 25 km, and a minimum elevation gain of 1,000 m per day.
  • Destination
    Jura / Burgundy-Franche-Comté
  • Age
    From the age of 18
  • CO₂-Emissions
    63.43 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.
    Type of stay
    In a group
  • Languages
    French

In a few words

Embark on a Nordic ski touring excursion (100% off-piste). A mountain area with a strong identity, nestled within the Haut-Jura Regional Natural Park, the Hautes Combes offer something truly unique! Its terrain, composed of small valleys, provides a diverse landscape and a complete change of scenery! It's also a high-quality Nordic ski touring area, incredibly fun and ideal for learning off-piste skiing! We've chosen comfortable accommodation as our base camp and arranged for a minibus to explore other areas (La Dole, Le Noirmont, or the Col du Marchairuz) to ensure a pleasant stay regardless of snow conditions. Our goal: to make everyone independent and confident on their skis for maximum enjoyment and to confidently plan multi-day off-piste tours.

The highlights

  • A 100% off-piste route
  • The charm of the landscapes of the Haut-Jura
  • Simple and welcoming accommodations
Subscriber benefit save 5% by joining our community
Decathlon Travel Benefits
Best price guaranteed: We offer twice the difference
Free cancellation more than 30 days in advance
Payment in 2 installments
Learn more

Photos

Sport

Level

Nordic ski touring

Confirmed

Levels

Nordic ski touring

Beginner
For those who have never tried Nordic backcountry skiing or off-piste skiing but are comfortable on red or black runs. You will ski for less than 3 hours a day, covering distances of up to 10 km with an elevation gain and loss of around 200 m per day. You must be able to hike uphill for approximately 1 to 2 hours.
Intermediate
For those with prior experience in Nordic backcountry skiing. You will ski for 4 to 5 hours a day, covering distances of up to 15 km and daily elevation gains and losses of between 200 m and 400 m.
Confirmed
For those who occasionally engage in Nordic backcountry skiing and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing almost anywhere and skiing for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, covering distances of up to 20 km and elevation gains of between 400 m and 700 m per day.
Advanced
For regular Nordic backcountry skiers. You are capable of skiing on all types of snow and handling varied slopes and ascents. You have full control over your speed, braking techniques, and uphill and downhill maneuvers. You have previously completed outings with significant elevation changes. You are able to ski for several consecutive days, covering up to 25 km and elevation gains of 600 m to 900 m per day, with six hours of skiing daily.
Expert
For regular Nordic backcountry skiers. You are capable of skiing on all types of snow, including on challenging slopes and ascents. You have full mastery of speed control and braking techniques. You have previously completed outings with an elevation gain exceeding 1,400 m. You are capable of skiing for several consecutive days, covering over 6 hours, more than 25 km, and a minimum elevation gain of 1,000 m per day.
For those who occasionally engage in Nordic backcountry skiing and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing almost anywhere and skiing for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, covering distances of up to 20 km and elevation gains of between 400 m and 700 m per day.

The expert's opinion

Technical Level 3 out of 4 : Accessible to any non-beginner skier with good balance on skis, whether cross-country or alpine, and who has already mastered basic cross-country skiing techniques (including the snowplow turn, gliding, and a technique known as the "duck walk") and is in good physical condition. (In the Jura Mountains, off-piste skiing is arguably more accessible because we use the varied terrain for stops at the bottom of slopes, with more or less direct tracks facing the slope, and traverses. Therefore, it's not necessarily essential to know how to turn or stop in powder...)


Physical level 3 out of 5 : multi-day ski tour, 6.5 hours of skiing per day. Off-piste skiing for 100% of the route. Stages of 15 to 20km/day, elevation gain 600 to 800m/day.

Maximum group size: 8 people. We'll be able to fully enjoy a technical session, whether it's an introduction to or improvement of telemark skiing techniques, or explore a wild valley to carve some beautiful tracks… Generally, we leave the gîte around 9:00 AM and arrive at our destination around 5:30 PM. This can, of course, be adapted to our preferences, the weather, etc.

In figures

Ski touring

  • Average duration/day: 5h
  • Average distance/day: 16 km
  • Average daily elevation gain: 584 m

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Band : 1 supervisor for 1 to 8 people
Languages ​​spoken:
French
Supervisor

Eric, Yohann or Eric, State-certified Nordic ski instructors, skilled technicians and full of love for the Jura!

Management

Security

Assistance and repatriation insurance is essential because rescue services are very expensive in Switzerland.

Learn more about supervision

Program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
Day 4
Day 5
Day 6
  • map

    Arrival and check-in

    • Activity Ski touring
    • Accommodation Cottage
    • Breakfast not included
    • Lunch not included
    • Dinner included

    Meet on Sunday at 5:30pm in Les Rousses for those arriving by car.

    Or at 5:20 p.m. in front of the SBB train station in La Cure (located 3 km from the Les Rousses resort).


    Ski rental available for those who wish to use it.

    Settling into the cottage for the evening.

    Day 1

Note

Winter hiking is constantly evolving! Some weeks the snow cover is perfect, and you'll be in for a treat! Other weeks it's only partial, requiring adjustments to the itinerary to stay within the snow-covered areas. And we're not immune to periods without snow... but accommodations are booked, and we can't cancel without penalty. So, even if there's no snow, we'll still run our trips. The winter atmosphere and light will be there, and we'll offer other activities like shooting, biathlon, or off-trail hiking.


BAGGAGE TRANSPORT

Luggage transported by us by vehicle, every other day, i.e. every day except days 2 and 4.

We ask that you bring only one piece of luggage per person, not too bulky, weighing no more than 12 kg. Some lodges are only accessible by snowmobile. Thank you for your understanding.

When skiing, you only carry one bag containing your belongings for the day and the provided lunch, which is shared among everyone.

A vehicle will transport our luggage to each stage of the trip every day (except days 2 and 4). If you're tired or have a minor injury, you can take advantage of this transport.

We absolutely disclaim all responsibility in the event of damage to any fragile item (laptop, for example).

Accommodation

During this stay, you will sleep in several different accommodations.
🏠 Holiday rental - Days 1, 3 And 5
  • 🏠 Holiday rental - Days 1, 3 And 5
  • 🏠 Holiday rental - Days 1, 3 And 5
  • 🏠 Holiday rental - Days 1, 3 And 5
🏠 Holiday rental - Days 1, 3 And 5

- Sunday evening : Gîte d'étape in Prémanon, shared room (6 or 10 people) in a warm atmosphere, shared bathrooms.


- Monday evening : The refuge is unguarded, so there's a good chance we'll be the only occupants. We'll light a fire as soon as we arrive; that's enough to heat the common room and the dormitory. We can spend the night with the refuge's blankets. The sanitary facilities are extremely basic in winter (due to freezing temperatures), so it's only possible to brush your teeth in the kitchen sink or roll around in the snow!

Apart from the lack of showers, Swiss mountain huts are well equipped: wood stove, wood-burning stove, water pumping system from the cistern… practical and user-friendly!


- Tuesday evening : Inn at the Col du Marchairuz, room for 6 or 7 people, shared toilet and shower.


- Wednesday evening: Unguarded refuge; apart from the lack of a shower, Swiss refuges are well-equipped: wood-burning stove, wood-burning stove, water pumping system from the cistern… practical and welcoming! On January 1st, we will sleep in a gîte located near La Cure.


- Thursday evening: gîte d'étape in Les Dappes, rooms for 4 people, washbasins, shower and WC upstairs.


Friday evening optional : Gîte d'étape in Prémanon, shared room (6 or 10 people) in a warm atmosphere, shared sanitary facilities.


🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 2 and 4
  • 🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 2 and 4
  • 🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 2 and 4
🏔️ Mountain refuge - Day 2 and 4

The refuge is unguarded, so there's a good chance we'll be the only occupants. We'll light a fire as soon as we arrive; that's enough to heat the common room and the dormitory. We can spend the night using the refuge's blankets. The sanitary facilities are extremely basic in winter (due to freezing temperatures), so it's only possible to brush your teeth in the kitchen sink or roll around in the snow!

Apart from the lack of showers, Swiss mountain huts are well equipped: wood stove, wood-burning stove, water pumping system from the cistern… practical and user-friendly!


Access

Departure
Les Rousses, France
Day 1 : 17h20
End of stay
Les Rousses, France
Day 6 - 16h30

WELCOME

See you on Sunday:

  1. at 5:20pm in Les Rousses for people in cars .
  2. at 5:30pm in front of the SBB train station in La Cure (located 3 km from the Les Rousses resort).

If you arrive by train, a supplement of €20 per person is required for round-trip transfers from the train station. Please specify this information when registering.


A member of our team will welcome you and assist you during the equipment rental process.

People arriving by car will follow the instructor and leave their car in the cross-country ski trails parking lot.


DISPERSION

On Friday, after the shuttle service, for people arriving by car

Friday at 4:30 pm at La Cure train station, for people arriving by train


Return train:

La Cure 4:43 PM – Paris Gare de Lyon 9:42 PM (via Nyon and Geneva)

La Cure 4:43 PM – Lyon 9:22 PM (via Nyon and Geneva)

Timetables available at www.sbb.ch/fr


Return flight: Geneva-Cointrin airport, via La Cure train station.


Accommodation before or after the hike:

Gîte le GRAND TETRAS tel. 03 84 60 51 13

Gîte le CHALET des TUFFES tel. 03 84 60 02 95

Hotel** ARBEZ tel. 03 84 60 02 20

Go to the starting point

Access by train
Take the train toGare CFF de La Cure ou Gare CFF du Brassus

Train access: La Cure SBB station, accessible via Geneva and the Paris-Geneva TGV line.

Paris Gare de Lyon 12:16 – La Cure 17:12 (via Geneva and Nyon)

Timetables available at www.sbb.ch/fr

Access by plane
The nearest airport isAéroport de Genève Cointrin

Access by plane: Geneva-Cointrin airport, then train to the CFF station of La Cure.

Access by car
Travel to the place of stay with parking available

Coming from the northern half of France: Take the A39 motorway to Poligny (exit 7), then the N5 towards Champagnole, St Laurent en Grandvaux, Morez, and Les Rousses. Go through Les Rousses and continue towards Geneva, Col de la Faucille. After 2 km, turn left towards La Cure. Park in the car park on the right before the customs post. Participants will be assigned to cars in Les Rousses to optimize the number of vehicles (it may be necessary to park a car at the end of the ride for the return trip on Sunday evening).


Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Notify me of upcoming availability

Bonus: You can also let us know the date that interests you and we will do our best to offer it to you!

Price details

The price includes

  1. The organization of the hike
  2. The 5 half-board meals (dinner, overnight stay and breakfast)
  3. The 5 midday picnics
  4. Supervision by a state-certified instructor
  5. Luggage transport each day to the stage (except days 2 and 4)
  6. Transfer of the day 02

The price does not include

  1. Drinks and personal expenses
  2. The means of transport to the meeting place
  3. Transfer from the train station
  4. Cross-country ski equipment rental (approximately €90 payable on site)
  5. Cancellation, assistance, repatriation, and trip interruption insurance
  6. Everything not mentioned in the price includes

Options

You will be able to select these options when booking.
  1. Return train station transfer : CHF18.30 / person
  2. Additional night after the half-board stay (gîte) : CHF54.89 / person
  3. Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

Specifics

Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).


In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.

It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.


ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.

Equipment

Equipment provided on site

  1. A sleeping bag is not necessary; there are blankets or duvets everywhere (just bring a sleeping bag liner).
  2. A first aid kit is planned for the group.


SKI EQUIPMENT RENTAL


  1. Equipment rental is not included in the tour package. You must have recent Nordic touring equipment. This equipment differs from cross-country skiing equipment. The skis are wider with metal edges, like alpine skis, but with scales. The binding system requires a heel that is always free (75 mm standard or Nordic touring type). Ideally, choose skis that are not too long, the skier's height or 5-10 cm shorter, for better maneuverability off-piste, and a pair of poles with wide enough baskets for carrying in fresh snow.
  2. If you wish to rent equipment, it is possible to rent it in Les Rousses at the meeting point on Sunday. The instructor will provide climbing skins if they prove useful depending on the terrain or snow conditions. Our team of ski instructors has created an association to purchase the most suitable equipment for this trip, which they then rent to participants. We also have partnerships with several sports shops in Les Rousses to supplement the equipment. Expect to pay around €90 for a week's rental (skis, boots, poles). The rental will be payable on site, but it is essential that you inform us in advance and provide your height and shoe size so that we can reserve the equipment.

Equipment to bring

  1. For luggage, please keep it light (12 kg maximum per person): either one sports bag, one backpack, or one suitcase. To facilitate transport, please allow only ONE BAG per person (please consider our transport partners). In some accommodations, bags are transported by snowmobile!
  2. In the event that the bags cannot be transported (heavy snow, storm, etc.), we will have to transport them ourselves or do without them. Rest assured, this has never happened before.
  3. Lightweight daypack, comfortable and equipped with a waist belt, 40 litres minimum (day's belongings, picnic, water bottle, warm clothes...) and a large plastic bag (garbage bag) to protect everything in case of bad weather.
  4. It is mandatory to bring a sleeping bag liner (for comfort and hygiene). Fleece sleeping bag liners are ideal. If you are really worried about the cold, bring your sleeping bag, but it must fit inside your personal belongings bag. Do not attach your sleeping bag to your luggage.
  5. 1 knife, cutlery, 1-liter water bottle or thermos, flashlight, airtight container (like Tupperware) for lunch salads, one or two rubbish bags
  6. Towel and toiletries, some toilet paper, small personal first-aid kit (aspirin, vitamin C, plasters, elastic bandage, possibly Compeed (double skin) for blisters)
  7. Snacks, dried fruit, chocolate, and cereal bars (not provided) are always appreciated. (As well as a small local specialty to share. Long live sharing!)

Clothing to bring

  1. Underwear is ideally made of polyester fiber to avoid the spongy effect
  2. Terry socks are warm and comfortable and prevent snags caused by fibers or seams.
  3. 1 hat or headband covering the ears, 1 pair of gloves covering the wrists, possibly silk liner gloves. Avoid gloves that are too tight as they are more permeable to the cold.
  4. 1 pair of gaiters, preferably knee-high. Very practical for off-piste skiing.
  5. A lightweight, breathable, and waterproof Gore-Tex jacket is ideal; otherwise, you'll need to bring a windbreaker, preferably waterproof (like a cape or poncho). Avoid anoraks (down jackets) which are too bulky and warm for cross-country skiing. Always opt for layering thin layers, which is more effective against the cold, and it's easier to adjust the layers according to the intensity of your activity.
  6. For this stage, jogging pants, a sweater, cotton underwear, a pair of sneakers or thin shoes, or even a pair of thick wool socks.
The Karine & Emma team
Decathlon Travel Partner

The Karine & Emma team

4.6/5 (152 reviews) • 48 stays
With over 25 years of experience, our local partner specializes in hiking in the heart of the Northern Alps, the Jura Mountains, and the Vosges Mountains. They offer a variety of routes, which can be explored independently with a guidebook or in small, friendly groups of 8 to 12 people. Their real added value? Guiding provided by qualified professionals who live and work year-round in these mountain ranges, offering an intimate knowledge of the terrain. Committed to sustainable tourism, all their trips are designed to be easily accessible by train, combining logistical simplicity with respect for the environment.
Discover their team and their trips
Are you satisfied with this page?
Are you satisfied with this page?

We are sorry to hear that.

Help us improve this page. Tell us what information you would have liked to see.

0/500
Your personal data is collected by Decathlon Travel (Decathlon Expérience SAS), acting as the data controller. The legal basis for this processing is pre-contractual measures/contract to respond to your quote request and contact you. Fields marked with an asterisk (*) are mandatory. In accordance with applicable data protection regulations, you have various rights, including the right to access, rectify, erase, and object to the processing of your data. To learn more about the processing of your data, to understand all your rights, and how to exercise them, please consult our privacy policy.

Have a question about this trip?

Select the type of request, and we will get back to you shortly.

Book with confidence
Subscriber benefit Because you are part of our community, we offer you an exclusive discount on your bookings.
How much ?
✅ Benefit from 5% off the cost of your stay, up to a maximum of €50.
  • Valid for a first booking on our site, with no minimum purchase required.
  • Can be combined with any other current promotion.
  • Not valid on air transport, carbon offsetting and insurance.
How ?
  • All you need to do is subscribe to our newsletter.
  • You will receive your promo code by email immediately after registering.
We promise not to flood your inbox!
Join our community
Best price guaranteed Our promise is simple: to guarantee you the best price for your adventure. If you find an identical offer cheaper on another French website, We'll offer you twice the difference.
The key principles for benefiting from it:
  • ✅ A 100% identical offer: Same dates, same services, same sales conditions.
  • ✅ A public and accessible price: The offer must be proposed by a French professional website, in euros.
Find all the details and procedures to follow, whether you have already booked or not, on our dedicated page. Discover how to benefit from it
Free cancellation more than 30 days before departure Something unexpected come up? Change your mind with peace of mind. You can cancel your booking free of charge and without giving a reason if you cancel more than 30 days before your departure.
Important conditions:
  • ❌ Flights and transport in your name: Airline or train tickets already issued in your name are not refundable under this guarantee.
  • ❌ Specific named services: Certain personalized services (such as a special permit or a named registration for a race or accommodation) may be excluded.
Details regarding cancellation fees: For the Standard fare booked 30 days or less before departure, and for the Flex fare booked less than 24 hours before departure, the cancellation fees defined in the partner's terms and conditions apply.
Payment in 2 installments without fees Secure your spot now and manage your budget with flexibility. This option allows you to confirm your adventure right away by paying only a portion of the total cost.
How does it work?
  1. You pay a 30% deposit today to reserve your stay.
  2. The balance (the remaining 70%) must be paid no later than 30 days before departure.
Eligibility requirements: This option is available for all stays:
  • ✅ Of an amount greater than €300.
  • ✅ Whose departure is in more than 30 days.