Isère
/ Vercors Massif
Cross-country skiing week and introduction to skating
5/5
(5 reviews)
Réf : DEPYGR
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationIsère / Vercors Massif
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions75.26 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages🇫🇷French
In a few words
Cross-country skiing is one of the most complete physical activities. The movements are pure and fluid. Our challenge this week: learn the skating technique ! Do you want to progress towards a more athletic approach to cross-country skiing? Already a skier, skating piques your curiosity. Dive into learning this incredibly elegant technique! Through a clever mix of educational workshops on the track to discover skating and classic cross-country skiing excursions , you'll explore the sublime trails of the Vercors, a true Nordic paradise… A Scandinavian feel pervades this tranquil atmosphere, with its vast spruce forests giving way to peaceful open alpine pastures. As the week progresses, you can even skate 100% if you perform well!
As evening falls, in a cozy atmosphere , it's time to share stories of the day by the fire or in the 100% natural Relaxation Area. Behind the stoves, our chef is busy preparing the most delicious meals for you... A complete program combining rejuvenation in nature, sport, and the pleasures of life.
The highlights
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"Zero stress" package: 7 days full board
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5 full days of skiing combining an introduction to skateboarding with your desire for wide open spaces.
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A 4-star guesthouse-hotel with its unusual wooden spa scented with red cedar…
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Photos
Sport
Level
Cross-country skiing
For those who have cross-country skied before and have mastered various movements and the gliding stride on flat terrain. You are able to ski straight down a gentle slope, perform a snowplow on a gentle slope, and come to a natural stop. You regularly practice an endurance sport.
The expert's opinion
Learning to skate requires a sporting spirit and good physical fitness.
The sessions are structured to break down the skating technique in order to achieve maximum ease and fluidity. When starting out in skating, learning happens in stages. It is therefore necessary to alternate techniques and to make gliding easier by using classic cross-country ski equipment for the other part of the day.
Physical level 3 on a scale of 5:
4 to 5 hours of skiing per day. Hilly route of 15 to 20 km with elevation changes of 300 to 500 m uphill and/or downhill.
You regularly participate in sports (at least once a week). You enjoy varying the pace of your outings. Learning this new technique requires a certain willingness to exert yourself. We recommend maintaining your fitness level to fully enjoy your week's vacation.
Technical Level 2 on a scale of 4: Beginner: You are already a cross-country skier (or a good downhill skier on red runs) but a novice in skating. Starting out in skating doesn't always allow for full-day sessions on this technique. Therefore, this program offers a mix of skating and skating (half-day sessions).
In the morning, there are technical training sessions on tracks designed to introduce all the movements and steps of skating. The afternoon allows for enjoyable outings.
In figures
Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average distance/day: 18 km
- Average daily elevation gain: 360 m
- Average daily descent: 360 m
Management
During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Band :
1 supervisor for 6 to 12 people
Languages spoken:
🇫🇷
French
Supervisor
Supervisor
State-certified instructor, specialist in the region. Lessons are group lessons taught by a specialist instructor.
Program
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Arrival
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Welcome to the Gîte-hôtel in Méaudre, between 5pm and 7pm. Over a welcome drink, we will present the program for the week and share our first dinner together.
Day 1 -
Méaudret Plain
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 15 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning = SKATING
A day in the great outdoors always begins with a good mountain breakfast with slices of country bread and organic homemade jams, local honey, farm cheese and other local delicacies etc.
After receiving our ski equipment, we head out onto the slopes to reconnect with the snow and glide on the Méaudre plain. This is an opportunity to practice braking, changing direction, and maintaining balance while gliding. We'll also learn the basic skating stride. Technique: learning the basic two-step and the uphill stride.
Picnic break.
Afternoon = CLASSIC SKIING
Top athletes always have several pairs of skis. So do we! We switch skis to more easily cover distance across the Autrans-Méaudre plain and its hillsides.
On return: panoramic sauna. Gourmet dinner.
Day 2 -
Gève Estate
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 17 km
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 400 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning = SKATING
The Autrans cross-country ski stadium is ideal for honing your skating skills. Technical session: learning the turning step and the uphill step. At the end of the morning, we'll swap our skating skis for our classic skis to fully enjoy a beautiful ski tour.
Afternoon = CLASSIC SKIING
We reach the renowned Gève ski area – specially designed for cross-country skiing. The varied terrain allows everyone to find their perfect run. After the morning's exertions, the afternoon is mostly downhill, leading to the village of Autrans. In the distance, you can see the ski jumps.
Størvatt Bath: an open-air bath heated by wood. A convivial atmosphere guaranteed under the snowflakes! Dinner.
Day 3 -
Autrans
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 300 m
- Negative elevation 300 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Morning = SKATING
Today we're going for it! We're choosing a very gradual slope to start racking up the kilometers skating. Technical session: the one-step stride and a focus on positioning for optimal glide. Picnic break, then we'll change equipment to explore the surrounding area.
Afternoon = CLASSIC SKIING
We put our classic skis back on to explore the more hilly slopes of Autrans. Hey, why not try "La Scandinave" or "Les Toboggans" for a bit of a thrill?
Day 4 -
Molière Alpine Pasture
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 20 km
- Positive elevation gain 350 m
- Negative elevation 350 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
CLASSIC SKIING
Let's embark on a splendid ridge hike from Plénouze to La Molière, rewarded with an unforgettable panorama. Here, from the sea of clouds over the Grenoble valley, the peaks of the Dévoluy, the Écrins, and Mont Blanc stand out! Enjoy a panoramic picnic facing the Alpine range. Back at the Gîte, relax in the spa: sauna or unwind by the fireplace… Dinner.
Your instructor will suggest this route on the day of the week when conditions are most suitable.
Day 5 -
Bois Barbu Estate
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Distance 18 km
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
CLASSIC SKIING / SKATING
Today, you choose your technique. Do you feel up to spending the whole day skating? The trails are double-tracked, allowing you to ski with a mixed group of classic and skating skiers. Discover the Bois Barbu area, crossing the majestic Herbouilly plain. An extraordinary outing on the northern plateaus of the Vercors, with an atmosphere reminiscent of the Canadian Far North. Relax in the Størvatt Baths. And if you'd like to take a piece of the Vercors home with you, then a short detour to the neighboring farms is a must: will you be able to resist the allure of St. Marcellin cheese and the Colibris' artisanal terrine? Dinner.
Day 6 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay after breakfast.
Day 7
Note
INTERNAL TRANSFERS:
Each day, a short transfer (10 to 20 minutes) takes you to the starting point of the hikes.
Our minibus can carry 8 people in addition to the instructor; if your group exceeds this number, we may ask you to use your own vehicle. In this case, you will be reimbursed at the end of your stay.
REMARKS :
The destinations for these outings are given as a guide only. Each week, we vary the activities depending on the weather conditions. We may sometimes need to modify the program slightly: due to organizational issues, the weather, the group's skill level, exceptional circumstances such as a pandemic, etc. Rest assured, these changes are always made in your best interest, for your safety and comfort!
SNOW COVER:
We are, above all, outdoor enthusiasts. If there is a lack of snow, we will still ensure your stay runs smoothly by combining on-piste or off-piste skiing, and if necessary, hiking. We will never cancel or postpone your trip. With or without their blanket of snow, the landscapes of the Vercors remain just as beautiful, and our instructors from the plateau will share the wonders of their region with you in the ambiance of winter light.
Accommodation
🏠 Holiday rental - Days 1 to 6
You will be welcomed for the week at a charming and friendly Gîte-Hôtel (4 ears of corn rating) located in a traditional country house in the small village of Méaudre. This renovated former dairy houses 15 comfortable rooms, offering the privacy of a hotel and the conviviality of a gîte . The ideal place to relax after a day spent in the great outdoors!
Access
Departure
2195 Route De La Croix Perrin, à Méaudre
Day 1
: 17h00
End of stay
2195 Route De La Croix Perrin, à Méaudre
Day 7
- 10h00
Go to the starting point
Take the train toGare de GrenobleOrGare de Valence
You have two options:
- Train/TGV to Valence-TGV station then bus to Méaudre:
IMPORTANT: We do not yet have confirmation that the Valence-Méaudre bus line will continue operating in winter 2027. For your information, here is how it operated last winter. Before booking your train ticket, please contact us.
From Valence-TGV station, take the Transaltitude shuttle .
Please note: only one shuttle bus operates on Sundays.
Remember to book your train according to the shuttle schedule . Outside of this schedule, the only alternative is a taxi (approximately €170).
Go : Departure Valence-TGV at 2:30 pm - Arrival Méaudre - Place du Village at 4:45 pm
Important : make sure you select Valence-TGV station (and not Valence-Ville).
Booking : directly on the Transaltitude website no later than 48 hours before departure.
At Valence-TGV station, you will find the bus on platform I or H.
- Train/TGV to Grenoble then bus to Méaudre:
From Grenoble train station, take the Cars Région Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes regional buses:
Line T64 to Lans-en-Vercors - Tourist Office then line T66 to Méaudre - Village Square.
Tickets can be purchased directly at the Grenoble bus station.
This service is regular and cannot be booked in advance.
We will pick you up from the bus that departs Grenoble at 5:00 PM and arrives at Méaudre Place at 6:21 PM. After this time, you will need to take a taxi, which will cost approximately €120. Remember to book your train ticket accordingly (approximately €170).
Travel to the place of stay
with parking
available
Méaudre is located at an altitude of 1,000 m. You are in a mountain environment, snow equipment is MANDATORY (snow tires / chains).
From the North - Grenoble : From the A48 towards Grenoble, take exit 14 “St Egrève Sassenage Villard-de-Lans”. In Lans-en-Vercors, follow signs for Autrans. At the bottom of the Col de la Croix Perrin, turn left towards Méaudre and continue for 1 km.
From the South - Valence : From the A49 towards Grenoble, take exit 8 "Aire Royans-Vercors, Villard de Lans". Follow signs for Villard-de-Lans. At the end of the Bourne gorges, turn left towards Méaudre. The gîte is 3 km past the village.
The guesthouse-hotel has free private parking.
Would you like to travel on other dates?
Create an alert and we'll notify you by email if new departures are added.
Price details
The price includes
- Loan of ski equipment
- The framework
- Accommodation in a shared mixed triple room
- Full board
- Herbal tea after meals
- Free access to the relaxation area
- The tourist tax
The price does not include
- The cross-country ski pass (approximately €14)
- Insurance (optional)
- Transportation from the place of residence to the starting point, and back
- Drinks
Options
- Extra night BEFORE your stay - In a single room : CHF111.15 / unit
- Extra night BEFORE your stay - In a double room : CHF87.40 / person
- Additional night AFTER your stay - In a single room : CHF111.15 / unit
- Extra night AFTER your stay - In a double room : CHF87.40 / person
- Individual treatments - 30-minute Wellness Massage : CHF63.65 / unit
- Individual treatments - 45-minute Wellness Massage : CHF78.85 / unit
- Individual treatments - Foot Reflexology 30 min : CHF63.65 / unit
- Individual treatments - Foot Reflexology 45 min : CHF78.85 / unit
- Individual treatments - Shiatsu 45 min : CHF78.85 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
They traveled with us
Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
5/5
(5 reviews)
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Decathlon Travel Partner
The Aurélie & Sébastien team
4.7/5
(124 reviews)
• 62 stays
A family-run agency established in 1985 in Autrans-Méaudre, our local partner is the expert in all-inclusive outdoor holidays in the heart of the Vercors region. Specializing in Nordic activities in winter (skiing, snowshoeing) and hiking or mountain biking in summer, they also operate throughout the French mountain ranges and as far as the Cinque Terre in Italy. Their unique feature? A 4-star Gîte-Hôtel that serves as a welcoming base camp: after an activity, relax in the Nordic bath and savor local flavors prepared by Chef Dédé. A small, friendly team cultivates the art of hospitality and provides personalized advice for a truly rejuvenating holiday.
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save 5%
by joining
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Decathlon Travel Benefits
Best price guaranteed:
We offer twice the difference
Free cancellation more than 30 days in advance
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