Introduction to skating: conquer the slopes of the Clarée
In summary
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Sports
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Duration7 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationHautes-Alpes / French Alps
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions74.42 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Enjoy an exceptional week: 7 days, 6 nights, and 5 days of skiing in the enchanting Nordic setting of the Clarée Valley . Accompanied by a passionate instructor , you'll benefit from a fun and educational approach, combining technique and enjoyment to perfect your style, whatever your level. Embark on this adventure from age 16 and discover a stay that combines sport, exploration, and breathtaking scenery !
The highlights
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An exceptional setting: discover the natural beauty of the Clarée Valley
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Sports immersion: skating days designed for athletes and enthusiasts
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Accessible from age 16: a dynamic intergenerational experience
Photos
Sport
Level
Cross-country skiing
The expert's opinion
The required skill level is beginner in skating, but prior experience with classic cross-country skiing is necessary. A good level of physical fitness is required to fully enjoy the activity!
In figures
Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Average duration/day: 5h
Management
French
The lessons will be led by state-certified cross-country ski instructors. Groups will be limited to a maximum of 8 people to encourage a friendly atmosphere and interaction.
Program
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Welcome and check-in at your accommodation
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Upon your arrival at L'Échaillon in the afternoon, you will receive a warm welcome . In the evening, a welcome reception will be held, followed by an information session .
Day 1 -
It's back!
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, you'll hit the slopes with skating equipment to reconnect with the snow and the feeling of gliding . You'll learn the skating stride and work on your balance !
The meal is taken at the hotel.
In the afternoon, you will practice cross-country skiing in the "classic" style. Your instructor will take you to discover the vast area via easy trails along the Clarée river.
Day 2 -
Morning skating and afternoon classic
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
In the morning, you will be on skis to continue progressing. You will discover and practice the different steps : one step, two steps, and the combined step.
In the afternoon, after lunch at the hotel, you will resume skiing in "classic" style to tackle slightly more difficult slopes and get your heart pumping!
Day 3 -
Improvement
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, you will review the steps learned yesterday and put them into practice on trails with more elevation gain.
Meals at the hotel. This afternoon, you'll stay on skates to cover longer distances and explore more technical trails. Thrills guaranteed!
Day 4 -
Clarée Valley
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day trips with a picnic to discover the magnificent landscapes of the upper Clarée valley and its summer chalets buried under the snow, or the superb plateau of the Col de l'Echelle .
You can also enjoy yourself by taking the link to Val-des-Prés and Les Alberts .
Depending on the snow conditions and your preferred technique, you will have the option of using climbing skins under your skis to make the ascents easier!
Day 5 -
Clarée Valley
- Activity Cross-country skiing (skating and classic)
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Day trips are planned, including a picnic lunch , allowing you to discover the magnificent Clarée Valley. You can also explore the splendid plateau of the Col de l'Echelle or take advantage of the connection to Val-des-Prés and Les Alberts . You will have the freedom to choose your skiing technique.
Day 6 -
End of stay and dispersal
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
The stay is scheduled to end after breakfast .
Day 7
Note
This standard program is subject to adjustments, depending on snow conditions, piste grooming, group homogeneity, etc…
Accommodation
Hotel L'Echaillon , located in the hamlet of Roubion at the entrance to Névache , welcomes you for your stay in the Clarée Valley. The rooms, accommodating 2 to 4 people, are equipped with private bathrooms (sink, shower, and toilet) and offer comfortable accommodations in a mountain style. Nearby, the Clarée River invites relaxation, and a shuttle bus provides access to the upper valley, just a 3-minute walk away . In winter, you'll be close to cross-country ski trails , and snowshoers can gear up in the garden. Enjoy the bar , terraces, and wellness area with a hammam, sauna, and outdoor hot tub. A relaxation room with a TV area is also available. We offer massages and osteopathic treatments. A drying room for your wet clothes and shoes is accessible on the garden level. The cuisine is carefully prepared using local products and is suitable for athletes.
Access
Go to the starting point
From Paris, you have several options:
- Either arriving on the Italian side via the TGV PARIS-OULX
- From this station you will need to take a direct bus to Briançon (€7.50). Tickets must be purchased 48 hours in advance of your trip on the SNCF website.
Either Paris / Grenoble + bus Grenoble / Briançon
Either arriving directly from Paris/Briançon , by night train or daytime trains:
- From Marseille or Valence, there are direct TER trains to Briançon.
You can drive to the hotel, where there is a large parking lot. We'll keep this description brief, given that in this modern age, GPS is standard equipment in our cars and on our phones.
From the south, you go up the Durance valley to reach Briançon.
From the north and west, you can, like cyclists, take the Lautaret Pass and its spectacular views, or choose the comfort (and the price) of crossing into Italy via the Fréjus Tunnel, a road version of the ambitious railway project of the mid-18th century. Consider carpooling!
Price details
The price includes
- Full board from day 1 to day 7
- Accommodation in a shared room for 3 people
- The tourist tax
- The framework
- Lending skating equipment
- Local transfers
- 2 access points to the wellness area
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to Névache
- Cross-country skiing pass (from age 5 and payable on site)
- Drinks
- Personal expenses
Options
- Additional night - Single room : CHF140.88 / person
- Extra night - Double room : CHF89.65 / person
- Extra night - Triple room : CHF85.99 / person
- 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
- Skis
- Sticks
- skating shoes
Equipment to bring
- 2 pairs of gloves
- Sunglasses
- Earplugs
- Hand and/or foot warmers
- 1 airtight plastic container + cup + cutlery + water bottle (1L)
Clothing to bring
- Picnic backpack
- Warm waterproof jacket
- Warm, loose-fitting, waterproof trousers
- Beanie, headband, earmuffs
- Shoes (for indoors)
- Après-ski boots or hiking boots
- Wool or fleece sweaters
- Thermolactyl underwear for the top and bottom (avoid cotton which retains moisture)
- Gloves or mittens
- Large wool socks
They traveled with us
