Pelvoux combines a ski area with a specified number of pistes with high-altitude alpine destinations and summer hikes that start in several hamlets. When planning your trip, it is worth keeping these different scales distinct: ski pistes, trails starting from the hamlets and the approach to a high-alpine refuge are different undertakings. There are also chapels, sundials and a village treasure hunt.
Skiing, hiking and alpine destinations
The Pelvoux-Vallouise ski area has 18 pistes with a total length of 25 kilometres. These figures give a concrete idea of the size of the piste network; they may change if the facilities are modified in the future. If you are travelling for the ski area, check the piste information again before your trip.
The Refuge du Pelvoux is a different alpine destination: it sits at an altitude of 2,704 metres on a rocky outcrop and is about a 3.5-hour walk from Ailefroide. The refuge is also a starting point for mountaineering routes. Its elevation, walking time and connection to these routes set it apart from the ski area’s pistes. When planning, also bear in mind that route conditions can vary by season.
In summer, numerous hikes start from Pelvoux’s various hamlets. Mountain biking and a via ferrata are other activities you could consider during your stay. Seasonal conditions are relevant for hiking.
Pré de Madame Carle and the seasons
Pré de Madame Carle is the entrance to Écrins National Park and a starting point for summer hikes on foot, as well as spring ski outings. This change from summer hiking to spring skiing makes the time of year an important planning consideration. Seasonal access may change, so check the conditions for your dates before visiting.
The Chalet-Refuge du Pré de Madame Carle is above the hamlet of Ailefroide, at the foot of Mont Pelvoux and the Écrins. A shuttle connection may also be relevant to your plans: a shuttle operated by 05 Voyageurs connects L’Argentière, Puy-Saint-Vincent, Ailefroide and Pré de Madame Carle. If you plan to use this service, check the route and service conditions before your trip.
Chapels, sundials and a village treasure hunt
Cultural sights are also spread across several hamlets. The Chapel of Saint-Pancrace in Le Poët dates from the 17th century. In Les Claux, the Chapel of Sainte-Barbe has a restored sundial dating from 1792. The Church of Saint-Antoine is in the hamlet of Saint-Antoine; there is also an 1810 sundial there. The chapels and sundials offer different points of historical interest without requiring you to plan a single large cultural itinerary.
Families can follow the Randoland trail in Pelvoux, where puzzles for children aged 3 to 12 accompany their exploration of the village. If this trail fits your plans, check its local availability before you arrive.
When looking for a hotel in Pelvoux, it helps to first decide what your trip will focus on: ski pistes, summer hikes, a high-alpine destination, or the chapels and sundials. Take the different seasonal conditions into account, and check shuttle information if the connection is important for the places you plan to visit.
Discover more destinations: Trescléoux, Lagrand, La Beaume, Dévoluy, La Piarre, Le Poët, Neffes, Salérans.
For the broader travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.
