Here for the sport

Puy Saint Vincent and Pelvoux-Vallouise are two resorts that welcome you in both winter and summer. Natural and equipped sites make the Pays des Écrins suitable for all outdoor sports activities.

Thanks to the diversity of landscapes and settings, sports are possible at all levels from beginners to high-performance. Indeed, many major international sports events take place in the Pays des Écrins in both summer and winter.

Each typical site offers many possibilities:

– five rivers make all kinds of navigation possible: Kayaking, canyoning, rafting, white-water swimming, and so on. The white-water stadium in L’Argentière hosts major international canoe-kayak and white-water swimming competitions.

– running or walking? As a trail running destination, the area has about twenty marked trails for all levels, and a mobile app to guide you in the field. The outings can be just for the day or ongoing with varying gradients.

Vertical adventure: Via ferratas, climbing, mountaineering.

Natural boulders, short or longer routes...? From Ailefroide to Le Pouit in Champcella with La Vignette in between, the Pays des Écrins is a top spot for climbing with an abundance of sites. Your best bet is to get hold of a guide map to help you choose. How about a via ferrata? Again, they are suitable for all levels with cliffs overlooking some extraordinary scenery.

Mountaineers can climb the high mountain area leading to several summits close to 4,000 metres in altitude as well as the Dôme and Barre des Écrins (4,102 m).

Road cycling, mountain biking or downhill riding?  

There are circuits with steep climbs including the climb to the Pré de Madame Carle, Puy Saint Vincent or Freissinières and just a little further away, ascensions of legendary mountain passes such as the Izoard or the Col de Vars. Those who enjoy mountain biking (electrically assisted or not) may have trouble choosing a route! In addition to Vallouise and Puy Saint Vincent, La Roche de Rame, Freissinières and Saint-Martin-de-Queyrières are much appreciated destinations.

For thrill seekers, the lifts allow for some vertiginous, fast descents.

Snow biking! … Have you tried fat biking on an electrically assisted bike with oversized tyres?