Saint Barthélemy is a cross-country skiing paradise: the reasons to go to this ski resort of From Val d’Ao there are many, from splendid and panoramic slopes to low prices, from the few people to the uncontaminated nature (and perhaps it’s better not to say it too much to avoid it becoming a crowded place).
Immersed in the woods of the Barthélemy Valley and far from roads and inhabited centers there are 30 km of groomed slopes every evening and 10 marked slopes, a center equipped for rentals and lessons with teachers and little else. You ski between 1960 and 2014 meters between ups and downs, streams, plains and conifers, peeking out onto balconies with a view of the 3,000 meters in the area.
For cross-country skiing enthusiasts, that’s all there is to it. Here they are useful information about Saint Barthélemy and our advice on slopes, facilities, prices and more for having fun in the snow.
Saint Barthélemy, where you can go cross-country skiing cheaply in the Aosta Valley
The Saint Barthélemy ski area has 30 km of track. Or rather it has a 30 km ring, the Saint Barthélemy Gran Tor, which within it has other 9 shorter routes.
The starting point is Foyer de Fond of the Nordic Ski Center of the Praz de l’Arp resort (1960 metres), from which all the rings begin. The slopes develop between the woods and the walls of the valley, and reach up to 2014 meters of Alpe Ollière.
Here is the map.
You ski surrounded by nature, with the panorama of the Alps all around, an unparalleled sensation that has few equals in Europe. Also because the slopes are exposed to the sun and silent.
The routes are suitable for everyone, with a lively course, some downhill stretches (no problem even for beginners) and in general very fun and relaxing.
You cross streams, coniferous forests, areas flat where serpentines are designed for training (here Federico Pellegrino was born sportingly, silver at the 2018 Olympics in Pyeongchang and world gold in the Sprint in Lahti 2017).
What are the cross-country trails in Saint Barthélemy?
Here it is 10 cross-country trails of Saint Barthélemy, lwhose difficulty ranges from blue to red depending on the length of the route.
Praz de l’Arp km 3.5 – blu (easy)
The shortest loop, ideal for beginners and children, designed among the mountain pastures, with easy curves, small fun descents and no technical difficulties.
Barbonce, Km 5 – blue (easy)
The second ring follows the first, but goes as far as the pastures downstream of the Barbonce mountain pasture. You pass sections with slightly harder climbs and descents, and then rejoin the main foyer de fond via an ‘S’ descent. They are 5 km which also touch a portion of the woods, without any particular technical difficulties.
Champcombre, km 9 – blue (easy)
Splendid and very varied route with views, excellent as a second step after learning the basics. It continues after the crossroads of ring no. 2 arriving at a long descent (but with little slope and interspersed with flat sections), which leads to the lowest point of the Champcombre plateau, where sections can also be full of curves and practice better. You then go back up towards Porliod with a fairly long but gentle slope climb. The last stretch crosses that of the “Gran Tor” route.
9 km without any particular technical difficulties.
Bois de Pessey km 11 – pink (medium)
A couple of km more than the previous route to try all the curve of the great Champcombre plateau. More demanding in effort but always without difficulty.
La Nouva, km 12 – red (medium)
Another detour at the same point of return as ring 4 on the Champcombre plateau, where you go up verso right for a while longer technician in the pastures downstream of the La Nouva mountain pasture. The difficulty increases to medium level.
Champlaisant, km 13 – red (medium)
From the usual crossroads you go down some hairpin bends (the “Corkscrew”, or “Tirabouchon”) and connects with the Vallorsière mountain pasture. From here you enter the woods to descend further until you skirt the torrent Saint Barthelemy. Then you go up again passing through Champlaisant and returning towards Champcombre. Medium difficulty.
Lo Ratzo, km 14.2 – red (medium)
From the previous ring (no. 6) we deviate near the bridge on the plateau east of the Champlaisant chapel. follow climbs and flat sections, crossing the stream and reaching the crossroads with the road that returns towards Champcombre where there is the mountain pasture Lo Ratzo. Difficulty is medium.
La Servaz refuge, km 19 – red (medium)
From the crossroads of the previous ring (n. 7) continue to the right until the valley that follows the stream. Then at the Ollière mountain pasture you reach the highest altitude of the area (2014 m). Returning towards the base, the recommended stop is the Magià refuge, and then get back on track after having refreshed yourself. They are 19 km of medium difficulty.
Pierrey, km 19.5 – red (medium)
Detour from the Champlaisant mountain pasture, towards the stream and then ski on the other side of the valley, descending along the farm road that follows the Ru de Joux and the Pierrey forest. Return to the crossroads and follow the route of ring no. 6. Medium difficulty.
Gran Tor, km 30 – black (difficult)
The Gran Tor is the ring that brings together all the routes in the valley: it starts from the foyer of the Nordic ski center and reaches the Ollière mountain pasture and then returns through the Pierrey forest, the Saint Barthélemy stream, the Champlaisant the farm road up to Champcombre and the last stretch. The difficulty is given by the length, 30 km to be tackled only if you are trained and have good technical ability.
Which slopes to do depending on the preparation in Saint Barthélemy
A good idea it is increase in difficulty and train the muscles to exert effort progressivelymaking the loops of Praz de l’Arp and Barbonce Km 5 as soon as you arrive, then moving on to beautiful 9 km of Champcombre and then aiming for Lo Ratzo’s 14.
When you are trained, a good idea is to face the ring he carries in La Servaz, where you can refresh yourself at the Rifugio Magià and then return to the starting point.
Cross-country skiers can try to do the 30 km Gran Tor: there is also a race, the Saint Barthélemy Grand Tor 30 km Classic, which is generally held at the beginning of March.
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Can you take cross-country skiing lessons in Saint Barthélemy?
Yes, at the Nordic Skiing & Trekking Center Saint-Barthélemy you can hire masters in the area to take lessons and explore the slopes with an expert who teaches you how to cross-country ski the right way without making any effort and you guide in the passages that are most difficult for you.
Better to call before arriving to reserve the hours of the teachers: +39 339 1499469. Or contact them through the official website.
Can you rent cross-country skiing equipment in Saint Barthélemy?
Yes, always at the Center of Praz de l’Arp it is possible to rent skis, poles and boots (and possibly even snowshoes) for the day or half a day. It is also possible to keep them for several days and have the waxing, preparation and repair service.
Daily prices for the equipment complete: 15 euros for adults (10 euros for 4 hours) and 10 euros for children up to 13 years old (7 euros for 4 hours).
The complete equipment for snowshoes (with sticks) costs 12 euros per day (8 euros for 4 hours).
At the Center you can also take advantage of locker rooms, toilets, showers. In the building there is a tavern with a (free) terrace where you can eat (a dish costs on average 8-10 euros, but there are also focaccias and sandwiches) and relax in the sun with a view of the peaks.
How much does a day of cross-country skiing in Saint Barthélemy cost?
To ski on the slopes of the area you need to buy a ticket, which can be purchased on site. Costs:
Full day ticket for adults: €10
Afternoon (1pm-5pm) adults: €6.00
For 3 consecutive entries you pay 24 euros. The seasonal ticket costs 90 euros.
A day that includes 2 hours of lessons for a family of 4with complete rental equipment and a daily ticket for the slopes it costs around 140 euros.
How to arrive in Saint Barthélemy
The best way to get to Saint Barthélemy is by car. Once exit at Nus from the motorway that crosses the Val d’Aosta, you go up for about 30 minutes to the village of Lignan (here there is a hotel, a hostel and an inn with rooms), and then continue for another 4 km to the car park of the Saint-Barthélemy Nordic Skiing & Trekking Centre. If you are unable to park under the slopes there is another area to leave your car, with shuttle which provides the connection service in the morning.
Can you sleep in Saint Barthélemy?
Yes, but the valley is not the most famous and popular (a big advantage for us) and There are few beds available.
The road leading up to the slopes is littered with case and rent, which is the best solution to stay in Saint Barthélemy. But there are also some small ones hotel it’s a hostel well organised, Neighbor to the observatory astronomicalwhich also offers full board (depending on the number of users) and half board services.
(photo Lovevda.it, Astronomical Observatory – Valle d’Aosta / YouTube)
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2023-12-04 09:54:03
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