Skiing In The Sun
There are 13 Alpine ski resorts close to Cannes. They can be reached within 90 minutes from Nice airport. The ski season officially starts 9 December. www.stationsnicecotedazur.com for all ski information Auron, Isola 2000 and Valberg can be reached by a special ski-express bus from the railway station at Nice each day, costing just 8 euros return. The journey takes about two hours leaving at 7.30am and returning about 5pm. On Saturdays there is also a bus at 1pm. Advance booking required. You can also take the normal bus from Nice railway or bus stations, 1.50 euros each way. Probably best only if you are staying at least overnight. GREOLIERES The nearest ski resort to Cannes, in the Alps behind Grasse. Offers alpine and nordic skiing. It has 30km over 22 pistes. Ice rink and dog sleighs available. Lots of events and special days See website www.greolieres.fr for full details and special offers. A bus service to Greolieres ski station departs from Antibes at 8am weekends and daily during the school holidays. The bus returns at 5pm and the journey takes 1 hour 35 minutes. Booking is essential - call 0493424079. The fare is five euros and includes all your personal equipment. Closes after Easter weekend 2018 |
ISOLA 2000
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Auron and Valberg
Auron - closes 15 April
At 1600m Auron has 135 km of pistes for beginners to experts, including a club for 3-6 year olds. It specialises in airboarding. Good apres-ski facilities. It made the Top 50 French ski resorts list a few years ago. And you can even turn your (frozen) hand to snow golf. In the heart of the village is the ice rink.
The resort has themed events and this year's highlights include: Russian week 31 Dec - 5 Jan; Chefs au sommet 20-26 Jan; and Humour festival 2/3 Feb See http://www.auron.com/
By Car
Follow route as for Isola but at the village of Isola go straight on to Auron.
Valberg closes after Easter weekend
It is the oldest and most family orientated of the ski resorts. With 92km over 52 pistes it is developing a reputation for freestyle as well as skicross and boardercross. A nursery for children aged 3 months to 6 years is available. Excellent apres ski. You can buy ski passes at Decathlon shops before you arrive in the resort. Valberg boasts two seater electric snow vehicles. Last year it celebrated its 80th birthday and among the many innovations is snow golf. The first teleski took skiers up 300m and opened in Valberg in 1936, the same year the autoski appeared. This could take 15 skiers up the mountain in a matter of seconds - it was powered by an aeroplane engine. It was created by Nice engineer M Perot.
By Car
Turn off A8 at 51.1, then D6202 direction Digne/Grenoble, then D28 by the Gorges du Cians or the D2202 by the Gorges de Daluis
Other Resorts include Val d'Allos, Pra-Loup, St Dalmas (Nordic skiing), Breuil, Roubion, La Colmiane and ...
Nordic skiing at Casterino Tende. You can take the Snow Train from Nice, at 9.24am, to Casterino every Saturday and Sunday from 12 January until 10 March and every day from 16 February till 3 March. It costs 13 euros return. Casterino has four hotel/restaurants. Equipment can be hired - remember this resort does not offer Alpine skiing. You can also take a ride on a dog drawn sled with two professionals mushers at your side. See www.casterino.com
At 1600m Auron has 135 km of pistes for beginners to experts, including a club for 3-6 year olds. It specialises in airboarding. Good apres-ski facilities. It made the Top 50 French ski resorts list a few years ago. And you can even turn your (frozen) hand to snow golf. In the heart of the village is the ice rink.
The resort has themed events and this year's highlights include: Russian week 31 Dec - 5 Jan; Chefs au sommet 20-26 Jan; and Humour festival 2/3 Feb See http://www.auron.com/
By Car
Follow route as for Isola but at the village of Isola go straight on to Auron.
Valberg closes after Easter weekend
It is the oldest and most family orientated of the ski resorts. With 92km over 52 pistes it is developing a reputation for freestyle as well as skicross and boardercross. A nursery for children aged 3 months to 6 years is available. Excellent apres ski. You can buy ski passes at Decathlon shops before you arrive in the resort. Valberg boasts two seater electric snow vehicles. Last year it celebrated its 80th birthday and among the many innovations is snow golf. The first teleski took skiers up 300m and opened in Valberg in 1936, the same year the autoski appeared. This could take 15 skiers up the mountain in a matter of seconds - it was powered by an aeroplane engine. It was created by Nice engineer M Perot.
By Car
Turn off A8 at 51.1, then D6202 direction Digne/Grenoble, then D28 by the Gorges du Cians or the D2202 by the Gorges de Daluis
Other Resorts include Val d'Allos, Pra-Loup, St Dalmas (Nordic skiing), Breuil, Roubion, La Colmiane and ...
Nordic skiing at Casterino Tende. You can take the Snow Train from Nice, at 9.24am, to Casterino every Saturday and Sunday from 12 January until 10 March and every day from 16 February till 3 March. It costs 13 euros return. Casterino has four hotel/restaurants. Equipment can be hired - remember this resort does not offer Alpine skiing. You can also take a ride on a dog drawn sled with two professionals mushers at your side. See www.casterino.com
Casterino dog sledding
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Valberg autoski 1936
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