Puy-Saint-Vincent: two days of north-facing skiing

At the top of the ski area, above 2,700 m, the pistes of Puy-Saint-Vincent drop due north towards the forest, facing the ridges of the Écrins National Park. The resort opens on 12 December 2026: now is the time to book a weekend to ski fast and long, without queues defining your horizon.

At a glance

• What: an active downhill ski weekend across 75 km of pistes, from forest blues to technical reds and a handful of blacks.
• Where: Puy-Saint-Vincent, Pays des Écrins. Starting point: Station 1600, 05290 Puy-Saint-Vincent.
• When: season from 12 December 2026 to 11 April 2027; pre-opening on 5 and 6 December 2026, 9 am to 5 pm, snow permitting.
• Who for: skiers confident on red runs looking for technical terrain; guided off-piste and ski touring available.
• Price: one-day pass €44; 2 days €83; afternoon pass from 3 pm €21 (winter 2026/2027).

Saturday: the upper slopes while the snow stays cold

According to the Pays des Écrins tourist office, more than half of the ski area lies above 2,000 m, facing north. On these slopes, the snow stays cold for longer. Catch the first lifts and string together the technical reds and the upper blacks before repeated tracks scrape the snow. With the second-biggest vertical drop in the Hautes-Alpes, the runs are long and your quads will feel it quickly.

Around midday, head down for lunch at 1600 or 1800. In the afternoon, as the light drops across the north slopes, switch to the forest blues: trees give contrast to the snow when the sky turns overcast. Below 2,000 m, the entire lower area is covered by snowmaking, guaranteeing skiing all the way down even early in the season.

In the evening, the 2.7 km floodlit piste is free with a valid ski pass (€9 otherwise). Check the night skiing timetable at the ticket desk.

Sunday: skins or guided off-piste

The ski area features a marked, secure ski touring itinerary, the right option for a first try on skins without leaving the resort perimeter. If you are new to it, read our guide to getting started with ski touring before hiring gear. Off-piste skiing here is done with a guide: a professional will choose slopes based on the day's avalanche risk.

For a more cardio-heavy day, the Prés nordic chalet at 1,400 m is accessible on foot or via the Prés chairlift, open daily from 9 am to 5 pm in season. The neighbouring Pelvoux-Vallouise nordic area offers further loops in the Pays des Écrins.

The best dates and the right ski pass

The quietest periods are mid-January and early March. The pre-opening on 5 and 6 December depends on snow conditions: check the webcams before booking your train.

The 2-day pass at €83 saves €5 compared to two single days at €44. If you plan to return often, the Galaxie season pass costs €590 until 31 October 2026, rising to €790 thereafter. It also grants access to Serre-Chevalier, Montgenèvre, Les 2 Alpes, L'Alpe d'Huez, Sestrières and Pelvoux-Vallouise.

Getting there by train and choosing your level

From Paris, take the Paris-Briançon night train, then the regional ZOU! bus or the ski bus to reach the resort in 30 to 45 minutes. By car, the resort sits about twenty minutes from L'Argentière-les-Écrins.

The resort is split across three tiers: 1400 (the village), 1600 and 1800. For an active trip, stay at 1600, the hub of the resort. Le Panoramic connects directly to the snow front via a footbridge, housing an ice rink, a four-lane bowling alley and bouldering walls for bad-weather evenings.

Tips for skiing the north slopes

• Pack two lenses. A low-light goggle lens comes in handy quickly on north-facing slopes with little winter sun.
• Read the avalanche risk bulletin the evening before, and carry a transceiver, shovel and probe as soon as you head off-piste.
• Catch the first chairlift. The first two hours on the upper area offer the finest snow of the weekend.
• Keep a backup option if you arrive late: the afternoon pass from 3 pm, at €21, rescues a morning lost on the road.

Our local addresses

• Bureau des Guides et Accompagnateurs des Écrins: based in Vallouise-Pelvoux, this office brings together mountain guides and leaders to supervise your winter outings across the massif.
• Station de Pelvoux-Vallouise: the neighbouring village resort features a free transceiver training park, useful for brushing up your skills before heading off-piste.
• Les Vallois Hôtel Restaurant: a two-star hotel with 17 rooms and its own restaurant, located at 1,160 m in Vallouise, for staying down in the valley.

Practical information

• Resort and season dates: from 12 December 2026 to 11 April 2027, pre-opening on 5 and 6 December depending on snow conditions. More info
• Ski passes: one-day €44, 2 days €83, 6-day Galaxie €220. More info
• Webcams: to check snow conditions before travelling. More info
• Piste map: interactive version. More info
• Access, buses and shuttles: train, regional bus and ski bus. More info
• Le Panoramic: open year-round, entrance to Station 1600. More info

Practical questions

Can you ski from early December? Yes, snow permitting: a pre-opening is scheduled for 5 and 6 December 2026, from 9 am to 5 pm. Check the webcams a few days beforehand.

Can you visit without a car? Yes. The Paris-Briançon night train, followed by the regional ZOU! bus or the ski bus, drops you in resort within 30 to 45 minutes.

What if the upper slopes close? Stick to the forest blues below 2,000 m, or spend the day at the Prés nordic area. In the evening, Le Panoramic offers ice skating, bowling and bouldering.