Orcières-Merlette Ski Map Download 👇
Orcières-Merlette Piste Map and Overview
Set in the Hautes-Alpes above Gap, Orcières-Merlette 1850 is one of the sunniest high-altitude ski resorts in the Southern French Alps, blending big-mountain skiing with a warm, Mediterranean-style atmosphere. Sitting between 1,850 m and 2,725 m, it offers a strong altitude advantage for snow reliability, while still delivering that famous southern sunshine – meaning you often get blue skies and great visibility even in mid-winter. The resort also has a long history, including Tour de France finishes, which adds to its “real mountain” character.
What makes Orcières-Merlette especially appealing is its scale and variety without feeling overwhelming. With around 100 km of pistes and a wide spread of terrain from beginner zones to challenging black runs, it caters to all levels in a single, easy-to-navigate ski area. Long panoramic descents from the top down to the village, modern lifts, and plenty of wide cruising runs make it particularly enjoyable for intermediates and improving skiers, while families benefit from dedicated learning areas and a relaxed, uncrowded feel compared to larger Alpine resorts.
Total ski area: 100 km / 62 miles
Base elevation: 1,850 m / 6,070 ft
Peak elevation: 2,725 m / 8,940 ft
Difficulty:
🟦 18% Easy
🟥 68% Intermediate
⬛ 14% Advanced
Ski Season Length and Dates:
Typically runs from mid-December to mid-April (for example, around 13 December 2025 – 12 April 2026, depending on snow conditions).
Is it good for beginners?
Yes – Orcières-Merlette is very beginner-friendly, with multiple dedicated learning areas spread across the resort. Gentle green runs, wide blue pistes, and well-placed beginner zones make it easy to progress without feeling pressured. The layout is logical and lift access is modern, so beginners can build confidence quickly while still having access to scenic, longer runs as they improve.
What’s included in the Ski Pass?
- Access to the full Orcières-Merlette 1850 ski area (~100 km of pistes)
- Use of all lifts across the resort (gondolas, chairlifts, drag lifts, and beginner lifts)
- Skiing across the entire mountain network:
- Le Drouvet sector (high-altitude main area)
- Fressinières / Roche-Rousse sectors (panoramic terrain)
- Access to:
- Alpine ski pistes (all levels: green, blue, red, black)
- 4 dedicated beginner learning zones
- Snowpark and boardercross areas
- Long panoramic descent runs from summit to village
- Access to fun extras (varies by pass type):
- Night skiing on selected runs
- Multi-activity “Pass Horizon” options (ski + ice rink + swimming in some packages)
Does it include multiple resorts?
- No – Orcières-Merlette is a single, standalone ski resort
- It is not part of a larger interconnected ski domain
Are there cheaper ski pass options?
- Yes:
- Short-stay passes (1–6 days)
- Beginner or limited-area tickets
- Multi-activity passes (ski + leisure options)
- But there is no multi-resort upgrade system—you’re paying for one self-contained ski area