The ski resort of Puy Saint Vincent, nestled at the foot of the Barre des Ecrins (4,102 metres, the highest point
and only 4000 m summit in the mountains of Les Ecrins), is situated on the outskirts of the National Park of Les
Ecrins, 10 km from the railway station of L’Argentière-La-Bessée, 23 kilometres from Briançon to the north and
80 kilometres from Gap, to the south, in the county of the Hautes-Alpes and the Provence, Alps, Riviera region.
Overlooking the valley of La Vallousie, the resort is built on three levels. At an altitude of 1400 m, the old village
testifying to the past consists of genuine hamlets perched above an exceptional valley. A 6-seater detachable grip
chair lift provides access to the higher levels. The main part of the resort is at 1600 m with a range of shops and
the foot of the ski slopes with several chair lifts for access to the slopes proper. A third level was developed more
recently at 1800 m consisting exclusively of Tourist Residences. It is in this part overlooking the bottom of the ski
slopes that the two Sara Residences of La Dame Blanche and Le Parc aux Étoiles are situated.
The ski slopes of Puy Saint Vincent, facing the dazzling glaciers of Le Pelvoux and Les Ecrins, peak at an altitude
of 2700 metres (La Pendine) and offer a drop of 1300 metres non stop down to 1400 metres along a 7 kilometre
long ski run. The 80 kilometres of marked runs (29 in all, including 3 black, 9 red, 11 blue and 6 green) enable
skiers of all levels of proficiency to enjoy their skiing, with 12 mechanical lifts (3 detachable grip chair lifts, 3
fixed grip chair lifts and 6 ski tows).
The slopes of Puy Saint Vincent offer a wide variety with one specific feature: the downhill runs are on average
much steeper than those in other ski resorts – a word of warning to lovers of thrills and spills. Wherever you find
yourself out on the slopes, you will benefit from breathtaking views over the mountains of Les Ecrins and in particular
of La Peije and the famous Pelvoux with its summit at 3,946 metres.
The resort also offers many other possibilities off the slopes for cross-country skiing, in the forest or trekking from
the resort into the Narreyroux valley, for example.
Because of its specific geographic position where the high summits of Les Ecrins protect it from the wind, Puy
Saint Vincent benefits from an excellent quality of snow. Its exposure on the northern side means it gets ample
snowfall from early December right through to a late Easter. Moreover, the 60 snow guns scattered along the
slopes guarantee snow for over 40% of the total skiing area.
Thanks to the boarder-cross and the snow park, aficionados of new sports can enjoy areas reserved for snowboarding,
snow-skating, free skiing, free riding, cross skiing, half pipe, big air and other twists and turns.
The 40 km of cross-country trails winding their way from 1400 up to 2000 metres often take skiers to totally unspoilt
areas such as the Pousterle pass. The same applies to the 20 km of hiking trails.
In addition to skiing, Puy Saint Vincent offers a host of winter activities: sled gods, paragliding, snow-shoes,
snake-gliss, snowmobiles, natural skating rinks, ice falls, Ruisseling, climbing, etc.
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