Imagine... The sun slowly sets over Lake Serre-Ponçon. The mountains glow with golden reflections, and the crisp air of the Southern Alps envelops you...
After a day of skiing, hiking, and adventures in the great outdoors, you return to your cozy retreat, a warm wooden lodge with a crackling fire. Peace and quiet, comfort, the feeling of being exactly where you need to be.
Welcome to Les Lodges de Valière in Chorges, between lake and mountains. Here, every winter is an experience in its own right. Sport, nature, relaxation, and fine dining come together in an intimate and refined setting.
So, what is there to do in winter around the Lodges de Valière?
Follow the guide!
The ski stations around Chorges: skiing, nature, and panoramic views
Winter at Les Lodges de Valière promises snow-covered landscapes and intimate ski resorts, ideal for a vacation that combines sports and relaxation. The Southern Alps offer a wealth of resorts to suit all tastes.
Réallon: the ultimate panoramic resort
Just 20 minutes from the Lodges, the Réallon resort offers an exceptional setting facing Lake Serre-Ponçon. A unique panorama combining the azure sky, white peaks, and deep blue lake.
A small family resort, Réallon charms visitors with its friendly atmosphere and varied slopes.
Activities include:
- downhill skiing on around 30 kilometers of slopes,
- cross-country skiing on easily accessible trails,
- sledding in the “Front de neige” area,
- snowshoeing, particularly around the hamlet of Les Gourniers in the heart of the Écrins National Park.
This is also the starting point for superb winter hikes through snow-covered forests. Silence, animal tracks in the snow, the breath of the wind: a moment suspended in time.
For those who like to relax after skiing, the resort also offers nighttime snowshoe outings, ideal for admiring the starry sky.
Les Orres: a dynamic and modern station
Just 40 minutes from the Lodges, Les Orres combines sports and modernity. Here, the atmosphere is more lively: downhill skiing, snowpark, snowmobiling, tobogganing on rails, but also a wide range of non-skiing activities for a variety of pleasures.
The resort has:
- a sports center with a swimming pool, ice rink, and climbing wall,
- a cinema, and a wellness center,
- and offers events and festivals throughout the year that bring the winter season to life.
For a complete immersion in the mountain spirit, in this Experiences section, we share our favorites and ideas for getaways around the lake and resorts. Feel free to check out our other articles, both past and future.
Les Orres also offers a beautiful balance between thrills and chic atmosphere: perfect for a stay combining adrenaline and pampering.
Crévoux: nature in its purest form
A little gem upstream from Parpaillon, Crévoux is an authentic resort, almost timeless.
People come here for downhill and cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, and the charm of its wooden chalets.
It's also a place to discover mountain heritage: ancient streets, high-altitude farms, larch forests...
The slopes wind through the heart of the valley, and the winter light bathes every turn in ochre.
For photography enthusiasts, it's a dream location. And for families, it's a safe and peaceful setting.
Orcières 1850: the sporting and festive spirit of the Southern Alps
A little further away (about a 50-minute drive), Orcières Merlette 1850 attracts visitors with its wide range of activities:
- downhill skiing on a large ski area,
- giant zip line (one of the largest in Europe),
- snowmobiling,
- panoramic swimming pool,
- and even ice diving in Lake Estaris.
Sports enthusiasts will also appreciate the Palais des Sports, a huge indoor complex, perfect for alternating between exercise and relaxation.
Orcières is the station that never sleeps, with a lively and festive atmosphere. And after all that, what a pleasure it is to return to the absolute calm of the Lodges de Valière for a cozy evening under the stars...
Ancelle: the family-friendly and accessible resort
Located 30 minutes away, Ancelle is the ultimate family resort.
Gentle slopes, attentive ski schools, activities for the youngest visitors: everything is designed with conviviality in mind.
Cross-country skiing enthusiasts will also find what they are looking for in a renowned Nordic area.
We love its market selling local produce, its snow-covered chapel, and its village atmosphere reminiscent of winters of yesteryear.
Relaxation, culture, and fine dining in the Southern Alps
In winter, the Southern Alps are not just about snow. The region comes alive with festivals, markets, and local traditions.
In Gap, for example, Les Rencontres de la Cinémathèque de Montagne (Mountain Film Festival) is held every November: a must-see event for lovers of adventure and spectacular images.
The small surrounding villages also offer craft markets and gourmet tastings, perfect for discovering the flavors of the mountains.
For relaxation, the Lodges de Valière offer high-end services designed to prolong the wellness experience: sauna, jacuzzi, massages... Discover all the services on the Services page.
After exertion comes comfort: the art of cocooning according to Les Lodges de Valière
Each lodge has its own character, atmosphere, and private wellness area.
It promises a return to absolute calm after a day spent on the slopes.
Le Piolit: gentle relaxation and immersion in nature
Le Piolit Lodge charms guests with its outdoor jacuzzi, with essential oils available for even deeper relaxation.
Imagine yourself enveloped in warm water, facing the mountains, while snow gently falls around you.
A pure moment of magic, to be enjoyed as a couple.
L’Écrin: the complete sensory experience
The L’Écrin Lodge is a true wellness retreat.
It offers an infrared sauna with natural wood scents, complemented by a chromatherapy option—a gentle technique that uses colors to soothe the body and mind.
A cold bath completes the experience for those seeking invigorating stimulation.
The combination of hot and cold stimulates circulation and provides lasting relaxation.
Le Morgon: between warmth and Nordic sensations
Le Morgon Lodge also has an outdoor jacuzzi with essential oils.
For lovers of “hot-cold” sensations, it is an unforgettable moment: alternating between a bubbling bath and the icy air under the stars, all in absolute silence.
A unique experience, combining Nordic tradition and Alpine refinement.
The pleasures of the table: local flavors and gourmet moments
In winter, the mountains can also be enjoyed at the table.
At Les Lodges de Valière, sweet and savory breakfasts, served until noon, are like authentic Alpine brunches: local cheeses, artisanal jams, golden pastries, fresh eggs, local charcuterie... a treat before setting off on an excursion.
For dinner, it's time for revisited mountain specialties: raclette, slow-cooked dishes, melt-in-the-mouth local cheeses... served in an intimate and warm atmosphere.
And for those who prefer to cook on site or bring their own meals, each lodge is equipped with a fully-fitted kitchen.
Find more information on the Services page to discover all the dining and wellness options available on site.
Walks, nature, and winter encounters
Around Chorges and Lake Serre-Ponçon, winter offers a thousand faces.
Walks in the forest, often bathed in sunshine even in the middle of winter, allow you to observe alpine wildlife: chamois, hares, birds of prey, and sometimes even wolf tracks in the snow.
Photography and nature lovers will be delighted by the low light and magical landscapes at sunrise.
And for those who simply like to take their time, a walk around the lake remains magical even out of season: silence, reflections, the smell of damp wood, the murmur of icy waves... Winter in Serre-Ponçon has something hypnotic about it.
A winter for yourself, between adventure and serenity
Staying at Les Lodges de Valière in winter means choosing an enchanted break, combining sport, well-being, and art de vivre.
Here, you don't just come to sleep.
You come to live an experience: to breathe, savor, and marvel.
What if luxury was simply that?
Taking time out, far from the noise, facing the mountains.
Our next article will be dedicated to the holiday season:gift ideas, mountain recipes, sparkling decorations, prestigious meals, and a cozy New Year's Eve at Les Lodges de Valière.
Because here, every season has its charm... and every stay has its story.