Skiing & winter
The Gorges du Verdon themselves hibernate — the Route des Crêtes closes, the lakes and rivers rest — but the Haut-Verdon takes over as soon as the first snow falls. The resort of La Foux d’Allos and two smaller nordic domains are less than two hours from Castellane.
In winter, the canyon itself closes up: the Route des Crêtes shuts from late November to late March, and the lakes’ water activities stop with the end of the warm season. But heading upstream towards its source, the Verdon crosses the Haut-Verdon, a mountain area that comes alive in winter: the alpine resort of La Foux d’Allos and two quieter cross-country domains, at La Colle-Saint-Michel and Ratery.
The area’s main resort, upstream in the Haut-Verdon: 1,800 m altitude, a ski area shared with Pra-Loup (Espace Lumière) that tops out at 2,600 m. 230 km of pistes and 35 lifts across the whole area, including 17 lifts on the La Foux side. About 65 km and 1 h 15 by road from Castellane.
A cross-country domain between 1,430 and 1,700 m altitude: 57 km of marked cross-country trails plus a 21 km nordic route, and 11 km of snowshoe trails (including the “Tour de Montruvel”, 3.5 km). A quieter, cheaper alternative to alpine skiing.
6 km from the village of Colmars-les-Alpes, between 1,685 and 1,800 m altitude: 20 km of cross-country trails (green to black), 2 snowshoe routes, a sledging run, laser biathlon and on-site equipment hire.
Villages, viewpoints reachable by open roads and low-altitude trails remain accessible — always check the weather and road conditions before setting out.
The Espace Lumière ski area combines La Foux d’Allos and Pra-Loup. For the 2025-2026 season, the adult day pass is listed at €51 (€44 for children 5-17, €47.50 for seniors 65-74, plus a mandatory, non-refundable €3 “hands-free” pass support). The 5-day adult pass is €224. The smaller neighbouring resort of Le Seignus lists an adult day pass at €35.
Two nordic domains in the Haut-Verdon, quieter and cheaper than alpine skiing: La Colle-Saint-Michel (57 km of cross-country trails + a 21 km route, plus snowshoeing) and Ratery 1700 at Colmars-les-Alpes (20 km of cross-country trails, snowshoeing, sledging, laser biathlon). On-site equipment hire at both domains.
The closest resort is La Foux d’Allos, in the Haut-Verdon, about 65 km and 1 h 15 by road from Castellane. It’s part of the Espace Lumière ski area, shared with Pra-Loup: 230 km of pistes between 1,500 and 2,600 m altitude, served by 35 lifts. The adult day pass is listed at €51 for the 2025-2026 season.
Only partly. The Route des Crêtes, one of the Grand Canyon’s great panoramic drives, is closed in winter (open from late March to late November, per the official tourist office) — frost, no guardrails and a narrow road at altitude. Water-based activities (canoeing, kayaking, electric boats on the lakes) are also on hold, as most rental operators only open from April to September. Villages, viewpoints reachable by open roads, and low-altitude hiking trails remain accessible, weather permitting.
Yes, two nordic domains in the Haut-Verdon: La Colle-Saint-Michel (57 km of cross-country trails between 1,430 and 1,700 m, plus snowshoe trails) and Ratery 1700 at Colmars-les-Alpes (20 km of cross-country trails between 1,685 and 1,800 m, snowshoeing, sledging, laser biathlon). Both offer on-site equipment hire.
For the 2025-2026 season, the Espace Lumière day pass is listed at €51 for a full adult rate, €44 for children (5-17) and €47.50 for seniors (65-74), on the resort’s official site. A mandatory, non-refundable €3 “hands-free” pass support is required. These prices cover the La Foux d’Allos / Pra-Loup area; the smaller neighbouring resort of Le Seignus lists an adult day pass at €35.
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L'opérateur de la station lui-même : altitude, dénivelé, présentation du domaine La Foux d'Allos.
Grille tarifaire officielle des forfaits ski 2025-2026 (La Foux d'Allos, Le Seignus).
Office de tourisme officiel du territoire : chiffres du domaine skiable Espace Lumière (km de pistes, remontées mécaniques, altitude).
Office de tourisme officiel : altitude et kilométrage du domaine de ski de fond et de raquettes de la Colle-Saint-Michel.
Office de tourisme départemental (04) : altitude, kilométrage de pistes de fond et de raquettes, équipements du site de Ratery 1700.
Office de tourisme officiel : période d'ouverture de la Route des Crêtes (fermée en hiver).
6 of these 6 links responded during our last automated check, on 2026-09-05. A broken link is removed, never left in place.