Orcières is transforming !

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News and projects

The stakes

"For two years, since our new Public Service Delegation for the operation of the ski area and the Palais des Sports, we have worked to consolidate our organization on the human, technical, and operational levels... We have also worked on the structural projects we have just launched. We are indeed at a pivotal time for the future of the resort. We have patiently built our project over the course of these two intense years, undertaking administrative phases that are always very lengthy. In this in-depth work, we have not neglected the challenges of image and respect for the values ​​of Orcières. It is not a question of building a project disconnected from our identity, but on the contrary, of strengthening the quality of our tourism product and the professionalism of the destination."

The projects

From spring to December, Orcières begins a new phase of its development with structuring projects that will mark the coming years.

A new ski area for winter 2025/2026

New La Muande​ chairlift

The project involves the construction of a state-of-the-art, detachable 6-seater chairlift, "La Muande," which will transport 3,000 skiers per hour from the Drapeaux snow front to the top of the Camile Ricou slope in 6 minutes, after a 2km journey and 650m of elevation gain. The lift will serve the blue Vallons Montagnou slope, largely remodeled to provide easier access for all experienced skiers and fully protected by artificial snowmaking. The new "large-capacity" lift will also enhance access to the Camile Ricou downhill slope, which is FIS-certified and currently hosts the Alpine Skiing European Cups, with significantly improved access. In anticipation of the 2030 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games in the French Alps, the Orcières resort is positioning itself as a major training and preparation site for athletes.

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The Drapeaux snow front reshaped

The Drapeaux snow front, the resort's showcase, will also be reshaped to accommodate a new, secure beginner's area with a lowered slope to facilitate learning to ski. The two Flocon and Étoile ski lifts will be dismantled and replaced with a 170m covered gallery high-capacity moving walkway for greater user comfort. The Lauzières sector will regain an even more natural feel, following the dismantling of the two existing ski lifts and the relocation of the Flocon ski lift to its lower section, which will allow access to the Vallons-Montagnou slope via a less steep slope than the Marches ski lift. Overall, with the goal of visual decontamination and seamless integration of its sports facilities into the landscape, 56 pylons will be dismantled and replaced with only 17 new pylons for the La Muande chairlift.​

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A new dynamic for the west sector

This reorganization, the first important step in the modernization of the ski area, will inject new life into the entire western sector of the resort and better distribute skier traffic throughout the area. The modernization of the ski lift fleet is a key factor in the attractiveness of the resort and its magnificent high-altitude ski area, ensuring the continued strong economic activity. This streamlining of the ski lifts will optimize the operation of the ski area while visually decontaminating the natural spaces that the resort wishes to preserve. It's also an opportunity to reduce energy costs, thanks to the chairlift's "Direct Drive" motorization, as well as the integration of new "Eco Drive" technology, a driver assistance tool that automatically regulates commercial speed based on passenger volume. Finally, no detail has been overlooked in the realization of this ambitious project: a new wooden contemplative terrace will be installed at the top of the old Montagnou chairlift.

Work in progress - summer 2025

The improvement of the western sector, from Lauzières to the Méollion ski lifts, is unfortunately not without consequences. Despite the launch of the projects the day after the ski area's closure on April 14, 2025, impacts (noise and visual) are expected, as helicopter transport and construction machinery traffic will still be required during the summer season to ensure the new chairlift is operational for the next winter of 2025-2026.

​Impacts :

The Drapeaux snow front will be inaccessible during the summer season. However, access to the Drouvet 1 cable car (for pedestrians and mountain bikers) will be maintained to reach the high-altitude area.

Our hiking and cycling offerings (MTB bike park) will be adapted: diversions and closures of certain trails. The paragliding launch areas will also be affected.​

In the bike park: ​

  • The Champignon, Edelweiss, and Mirabeau trails will be rerouted in the lower section. ​
  • The Endurocyclette and Muande trails will be closed in the upper section. ​
  • The "1000 Virages" enduro route will be modified in the upper section. ​
  • The electric mountain bike trails will start from the Queyrelet snow front. ​

Around the hiking trails : ​

For hiking, the areas above the Forest des Marches and towards the Roc d'Alibrande will remain accessible, but will be impacted. We recommend (re)discovering the World of 6 Lakes or the wonderful Prapic sector in the Ecrins National Park. Indeed, all the hikes on the eastern side of the resort (Forest des Estaris, Lac des Pisses, Prapic, etc.) will not be affected by the work and will allow you to fully enjoy nature. AND...The final stop for Le Monde des 6 Lacs, which will host creation number 13 this summer on the Rocherousse plateau (you'll discover it for yourself!). The entire length of this beautiful hike will be available all summer.

Regarding other activities & services:

For paragliding, the Cairn takeoff area will be inaccessible during the construction. Takeoffs from the Forest des Marches or the Forest des Baniols will be preferred.

Regarding parking, the Drapeaux parking lot will be reduced by half to allow for the expansion of the snow front (reminder: parking is free in the summer). We therefore invite you to park in the Casse Blanche covered parking lot or the Marché parking lot.​

Regarding entertainment and events, the central stage, initially installed on the Tourist Office terrace, will be relocated to the Queyrelet snow front, an area of the resort that will be livened up throughout the summer with shows, workshops, and concerts for which the resort is renowned.

The Leisure Center will continue to welcome young and old alike with its range of activities adjacent to the La Gravière restaurant.

We thank you in advance for your understanding and loyalty.

Work on the Palais des Sports will begin this autumn 2025

This will be the next major project! The Palais des Sports, a pioneer in leisure spaces in the Southern Alps, is a distinctive feature of our resort that needs a new appeal. The building and its use will be transformed and modernized around:

  • A new entertainment area with a larger bowling alley and new activities,
  • A redesigned spa with views of the landscape and mountains,
  • A gym with cardio and strength training equipment,
  • A renovated aquatic center,

The project is scheduled for completion in December 2026.

It's also time to give a new lease of life to an establishment located in a magnificent and strategic location both in winter and summer: the Rocherousse plateau! A beautiful wooden chalet with a magnificent terrace and many new features will welcome you from winter 2026/2027.

A reconfigured and improved resort center for winter 2027/2028

The resort is also rethinking its mobility and the place of pedestrians at the heart of the resort to offer a truly high-quality resort center, without cars, in a peaceful, friendly atmosphere. The central parking lot will be rebuilt underground (660 spaces, access from the Route des Grands Prés) and topped with a 400 m² covered hall that will be fully pedestrianized to free up public space and encourage festive gatherings (shows, concerts, etc.). Shuttle services have already been reinforced to ensure the connection between the intra-resort districts and the valley.

A more sustainable mountain with a hydro-energy project for 2027/2028​

These facilities produce artificial snow in winter and electricity the rest of the year.

Orcières plans to deploy one or two hydroelectric turbines in the artificial snow network to become a hydroelectric power producer. The goal is to produce and redistribute to the electricity grid 30% of the electricity consumed by the ski area and the sports center over a year.

With hydroelectricity, the impact on the landscape is virtually zero since it uses the existing networks needed for artificial snow production, which require very little additional construction.