In January 1962, the first Orcières-Merlette ski lift was inaugurated, the first step towards a bright, vibrant future. A handful of determined volunteers saw their project come to fruition. Was setting up a winter sports resort in the Southern Alps a simple challenge, or was it the firm conviction that it would be a success, or was it the imperative need to “create” jobs in the region to maintain its vitality? Probably a bit of all of the above! “Everyone has their own speciality: mine, ours, is cultivating snowfields. I saved my village from the desertification to which it was doomed. I’ve brought a certain wealth to my valley” summed up Camile Ricou, mayor of Orcières (from 1959 to 1965 and from 1983 to 1989) and founder of the resort.
The fact remains that these men were perceptive. They realised that Orcières was blessed with three assets that winter sports resorts all covet: an unspoilt environment, snow and sunshine. Beyond this formidable asset, Orcières has always cultivated its own identity: that of a welcoming, attractive resort… with a dynamism that has made it a pioneer in many areas: creation of France’s first Snow Garden (1967), launch of the Cartable à la Neige programme (1970), construction of a Palais des Sports and Leisure Centre in 1986, inauguration of France’s first Telemix in 2003, commissioning of Europe’s largest zip line in 2009, new auditorium and creation of Espace Ecrins in 2017…
More than half a century of hospitality and tourism innovations… Today, in winter and summer alike, the resort offers superb skiing and leisure facilities, rare and unusual activities, and always a resolutely warm welcome… The perfect place to dream higher!
