Learn Cross Country Skiing on a Short Break in the French Alps

You will travel independently to Guillestre, where you can check in at the hotel located in the heart of this picturesque village. The closest train station is Gare de Mont-Dauphin Guillestre, about 4 km from the village centre, and there are buses (both free and paid options) available from the station to the centre. If you prefer, we can organise a taxi for the final 4 km leg, and whenever possible, we'll coordinate with other participants to help share the cost. This will be arranged closer to the date.

Guillestre is a delightful village with quaint, pedestrian-only streets perfect for a stroll, and offers plenty of outdoor seating on terraces in the main square (near the hotel) for people-watching or enjoying a coffee.

We suggest gathering in the hotel lobby around 18:30 this evening (depending on arrival times) to meet your fellow participants. We’ll reserve a table for the group at a local restaurant for dinner (payment directly at the restaurant) and will confirm this with you nearer the time.

Meet your guide in the morning. If you require hire equipment, you will collect and fit it before heading into the mountains.

Today, you will ski in Arvieux, one of the southern French Alps’ best-known Nordic ski areas, set at the foot of the legendary Col d’Izoard. With 28 km of groomed trails for both classic and skating, stretching from 1550m to 1780m, Arvieux is known for its reliable snow and excellent conditions throughout the winter. Thanks to its altitude and snow record, it is also a favourite training ground for local, regional and even national teams.

For your first day on snow, it is an ideal place to begin. The morning focuses on getting familiar with the equipment, finding your balance and learning the basics of glide on gentle terrain. After a relaxed lunch, continue with fun drills, simple exercises and short outings on easy pistes, gradually building confidence and control.

Return to Guillestre at the end of the afternoon and enjoy the evening at your own pace - perhaps with a spa session at the hotel, a drink in a local bar, or dinner with the group in one of the village restaurants. We will book a table for anyone who would like to eat out together.

Today you head to Ceillac, one of the most picturesque Nordic ski areas in the southern French Alps. Set in a broad, high mountain valley and surrounded by dramatic peaks, Ceillac offers around 45 km of cross country ski trails, providing a varied and scenic setting for your day on the snow.

The morning session focuses on developing your technique: improving glide, learning how to manage gentle slopes and linking movements more smoothly. With growing confidence, you will begin to ski more continuously and explore a little further on the trails.

After a relaxed lunch, and if time allows, there may be the chance for a short stroll through the charming alpine village of Ceillac before heading back out on skis. In the afternoon, you will start to link trails together and enjoy your first short tours through the valley, a real milestone in your progression.

Back in Guillestre, enjoy a relaxed evening, perhaps unwinding in the spa, stopping for a drink in the village, or heading out for dinner with others in the group.

After breakfast, you will check out of your rooms and can leave your luggage at the hotel before heading out for your final day on skis.

Today you travel to Crévoux, a quieter and more intimate Nordic ski area with around 45 km of trails, set in a peaceful forested valley. This is a great place to consolidate everything you have learned over the previous days.

As you ski through the trees, keep an eye out for the outdoor art installations and wooden sculptures hidden along the trails, adding a unique and playful element to your final day on snow. With improved confidence and flow, you will be able to ski more independently, enjoying longer sections of trail and making the most of the surroundings.

After a final lunch and afternoon session, you will return to Guillestre by around 17:00. From here, you can collect your luggage and continue your onward journey, with options for both daytime and overnight train travel.

If you prefer a more relaxed departure, we can arrange an additional night in Guillestre on request.