Le Dévoluy

The Dévoluy lift-pass covers the combined ski areas of La Joue du Loup and Superdévoluy, which are linked by an efficient lift system. While not overly demanding, the skiing is varied and the style relaxed, with the emphasis on blue-graded cruising. Reds are not far behind, although there’s nothing which need deter confident intermediates. They’ll get to discover a few more challenging pistes, including the steep drop from La Pierra (2510m) and the exhilarating skier-cross-style run into Surperdévoluy on Les Meules. The apparent high proportion of drag-lifts is deceptive, as these mostly serve novice and advanced terrain, while the majority of skiers will be taking the 4- and 6-seater high-speed chairlifts. Two new draglifts for 2016/17 in the La Joue du Loup sector, take the pressure off the Télémix lift and provide an alternative during closures in high winds. Finally, the beauty of the surroundings will come as a very pleasant surprise to those accustomed to narrower, more confined valley settings.

It would be hard to imagine two more contrasting architectural styles than those of village-like La Joue du Loup (whose predominant chalet style blends successfully into the landscape) and purpose-built SuperDévoluy (whose high-rise impact is nevertheless upstaged by the majesty of the surroundings). Newer development here is, however, on a low-impact scale. Each side of the mountain thus has its devotees and there’s a high proportion of private ownership, as the area has long been a favourite of family skiers from Marseille, Provence and the Mediterranean Coast. The relaxed style is unmistakably that of the sunny South. It’s very French and moving steadily upmarket (with self-imposed limits on further development in La Joue du Loup).
We based ourselves in La Joue du Loup, whose shops and services are mainly clustered around a circular pedestrian area in the centre of the village, with a choice of restaurants, bars and ski shops just a few steps away at the foot of the pistes. We found a good range of services including a very nice interiors shop, a 'quincaillerie' (hardware store) plus ski shops and equipment hire outlets. For food shopping, there are two delicatessens selling a wide range of regional products and ready-prepared meals. There’s also a mini-market for groceries, plus a boulangerie.
A Tourism Office situated at the entrance to the village offers a welcome service to guests on their arrival.

Families will love this place, as will early intermediates and those who prefer to enjoy their skiing in a safe, relaxing environment with great scenery and no nasty surprises. Not that it lacks the occasional challenge once you know where to look. Mixed-ability groups should therefore be happy.
While coming here rather than to the more familiar areas further north requires something of a leap of faith, those looking for an affordable, no-nonsense quality ski experience combined with a surprisingly good snow record (particularly in recent seasons) will find the Hautes-Alpes ski resorts a revelation.

Snowboarding

Cross-Country Skiing