What if we enjoyed pristine white scenery, played in the powder, and took advantage of the warm atmosphere of the mountain resorts? Head to the Southern Alps. Marseille has a privileged position for easy access to the resorts of the Durance valley and its tributaries, but also those of the Côte d'Azur, which are not so far away after all.
Travel times are understood under normal conditions. It is certain that they are extended when leaving on a Friday evening with traffic jams between Marseille and Aix, or during the major holiday crossovers where it usually gets stuck near the highway exit at La Saulce / Tallard. One can usually easily add 30 minutes of delay in these cases.
First resort of the Champsaur, often called the "Marseillais resort". It's not a coincidence. Ancelle is a village resort close to Gap and therefore to the highway exit. The travel time can drop below 2h20 under optimal road conditions, without wasting time in Gap. The "capital" of the Hautes Alpes has done everything to complicate car traffic and it is often a waste of time waiting for the deviation to open. Once arrived in Ancelle, one enjoys a nice human-sized area, with 30 km of slopes and plenty of space for beginners.
Located opposite Ancelle, on the other side of the Drac valley and still in the Champsaur, Chaillol is a charming little village resort. Count 2h30 of driving from Marseille, under optimal traffic conditions. The area offers 15 km of slopes.
Located on the heights of Lake Serre Ponçon and at the gates of the Ecrins Massif, Réallon is a lovely little resort full of charm and potential. It offers 30 km of slopes and a panoramic view. A beautiful destination!
Nestled on the heights of the Blanche valley, about 2h30 drive from Marseille, this family resort offers 50 km of slopes. It is ideal for beginners and families, with a beautiful natural setting and varied activities. It can be accessed either via Tallard or Digne.
Also located in the Blanche valley, about 2h30 drive from Marseille, Chabanon-Selonnet offers 40 km of varied slopes in an interesting area. The resort is known for its friendly atmosphere and superb panoramas over the Southern Alps.
Dévoluy is the ski area in the Hautes Alpes closest to Marseille geographically, in terms of time it's a bit more: These two interconnected resorts are located about 2h45 drive from Marseille. Together they offer 100 km of slopes and an exceptional natural setting, perfect for mountain lovers.
In case of heavy traffic around Gap, one can also take an alternative route via Serres and Veynes.
Located about 2h45 drive from Marseille, this large resort located at the end of the Champsaur valley offers 100 km of slopes and many activities for the whole family, such as ice skating, the aquatic complex, and dog sledding.
Located about 2h45 drive from Marseille, Gréolières-les-Neiges is one of the closest resorts to the coast, situated in the heights of Grasse. This small family resort offers about thirty kilometers of slopes suitable for both beginners and experienced skiers. The panorama over the Mediterranean from the summits is breathtaking, but one should still check in advance about snow conditions. The altitude is low and sometimes snow is lacking.
About 2h45 drive away, Les Orres offers 100 km of slopes and a stunning view of Lake Serre-Ponçon. The resort is known for its slopes lined with larch forests and its warm atmosphere.
These two interconnected resorts in the Durance valley offer a total of 185 km of slopes. Located about 3h drive from Marseille, they are highly appreciated for their quality snow and splendid landscapes. However, be careful, this travel time can be extended, besides the bottleneck at the highway exit and Tallard, these resorts in the Durance valley also pass through Savine, Embrun, and Guillestre, each time with a risk of traffic jams.
Pretty discreet resort in the Ubaye valley. Sainte Anne la Condamine is located about 3h drive from Marseille and offers a nice area with 35 km of slopes. It is also an opportunity for a trip to Barcelonette to discover all the charm of this small alpine town.
A little further away, about 3 hours from Marseille, La Colmiane is a popular resort for its friendly atmosphere and modern facilities. It has 30 km of slopes, a snowpark, and the longest zip line in France for guaranteed thrills.
Another resort in the Alpes Maritimes, Valberg is about 3h20 drive from Marseille. This azure resort is highly appreciated for the quality of its ski area and the diversity of its off-ski activities, such as snowshoeing or spas.
Located about 3h30 drive away, Isola 2000 is one of the most famous resorts in the region. Its ski area extends over more than 120 km of slopes, offering descents for all levels. Its altitude and its particular positioning close to Italy guarantee optimal snow conditions throughout the season.
Right next to Isola 2000, Auron is another must-visit resort in the Alpes Maritimes, about 3h30 from Marseille via Nice and the Var valley. With 135 km of slopes, this resort combines authentic charm and modern facilities, ideal for a family holiday.
Located about 3h30 drive from Marseille, Montgenèvre is one of the oldest ski resorts in the Alps. It is part of the vast domain of the Milky Way, offering more than 400 km of slopes between France and Italy. It will host events for the Winter Olympics in 2030.
Another resort in the Briançonnais, about 3h30 drive away, Serre Chevalier is one of the largest resorts in the Southern Alps with 250 km of slopes. It offers a wide variety of slopes for all levels and a festive atmosphere thanks to its many events. It will also host events for the 2030 Olympics.
About 3h30 drive away, this family resort offers 75 km of slopes. Its north orientation guarantees good snow conditions, and it is ideal for families and skiers seeking tranquility.
Photo credit one: OT Champsaur / G. Galvani
