Ancelle: Ski Resort, Rouanne Valley and Culture

Ancelle offers two different types of skiing and other activities in the Rouanne Valley, as well as historic sites and buildings. When looking for a hotel in Ancelle, you can first narrow down your destination based on your planned focus: alpine slopes, Nordic trails, seasonal activities in the valley, or a look at the area's history. The time of year is a factor for several activities and, in the case of paragliding, so is the weather.

Alpine and Nordic skiing

Ancelle's alpine ski area extends across two snow fronts: Les Taillas and Chatégré. It has more than 26 ski runs bordered by forest, a total of 30 kilometres of slopes, and twelve ski lifts. Operating conditions vary by season, so check them before your trip.

The Nordic ski area extends for around 20 kilometres and offers both classic cross-country skiing and skating. If you are choosing between the two, you can base your decision on your preferred technique: the Nordic area offers classic style and skating, while the alpine offering is described in terms of ski runs and lifts. The Nordic ski area in Ancelle also offers snowshoe hikes and dog-sledding trips. These activities are seasonal; check their availability before your trip.

The Rouanne Valley throughout the year

The Rouanne Valley can be reached from Ancelle or from the Rouanne Haute car park. The trails of the Nordic ski area lead into the valley, a natural landscape surrounded by larches and fir trees. The valley offers hiking opportunities, with mountain biking also available in summer. In winter, activities include snowshoe hikes, ski touring and cross-country skiing.

Canyoning is also possible in the Rouanne Valley; being accompanied by a guide is strongly recommended. The via ferrata in the Rouanne Valley near Ancelle offers three difficulty levels. Paragliding flights take off from Cuchon, usually in the late afternoon or evening; weather conditions determine whether they can go ahead. When planning, the time of year and the different types of activities are therefore relevant, as are the conditions on the day of the flight for paragliding.

Landscape and local history

The municipality of Ancelle includes bocage landscapes, numerous wetlands, alpine grasslands and wooded mountain slopes. These varied landscapes complement the winter sports offerings with a distinct focus on nature. They offer specific points of interest if you would like to consider the landscape and nature, as well as skiing, when choosing your destination.

The Chapel of Saint-Pierre-ès-Liens in Les Matherons dates from 1803. The Moulin Bresson was added to an existing sawmill built around 1836. The archaeological site of St-Philippe near Ancelle spans a much longer period: it provides evidence of human settlement over almost 6,000 years, from the Neolithic period, beginning around 5500 BC, through to modern times. This makes it possible to view a long period of settlement and the specific building histories of the 19th century as distinct historical perspectives on Ancelle.

Discover more destinations: Saint-Michel-De-Chaillol, Saint-Auban-D'oze, Jarjayes, La Chapelle-En-Valgaudémar, Saint-Martin-De-Queyrières, Saint-Bonnet-En-Champsaur, Trescléoux, L'argentière-La-Bessée.

Back to the regional travel overview: Hautes-Alpes.