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Orcières-Merlette

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Orcières-Merlette Ski Resort Guide

Orcières-Merlette, France

Rated: 3/5 (from 6 ratings)

Ski Area Highlights
Recommended ForIntermediates, Beginners, Snowboarders and Snowfall!
Total Piste Length85km
Highest Lift2,730m
Resort Height1,850m
 Nearest AirportsGrenoble and Marseille Provence
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Orcières-Merlette

The ski area of Orcières-Merlette is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,850m, with 85km of marked runs.

Summary

Orcières-Merlette has direct access to 85km of downhill skiing, with 44 marked pistes, served by a total of 29 ski lifts.

The ski resort itself is at 1,850m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 2,730m, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.

Skiing

Orcières-Merlette offers good sking, particularly, for Intermediate and Beginner skiers.

Snowboarding

Orcières-Merlette offers some good boarding and there are a variety of Snow and Terrain Parks in Orcières-Merlette.

Notable Ski Runs

The most difficult run is the 'Le Gourou'.

Snow and Weather

When will it snow in Orcières-Merlette?

The next notable snow forecast is 18cm, expected on 21 November, with around 38cm forecast over the next 7 days.

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Snow this week

Snow Forecast by day for Orcières-Merlette
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2,139m

Ski Area Stats

Orcières-Merlette Ski Area

Piste and Lift Stats
Black Pistes
Expert Trails
 6 10km
Red Pistes
Intermediate Runs
19
Blue Pistes
Easy Trails
20
Green Pistes
Beginner Runs
 9 
Downhill
Total Length
85km
Cross Country
Total Length
25km
Ski Lifts
Number of Lifts
29

Altitudes & Slopes

Orcières-Merlette Ski Area Heights

Lift Heights and Resort Altitude
Highest Lift2,730m
Lowest Piste1,850m
Resort Altitude (Orcières-Merlette)1,850m
Max Vertical880m

Ski Slope Aspects

S

Orcières-Merlette has ski slopes facing south (for sunny skiing).

Ratings & Suitability

Ratings for Orcières-Merlette
Intermediate Skiers
Beginners
Snowboarding
Snow
Apres-Ski

Ski Hire in Orcières-Merlette

 Orcières-Merlette Ski Hire

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Ski Hire Shops in Orcières-Merlette.

For more information, see our page about Orcières-Merlette Ski Hire.

Ski Lessons in Orcières-Merlette

Find a Ski Instructor

To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see Orcières-Merlette Ski Schools and Orcières-Merlette Ski Instructors.

Location and Map

Where is Orcières-Merlette?

This ski resort is in the French Alps in Orcières, Gap.

Map

Tap Show Map in Full Screen for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.

How to get there

 By Air

The nearest airport to Orcières-Merlette is Grenoble, 150 minutes drive away.

Marseille Provence, Chambery, Avignon, Lyon St-Exupéry and Lyon Bron airports are all within three hours drive.

Infrastructure

Ski Lift Capacity

The 29 ski lifts are able to uplift 22,500 skiers and snowboarders every hour.

Snow Making

Snow-making is available, on 40km of ski runs, with 33 snow cannons.

Season Dates

When is Orcières-Merlette open?

 Open from : December 14, 2024.

 Closes : April 13, 2025.

Usual opening is mid December, and usual closing is Mid April.

NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.

Orcières-Merlette