Orcières Merlette sits at 1,850m on the edge of the Écrins National Park in the Southern French Alps. Perched above the wide, sunny Champsaur Valley, the resort holds a particular place in French skiing history, having opened in 1962 as one of the country's first purpose-built ski stations. It was also among the first French resorts to earn the Famille Plus label for its facilities, and that hospitable character runs through everything from the layout to activity programmes. The location truly sets the resort apart: the Southern Alps light is famously bright, snow has a particular dry quality, and the wild expanse of the Écrins peaks sits right on the doorstep.

Orcières Merlette's ski area is sizeable, climbing from the village at 1,850m up to two summits, Le Drouvet at 2,655m and Freissinières at 2,725m. Around 100km of pistes spread across 52 runs, with a balanced mix for every level. The longest descent stretches 8km from the summit back down to the village, with changing scenery and gradient the whole way. Snowmaking covers around 70% of the area, and combined with the altitude, it keeps conditions reliable through the season, which typically runs from mid-December to mid-April.

Off the slopes, Orcières Merlette has plenty to keep a week interesting. There's dog sledding on the Rocherousse plateau, snowshoe trails into the Écrins National Park, and snake gliss evening runs where linked sleds wind down the mountain. Back in the resort, the Palais des Sports has pools, an ice rink, and wellness facilities. The Champsaur Valley below adds more character with traditional farming villages, local markets, and weekly producers' stalls. Dining leans warm and welcoming, with Southern Alps cooking that blends Alpine staples like fondue and tartiflette with the lighter, herb-led influences of nearby Provence.

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