Saint-Barthélemy

Sun kissed slopes next to the Astronomy Observatory

While awaiting a clear night sky in Saint-Barthélemy (we should not forget that this is the site of the Regional Astronomy Observatory), the opportunity for a ski “taster” on the surrounding slopes should not be missed. Sun protectionlotion and sun-glasses should not be forgotten as the 30 km km resort sees no less that 250 days of sunshine each year. The cross-country slopes cross the snowy meadows of Lignan, reaching, at their highest point, an altitude of 1700 metres, and the village of Champcombre, where the tracks commence

at 1800 metres. A vast panorama can be seen: the Val Clavalité, the great valley of Saint Marcel and Mount Emilius to the south; the gully of the Saint Barthélemy valley to the north. The slope at Lignan, starting from the town square, immediately above the church, extends over a 3.5 km circuit and in two 2 km circuits, witheasy to medium difficulty. The Champcombre slopes commenceinthe small hamlet of Porliod and extend towards the upper valley of Saint Barthélemy, following the vast semi-circular morphology, as far as

Ollière, at an altitude of 2000 metres. The slopes in Champcombre follow a linearroute, to the sides of which are three circuits: each of the routes can still be followed, passing from one to the other viaspecial transfer tracks. The direct track is of easy to medium difficulty and is located far from roads and inhabited centres, in a wonderful natural environment.