Molines

Molines-en-Queyras stands out as one of the most authentic and unspoilt ski villages in the Southern Alps, in the heart of the Queyras Regional Nature Park in the Hautes-Alpes. Sitting at around 1,750 metres, the village and its hamlets have kept their mountain character: traditional "fuste" houses combining stone and larch logs, small chapels, quiet lanes and wide views of the surrounding peaks. There are no apartment blocks and no crowds. Life keeps the pace of a real mountain village, where accommodation, the ski school and the lifts are all within easy reach. Linked to Saint-Véran, one of the Most Beautiful Villages of France at 2,040 metres, Molines forms the largest ski area in the Queyras. It is an ideal destination for families and for skiers looking for peace and wide open spaces.

The Molines – Saint-Véran ski area stretches from 1,740 to 2,830 metres, a vertical drop of about 1,100 metres. It offers 34 runs across roughly 100 hectares: 7 green, 13 blue, 12 red and 2 black. They are served by 13 lifts, including the La Burge and Les Cassettes chairlifts. The lower slopes above Molines wind through larch forest and give beginners reassuring terrain. The Beauregard sector has varied runs for improving skiers, as well as the Chalet des Amoureux mountain restaurant and a boardercross reached from the Les Amoureux drag lift. Crossing over to Saint-Véran, the Grand Serre drag lift climbs beneath the Pic de Château-Renard to a 360° panorama of Monte Viso (3,841 metres). Confident skiers will find challenging reds, FIS-approved runs and wide snowfields between the pistes. With its south-facing slopes, the area enjoys outstanding sunshine and stays pleasantly uncrowded all season.

Getting to Molines-en-Queyras means heading up the Durance valley. By car, drive to Guillestre, then follow the Guil and Aigue Agnel valleys to the village, about 30 kilometres away. The Col Agnel, which links France and Italy, is closed to traffic in winter. By train, the nearest station is Montdauphin-Guillestre. It is served from Marseille, Grenoble and Valence, as well as by the overnight train from Paris. From there, regional Zou coaches reach Molines in about an hour. Seasonal coach services also run from Paris, and from Marseille's stations and airport. Once in the valley, shuttle buses link the Queyras villages during the school holidays.

There is much more to the stay than downhill skiing, with activities built around nature and switching off. The Aigues Valley Nordic area offers about 36 kilometres of cross-country trails, for both classic and skating, climbing two wild valleys: towards the Col Agnel on one side and the Refuge de la Blanche on the other. Snowshoeing, dog sledding, ski touring in the Blanche valley and winter walking trails round out the options. Just a few minutes away, Saint-Véran reveals its old stone houses and sundials, and it is the starting point of the Escartons traverse. With its deep blue skies, quiet larch forests and warm welcome, Molines confirms its place as a must-visit high-altitude family ski resort in the Queyras.