The stunning mountainous scenery, the charm of the classic French Alpine chalet architecture, and of course the near-unparalleled thrill that comes from soaring down the powdered slopes - these three things can make it incredibly hard to drag yourself away from Pra-Loup But if you find the allure of the mountains simply too hard to resist, then perhaps investing in a resort property may be the ideal option for you.
Located high up amongst the southernmost peaks of the French Alps near the Italian border, Pra-Loup is truly a haven for the eager snow-sports enthusiast.
It’s rather easy to describe the many incredible ski resorts of the French Alps as being jewels in a proverbial crown, and Pra-Loup is no different. It makes up half of the truly huge Espace Lumiere ski region, with over 100 kilometres of pistes, as well as an array of jump parks and off-piste trails.
Being such a huge draw for both domestic and international travellers, the Alpes-de-Haute-Provence local government has poured huge levels of investment into the resort’s infrastructure. The 39 pistes are all machine-groomed to keep them in pristine condition, and are connected by nine platter lifts, cable cars, chairlifts and magic carpets.
Living in Pra-Loup and Things To Do
Even for the most enthusiastic skier or snowboarder, variety is essential when it comes to choosing any place to live, and the Pra-Loup resort does not just have excellent facilities on the slopes themselves.
For day to day living, the Uvernet-Fours commune and the resort itself have amenities such as grocery shops, bakers, and mini-supermarkets. The city of Barcelonnette is very close by and accessible via the motorway, and is replete with restaurants, bars, and everything you need.
Naturally, you may fancy a stiff drink to get some warmth back after a long, tiring day of skiing, and the resort’s après-ski facilities are more than ample. Pra-Loup boasts a selection of stylish bars and restaurants serving local Provencal cuisine as well as a world-class assortment of regional wines.
The resort itself offers guests a wealth of activities away from the slopes. Fancy a massage? A game of ten-pin bowling? Or perhaps you want to pick up some interesting souvenirs from one of the many shops and boutiques? Pra-Loup has you covered.
Pra-Loup is also an ideal destination for keen road cyclists and mountain bikers. Or if you want to take to the water, there are a number of kayaking and rafting opportunities available during the warmer months. For a more leisurely excursion during the spring and summer months, there are hundreds of miles of trails where you can hike along the gorgeous forested foot-hills of the mountains and soak up the truly stunning vistas of the region.
Handily, Pra-Loup’s location means that, should you fancy swapping out crisp cool mountain air and thick white powder for the turquoise water of the Mediterranean, both the Italian and French Rivieras are a few hours away by bus or car.
Pra-Loup Snow and Weather Report
Thanks to the high elevation of the resort, Pra-Loup and the entire Espace Luminiere ski park region experiences a heavy amount of snowfall with the benefit of a low degree of precipitation due to its southernly latitude, which helps to keep the snow clear and pristine during the season. During months of heavy snowfall (January and February are the peak periods), the summit experiences approximately two metres of snow, with the rest of the resort receiving an average of 80cm.
With the resort's many pistes located between 1500 and 2500 metres elevation, Pra-Loup experiences a typically Alpine climate despite being one of the most southernmost ski destinations. The warmest month is July, with temperatures averaging around 15 degrees Celsius, and January is the coldest month with an average temperature of approximately -3 degrees Celsius. For updates weather reports, take a look at our Pra-Loup ski resort guide here.
Transport to Pra-Loup
Uvernet-Fours and Pra-Loup are both well connected when it comes to travel links, whether by plane, bus, or the free shuttles provided by the Ubaye Valley local authority. Grenoble, Lyon, Nice, and Marseille airports are all within 1-3 hours via car or shuttle connections. The nearby city of Barcelonnette is accessible via train or by the A43 and A51 motorways.
Jan 02, 2024
