Blog

Ubaye & Mercantour : a paradise for ski touring
Ubaye & Mercantour : le paradis du ski de randonnée
Home Ski touring

Nestled south of the Alps, between the Italian Piedmont, the Queyras and the Écrins, the Ubaye valley is a well-kept secret… well, not so secret anymore.
Ski touring enthusiasts meet there every winter to trace in its wild valleys, explore its well-hidden corridors and climb its immaculate peaks. Snow cover is often generous
Generous snow cover

Here, we regularly take advantage of the returns from the East, these disturbances from Italy that deposit their white gold while other massifs remain dry. Result:

Good conditions from the start of the season above 2000 m

Snow is often of good quality on the northern slopes until spring

Unforgettable outings in March/April, when “spring skiing” becomes a real pleasure: mild temperatures, clear nights, transformed snow, and breathtaking panoramas.

Between couloirs, valleys and long crossings, the Ubaye has nothing to envy to the great classics of ski touring. And above all, it offers you a luxury that has become rare: space. The real thing.
Rich wildlife

But be careful: in this season, animals expend a minimum of energy to survive. If you come across one, stay at a distance, avoid shouting, photos that are too close or running in their direction. Preserving these rare moments also means preserving their tranquility. Just enjoy!

One of the great privileges of ski touring in the Ubaye and Mercantour is the possibility of evolving in an environment that is still preserved, where the alpine fauna is very present, even in winter. Chamois, ibex, ptarmigan, mountain hares, golden eagles or even wolves sometimes leave clues of their passage on the snow… and, with a bit of luck, let themselves be discreetly observed. Just enjoy!

Discover the wildlife

Jacques Blanc

Sophie ROUX

Varied terrain

In the Ubaye and the Mercantour, each ski touring outing has a different taste. Here, the routes take you from light-drenched larch forests to mineral canyons and then to panoramic ridges as far as the eye can see. Whether you’re looking for a gentle outing in the alpine pastures or a more challenging summit, you’ll always find a route that lives up to your desire for the day

It is a real playground for all levels, with a topographical richness rare in the Southern Alps.

Discover the routes

3 marked ski touring routes to explore the mountains in a different way

Thanks to our 3 marked and secure routes, you can learn or practice ski touring with confidence. Far from the noise, but always in a framed setting. Each route is mapped (GPX files available) and designed to give you an accessible, progressive and immersive experience.

With these trails, Pra Loup opens a gentle and reassuring gateway to this practice that is becoming more and more attractive. You don’t have to be a mountain pro to experience this unique sensation : climbing with the strength of your legs alone, in the silence of fresh snow.

Go up serenely, go back down the slopes, discover the mountains in a different way!
In Pra Loup, ski touring is a breath of fresh air… Marked.

Map of signposted routes

Aucun contenu trouvé.

Do you like snow?

Discover winter wildlife
Discover winter wildlife
The checklist for ski touring
The checklist for ski touring
21 July 2025
Discover winter wildlife
Discover winter wildlife
Home Ski touring

In Pra Loup, winter transforms the mountains into a vast adventure playground. Ski touring, split-boarding or snowshoeing outings offer timeless moments: cottony silence, immaculate valleys, encounters with nature… But for some of the residents of these heights, this season is anything but a walk in the park. It is even a question of survival.

Sophie ROUX (PNM)

Ubaye & Mercantour, preserved territories

Even if they are not always seen, there are many animals living in the forests, mountain pastures and wild slopes of the Ubaye and the Mercantour National Park. During your winter outings, you may be lucky enough to come across chamois, ibex, or even to surprise an ermine leaping in the snow. Higher up, the shadow of a golden eagle or bearded vulture can pass over you, while in quiet forests, mountain hare, fox or deer sometimes leave telltale tracks in the snow.

But most of the time, these animals prefer to stay at a distance. And that’s normal: they spotted you long before you saw them. Their survival depends on this discretion. Observing a track, hearing a distant cry, or simply feeling their presence, is already a beautiful encounter. And it’s even stronger when you know that you didn’t bother them.

The black grouse, inhabiting dicret

The black grouse is a bit like the ghost of high-altitude forests. You probably won’t see him, but if you get too close to him, he’ll see you – and run away. And that’s the problem.
In winter, this emblematic bird settles in quiet areas, often between 1,500 and 2,000 meters above sea level. It shelters under snow-laden branches, where it can stay warm, protected from the wind and prying eyes.

The black grouse is programmed to hardly move during the winter. His metabolism slows down, and each sudden flight causes him to lose a precious amount of energy. If it is disturbed several times during the day, it can literally become exhausted. And the winter is long, very long for him.

Another concern: in spring, the males begin a spectacular courtship display, called “the crowing of the heather”. For it to take place, you need calm, otherwise the females flee. Fewer matings means fewer young grouse the following year… and a species that is declining, discreetly but surely.

The rock ptarmigan, master of camouflage

The rock ptarmigan is a bird that is sometimes called the “snow partridge”. And for good reason: in winter, it literally transforms. Its plumage turns white, its legs are covered with thick feathers to walk on the snow, and it blends in perfectly with the scenery. Almost invisible to the naked eye.

It lives in high-altitude areas, above the forest, where the wind sculpts snowdrifts and humans are scarce. In case of extreme cold, he can even dig a kind of igloo in the snow to shelter for hours. It’s his way of getting through the winter: by saving everything, including his movements.

But he has a weak point: inconvenience. If he is surprised, he flies away suddenly, flapping his wings loudly, and this can cost him dearly. He draws on his meagre reserves, accumulated by dint of immobility. And sometimes, it is forced to leave a good shelter for a less favorable one, exposed to the cold or predators.

In addition, his camouflage works especially when he remains stationary. When you approach without seeing it, you can almost step on it. He then flew away at the last second, panicked. If this happens too often, it can be fatal.

Refuge areas

Some areas are forbidden to leave the animals alone. Even if you don’t see them, they’re there.

These areas have been defined with the teams of the Mercantour National Park, which ensures the preservation of the exceptional wildlife of our territory.

Before leaving, take a look at the map of protected areas. It’s simple, and it changes everything for them.

Protected areas
François Breton (PNM)

The right reflexes to respect wildlife

Stay on the marked routes, even if the powder next door catches your eye

Avoid making noise in wooded areas

Zero waste (even a clementine peel)

If you have a dog: on a leash (and we congratulate him if he doesn’t growl at a chamois)
You might also like

Ubaye & Mercantour : a paradise for ski touring
Ubaye & Mercantour : a paradise for ski touring
The checklist for ski touring
The checklist for ski touring

Did you like this page?Share it!
21 July 2025
The checklist for ski touring
The checklist for ski touring
Home Ski touring

Want to draw your own line away from the lifts? We understand you. Off-piste ski touring is pure adventure, virgin snow, immaculate landscapes.
But be careful: the mountains don’t give gifts.

The best advice we can give you: ask the guide office or a ski school. And above all, go accompanied by a mountain professional (guide or qualified instructor). They know the terrain, the conditions, the pitfalls to avoid — and most importantly, they will allow you to enjoy safely.

No tourist attractions in sight. Perhaps our site is taking a little nap…

Preparing your ski touring equipment

On the ski side

Ski touring requires specific equipment:
- Touring or splitboard skis (for snowboarders), with free-heel bindings on the way up and blocked on the way down.
- Some bindings offer climbing cleats, useful on steep slopes.
- The skins, glued under the skis, prevent you from backing up on the way up.
- A pair of classic or telescopic poles, essential for keeping balance, especially when going uphill. The telescopic models allow the length to be adapted to the terrain.
Safety equipment

For any outing outside the secure routes, it is essential to leave:
- An avalanche transceiver (Avalanche Victim Detector).
- A shovel (metal, not plastic)
- A probe (aluminum or carbon, light and resistant)
- A charged phone, stored in an easy-to-access pocket. The emergency number is 112.
- A first aid kit
- Bonus: an airbag bag, although expensive, can increase your chances in the event of an avalanche. It remains optional but recommended for committed outings.
I rent my equipment
Our advice
- Choose a good avalanche transceiver, with a wide field of research (3-antenna models have become the norm)
- Always use new and good quality batteries . The avalanche transceiver must display at least 90% battery at the start.
- During the search, keep your phone more than 30 cm away from the avalanche transceiver to avoid interference.
- Probe with gloves : you stay warm and prevent ice from forming on the probe, which could block it.
- And above all… Work out. Again and again. The day you need your gear, it’s not going to be for a demo — it’s going to be to save a life.
Choosing an outfit adapted to the effort

Layering

Opt for a breathable, layered outfit:
- A thermal first layer, ideally in thermo-regulating merino wool that limits odors
- An insulating layer (fleece or light down jacket)
- A waterproof and windproof jacket
Accessories not to be forgotten
- Sunglasses for the ascent, ski goggles for the descent
- Thin gloves for effort, warm mittens for stopping or descending
- Headband or hat, to be adapted according to the temperature
- Ski helmet, to attach to the bag on the way up and on the way down
Comfort and autonomy
- Comfortable backpack, with adjustable straps and accessible pockets, allows you to carry everything without unbalancing your walk
- Water bottle or hot tea
- Energy bar, dried fruit, or chocolate : a welcome gourmet break at the top
- IGN map or offline GPS app
- Survival blanket
- Charged headlamp
Preparing for your ski touring outing

Training on a marked route

In Pra Loup, you can learn to ski touring in complete peace of mind thanks to marked routes specially designed to start safely. The principle is simple: you go up at your own pace with the sealskins on secure tracks, then you go down quietly by the slopes. A great way to discover the practice without venturing off the beaten track.

These courses are accessible throughout the opening time of the ski area, generally from mid-December to mid-April, depending on the snow conditions. And to make the climb easier, some sections can be lightly groomed, without distorting the hiking experience.

Map of signposted routes

Itinerary Open
This route is suitable for those who want to try ski touring on a gentle and easy route.
Itinerary Open
Elite Itinerary
This course is designed for sportsmen who want to train all winter long on a technical route with steep slopes…
Elite Itinerary
Alpine Route
This route offers magnificent views and scenery of the surrounding mountains. The itinerary climbs in difficulty with a technical finish.
Alpine Route
{"locations":[{"lat":"44.368594","lng":"6.60215","title":"Itinerary Open","permalink":"https:\/\/www.praloup.com\/en\/fiche\/open-itinerary\/","type":"equipement","commune":"Pra Loup 1600","type_commerce":"","image":"https:\/\/static.apidae-tourisme.com\/filestore\/objets-touristiques\/images\/237\/167\/11315181-diaporama.jpg","image_width":"450","image_height":"350","image_fit":"cover"},{"lat":"44.36966","lng":"6.600315","title":"Elite Itinerary","permalink":"https:\/\/www.praloup.com\/en\/fiche\/elite-itinerary\/","type":"equipement","commune":"Pra Loup 1600","type_commerce":"","image":"https:\/\/static.apidae-tourisme.com\/filestore\/objets-touristiques\/images\/173\/168\/11315373-diaporama.jpg","image_width":"450","image_height":"350","image_fit":"cover"},{"lat":"44.358738","lng":"6.594264","title":"Alpine Route","permalink":"https:\/\/www.praloup.com\/en\/fiche\/alpine-itinerary\/","type":"equipement","commune":"Pra Loup 1600","type_commerce":"","image":"https:\/\/static.apidae-tourisme.com\/filestore\/objets-touristiques\/images\/119\/168\/11315319-diaporama.jpg","image_width":"450","image_height":"350","image_fit":"cover"}],"center_lat":"44.368594","center_lng":"6.60215"}

Checks the conditions
- Choose your route according to your level
  Find out about the difficulty, the difference in altitude, the distance and the access conditions. In Pra Loup, start with a marked route if you are a beginner.
- Check the weather and avalanche bulletin (BRA)
  Never leave without being aware of the weather conditions and the risk of avalanches. This influences your equipment, your departure time… or even the decision to postpone your release.
- Prepare your equipment the day before
  Check that all your equipment is complete and in good condition: skis, skins, avalanche transceiver (with new batteries), clothes, snacks, water, etc. Bring something to repair a fastener or change a skin in case of a problem.
- Test your avalanche transceiver before you go
  Activate your avalanche victim detector and cross-test with your partners to make sure everything is working.
- Tell someone about your itinerary
  Inform a friend or family member of your route and estimated time of return. In case of a problem, this will facilitate the search.
- Leave early in the day
  Snow conditions are safer in the morning, and you will avoid descents in transformed snow or the risks associated with the evolution of the snowpack in the afternoon.
- Adapt your pace and take breaks
  The ascent in skins is endurance. Drink regularly, eat snacks, and adjust your effort to save energy for the descent.
21 July 2025