Les Orres: Quentin Ladame reveals the best spots

The Domaine des Orres is located in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes. The resort offers exceptional views of the Embrun valley with the Serre-Ponçon lake, the Parpaillon massif from the ridges and the Ecrins National Park facing you when you ski. Quentin Ladame, a local sportsman and former member of the French Freestyle Ski Team, takes the floor to present Les Orres, the resort that has seen him grow up. What better guide than Quentin could you have? He knows the ski area on the tip of spatulas and events by heart. Through this article, Quentin will give you a complete overview of the best places to ski and will give you his tips and the unmissable to enjoy your stay to the fullest!

A varied ski area for all tastes (and levels)

The mid-size domain offers many possibilities on and off track : the lower part of the domain will be suitable for beginner skiers as for the upper part, it will delight the fans of curves with steep and wide tracks, or the powder lovers with many possibilities from the ridges or in the larch forests.

Quentin's favorite tracks: Vallon des Fontaines and L'homme de Pierre

For me the most fun track is the Vallon des Fontaines, the relief is very player. Due to its protected location, the snow conditions are excellent during most of the year, so that the track is groomed or full powder is often orgasmic! It is on this track that I made my first "lincolns" (become my special trick later).

L’Homme de Pierre, located on the other side of the chairlift Pousterle, is also a track with guaranteed fun, the ridge line overlooking the track is a very playful terrain, its exposure to the sun makes it an ideal place for picnic to have fun or just enjoy the scenery. Little more: when the powder is at the rendezvous, the forest of "Canada" located under the Man of Stone is just incredible, his name does not come from nowhere !! Be careful, however, to take the appropriate equipment and not to launch without precise information. The left part of the forest is less passable!

Pictures: Tintin photo, Studio Berthier, AlpesPix, Alice Simonard

North side: quality snow and ultra modern lifts

On the other side of the resort, the chairlift will also offer you a incredible panorama and a diversified ski practice. Whether it's cutting curves on a hilly track, or enjoying a powder field, you'll always find a track to your ski!

What I like, beyond a playing field and often appreciable conditions thanks to its northern exposure (the snow remains of good quality) in a country of sunshine (the Hautes-Alpes, more than 300 days of sunshine a year ...) , it is the ski lifts that have modernized on the station with today 4 chairlifts 6 seats detachable. This year's opening of the new chairlift Pic Vertmakes it even easier to access the domain on the left side of the station while climbing.

- Le Pic Vert - completely restructures this sector by providing optimal comfort for the passengers as well as a silent and fast operation. On an original route, it will allow a direct and fast connection with the high altitude sector by unloading the other Prélongis central chairlift and the service of a whole new sector with beautiful tracks in the forest.

Pictures : Tintin photo, Studio Berthier, AgenceCros, Alice Simonard

Events to not miss

Now, if I have to talk about good deals, I can not stop just at the ski area. It is with pleasure that I share this small « top des activités » I always enjoy participating or just being a spectator.

Big air show by night

Every Wednesday during the holidays you can come and enjoy the freestyle trainings and shows of the resort on the big air of the snow front. Several members of the French slopestyle team come from the station. What ensure a real show engaged!

When ? Every Wednesday during the school holidays of February and March.
Where ? The Big Air is located in front of snow at 1650m.

Rirozor

Behind this dinosaur name hides a laughter festival unique in France. It's pretty fun to spend the day on skis and get in touch with the best comedians in vogue!

When ? February 21 (Yohann Métay), February 28 (Waly Dia) and March 7 (Gil Alma).

Where ? All shows are at 8:30 pm at Espace Rencontre et Culture.

Pictures : Alice Simonard

FIS cup and French championship

Here we do not laugh, at least not the athletes who come to battle on the black slopes of the resort, the big show guaranteed. Having been a member of the France freestyle team for 4 years, I validate all the more the station's desire to push the sport, thanks to events or partnerships.

When? From January 29th to February 1st (FIS Women's Cup race), from March 9th to 13th (U18 French Championship) and from March 15th to 17th (Etoile d'Or ESF).

Redbull all schuss

Always competition, but not the same atmosphere. Here everyone is starting at the same time and the winner is the first to arrive at the bottom ! Whether you come for the win, or for fun in disguise, it's a good time.

When ? Saturday, March 2, 2019.
Where ? The start is at the top of the slopes for a finish in front of snow 1650.

At the 2018 edition of the Red Bull Tout Schuss at Les Orres, 300 participants took to the slopes from top to bottom of the resort. A frantic race open to all!

Pictures : Ludovic Appert

La Dévale des Orres

This spring raid is the link with the upcoming summer season. On the ski descent from the top of the resort, followed by a downhill mountain bike to Lake Serre-Ponçon. And to finish the participants embark on their boards of stand up paddle and row on the lake to arrive first!

When ? April 20 and 21, 2019.
Where ? From the top of the Orres ski area to Serre-Ponçon lake.

And I keep the best for the end (a little chauvinism, it's me who organizes this event there!)

Le Conquistad’Orres

This is an event freeski /movie taking place for a week on the whole domain. Simply put, several teams of the best French skiers and cameramen have a week to create a video on the station. The ski area and more, then becomes the playground of these professionals. So, if you have the chance to pass during this week do not be surprised that a skier jumps over a path by making a switch misty 9 tailgrab (here on video), it's NORMAL! The week ends with the viewing of videos on the snow front coupled with a big-air show in the first part of the evening, then the collective Darkside will take over for a night that promises to be hectic! 

When ? From the 18th to the 23rd of March.
Where ? In the whole resort and on the ski area.

The Conquistad'Orres, Quentin Ladame in action

Good deals for skiing at low prices

The adult day pass is 36 €, 30 € for children and 30.50 € for students. On weekends, ski two days for 65 € (adult) or 54 € (children). The adult week package (6 days) is € 186 and € 150.50 for children.

Buy your package online

Know that if you buy your package on the internet before midnight Wednesday night, the day pass on Saturday at 29 €. You can also enjoy online -5% off the 6, 7 or 8 day rate.

Ski in Tribe

If you are 4 with at least one young person from 5 to 21 years old, get the Tribe offer! The 6-day adult pass goes to € 167.50 and € 135.50 for the child package.

About Quentin Ladame

Quentin Ladame grew up in the valley of Embrun and made his weapons on the tracks of the Orres. He soon turned to freestyle skiing and joined the French slopestyle team for four years. He lacks his qualifications for the Olympic Games from PyeongChang following an injury. Now 25 years old, he sets up new projects with Les Orres, the station that has supported him since his beginnings. He plans to develop a freeski group, video projects and the Conquistad'Orres event.

Source : skipass.com