Planning a ski trip to Praloup? Browse our collection of visitor-generated reviews that rank the mountain and ski town on a scale of one to five stars in the following categories: Overall Rating, All-Mountain Terrain, Nightlife, Terrain Park and Family Friendly. See how Praloup stacks up to others in terms of skiing and après, and read up on pros, cons and comments from fellow skiers and snowboarders. Don't forget to submit your own Praloup review! Scroll to the bottom of this page to let other travelers know about your ski area experience.
Skier & Snowboarder-Submitted Reviews for Praloup
Total (3.5)
A ski resort's overall star rating displayed here is not calculated based on a simple average but takes several factors, including the age of a review, into account.
We had a fantastic stay! Having skied in several "big" resorts in the Northern Alps, we were blown away by this ski area, which is beautiful and has excellent snow cover.
One major highlight that struck me was the free parking throughout Pra Loup (which is rare in many resorts).
The shopkeepers are all very welcoming and friendly. This ski resort deserves to be better known nationally, offering excellent value for money, both for lift passes and equipment rentals.
The only slight drawback is the lack of information about the connection between Val d'Allos and the Seignus d'Allos resort (via bus), as the Espace Lumière ski area is larger than what is indicated in the tourist office brochures.
In any case, we will gladly return to Pra Loup and its lovely Ubaye Valley.
jclegobien
We won't be back because of the 4 pm closing time. It's a shame because the ski area is very nice, suitable for all levels. The snow stays good for a long time at Pra Loup.
Jonathan Almeida Rebelo
Excellent sunny resort suitable for all levels
sonia72george
Overall, a superb resort with a great atmosphere.
Sébastien Fichot
Located in the Southern Alps, near the charming village of Barcelonnette, Praloup is a ski resort offering a complete experience for skiers of all levels. Part of the Espace Lumière ski area, linked to the Val d'Allos resort, Praloup is renowned for its exceptional sunshine, breathtaking views of the Mercantour National Park, and diverse slopes. This detailed review is based on factual information to help you determine if Praloup is the ideal resort for your next winter holiday.
Location and Access
Location: Southern Alps, near Barcelonnette (approximately 7 km).
Road access: Easily accessible by road from Barcelonnette. Well-connected, but consider using snow tires or chains in case of heavy snowfall.
Nearest airport: Nice Côte d'Azur (approximately 2.5 hours by car).
Nearest train station: Gap train station (approximately 1 hour 30 minutes by car). Shuttle buses are available.
Parking: Generally free (a significant advantage), but can get crowded during peak periods.
The Ski Area: A Paradise for All Levels
Altitude: 1500m (Praloup 1500) to 2500m (summit).
Kilometers of slopes: Praloup offers approximately 100 km of slopes, and the Espace Lumière ski area, including Val d'Allos, boasts a total of 180 km of slopes.
Number of slopes:
Green slopes: Ideal for beginners, with dedicated learning areas (children's snow garden, safe zones).
Blue slopes: Perfect for gradual progression and building confidence.
Red slopes: Offer steeper inclines and challenges for intermediate and advanced skiers.
Black runs: Reserved for experts, with technical slopes and demanding couloirs.
Snowpark: A snowpark with various features (rails, bumps, tables) is available for freestyle enthusiasts.
Off-piste: Off-piste opportunities exist, but be mindful of safety (consult professionals, and equip yourself with an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe).
Snow conditions: The resort benefits from good natural snow cover, supplemented by a high-performance snowmaking system to guarantee optimal skiing conditions throughout the season.
Lifts: A modern and well-maintained lift system (gondolas, detachable chairlifts, surface lifts). Some queues may form during school holidays.
Opening season: Generally from mid-December to the end of March/beginning of April.
Activities and Services
Ski Schools: Several ski schools (ESF, independent schools) offer lessons for all levels, from beginner to expert, in alpine skiing, snowboarding, telemark skiing, etc. Group and private lessons are available.
Equipment Rental: Numerous ski and snowboard rental shops are located in Praloup 1500 and Praloup 1600 (Molanes).
Childcare: Daycare is available for young children.
Shops: Supermarkets, bakeries, butchers, souvenir shops, pharmacies, etc.
Restaurants and Bars: A wide selection of restaurants offering varied cuisine (traditional mountain dishes, pizzas, crêpes, etc.). Après-ski bars are also available.
Off-Ski Activities:
Snowshoeing: Numerous marked trails.
Cross-Country Skiing: Cross-country ski trails are nearby.
Ice Skating.
Snowmobiling.
Paragliding.
Cinema.
Bowling.
Spa and wellness.
Events: Events are organized throughout the season (sports competitions, shows, concerts, children's activities). Look out for Généro Gliss, a charity ski race, and Pra Loup Lumière, which aims to break a world record for torchlight descents.
Accommodation:
Hotels: Various hotel categories are available.
Tourist residences: Furnished apartments and studios with services.
Private rentals: Chalets and apartments for rent.
Tourist Office: Tourist information, organization of activities and events.
Praloup Highlights
Exceptional sunshine: Enjoys abundant sunshine, a major advantage in the Southern Alps.
Varied ski area: Suitable for all levels of skiers, from beginner to expert.
Connection to Val d'Allos (Espace Lumière): Provides access to an even larger ski area.
Modern infrastructure: High-performance ski lifts, snow cannons.
Family-friendly atmosphere: A resort of manageable size.
Proximity to Barcelonnette: Easy access to the village's shops and services.
Parking is generally free.
Weaknesses to consider
Queues: Can form at the ski lifts during school holidays.
Prices: Prices can be high during peak season.
Resort altitude: Lower than some other resorts in the Alps.
Shuttles: Shuttle service between Praloup 1500, 1600 and Barcelonnette may be limited.
Recommendations and Target Audience
Families: Praloup is an excellent destination for families with children, thanks to its learning areas, ski schools, and off-slope activities.
Beginners: The green and blue runs are ideal for learning to ski gently.
Intermediate skiers: A wide selection of red runs to progress and have fun.
Advanced skiers: The black runs and off-piste opportunities offer stimulating challenges.
Budgets: The resort caters to different budgets (various accommodation options).
Conclusion
Praloup is a ski resort that offers a complete and varied experience, ideal for families, beginners, and advanced skiers. Its sunny climate, the diversity of its ski area, and its modern infrastructure make it a top destination in the Southern Alps. While there are a few drawbacks to consider, Praloup's many strengths make it a highly recommended resort for your next winter vacation.
Mikael Henry
A week's stay with 3 children. Very nice as the resort wasn't overcrowded. Plenty of children's slopes at 2500m after taking the first chairlift, allowing for safe skiing with your kids. Snowboarding and a kids' park are within easy skiing distance :)
I recommend it for a family holiday
Andrés Mazzaroli
Convenient parking for those arriving during opening hours. The views are excellent, as are most of the slopes.
The highlight is lunch at the summit hut, with a sunny, breathtaking view.
alain.rigoli
With the connection to La Foux d'Allos, the experience is breathtaking. The scenery is magnificent and the ski area is vast.
The staff is excellent and the overall atmosphere very friendly.
The piste maintenance and general organization are top-notch.
This resort was a very pleasant surprise and I highly recommend it.
JF
The connection to La Foux is a major plus; the ski lifts are modern and very fast in the Pra Loup area (except for the Lac T-bar lift).
The views from the slopes are magnificent, and the snow quality is excellent. The black run, La Séolane, is one of the best runs in the area, with good snow cover and a breathtaking view of the Grande Séolane.
The only downside is the Quartiers chairlift, which needs replacing (adding 10 minutes to the ascent), as well as the descent from the bottom of Les Quartiers to Les Agneliers, which is flat and sometimes lacks snow. (A detachable chairlift in the Seregnier valley would be more suitable, in addition to offering higher and more technically interesting runs.) Lift pass prices are also much cheaper than in Vars for the same number of kilometers of slopes, and young people up to 18 years old benefit from the reduced rate. We will be back.
Alexandre Nock
Incredible slopes for all levels.
Plenty of ski shops, easy to find or rent skis.
The restaurants at the bottom of the slopes are perfect.
A reasonably priced resort, very welcoming.
Plus, the resort is very easy to get to!
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