Located on the legendary Route des Crêtes, in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park, Le Markstein is a complete, dynamic mountain destination. A four-season resort par excellence, it offers a family alpine ski area, a vast Nordic space linked to the Grand Ballon, and a multitude of fun activities such as its famous rail toboggan. With its open landscapes and exceptional panoramas, Le Markstein is a sporty, friendly resort, which has hosted world-renowned events (Ski World Cup, Tour de France) while preserving its nature-resort soul.
Le Markstein
Overview
Le Markstein
📏 Altitude: 1200 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 10 km
🌟 Resort style: High-altitude resort
💰 From 25 €/day (2025-2026)
Overview of Le Markstein
Le Markstein is a ridge resort, ranging from 1,020 to 1,267 m altitude. Its main ski area base, La Grenouillere, is the heart of the resort — with the lift departures, ski school, rentals and restaurants. An ideal space for families and beginners. The ski area, though modest in size, is very varied and appreciated for the quality of its runs. A network of snow cannons ensures good snow cover throughout the season. But the great strength of the Markstein is its versatility. In winter, it offers alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, snowkiting and tobogganing. In summer, the resort remains very active with its rail sledge, mini-golf, mountain biking and walking trails. Its position on the Route des Cretes makes it an unmissable stage for cyclists and tourists exploring the massif.
Our review — Le Markstein
3.0/5
Ski area — key figures — Le Markstein
- 🌟 High-altitude resort (Haut-Rhin)
- 📏 1200 m Village altitude (1250 m Top altitude)
- 🎿 14 runs
🚠 9 ski lifts
Average lift age: 40 years
When to visit
Le Markstein in summer
In summer, Le Markstein is a very popular leisure base. The rail sledge — with its 1.2 km course — is the flagship attraction. The site also offers mini-golf, mountain biking and paragliding. It is above all an exceptional starting point for ridge walks, offering spectacular views over the Vosges valleys and the Alsace plain.
🎯 Things to do in summer:
✅ Road cycling • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking • ✅ Paragliding
Le Markstein in winter
In winter, the resort offers a great diversity of activities. Alpine skiing is ideal for families and sporty skiers, with night skiing twice a week. The Nordic ski area, with 40 km of trails, is a treat for cross-country skiers. The resort also has a snowkiting area, snowshoe trails and a toboggan piste.
🎯 Things to do in winter:
✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Cross-country skiing • ✅ Snowshoeing • ✅ Winter walks
Skiing
Below are the 2 ski areas accessible from Le Markstein: Le Markstein (alpin), Le Markstein – Grand-Ballon (nordique).
Ski area — Le Markstein
⛰️ Altitudes: 1030 m – 1249 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 9 km
💰 Day pass: 25 €
The Markstein alpine domain is varied playground. Its 13 runs (4 green, 2 blue, 6 red, 1 black) suit all levels. It has a children’s snow garden, snowpark, boardercross and an homologated slalom stadium hosting international competitions.
Cross-country ski area — Le Markstein – Grand-Ballon
⛰️ Altitudes: 870 m – 1170 m
🌲 Cross-country skiing: 40 km
💰 Day pass: 7.5 €
Linking two of the massif’s highest summits, the Markstein – Grand Ballon Nordic space is one of the Vosges’ largest and most spectacular. Located on the mythic Route des Cretes, this high-altitude domain offers exceptional terrain for all cross-country enthusiasts in chaumes (altitude plateaus) and preserved forests. With over 40 km maintained trails for skating and classic technique, the domain suits all levels. The Markstein sector offers several easy and intermediate loops ideal for families and initiation with superb Thur valley panoramas — perfect full-day starting point. For enduring cross-country skiers, the site’s main attraction is its magnificent ridge-link run winding across crests to Grand Ballon domain. This long escape offers total nature immersion and unforgettable Alsace plain, Black Forest and, clear days, Swiss Alps chain views. Beyond cross-country skiing, numerous marked snowshoe routes allow discovering landscapes at contemplative pace. Labelled Nordic France, the Markstein – Grand Ballon domain is a premier destination for complete Nordic experience combining sport, escape and Vosges mountain beauty.
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Ski pass prices — Le Markstein
Current lift pass prices for ski areas accessible from Le Markstein.
| Ski area | Day pass | 6-day pass | Season pass | Season (prices) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Le Markstein (alpin skiing) | 25 € | 135 € | 320 € | 2025-2026 |
| Le Markstein – Grand-Ballon (nordique skiing) | 7.5 € | 33 € | 55 € | 2025-2026 |
Where to stay
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