Nestled in the heart of the Hautes-Alpes, Orcières Merlette 1850 is a dynamic mountain resort which, for 60 years, has cultivated a genuine pioneering spirit. South-facing, it charms with exceptional sunshine and 100km of slopes stretching from 1,850 to 2,725 metres altitude, promising radiant days summer and winter alike. A few kilometres away, the village of Orcières and authentic hamlets such as Prapic offer a glimpse into mountain heritage, at the gateway to the Écrins National Park. Looking to the future, the resort has embarked on an ambitious transformation for the next 25 years, with structural projects such as the renovation of the Palais des Sports and the creation of a pedestrian resort centre. Orcières Merlette 1850 thus asserts its identity as a family-friendly, innovative resort, where a warm welcome and quality experiences are a priority.
Orcières Merlette 1850
Overview
Orcières Merlette 1850
📅 Open 12 December 2026 to 11 April 2027
Overview of Orcières Merlette 1850
Above the village of Orcieres (1,400 m), the Orcieres-Merlette resort (between 1,800 and 1,850 m) has a functional architecture typical of resorts developed in the 1960s, with terraced buildings offering an unbeatable view over the Champsaur valley. Facing due south, it appeals in summer as in winter with its exceptional sunshine — a rare quality among ski resorts. A few kilometres away, the village of Orcieres charms with its authentic character, narrow lanes and stone houses. The surrounding hamlets, such as Prapic, are living witnesses of mountain heritage, offering visitors an immersion in local history.
Our review — Orcières Merlette 1850
Ski area — key figures — Orcières Merlette 1850
- 🌟 High-altitude resort (Hautes-Alpes)
- 📏 1830 m Village altitude (2725 m Top altitude)
- 🎿 45 runs
🚠 29 ski lifts
Average lift age: 30 years
When to visit
Orcières Merlette 1850 in summer
In summer, Orcieres-Merlette 1850 is an ideal starting point for exploring the trails of the Ecrins National Park. Walkers can access routes leading to mountain lakes and breath-taking panoramas. Mountain bikers benefit from dedicated tracks with routes and descents for all levels. The Orcieres lake, situated below the resort, is ideal for water sports and family relaxation. At altitude, there is also a giant zip-line and a well-developed aquatic centre.
🎯 Things to do in summer:
✅ Downhill MTB • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking
Orcières Merlette 1850 in winter
In winter, the Orcieres-Merlette 1850 ski area covers 100 km of varied runs, rising to 2,725 metres. The resort stands out for its unique offering for beginner and intermediate skiers, who can now descend from the summit to the ski area base entirely on blue runs, following the reprofiling of the Vallons piste. The ski area base was completely redesigned for winter 2025-2026, with a new chairlift and a new 170-metre covered carpet lift for safe learning. For varied experiences, the high-altitude Rocherousse plateau is a true playground: dog sledding, snow tubing, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails await in a magical setting. Fun areas for children and freeride zones appeal to a wide clientele. Thrill-seekers can also enjoy the 1,870-metre zip-line, one of the longest in Europe.
🎯 Things to do in winter:
✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Snowshoeing
Skiing
Below is an overview of the ski area accessible from Orcières Merlette 1850: Orcières 1850 (alpin).
Ski area — Orcières 1850
⛰️ Altitudes: 1850 m – 2725 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 100 km
💰 Day pass: 48.5 €
Located at the gateway to the Ecrins National Park, the Orcieres-Merlette 1850 ski area deploys 100 kilometres of runs from 1,850 to 2,725 metres. Combining the privileged snowfall of high altitude with the exceptional sunshine of the Southern Alps, the resort offers varied terrain served by modern infrastructure and unique panoramas. The ski area’s main altitude asset is its 1,850 m ski area base — one of the highest in the Southern Alps — guaranteed by snowmaking covering 70% of the ski area. The summit at 2,725 m offers an unbeatable view over the Ecrins massif and the Champsaur valley, allowing descents with over 875 m of vertical drop in one go. The majority of the runs are south-facing, making it one of the sunniest ski resorts. With 52 marked runs (9 green, 18 blue, 18 red and 7 black), the ski area meets all skiing needs. Beginners benefit from four secured initiation zones. The Bouquetins and Freissinieres runs descend gently from the ridges, offering a unique contemplative experience. More advanced skiers tackle the 18 red and 7 black runs, including the FIS-homologated Camile Ricou piste used for competitions. The ski area has 30 ski lifts, constantly modernised, including several fast detachable chairlifts. In 2026, the Muande chairlift completely reshapes the western sector. The ski area also has a vast 16,000 m2 Fun Zone on the Rocherousse plateau, with a snowpark for all levels and the Alizee Baron boardercross. A 1,800 m giant zip-line soars over the zone for a 1 min 20 panoramic flight. The Rocherousse high-altitude plateau — accessible to skiers and pedestrians alike — is a second ski area base at altitude, offering dog sledding, snow tubing, a cross-country ski trail and marked snowshoe routes.
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Ski pass prices — Orcières Merlette 1850
Current lift pass prices for ski areas accessible from Orcières Merlette 1850.
| Ski area | Day pass | 6-day pass | Season pass | Season (prices) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Orcières 1850 (alpin skiing) | 48.5 € | 267 € | 839 € | 2026-2027 |
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