A small Alpes-Maritimes resort, Val Pelens is aimed at families and nature lovers. Located at 1,600 metres altitude, at the foot of the Aiguilles de Pelens, it offers an authentic mountain experience, far from the bustle of the big resorts. In winter, it offers a ski area ideal for beginners, with a peaceful atmosphere and very affordable prices. In summer, Saint-Martin d’Entraunes is an excellent base camp for hiking and nature outings in the nearby Mercantour national park. Little frequented, accessible and restful, Val Pelens is an ideal alternative to the overcrowded big resorts.
Val Pelens
Overview
Val Pelens
📏 Altitude: 1600 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 3 km
🌟 Resort style: Snow stadium
Overview of Val Pelens
Val Pelens is the snow area of Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes, a charming village in the heart of the Haut-Var valley. A few traditional chalets, simple accommodation, a convivial ski area base and a superb view over the surrounding summits can be found here. The village of Saint-Martin-d’Entraunes offers a few services and local heritage, with its stone houses and typical lanes.
Our review — Val Pelens
2.2/5
Ski area — key figures — Val Pelens
- 🌟 Snow stadium (Alpes-Maritimes)
- 📏 1600 m Village altitude (1700 m Top altitude)
- 🎿 7 runs
🚠 2 ski lifts
Average lift age: 46 years
When to visit
Val Pelens in summer
In summer, walks are possible nearby, but the snow area does not offer activities.
🎯 Things to do in summer:
✅ Road cycling • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking
Val Pelens in winter
In winter, Val Pelens offers a small alpine ski area perfect for beginners — far from the crowds. With 7 green and blue runs, you learn to ski in a relaxed, stress-free atmosphere. Two drag lifts allow easy progression. Ski touring enthusiasts also enjoy climbing towards the Col des Champs, and snowshoe circuits allow you to discover the snowy valley. Far from mass tourism, Val Pelens focuses on tranquillity and access to unspoilt nature.
🎯 Things to do in winter:
✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Ski touring • ✅ Snowshoeing
Skiing
Below is an overview of the ski area accessible from Val Pelens: Val Pelens (alpin).
Ski area — Val Pelens
⛰️ Altitudes: 1600 m – 1700 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 3 km
Val Pelens is a mountain resort in the Alpes-Maritimes department, in the Val d’Entraunes in Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur, near the Mercantour National Park. It stands out for its soft resort concept and deliberately family-oriented approach, offering an alternative to the large Southern Alps ski areas. The resort is popular for its convivial atmosphere and preserved character. It is the ideal place to learn and practice skiing on a human scale, far from the crowds of major complexes. The Val Pelens ski area is characterised by its gentle gradients, making it perfectly suited to beginners and families. The runs are laid out through a natural and forested environment, offering a serene setting for first-time sliding. Beyond alpine skiing, Val Pelens capitalises on its natural assets to offer a range of complementary activities oriented towards nature and tranquillity: a dedicated toboggan area with a secured zone for children; several marked snowshoe circuits offering immersion in the high-altitude forest and panoramic views over the Var valley; ski touring starting point for excursions to surrounding Mercantour summits and passes; and designated cross-country ski areas for classic and skating technique. The philosophy of Val Pelens is based on an approach to the mountains less focused on performance and consumption, and more on relaxation, family leisure and discovering the landscapes of the Alpes Maritimes.
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Where to stay
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