Winter sports: Top 3 resorts within 2 hours of Monaco and Nice
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The half-term holidays are upon us, and Monaco Tribune has selected three resorts where you can hit the slopes this winter with your family or friends.
Isola 2000, for its exceptional snow
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It is Monaco’s favourite ski resort. Driven by Jacques Pastor, Monaco’s deputy mayor for sports and technical director of the Monegasque Ski Federation, the resort, which lies at an altitude of 2,000 metres, first welcomed Monegasque families in the 1980s.
This was due to the creation of a training centre for youngsters in the Ski Club de Monaco and the Monegasque Ski Federation. A historic partnership between the Principality and the Mercantour resort, making Isola 2000 one of the favourite destinations for Monegasques.
With guaranteed snowfall thanks to its altitude, one of the highest in France, Isola 2000 provides optimal conditions every year.
The only drawback is the lack of elevation (2000 m – 2603 m), which does not allow for long runs. But with state-of-the-art, ultra-fast ski lifts, a day at the ‘home resort’ of Mathieu Faivre (double world champion) and Julia Pereira (Olympic bronze medallist) still means plenty of time on the snow for beginners and athletes alike.
With its many bars and restaurants, nightlife at Isola 2000 is enjoyable too, in addition to the different activities an offer apart from skiing (snowshoeing, snowmobiling, dog sledding, ice skating…).
How to get there
By bus:
- ‘Bus 100% Neige’: Until 21 April 2025, €14 return. Reservation only, up to midday the previous day, tickets are for named individuals.
- Bus # 92 : Until 21 April 2025, regular connections from Nice Grand Arénas, €1.70 single fare. The bus runs Mondays to Sundays and on public holidays.
- Bus # 91 : Regular connections from Nice Grand Arénas. The service runs on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and every day during the school holidays for all three zones. Single ticket €1.70.
By car:
- 70km, around 70 mins from Nice: A8 motorway from Aix-en-Provence or Monaco, then take exit 52 Carros / Nice Saint Isidore and RM6202 bis, towards Digne/Grenoble. After 30 km, take the slip road to Saint-Sauveur and follow signs to Isola.
Prices
There are different prices and categories of day passes : adult, ‘âge d’or’ (golden age), senior, youth, adolescent, child and young child for regular, beginner and introductory passes.
- Normal day rate: €42.00 for adults.
- Normal afternoon rate: €33.60 euros for adults.
Which resort to choose?
The ski lifts open at 9am and close at 5pm until April.
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Auron, for its charming village
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The resort sits on a flat plateau with an ice rink in the middle of an authentic village full of wooden chalets. What more could you ask for?
With 135km of skiing in the middle of the fir trees and on mostly south-facing slopes, Auron can boast being one of the sunniest resorts in France, and having the biggest skiing area in the Alpes-Maritimes.
Starting at 1600 m and going up to 2450 m, the Mercantour resort has an altitude difference of 850m. Much to the delight of the purists.
And for those who don’t ski, Auron offers a multitude of alternative activities. Between the spa, the swimming pool, the skating rink, the sled dogs or sledges and snowmobiles, there are many leisure activities for all ages. Gourmets are also well catered for, all puns intended, with some delicious restaurants.
And to top it all off, the resort hosts and organises a number of major sporting and cultural events each year, such as the “Chefs au Sommet d’Auron” festival of mountain gastronomy and the X Speed Ski Tour.
How to get there
By bus:
- ‘Bus 100% Neige’ Nice-Auron: Until 21 April 2025, €14 return. Reservation only, up to midday the previous day, tickets are for named individuals.
- Bus # 91 : Regular connections from Nice Grand Arénas. The service runs on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and every day during the school holidays for all three zones. Single ticket €1.70.
By car:
- By car: 90km, around 1.5 hours from Nice: Leave the A8 motorway at exit N°51.1 Carros / Mercantour, then take the RM6202bis, then the RM6202 towards Digne / Grenoble. After 30 km, turn right onto the RM2205 towards St Sauveur-sur-Tinée / St.-Étienne-de-Tinée. SatNav users beware, the Col de la Lombarde and Col de la Bonette are closed in winter.
Prices
There are different prices and categories of day passes : adult, ‘âge d’or’ (golden age), senior, youth, adolescent, child and young child for regular, beginner and introductory passes.
- Normal day rate: €42.00 for adults.
- Normal afternoon rate: €33.60 euros for adults.
Ski areas
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Valberg, for its family atmosphere
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It is not as popular as Isola 2000 or Auron. And yet, Valberg is the perfect compromise between an authentic mountain village and an exceptional view of the Mercantour National Park.
With 90 km of slopes, 23 ski lifts, downhill and cross-country skiing areas, snowboarding, a Big Air Bag, a snowpark and a family circuit, Valberg has little to envy its two big sisters.
Ideal for children, who can try out their first slope in complete safety, Valberg is a perfect resort for families. Apart from skiing, there are many activities to enjoy in the charming village.
There are also many trails, whether on foot or snowshoes, starting from the resort, as well as the nordic area on the Golf course, a family-oriented space, with well-identified and groomed toboggan runs, snowshoeing trails, the Golf eco trail and a restaurant-bar.
How to get there
By bus:
- Bus # 670: Regular year-round service, leaving from “Grand Arénas” bus station, platform n°2. Prices : €2.10 for tickets bought up front here (beware, this is not a reservation) and €2.50 on board, no reservations.
- Bus # 83 : A winter ski bus, reservation only, leaving early in the morning and heading. back to Nice at 4.45 pm. Mandatory online booking and payment, guaranteed seat (before noon the previous day). Flat rate: 6 euros. For last minute departures, call ZOU! customer support on 04 13 94 30 50. Leaves from and arrives at Vauban (gare routière) stop in Nice.
By car:
Follow the A8 / Exit 52 Nice-Saint Isidore, then D6202 towards Digne. 3 options :
- Take the D28 via the Cians gorges
- Or the D2202 via the Daluis gorges and Guillaumes village
- Or M2205 via the col de la Couillole and Roubion village.
Prices
The resort offers many different prices and passes to suit everyone.
- Day pass: €37.00 per adult
- From 11 am: €33 per adult
- From 3 pm: €18 per adult
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Grasse and its resorts with a sea view
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Famous for its flowers, perfumes and historic buildings, Grasse is also a paradise for mountain lovers. Just a few kilometres from the sea, resorts such as Gréolières-les-Neiges and Audibergue – La Moulière are veritable hubs for sporting and leisure activities in a natural setting.
It’s taken seven years but the two resorts, at altitudes of 1400 et 1650 metres, are back in operation to the delight of ski fans. The quiet resorts are unique in that their slopes are only covered in natural snow, for an authentic experience. Skiing, snowboarding, but also mountain biking, hiking and other unusual activities will provide you with a sporty and rejuvenating stay.
How to get there
Gréolières-les-Neiges:
By bus:
- ENVIBUS: From Antibes to Gréolières les Neiges (winter only).
- ZOU # 652 : Traint to Grasse, then Grasse to Gréolières les Neiges.
By car:
- From Nice, take the A8 towards Aix en Pce / Exit n°48 Cagnes sur Mer / M336 then RD436 towards La Colle sur Loup / RD6 towards Pont du Loup and Gréolières / RD2 then RD802 towards Gréolières Les Neiges.
Audibergue – La Moulière:
By bus:
- Sillages # 40 : From Grasse to Saint-Auban, Caille or Andon stop, 4 km from the resort.
- ZOU LER 51: From Nice to Grenoble Ligne Express Régionale 51, get off at La Clue (SERANON), 7 km from the resort.
By car:
- From Nice, take the A8 towards Aix en Pce / Exit n°48 Cagnes sur Mer / M336 then RD436 towards La Colle sur Loup / RD6 towards Pont du Loup and Gréolières / RD79 towards Andon / RD8A towards Audibergue and/or La Moulière.
Prices
Both resorts have many different prices and passes to suit everyone
- Day pass: €27 per adult
- Half-day pass: €22 per adult
- Day pass: €18 per adult
- Half-day pass: €15 per adult
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