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Skiing on a Volcano
The south of France does not automatically ring a skiing bell or associated with a real snow holiday. Even the French themselves, untill a few years, did not know how to find their way to the beautifull white slopes of the Auvergne. They drove linea recto to the Alpes, or the Pyrenees. Fortunately, this has been changed! The Massif Central has grown up and offers a skiing resort, where not everything turns around money. It can easily compete with a good Austrian location. Dutch and little by little also English "sports" are beginning to discover this area also in the wintertime. Chateau de Tautal Bas is located exactly between three areas/alpinepistes.
The Puy de Sancy, the hightest mountain, is 1866 meters. Insted of "mountain", we should use the word "volcano", because the hole area consists of a ridge of prehistoric volcanos (lthe so called "puys" as in Puy the Dome). These give the area especially in wintertime its unique radiation with a cosy atmosphere that one does not immediately expect in France.
The area of the Massif de Sancy counts three official alpinepistes. Togehter they offer 100 kilometers of slopes: Superbesse, Lioran en Le Mont-Dore. Besides these slopes, you will find approximately 250 kilometers prepared langlaufpistes. There region has been wellknown for its spa's, this is a little bit vergane glorie. At this very moment, the Auvergnats are dedicated to make it a sporty, dynamic resort. And they are on the rigt track! The facilities are already good, and going to better. The areau counts 54 lifts, two villages are already connected (Superbesse and Mont Dore). In case snow would decide to fall a bit less, snowcanons will compensate. It is easy to see why it is becoming more and more popular. It is very relaxed, and the prices are very vriendly. This certainly makes it very attractif for families. No megastores, no big flats with appartments or huge parking lots. Instead you could visit the nice mideaval village Besse. Since the Massif Central is only 400 kilometers from Paris, more and more French chose to ski on their volcanos.
For everyone
Also without ski's you wil definitely enjoy yourself in the Auvergne. In wintertime you will have the impression to be in Finland as well as and Canada. Though on second thought...every comparison does short to the Auvergne.
You can put on your boots for a winterwalk, but their are plenty alternatives to move around: with a horse, mountainbike or dogslee. The experienced skier who likes the road not travelled by has plenty of possibilities "hors-piste". For those who love to play with the wind: bring your snowkite or rent one.
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