Pra Loup is one of the major ski areas in the Southern Alps with a friendly, laid back reputation and excellent lift systems. Lively, sunny, purpose built centre with two bases - the larger Pra Loup 1600 and the smaller "Molanes" at 1500m. Strong emphasis on family facilities and an excellent lift system linked to La Foux d'Allos in 'La Liberté de l'Espace'. The Pra Loup gondola is ideal for boarders and beginners as it goes straight up from the village at 1600 to sunny nursery slopes with nearby restaurant and stunning views. The easy green "clappe" run down from the gondola is fitted with permanent snow cannons ensuring snow cover at early and late season. Intermediates can easily get around the area on the numerous blue and red runs. Developing skiers will particularly enjoy this resort with its long open runs and lack of queues which makes it so much easier to ski non-stop and put miles under the skis. The off-piste is easily accessible and because the area is so huge compared to the tourist capacity theres often untracked powder which stays light and dry much longer on the north-facing slopes. Freeriders will love Pra Loup too - plenty of wide open fast runs with the occasional tricky stretch to hold your attention. Reputed to have some of the best snowmaking facilities in France, most of the runs back to the village have snow cannons which are used early season to provide a good base and then late season to keep access open. Purpose-built in 1961 the resort was named after the previous inhabitants of this spectacular site - the mountain wolves. Pra Loup is made up of 2 villages, Molanes at 1500m (Pra Loup 1500) and Pra Loup 1600m - the larger of the two - with most of its shops, café's and bars within easy reach of the slopes.
Mountain
Pra Loup has nearly 180km (113 miles) of downhill runs and a modern efficient lift system. There are runs to suit all levels of ability but beginners to intermediates are particularly well catered for. Beginner skiers and boarders have the easiest form of transport to the slopes, the Pra Loup gondola goes straight up from the village at 1600 to sunny nursery slopes with nearby restaurant and stunning views. The easy green "clappe" run down from the gondola is usually the venue for the ski schools' torchlight descent and is fitted with permanent snow cannons ensuring snow cover at early and late season. Beginners who prefer to stay in the village have their own nursery lift, Les Sorbiers. Intermediates can easily get around the area on the numerous blue and red runs. For a change of scene La Foux d'Allos 1800 makes a good day trip for capable skiers, as you will soon find out because the first part of the journey, the "quartier" is a fast red down from Le Lac, with the only option a black run!. Allos village is small but it does have 16 restaurants. If you take the gondola ride up to the Observatory there's the choice of a red, a long black run, or a scenic return trip on the gondola. Developing skiers will particularly enjoy this resort with its long open runs and lack of queues which makes it so much easier to ski non-stop and put miles under the skis. This, along with a few lessons at ski school is sure to improve your skiing ability. The off-piste is easily accessible and because the area is so huge compared to the tourist capacity there's always untracked powder which stays light and dry much longer on the north-facing slopes. Freeriders will love Pra Loup too - plenty of wide open fast runs with the occasional tricky stretch to hold your attention. Reputed to have the best snowmaking facilities in France, most of the runs back to the village have snow cannons which are used early season to provide a good base and then late season to keep access open.
Families
There's a modern nursery at the heart of the resort for children aged from six months to six years old. Open every day in the ski season, children are welcome for half days or whole days. If you choose a special half day lunchtime is provided by the staff at the nursery but you must supply your child's lunch. Each Wednesay evening the nursery will take care of your children free of charge from 7 - 10pm. Pra Loup has the Label Kid certification entitled 'P'tits Montagnards" which is only awarded to French resorts whose childrens' facilities meet certain high specifications.
Eating Out
There's a choice of more than 30 restaurants serving French, Italian and mountain cuisine. Many are small, friendly, family run operations in heart of Pra Loup 1600. Popular dishes include raclette and fondue or a copious bruschetta.
Apres
Pra Loup 1600 has the livelier apres which centres around the bars and restaurants, many of them along a long and convenient partially covered mall which forms the heart of the resort. Pra Loup has three discos. Evening activities include snowmobiling and ice skating. Indoors there's tennis, a games room and a cinema.
Boarding
A choice of easy to ride chairlifts and cable cars make this resort a favourite with snowboarders. More than 40 hectares of the area have been designated 'Rider Space'. The includes the Rider Park, Rider Rock, Rider Free (Off-piste areas) and Rider Cross which contains natural cross pipes by the slopes.
