- Details
- Written by: Jim Walker
- Last Updated: 20 Aug 2012
Sunny, high-rise purpose-built centre linked to La Joue du Loup. It is a so called "station village", small, quiet and with direct snow access from all lodging, it's perfect for families. The Devoluy at the gateway to the Hautes-Alpes, represents an area of 300m◊ and offers a wide variety of snow-covered landscapes. There are nursery, snow gardens, fun activities and entertainments for every age. Terraced between 1500 and 2500 meters, the ski area Devoluy offers 100kms of slopes of varied difficulty to satisfy all fanatics of ski sports, from the beginners to experienced skier.”
Mountain
SuperDévoluy shares 100km (65 miles) of mostly easy and intermediate trails with its neighbour, La Joue du Loup. Five of the 60 runs are black and the max vertical is 1000m, but you can only make the full descent if you're happy on black as the two steepest trails are at the top of the mountain, runs 37 and 38 off the Pierra drag. These only descend a few hundred metres however, so if you want to keep it steep take a tight right on to trail 13 which quickly deposits you on the longest black to be found here, number 35, alongside the Veaux tow. This still only takes you about half way down the mountain, so you'll have to decide whether to complete your descent on blues and greens or head back up from there. There are few hardcore off piste opportunities here, although a local Guide may be able to provide evidence to the contrary. With most of the area above the treeline however, there are powder fields to be had, most notably beneath Bonnet Rouge which is reached by the short drag of the same name which appears out of nowhere on your right a little way down blue run 27. This takes you to the top of the fast red cruiser 29, which is away from most of the rest of the runs and offers serious temptation to head off either side. Shorter steeper powder stashes are to be had from the top of the Pierra drag.
Eating Out
Head over to The Joue du Loup side of the mountain for a stop at La Gueule du Loup, at the top of the Roc d'Aurouze chair. Spectacular views and great local specialities here. The restaurant in the slopeside Chardonnelles hotel has a good selection from budget through Alpine favourites to gourmet and prides itself on its English speaking staff. In the evening its worth heading down the hill a little to Saint Disdier where La Neyrette restaurant is to be found in an old windmill. Gourmet traditional fayre is to be had, along with local specialities.
Apres
SuperDévoluy's nightlife is typically quiet with just a couple of bars in the slopeside complexes, of which Le Village Pub is usually the most lively through the evening. The Sans Souci is a good choice for cocktails. La Fournaise disco opens its doors next to the cinema in the Sommarel complex. You can expect to hear any sound from any era here, although Europop tends to dominate right through to closing at 4am.
Boarding
The snowpark features multiple hits including a quarter pipe and 100m long half pipe. Intriguingly subbed "The mushroom's park" it also incorporates rails, spin, table, big air and more.
