Discover the Mountains in a Different Way… In Winter!
Located in the heart of the Réallon resort, the Hotel Club Le Balcon des Écrins immediately immerses you in the white and magical world of the mountains. From the hotel, you have direct access to the slopes, lifts, and the warm atmosphere of a snow-covered mountain village.
Winter Sports Activities for all Tastes
Alpine skiing, snowboarding, sledding, or even fun areas for the youngest: everyone can find their rhythm and enjoyment on slopes suitable for families as well as thrill-seeking athletes.
Immersion in the Silent Mountain
The Écrins National Park, covered in its winter coat, reveals snowshoeing trails and Nordic walks. Here, the tranquility of nature is more palpable: the crunch of snow under your feet, the landscapes appearing through the fir trees, and the breathtaking views of the snow-covered Serre-Ponçon lake.
Ski Touring and Nordic Skiing
For those who wish to venture off the traditional slopes, Réallon offers magnificent ski touring and Nordic skiing routes. Beginners or experienced skiers, everyone can discover the mountains differently, in complete safety, while enjoying exceptional panoramas. A ski school and equipment rental service are available on site to support you throughout your stay.
After the Slopes, the Warm Cocoon
As the day ends, the atmosphere continues at the Hotel Club: festive evenings, shows, games, and family entertainment punctuate your evenings. In the lounge, by the fireplace, or in the restaurant, shared moments complement the joys of the snow and create unique memories.
An Authentic and Preserved Setting
Le Balcon des Écrins welcomes you to a privileged environment, with a panoramic view of the snow-capped peaks. Here, you truly experience the mountains: authentic, accessible, and respectful of their environment. A winter stay in Réallon promises a successful blend of winter sports, nature, and conviviality, for unforgettable holidays with family, friends, or as a couple.
Children’s Activities
Our Included Activities and Entertainment
- Snowshoe Outings: “Mountain Discovery”
- Coffee games “Culture and Territory”
- Evening entertainment (shows, quizzes, torchlight descents)
- Themed Scavenger Hunts in the Resort
- Tournaments and indoor/recreational activities
- Children’s supervision based on activities and clubs
Our Activities and Entertainment with Additional Charge
- Ski school & group lessons
- Equipment Rental (ski, snowboard, snowshoes, sled)
- Guided Ski Touring Outings
- Sledding on the Ripaaa
- Fat Biking on snow
- Tandem paragliding (subject to conditions)
- Wellness & specific seasonal activities
A Ski Resort for Everyone
Located between 1560 and 2115 meters above sea level, the Réallon ski area represents 30 km of ski slopes served by 6 ski lifts (including the 2 chairlifts of Clos des Aurans and Chabrières). 14 slopes in total between steep slopes, more undulating passages and flat areas perfect for beginners. That’s 1 black run, 5 red, 4 blue & 4 green!
Explore the ridges overlooking Serre-Ponçon lake on snowshoes. Observe the Aiguilles de Chabrières while ski touring.
All activities are available to you, and of course all the professionals at the resort are there to guide you.
Réallon is the ideal resort for family skiing: the domain, the slopes, the adapted rates, the free ski mat and its natural toboggan run “La Ripaa” 4 km long with its 600 meters of elevation gain (that’s 40 minutes of sledding, yes… 40!), will allow you to fully enjoy your stay.
Not to mention a panoramic view of Serre-Ponçon lake!
→ Réallon is the No. 1 small resort in Europe, No. 4 small resort in France and No. 1 small resort in the Hautes-Alpes!
Nordic / Cross-country Skiing
Les Gourniers, Cross-Country Ski Center
A true southern gateway to the Écrins National Park, the picturesque hamlet of Les Gourniers is a wild paradise for Nordic skiing and outdoor activities.
The Nordic Area in Numbers
- 36 km of groomed and marked cross-country ski trails
- 25 km of marked snowshoe trails
- 1 fatbike trail
- 1 sledding area
A Hotel at the Starting Point of the most Beautiful Hikes
The Club Hotel “Le Balcon des Écrins” is the ideal starting point for hikes, offering multiple alpine landscapes. Exceptional viewpoints await you from the Écrins National Park or the Aiguilles de Chabrières.
Do you want to live a unique experience, get a change of scenery and reconnect with the essentials?
→ 6 must-do routes starting from our Club Hotel:
The Joubelle cabin
: The first walk to do when arriving in Réallon, easy to find, the start is just above the large parking lot of the resort. The trail is wide and welcoming. You will surely appreciate the view of Serre-Ponçon lake during your picnic! It is also possible to reach the Joubelle cabin starting from Saint-Apollinaire lake.
The descent from the Serre du Mouton ridge
: The perfect trail if you want a panoramic view of Lake Serre-Ponçon and the surrounding mountains. It’s also the most frequented route in the resort. To make it truly family-friendly and limit difficulties, we recommend ascending via the panoramic chairlift and enjoying the trail on the way down.
The fort of Réallon
: Within a wild environment, discover the region’s heritage. The youngest can enjoy the vast meadow behind the castle, a playground favored by many children (and yes, there’s room for a real match!).
The Terraces Trail
: Observe part of the agricultural heritage of a mountain village in a sunny, pastoral atmosphere. Between agricultural terraces and large meadows, this will be an opportunity for everyone to encounter the region’s sheep.
Saint-Marcellin Chapel
: This is the basic trail to enter the heart of the Écrins National Park, extending into the valley towards the Chargès alpine pastures. The environment will be even wilder and the difficulty greater, but it’s also the price to pay for spotting chamois!
The Ousella Loop
: Recently created by the Écrins National Park rangers, this loop will take you through beautiful woodland trails. Observe the surroundings carefully to spot large raptors such as the Short-toed Snake Eagle, Golden Eagle, or even the Griffon Vulture! In spring, the route is a true invitation to contemplation between Lake Laus and the colorful meadows. You’ll have plenty to fill your mind with wonderful memories.
For nature sports and thrill-seekers:
- Introductions to mountaineering
- Equipped via ferrata routes
- Hiking/climbing sessions
Once there, don’t hesitate to visit the Esprit Montagnes Guide Office to learn about all available activities based on your level, group, and preferences.
Discover the Hautes-Alpes from the Sky
Want to enhance your stay and take off for an unforgettable moment above Lake Serre-Ponçon? The Réallon resort is ideally located to discover a multitude of aerial activities for pure sensations of freedom, less than 20 minutes away:
- Tandem paragliding flights (from age 3 with the possibility of taking off from the resort)
- Sessions in paramotoring, ultralight aircraft, seaplanes, and helicopters will allow you to feast your eyes!
- Guaranteed aerial thrills with skydiving, bungee jumping, or zip-lining
- Hot air balloon flights to take time observing landscapes, capturing your best photos, and amazing the little ones
- And much more…
For those sensitive to heights, experience a unique and atypical adventure thanks to the only free fall simulator in Europe, which recreates the same sensations as a parachute jump without the constraints (vertigo, fear of heights, cost, weather…)
Ride down the Slopes in Enduro, DH, or Freeride
Come and try a fun and sporty activity starting from the resort. Fatbike riding is accessible to all audiences. Launch yourself on a trail reserved for these bikes and ride down 5.8 km of descent. On your bikes!
Enjoy the MTB Bike park and its 10 downhill trails:
6 downhill trails:
Shammy: Green trail
, under the 1st chairlift that allows beginners to start in complete tranquility. You can experience your first banked turns and bumps or roll over all the features. Length: 1.3 km / Elevation drop: -175 m.
Gardette: Green trail
, THE trail to get started with downhill biking with all the features of a real trail, but accessible to everyone. Length: 1.9 km / Elevation drop: -200 m
Melez’in: Blue trail
, under the 1st chairlift. An extremely fun trail open to all, allowing experienced riders to speed up and beginners to improve. Length: 1.15 km / Elevation drop: -175 m.
Chabrières: Red trail
, starting from the 2nd chairlift with a view of Serre-Ponçon lake, a playful descent to reach the intermediate plateau. Length: 2.6 km / Elevation change: -400 m.
Oucanes: Red trail
, in the alpine meadows, a playful and pleasant track for experienced mountain bikers. Start at the 1900 m point by taking the first switchbacks of the “Chabrières” red trail. Length: 1.4 km / Elevation change: -190 m.
- Diablée: Black trail, a real natural downhill trail with rocks, roots, multiple trajectories, and all the challenges of a demanding competition track over 500 m of negative elevation. Start by taking the first switchbacks of the “Chabrières” red trail at the ridge level. Length: 2 km / Elevation change: -460 m.
4 enduro routes:
Enduro 1: Blue route
, under the 1st chairlift. A natural and winding route that allows you to learn to ride on paths without obstacles. Length: 0.9 km / Elevation change: -175 m
Enduro 2: Red route
, a single track allowing you to reach the GR50 (panoramic trail) which will lead you back to the resort via a typical enduro route or continue towards the bottom of the Réallon valley. Length: 0.6 km / Elevation change: -100 m
- Enduro 3: Black route, a steep and wild single track for the most experienced riders. Length: 0.7 km / Elevation change: -180 m
Enduro 4: Red route
, a single track on the 2nd section of the resort’s chairlift for a more alpine route with alpine meadows and rocks along the way. Experienced mountain bikers required for this wild single track with sustained slopes and cambers. Length: 2.8 km / Elevation change: -400 m.