Favourites

An anniversary edition that promises, more than ever, to make the Alps sound different.

For a few mornings, the legendary passes of the Alps are given over entirely to cycling enthusiasts. Galibier, Izoard, Agnel, Granon… names that resonate like legends in the history of cycling. On these roads, everyone can slip into the shoes of the heroes of the Tour de France and take on these monuments to cycling, in exceptional conditions, far from the din of the engines.

On May 30 and 31, 2026, cycling enthusiasts will have the opportunity to tackle two legendary climbs in the Hautes-Alpes: the Col du Noyer and the ascent to Orcières Merlette 1850. Two legendary routes, made famous by the Tour de France for their beauty and sporting standards, will be closed to motorized traffic for the occasion, and the Challenge Avant Tour will follow the official route of the Tour de France 2026, offering an immersive experience before the professional riders take to the road on July 23. The event is accessible on Strava.

The Tournée des Grands Cols: five days, five legendary passes to climb. The Guillestrois-Queyras, Hautes Vallées and Serre Chevalier tourist offices are offering cyclists the chance to take part in the Tournée des Grands Cols, from June 29 to July 3. On the program: five legendary passes(Agnel, Izoard, Granon, Galibier, Échelle) reserved in succession for cyclists. Each stage will be punctuated by local heritage events and tastings of local produce.

So begins the new issue of Wider dedicated to the Hautes-Alpes. A special issue that reminds us that part of the history of mountaineering was written here, that presents our giants, the great passes that have become mythical, that inspires itineraries at all altitudes, that talks about white water, cliffs and hang-gliding.

The benchmark media for outdoor enthusiasts, Wider explores territories through the people who live them. At the crossroads of travel, sport and inspiration, the magazine, with a circulation of 50,000, highlights authentic destinations, adventure stories and the major trends in contemporary outdoor culture.

On May 30 and 31, the Radeliers de la Durance, long wooden boats, will be making their appearance on the banks of the Durance.

Between L’Argentière-La Bessée, St-Clément-sur-Durance and Embrun, take a trip back in time to the days when, armed with courage, the mountain men carried wood from the forests of the Alps to Provence on the tumultuous currents of the river.

Attention whitewater and thrill-seekers: the Briançon Family Kayak (BFK) is set to rock the Hautes-Alpes for what promises to be a historic event. From May 22 to 25, 2026, thewhitewater stadium at L’Argentière-La Bessée becomes the epicenter of European kayaking.

The concept is simple but formidable: bring the kayaking family together to explore the region’s most beautiful waterways. For four days, participants set off on mythical courses adapted to all levels (from class III to class V/VI for the most adventurous) on the department’s most beautiful and renowned rivers: Durance, Guisane, Guil, Gyronde, Onde, etc.

The BFK Family is much more than a simple gathering of kayakers. It’s the perfect combination of a festive, non-competitive atmosphere, total immersion in the L’Argentière whitewater stadium, and a strong commitment to eco-responsibility. Whether you come for the adrenalin of the waves or the conviviality of the base camp, you’ll find an unrivalled human and sporting experience.

On Friday, May 22, 2026, Gap’s Alp’Arena will vibrate to the rhythm of an exceptional show dedicated to trials and extreme sports. A unique evening where the world’s best riders will offer the public a spectacular display of mastery, balance and adrenalin.

The world’s biggest trials stars will all be on one stage. The Haute-Alpes public will have the privilege of admiring Toni Bou, a true living legend with 39 world champion titles, accompanied by Jaime Busto, current world number 2, and Gabriel Marcelli, world number 3.

France’s finest representatives will also be on hand, with Benoît Bincaz, Hugo Dufrese and Pablo Echene ready to set the arena alight in a supercharged atmosphere.

Several intermissions will punctuate the evening:
– Christophe Bruand in motorcycle freestyle
– Aurélien Fontenoy in mountain bike trial

Impressive jumps, acrobatic figures and technical performances promise total immersion in the spectacular world of trials.

We love its heritage of rare elegance: the authentic XIVᵉ century carriage gate, the Saint-Laurent church, a XIIᵉ century jewel with primitive Gothic lines, the XXᵉ century belfry-cum-belfry, topped by its four-dial clock, and its imposing XIIIᵉ century medieval château – a private residence – whose majestic oak portal and terraced gardens recall the refinement of ancient Alpine seigneuries.

As for the old Beynon bridge, it saw an illustrious guest pass by: Napoleon Bonaparte himself used it on March 5, 1815, on his return from Elba.

Enjoy your visit!

In winter, you can cross it with dry feet. From spring onwards, young and old alike enjoy themselves under the watchful eyes of skiers. As for the paddlers, they sometimes pass below, sometimes above.

The 3-on-3 format on a third of the rink encourages action and technical play. In the face of such a spectacle, don’t hesitate to pass through the doors of the Hautes-Alpes rinks to witness Europe’s biggest gathering of minor field hockey.

The rule is simple: go down as fast as you can, choosing your route from the top of La Grave to the bottom of the resort.

During the day, there are numerous free workshops to help you perfect your knowledge of the environment, safety and equipment preparation.

In the evening? Concert and fiesta!

For its ^34th edition, a new course has been added to the program: Course D, for Discovery. It is open to all holders of a daily discovery license, and does not require a medical certificate. This new course’s low gradient will not prevent it from being convivial and festive.

The traditional routes are still the order of the day:
the C, a panoramic, safe route for occasional skiers
the B, more technical and alpine
the A, in pairs, longer and more technical with maneuvers and crampons.

After the effort, the comfort: at the end of the races, meals composed of local products are offered to the participants. A great way to extend the conviviality of the field, thanks in particular to our highly motivated teams of volunteers.

The 2025 edition was marked by the dazzling victories of France’s Simon Billy and Italy’s Valentina Greggio, crowned world champions once again with speeds of 229.13 km/h and 225.73 km/h respectively.

Once again, all competitors will have a single goal: to beat the record of 255.50 km/h held by local champion Simon Billy since 2023.

To find out, come to Vars from March 16 to 19.

In a department with almost 17,000 km of rivers and over 16,000 anglers, the opening of the season is a celebration in itself. Some associations welcome early risers with hot coffee and pastries by the water’s edge.

Fishing cards are available from the usual stockists or online at cartedepeche.fr.

And for the lucky ones, the first trout of the season can also be turned into a photographic souvenir thanks to the “Challenge Georges Cortay 2026” competition. A good excuse to opt for the camera… rather than the basket.

Link to the website of the Fédération de pêche des Hautes-Alpes :

For delirium and challenge

• March 7 and 8 PAYS DES ECRINS Testi’vol
• March 14th RÉALLON Ripaaa Race, luge race
• March 14 | MONTGENÈVRE Snow Triathlon
  
  
  
  

• March 14 | LES ORRES La Dévale des Orres
• March 21 | SERRE CHEVALIER Grand Prix de Serre Che
• March 21 to 22 LE DÉVOLUY Monoski gathering
• March 28 and 29 RÉALLON Snow bike race
  
  
  

For exchange and sharing

• March 2 to 6 LE DÉVOLUY The summits of Olympic sport
  
  
  

For the stuffing

• raspberry compote

Preparation

• Mix flour and salt.
• Add eggs and fat.
• Gradually add the water until you obtain a soft, homogenous paste that’s easy to spread.
• Let the dough rest for 30 minutes if possible

Shaping

• Roll out the dough thinly.
• Pipe small portions of filling (using a piping bag or teaspoon).
  

• Cover with a second layer of pastry.
• Press the edges together around the filling.
• Cut out the tourtons using a serrated roulette wheel.
  

Cooking

• Heat oil in a deep fryer or large saucepan.
• Dip the tourtons in hot oil at 180°C.

• Cook for 2 to 3 minutes, until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels before serving.
  

In winter, Alpine producers brave the cold to meet holidaymakers on the slopes.

You’ll be able to discover and taste their products, and learn about the specificities of their profession during the winter season, in a warm and refreshing exchange of ideas.

Ethnobotanist and farmer-herbalist Charlotte Passelègue founded Hautes Herbes out of her love for the mountains and plants.

Gentle cultivation

In her 2,500 m² garden, she grows everything by hand, without the use of machines or chemicals. Charlotte then gives birth to infusions and delicatessen products that are transformed by hand, respecting biodiversity and natural cycles.

A place for sharing

Beyond production, Charlotte passes on her passion through immersive experiences and by welcoming the public. She shares the traditional uses of plants to promote a more balanced relationship with living beings.

Much more than a technician, the skiman is the indispensable ally of all snow sports enthusiasts.
As soon as his store opens, he prepares skis and snowboards with precision.

Our aim? To offer performance and safety on the slopes.
Edge sharpening, meticulous waxing, binding adjustment: every detail counts to guarantee a perfect descent.

Good conditions and deals

March brings longer days, exceptional light and milder temperatures for skiing. And with the sun shining, terrace breaks are even more enjoyable! As for the snow, there’s plenty to do.

Find out what’s on offer in your favourite resort!

Ça c’est le Sud” snow tour

The Provence-Alpes-Côte d’Azur region puts its skis back on for a second run with the second edition of the Tournée des neiges, a festive event designed to celebrate the energy and appeal of the Southern Alps.

Three stops in the Hautes-Alpes region: Orcières Merlette, Montgenèvre and Serre Chevalier, where an ephemeral village will be set up, combining skiing and conviviality: immersive skiing and snowboarding experiences, fun workshops for youngsters, a photo booth and walkabout, and culinary activities.

As night falls, it’s time for a collective thrill: 90 choristers led by Franck Castellano promise a spectacular moment, before DJ Le Pedre takes over the decks to keep the party going.

Montgenèvre and Serre Chevalier also feature a visual highlight: a unique drone show, ten minutes of aerial choreography to light up the winter skies.

Stage schedule

February 15 – Orcières-Merlette

February 17 – Montgenèvre

February 23 – Serre Chevalier

From 4pm to 7pm

February^1st – ValgaudemarLa Valgaude Blanche

Set in the wilderness of the Valgaudemar, Valgaude Blanche brings the valley to the rhythm of Nordic skiing. We glide between majestic peaks and snowy forests, carried by the pure breath of the mountains.

The atmosphere is warm, the cheering resounds and every kilometer becomes a moment of shared pleasure.

Cross-country skiers can choose from a range of distances and styles for an authentic day of sport.

February^1st – MontgenèvreMontgenèvre Snow Race

At dawn, the Montgenèvre peaks glisten under the snow and the runners’ footsteps trace their first white lines.

The Snow Race is a winter trail adventure running through larch forests, frozen alpine meadows and breathtaking Alpine panoramas. Every stride is a blend of effort and freedom.

Two routes (8 km and 17 km) will give everyone a taste of the unique intensity of winter mountain running.

February^1st – AncelleSud Raid Blanc

When winter envelops the Champsaur mountains in snow and light, the Sud Raid Blanc invites adventurers to get off the beaten track.

In pairs, we link skiing, luge, orienteering and fun challenges in the heart of grandiose landscapes. More than a race, it’s an exploration in which you share the effort and pleasure of progressing together, whatever your level.

In its latest issue, the magazine of reference for lovers of ski touring and wide-open spaces gives pride of place to Dévoluy, a wild and luminous massif in the Hautes-Alpes.

In the pages of the latest Backcountry issue, we breathe altitude in at the top of our lungs. The magazine, a benchmark for mountain and off-piste enthusiasts, takes its readers to the Dévoluy, a fascinating mineral territory where limestone cliffs meet immaculate combes.

Reportage, rider itineraries and shared emotions make up a dossier that smells of powder and freedom.

Backcountry makes no mistake: the Hautes-Alpes is a land of unparalleled adventure. The legendary spots of La Grave, Vallouise and Queyras have already been the subject of in-depth articles and photo reports in previous issues.

Always as meticulous in its layout as it is precise in its stories, the magazine confirms its status as anelegant UFO of outdoor journalism: neither too technical nor too contemplative, just the right amount of authenticity to make you want to go up there and see.

The Dévoluy has never seemed so close, or so inspiring.

In the Hautes-Alpes, we have a theory: the cold doesn’t sting when music warms the mood. That’s why we’ve got into the habit of slipping in a few events in the heart of winter that shake up the senses and get you in the mood.

Vars on stage

December 13, in Varswe’re swapping the slopes for an open-air stage. The snow front becomes a musical forecourt where Ben Harper & The Innocent Criminals kick off the winter season. No superfluous staging: just the mountains, the guitars, and you, close to the artists, at the foot of the slopes. A free concert with that rare taste of a suspended moment.

Altitude Jazz Festival

In the Briançonnaisjazz has no assigned seat. It moves from an intimate auditorium to a Vauban fort, then back down to the snow front. The Altitude Jazz Festival is a program that adapts to the region rather than the other way around. All winter long, we follow the musicians from one venue to another, discovering new artists, and we always end up saying to ourselves: “I’ve never seen this corner like this before.”

Dévoluy Mix Festival

On April 4 and 5, 2026, when many are already putting away their skis, Dévoluy has chosen to do just the opposite: turn the decks back on. The Dévoluy Mix Festival lined up two days of electro in a snow-covered setting, with one set after another as if to say that the season hasn’t said its last word. Dancing, laughing, enjoying the last of the winter light. A real finale, with no fuss, just the desire to prolong the pleasure a little longer.

Between two bends and a glass of mulled wine, a new ritual has taken hold in Serre Chevalier and Montgenèvre : the sugar break!

We’re not talking about the canteen bag, no, the real thing, the raw, artisanal stuff. Two cabins, two atmospheres: Myrtille and Monty. Two spots where you can swap the bland energy bar for a homemade honey lollipop. The concept? Heat, dip and lick. Simple, instinctive and terribly addictive.

À Serre Chevalierthe Cabane Myrtille offers a gentle, sporty atmosphere, with workshops, snow games and axe-throwing for the most hardy of gourmets. A hut that warms bodies with sunshine from the Alps and PCR, the famous Pomme, Cannelle, Rhum…

À Montgenèvrein Montgenèvre, Cabane Monty reigns the trapper spirit with logs, toasted marshmallows, local digestifs and good humor. Between the two resorts, the philosophy remains the same: unplug, have a laugh and enjoy a sweet treat without any hang-ups. The mountains rediscover their childhood taste of warm sugar and cheeks reddened by the cold.

In the Hautes-Alpes, we’ve noticed something: winter always goes better when you’ve got something warm on your plate and in your belly. There’s no need to invent complicated recipes, the most important thing is that it stays in the body and smells good.

Here’s a selection of local (or adopted) dishes that make cold evenings much more bearable.

Bear’s garlic raclette

No matter how much we try to vary it, raclette always comes back to the table. Perhaps because it transforms any meal into a convivial moment, perhaps because melting cheese remains a deeply satisfying act. In the Hautes-Alpes, we make it with 100% local cheese, potatoes that have seen the mountains up close and charcuterie with character. Simple, effective, indisputable.

Fondue au fontu

Fondue is like a winter campfire: people gather around, share and negotiate the last piece of bread. In the Hautes-Alpes, it often takes on a local accent, depending on the cheese and wine used. One bite, and all is well: fields days and the biting cold… all disappear in a cloud of cheesy warmth.

Donkey ear gratin

Despite its name, no ear has ever been mistreated in history: this gratin is actually a dish of fresh pasta (a bit like lasagne), layered with spinach and a good layer of cream. It’s served golden, melt-in-your-mouth, and always surprising for those who discover it. We adopt it!

Tourtons du Champsaur

These little stuffed doughnuts come straight from Champsaur, and have the rare talent of being delicious at any time: as an aperitif, as a main course, as a dessert… The sweet versions (apple, prune, raspberry, chocolate…) keep your spirits up, while the savory ones (potato, cheese, spinach…) keep you warm. They’re one of the tastiest traditions in the Hautes-Alpes.

The Hautes-Alpes region offers a wealth of woolly expertise: historic spinning mills, small family-run businesses, mountain breeding farms, friendly boutiques and workshops where knitwear is shared.

If you knit or if you’re just curious, set off to meet the “wool beasts” and the people who bring this material to life, and you could come back with a ball – and a story – to boot.

The most emblematic local spinning mill is Laines du Valgaudemar, based in Saint-Firmin.

It has revived an ancient know-how: sorting, carding, spinning and retailing of “Hautes-Alpes naturellement” yarns , with a store and tours of the machines and processing stages.

Whether it’s a family tradition or a new lifestyle choice, breeders in the Hautes-Alpes are passionate about producing and selling wool from their herds.

This is the case of Ferme Flouka in Dévoluy, which offers Merino wool from its own breeding farm, washed and sold in bulk, in skeins or transformed into handcrafted creations.