Font d'Urle Chaud Clapier

Font d'Urle - Chaud Clapier is a ski resort in the commune of Bouvante, on the southern Vercors plateau in the Drôme department of France. The area spans altitudes between 1,300 and 1,700 metres, spread across mountain pastures and forest, roughly an hour's drive from Valence TGV station. It's a low-key alternative to the big Alpine resorts, combining downhill skiing, cross-country skiing and snowshoe trails on a plateau known for its wide-open limestone landscape.

What will you find on site?

The resort is organized into three sections: the alpine area with mechanical lifts and marked pistes, the Nordic (cross-country) domain, and the small hamlet of Font d'Urle itself, made up mostly of chalets. The setting is distinctly different from a typical Alpine station - the Vercors plateau feels wilder and quieter, framed by limestone ridges and open grazing land rather than towering peaks.

What downhill skiing is on offer?

The alpine area has 16 marked runs - 5 green, 7 blue, 3 red and 1 black - served by 8 ski lifts and 1 rope tow, plus 2 magic carpets for beginners. Freestyle skiers and boarders have access to a boardercross course and a snowpark. The mix of easy and intermediate terrain makes the station a good fit for families and less experienced skiers looking for an unhurried day on the slopes.

And cross-country skiing?

Font d'Urle forms part of the wider Espace Nordique Vercors Sud, with loop trails starting from both the Col de Carri and Chaud Clapier. Together they add up to 132 kilometres of track, one of the more extensive cross-country networks in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region - enough for multi-hour outings across the plateau without retracing the same loop twice.

How do you get to Font d'Urle?

The resort sits in the commune of Bouvante, on the southern edge of the Vercors massif in Drôme. The most useful reference point is Valence TGV station, from which the drive up to the plateau takes about an hour. The approach road climbs through switchbacks, so winter tyres or chains are worth carrying in snowy conditions.

When should you visit?

The ski season generally runs from December to March depending on snow cover - it's worth checking current conditions before heading up, since the Vercors sits lower than the major Alpine massifs and snowfall can be more variable from year to year. Outside the winter months, the Font d'Urle plateau is also a popular spot for hiking and mountain biking.

Frequently asked questions

How many ski runs does Font d'Urle have? The alpine area has 16 runs - 5 green, 7 blue, 3 red and 1 black - served by 8 lifts, 1 rope tow and 2 magic carpets for children.

Is there cross-country skiing here? Yes, Font d'Urle is part of the Espace Nordique Vercors Sud, with trail loops starting from Col de Carri and Chaud Clapier totalling 132 km.

How far is it from Valence? It's about an hour's drive from Valence TGV station.

What altitude is the resort at? The area spans altitudes from 1,300 to 1,700 metres on the Vercors plateau, in the commune of Bouvante.