⛷️ Snow & winter sports
Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Vosges
In the Grand Est, Nordic skiing takes place on the heights of the Vosges massif, at roughly 900 to 1,200 metres, on trails laid through the forest or across the chaumes (high pastures). Classic and skating are practised on groomed trails, accessible for a trail fee, while snowshoes let you get off the beaten track on waymarked routes. Lispach, at La Bresse, has some fifty kilometres of trails around its lake; at the Ballon d’Alsace, the Nordic area extends as far as La Planche des Belles Filles. At Lac Blanc, whose downhill ski area has closed, winter now means cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledging.
To choose, look first at your level and your starting point. Beginners will find learning areas at the Jardin d’Anicé in Lispach or at the Col des Démineurs on the Ballon d’Alsace, while experienced skiers will head for the long loops and red trails. From Strasbourg, Champ du Feu is about an hour’s drive; from Colmar, Lac Blanc is reached via Kaysersberg and Orbey. At Ventron, where the lifts are out of service, the atmosphere is more contemplative. Everywhere, opening depends on snow cover, which varies greatly from one winter to the next in this mid-altitude massif: check the snow reports before setting off.
How to choose?
If you are new to cross-country skiing
Lispach offers beginners’ sessions at the Jardin d’Anicé and the Ballon d’Alsace a fun learning area at the Col des Démineurs.
⛷️ Cross-Country Skiing at La Bresse – Lispach⛷️ Skiing & Snowshoeing at the Ballon d’Alsace
If you are an experienced cross-country skier
Lispach has red trails and some fifty kilometres in total; at the Ballon d’Alsace, the link to La Planche des Belles Filles is 21 km there and back.
⛷️ Cross-Country Skiing at La Bresse – Lispach⛷️ Skiing & Snowshoeing at the Ballon d’Alsace
If you are setting off from Strasbourg or Colmar for the day
Champ du Feu is about an hour from Strasbourg; Lac Blanc is reached from Colmar via Kaysersberg and Orbey.
If you prefer peaceful snowshoeing
Ventron focuses on nature and free walks, Lac Blanc on cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledging since its downhill area closed.
ComparisonData taken from each listing, checked against official sources
| Place or activity | When | Time needed | Who it suits | Getting there |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cross-Country Skiing at La Bresse – Lispach📍 La Bresse · Vosges (88) | Late December to mid-March, depending on snow; daily 09:00–17:00 (16:30 before 1 January) | From 3 hours to a full day; loops of 2.5 to 16 km | All levels, from first steps at the Jardin d’Anicé; red trails for trained skiers | 42 route de Lispach, La Bresse (towards the Chajoux valley); free car park; free bus during school holidays |
| Skiing & Snowshoeing at the Ballon d’Alsace📍 Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle · Vosges (88) | 2026–2027 season scheduled from 19 December to 7 March, snow permitting | Half a day to a full day | Families and beginners; free for under-5s | A36 exit 13 (Belfort) or 15 (Masevaux), or RN66 via Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle; Belfort-Montbéliard TGV station |
| Skiing at Champ du Feu📍 Belmont · Bas-Rhin (67) | December to March, depending entirely on snow cover; opening forecasts updated daily | 2-, 4- or 8-hour passes (“sliding” passes that start from your first lift ride) | Families and beginners (learning area, ESF), cross-country skiers, sledging fans | A35 exit 12 (Barr) or 17 (Villé), then D 414; winter tyres or snow chains compulsory from 1 November to 31 March |
| Skiing at Lac Blanc📍 Orbey · Haut-Rhin (68) | Winter, depending on snow cover; downhill area closed | Half a day to a full day | All levels for cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledging; families | By car: Colmar, Kaysersberg then Orbey up to the Col du Calvaire; winter equipment compulsory |
| Skiing at Ventron – Frère Joseph📍 Ventron · Vosges (88) | Winter, snow permitting (generally December to March) | Half a day to a full day | Families and walkers; no downhill skiing on site | By car: route de Frère Joseph, 88310 Ventron (Hautes-Vosges), at the Domaine de Montagne site |
Map: Cross-country skiing and snowshoeing in the Vosges
When to go?
- JanPeak season
- FebPeak season
- MarPossible
- AprOff season
- MayOff season
- JunOff season
- JulOff season
- AugOff season
- SeptOff season
- OctOff season
- NovOff season
- DecPossible
Peak season Possible Off season
📅 Nordic areas generally open from late December to March, but only when there is enough snow. For winter 2026–2027, the Ballon d’Alsace has announced its Nordic area will open from 19 December 2026 to 7 March 2027, subject to snow.
Tips & insider advice
- Check the snow report
Trail openings change from day to day: check the ski area’s snow report and webcams before setting off.
- Equip your car
At Champ du Feu, snow tyres or chains are compulsory from 1 November to 31 March; at Lac Blanc, winter equipment is compulsory.
- Budget for the trail fee
Groomed trails are paid; at the Ballon d’Alsace, a Massif des Vosges season pass is available for regular cross-country skiers.
- Watch the opening days
Outside school holidays, from 4 January to 5 February 2027, the Ballon d’Alsace Nordic area opens to the general public only on Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
- Stay on waymarked routes
On snowshoes, follow the waymarked routes and do not walk on the groomed cross-country tracks.
- Dress in layers
Cross-country skiing soon makes you sweat: opt for several light layers, and keep a warm jacket for breaks.
Frequently asked questions
Where can you go cross-country skiing in the Vosges?
The Lispach area, at La Bresse, offers some fifty kilometres of trails and a snowshoe route around the lake. The Ballon d’Alsace, Champ du Feu and Lac Blanc also have Nordic areas. All depend on snow cover.
Can you still ski at Lac Blanc?
The Lac Blanc downhill ski area has closed, but in winter the resort offers cross-country skiing, snowshoeing and sledging from the Col du Calvaire. 2026–2027 Nordic ski passes are on pre-sale on the resort’s website. Winter equipment is compulsory to drive up.
When does the cross-country ski season start in the Vosges?
Generally from late December to March, depending on snow cover. Lispach opens from late December to mid-March, 09:00–17:00. The Ballon d’Alsace has announced its Nordic area will open from 19 December 2026 to 7 March 2027, subject to snow.
Do you have to pay to go snowshoeing?
Groomed cross-country trails are subject to a fee, but many snowshoe walks are free, as at Ventron. Keep to the waymarked routes and do not walk on the ski tracks. Snowshoe hire is paid: see the official websites.
Information checked in October 2026. Opening hours, prices and conditions may change: check the official website before you travel.