Wizzer

We are about 20 minutes from Super Besse or 30 mins from Le Mont Dore. I would say the skiing is better on the Super Besse side but the apres ski and ambience is better in Le More. For those people who prefer cross country skiing or to get out on snow shoes, La Stele which is on the road between Le Mont Dore and La Tour d'Auvergne is as excellent centre although the trails are very far reaching way out past Super Besse to Lac Pavin. It certainly isn't like skiing in the Alps as the blacks are not too challenging but when the link between the two towns is open, the range of runs is not bad. When we were there on Christmas Day, we almost had the slopes to ourselves although lift queues do occur in school holidays. There is also a good web cam which had live updates, so we can choose when to go: http://www.snoweye.com/?page=fr-massifcentral&detail=superbesse&big=25 The other thing to remember is that a SEASON long pass here costs around the same as a 10 day pass in some of the big alpine resorts!  

For anyone interested, the detailed route is now available on the website - http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/le_tour_2008.html     

We had fabulous skiing at Christmas in Super Besse. Webcam: http://www.snoweye.com/?page=fr-massifcentral&detail=superbesse&big=25 The snow is still fairly good and the pistes are empty.  

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/le_tour_2008.html Excellent news as the Tour is coming to Super Besse.  

http://www.letour.fr/2008/TDF/COURSE/us/le_tour_2008.html Excellent news for those of us in the Massif Central - at last we get to see some good stages!    

We took the dog for a walk near le Mont Dore last Thursday, and on top of le Capucin there was about 8cm of fresh snow - even better was that we were the only people there - didn't see anyone else for hours! Hopefully we will get a good ski season this winter.  

Hi Sam We are in Puy-de-dome, within the volcano national park and about 25 minutes from the ski resorts of Super Besse and Le Mont Dore. The weather is usually very seasonal - snow in winter (the winters can be pretty cold) and hot sun in summer. Two years ago the early season snow was better for skiing here than in most of the Alps. In summer, the walking, sailing and cycling are also excellent. The best thing however is the complete peace and tranquility!