Ballon d’Alsace

Ballon d’Alsace is a ski and winter sports resort that was built in the early 20th century. Long before the opening of the tourist centers in the Alps, it was considered the closest to Paris thanks to the train station in Giromagny. The Mixed Interdepartmental Union of the Balloon of Alsace (SMIBA) brings together the local authorities (municipalities, departments and regions) included in the massif of the globe; designs and operates the station for winter sports and summer activities through the management of Destination Ballon d’Alsace. The resort is ranked by the Haut-Rhin departmental council among the four departmental attractions, priority of subsidies.

Slopes layout at Ballon d’Alsace

Winter sports resort located in the city of Lepuix, in the Territoire de Belfort, the Ballon d’Alsace resort is a family destination that takes place in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Nature Park.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the largest ski areas, Le Ballon d’Alsace allows downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding and dog sledding. The ski school offers intiation classes to beginners. Or for those who want to improve the style, and it is possible to follow six sliding routes tagged as Nordic France.

Nordic ski area in Ballon d’Alsace

The Nordic area extends from the Ballon d’Alsace massif to the Planche-des-Belles-Filles massif, the only ski resort in the Haute-Saône department. It consists of 6 routes for a total of 40 km of slopes to slide and practice freestyle, with the  Nordic France label. They are suitable for all levels, with trails classified from green to black, for routes from 2 to 25 km. The area includes a beginners area from the slopes of the Balloon of Alsace.

The Ballon d’Alsace also has a vast Nordic area of 46 km of slopes. Including the only Nordic black piste in the Vosges Mountains, which provides a ski link to the Planche des Belles Filles ski resort. The area is listed with the Nordic France distinction.

In addition to skiing, snowshoeing is also possible on marked and safe trails. As well as sledding in two dedicated areas on the Ballon d’Alsace and Langenberg pass. It is also possible to go dog sledding and joëring skiing.

Alpine ski area

There is also the possibility of downhill skiing, on 14 ski trails (six green, three blue, three red, two black, served by nine lifts and two cable cars). The Grand Langenberg trail is also the black trail with the highest fall in the Vosges mountains. The eponymous ski lift provides access to an off-piste area, in the center of a former glacial circus (Trou de la Chaudière Corridor in particular).

We can also find the French Ski School (ESF), as it has an establishment there. Alpine skiing facilities are located not at the top of the Alsace balloon, but in the Langenberg and Gentiane sectors. Linked thanks to the Bruyères ski lift, that was instaled in 2009.

The shops, buildings, police station, the ESF, the starting point for the slopes, an equipment rental stores, eating places and a space reserved for young children are placed in Gentiane. It has a large parking area for cars and during winter it is connected to other places thanks to the “snow bus”. A bus line from Belfort operated by the “Destination Ballon d’Alsace”.

In 2013, the resort received authorization to deploy snow cannons, which were installed in 2014. They use the water from Lake Alfeld.

Ski destination for all the family

The Ballon d’Alsace ski area is especially suitable for family skiing. Resort open to all winter sports (downhill skiing, cross country skiing, surfing, snowshoeing, dog and regular sledding). It is located in the heart of the Ballons des Vosges Regional Natural Park, on the borders of Alsace, Lorraine and Franche-Comté.

Away from the hustle and bustle of the largest ski areas, Le Ballon d’Alsace allows downhill skiing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding, snowshoeing, sledding and dog sledding. No frills, just the simple pleasure of skiing without obstacles, but safe on slopes suitable for all levels. The ski school offers intiation classes to beginners. Or for those who want to improve the style, and it is possible to follow six sliding routes tagged as Nordic France.

Here, we are away from the hustle and bustle of the big tourist centers. At the resort, the ski school offers individual and group lessons for different forms of skiing. The Ballon d’Alsace ski area is also ideal for unforgettable walks; discovering large open spaces with snowshoes, with family or friends. The groomed sled run and trails, complete the snow activities.

Activities at the Ballon d’Alsace resort

The Snowpark on the Mannheimer trail has 11 modules, two tables (one for beginners and one for experienced ones) and several kicks. The ESF ski school in Ballon d’Alsace offers ski lessons for all levels. You can eat in several hostels: the Auberge du Ballon d’Alsace – Auberge du Langenberg – Ferme-auberge de Hinteralfeld – Ferme-auberge du Grand Langenberg

Many summer activities also take place at the Ballon d’Alsace, like the famous Tour de France.