Menu
Countries
Countries
When the snow season is over, the activity in the ski resorts does not let up and more and more ski areas offer a multitude of activities to carry out during the spring and summer months.From hiking trails, adventure sports such as rafting or archery, amusement parks with zip lines and nature activities for families: fun for young and old is guaranteed.
But if there is one sport par excellence that takes over the mountains in summer, it is undoubtedly cycling. The mountain ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes and ski resorts become the stage for cycling races all over the world, including the Vuelta de España, the Giro d'Italia and of course the most prestigious cycling race of all time: the Tour de France .
For 111 years, the best cyclists from all over the world have been riding through the French countryside for a month, climbing the most dizzying mountain ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes until they reach the desired finish line on the Champs-Élysées in Paris. The French Alps and the French Pyrenees have witnessed epic battles, legendary stories and unexpected victories that have marked the history of the sport. But which are the ski resorts through which the Tour de France ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes ?
The Col du Tourmalet, at an altitude of 2115 m and located in the Grand Tourmalet ski resort, is undoubtedly one of the toughest and most famous mountain ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes in the world of cycling. A cycling pass par excellence, it is the most frequently climbed pass in the history of the Tour, with a climb of 19 km and an average gradient of 7.4%, a real test of effort for cyclists.
In the resort of La Mongie awaits the mythical Pic du Midi, also known as "The balcony of the Pyrenees". At the top, at an altitude of 2,877 m, there is an amazing astronomical observatory that began to be built in the nineteenth century and is the highest planetarium in Europe.
Luz-Ardiden is one of the most popular ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes among Spanish cyclists. It was first climbed by the Tour in 1985, with an impressive victory in thick fog by a then young Perico Delgado. With a 13-kilometer climb at 7.7% gradient, it is usually preceded by the ascent of the Tourmalet.
A Tour de France classic that has hosted 13 finishes since 1974. The climb starts at Vignec, at 822 meters altitude, passing through the village of Saint Lary and ends at the Pla d'Adet at 1670 meters. Nearby is also the Campan valley, crossing the famous col d'Aspin, mythical stage of the Tour de France.
Alpe d'Huez is undoubtedly the most iconic pass of the Tour de France, almost 14 kilometers and 7.9% average gradient. It was the scene of great stories, battles and anecdotes and is one of the most popular climbs for fans who encourage riders to climb the total of 21 bends spread over the most famous climb of the Tour de France to reach the summit at 2. 224 meters.As spectacular as its ascent is also its descent, in which the cyclists descend the curves at dizzying speeds. As a curiosity, it is often said that whoever comes out of Alpe d'Huez with the yellow jersey wins the Tour .
The highest ski resort in Europe has been the scene of great duels between cyclists in the history of the Tour de France. Classified as out of range, it is not a pass with a high percentage of elevation gain, but its difficulty lies in the distance, with a total ascent of 33 km that involves a continuous effort of an hour and a half, from the 539 meters of Moûtiers, passing through Saint-Martin-de-Belleville and Les Menuires, to reach the 2,350 meters of the finish line.
The other members of the world's largest ski area, Les 3 Vallés, are not far behind and offer a legendary ascent: the Col de La Loze, a 21 km climb with an average gradient of 8% to reach 2300 meters in Brides-les Bains. It made its debut as a stage finish in the 2020 Tour de France, on a day with a previous passage on the mythical Col de la Madeleine (read on to find out more).
Valmorel may be a resort suitable for beginner skiers, but on wheels, this climb is best left to expert riders. Valmorel is part of the Grand Domaine ski area and is home to one of the most famous ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes of the Tour de France: the Col de la Madeleine, a climb of more than 19 kilometers with an average gradient of 8% and hardly any flat areas.
Halfwaybetween France and Switzerland, the Tour de France ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes through the resorts of Les Gets, Morzine and Avoriaz on its way to the mythical Montblanc. There the peloton will face the Col de Joux Plane (12 km at an average gradient of 8.5%) the Col de la Ramaz (13 km at 7.5%) and the Col de la Croix Fry (11 km at 7.2%).
View hotels in Les Portes du Soleil
Andorra, mecca of cycling and skiing, also known as "The country of the Pyrenees" has hosted several stages of the Tour de France, with the peloton passing through Grandvalira, Ordino-Arcalís and Pal-Arinsal. There the cyclists overcame the over 2,400m ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes of the 10km Port d'Envalira, with an average gradient of 6%, Pas de la Casa and the Col de Porté Puymorens before tackling the Coll de Beixalis (6.4 km at 8.5%.)
In both 2007 and 2009, the cyclists crossed the French-Swiss border, finishing a stage with a steep climb to Verbier, a ski resort located in the 4 Vallées ski area.In this stage, the peloton overcomes renowned ski ski ski ski ski Ski Passes , including the Col des Mosses of 1450m or the final ascent to Villete-Le-Chable, almost 9 km long and with an average gradient of 7.5%.
The 2024 Tour de France, the 111th edition of cycling's most important race, starts in Florence on Saturday, June 29 and ends three weeks later in Nice on Sunday, July 21. It is the first time the Tour starts in Italy and the first time it finishes in Nice. In the fourth stage, the peloton will pass through the ski area of ViaLattea, where the cyclists will have to overcome the climbs of Sestriere, Claviere and the Col de Montgenèvre (8.3 km at 6%), before crossing the border again and entering France, where the Col du Galibier (23 km at 5%) awaits.