How to get by car to the abandoned Val Pelouse resort in Savoie?
France, europe
13.5 km
1,728 m
moderate
Year-round
# Val Pelouse: A Forgotten Alpine Adventure
Perched at 1,728 meters (5,669 feet) in France's Savoie department, Val Pelouse is an abandoned ski resort that feels like stepping back in time. Nestled in the Rhône-Alpes region of southeastern France, the summit parking lot greets you with nothing but silence—not even a welcoming sign.
The story of Val Pelouse is a classic tale of alpine ambition. Back in 1969, local leaders from Arvillard and La Rochette caught the winter sports fever sweeping through the Alps. They threw down an access road and started small with a few drag lifts and a chalet. By the mid-1970s, things were looking up: five ski lifts served nine runs, a striking Signal 2000 building (designed by master craftspeople) opened with dormitories and dining, and the resort employed 25 people.
But here's the catch—the terrain was steep, the access road was long, and the money never seemed to flow in the right direction. The ambitious Signal 2000 building became a financial burden rather than a goldmine. Competition from nearby resorts didn't help either. After La Rochette pulled its funding, the resort quietly shut down in 1985 and officially dissolved in 1986. The lifts were ripped out and resold; even the Signal 2000 building was dismantled and relocated elsewhere.
Today? Val Pelouse has found new life as a paragliding paradise and hiking hub, offering access to peaks like the Grands Moulins and Pointe de Rognier.
**The Drive Up**
The 13.5-kilometer (8.4-mile) ascent starts from Arvillard on the paved D208. The first 4 km are pretty tame, but then things get serious—the remaining stretch averages a brutal 9% grade, with the final 10 km never dipping below that. The road winds through dense forest before breaking above the treeline with genuinely stunning views. Fair warning: potholes and rough patches demand your full attention, especially on descent. The pavement's seen better days, though ongoing maintenance keeps it passable thanks to summer hikers and paragliders. During winter, the road closes above Molliet (728 meters).
Where is it?
How to get by car to the abandoned Val Pelouse resort in Savoie? is located in France (europe). Coordinates: 46.3467, 1.8779
Road Details
- Country
- France
- Continent
- europe
- Length
- 13.5 km
- Max Elevation
- 1,728 m
- Difficulty
- moderate
- Coordinates
- 46.3467, 1.8779
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