Skiing & Snowboarding in Bourg-Saint-Maurice

Snowboarding – Bourg-St-Maurice

Bourg-Saint-Maurice is a bustling town in the Tarentaise Valley and provides a different skiing and snowboarding holiday experience from the traditional ski resort.

Bourg is linked to the massive Paradiski area by a funicular train that runs every 20 minutes and takes just 7 minutes to get to Les Arcs 1600. While you won’t get a regular alpine chalet vibe in Bourg, it’s hiding something that for many serious boarders is way more important… access!

As the main town in the Tarentaise Valley, within the hour you can take your pick of the Paradaski area (the second largest ski area in the world), Val D’Isere – Tignes, Meribel, Sainte Foy or La Rosiere. In short, if its variety you’re after Bourg has got to be the place. As an added bonus it’s a fair bit cheaper than the surrounding dedicated resorts.

The Skiing and Snowboarding

In terms of the actual skiing and boarding you really can’t go wrong. Even if you just ‘restricted’ yourself to the massive Les Arcs, it’s just so huge that there is terrain to suit every taste and ability level. Intermediate and advanced boarders will get the most out of the resort but there’s so much for everyone that it’s hardly a distinction worth making. For beginners there are several dedicated beginners slopes called ‘ski tranquille’.

On top of the 239 slopes there is endless exciting freeriding (including glacier skiing, forest trails and powder filled bowls), five snow parks, three boardercross areas and a great half-pipe. One great run that deserves special mention is the 2000m descent from the top of the Aiguille Rouge to the pretty village of Villaroger.

To service all of this terrain there is an impressive, modern lift system that takes hungry skiers and boarders wherever they want to go.

Where to stay

There are tons of accommodation options, many of them accessible to even those on the tightest of budgets. Try the Hotel Autantic for a quiet and simple stay, or Hotel La Petite Auberde for a friendly, warm and homely retreat that is close to the funicular and all the amenities of Bourg town.

Where to eat

If you’re hungry in Bourg check out Le Petit Resto which is a tiny gem of a place serving up delicious fresh and ever so tasty food. Other options include L’Arssiban or L’Art des Mets both of which offer solid, filling food that is great value for money. If you’re looking for a quick and dirty burger, look no farther than BKM.

Après shred

Staying in Bourg means you can enjoy the festivities in Les Arcs and catch the last funicular home (8pm Monday to Thursday; 9pm Friday through Sunday) or if you get caught up in the revelry you can always grab a taxi.

Bourg St Maurice itself is a lively enough town with the Diesel club being the main late night outpost for dancing. For those with less energetic tastes Ambient Cafe is a great spot for some quiet drinks and a go-over of the highlights of your day. Also consider heading up to Val for a night or two if you’re looking for hardcore après.