Villas in Orcières-Merlette
Orcières-Merlette is a purpose-built ski resort at 1,850 metres, with around 100 km of marked pistes in the Champsaur valley. Homes are grouped tightly inside the resort, so expect a ski station rather than village life, with Gap about 40 minutes down the road.
- Villas
- 25
- From, per week
- £886
About Orcières-Merlette
Orcières-Merlette, also called Orcières 1850, was built in the 1960s on the edge of the Écrins National Park, and it reads as a planned resort rather than a village that grew. The ski area peaks at 2,727 metres, has a longest run of 8 km and has snowmaking over more than half of its domain, plus a sledge run and a snowpark. Summer brings downhill mountain biking, walks to lakes such as Lac des Estaris, the Lacs Jumeaux and Lac des Sirènes, and a 1,870 metre zip line to the resort lake. The Grande Ourse complex has a pool, ice rink, bowling and a wellness area for wet days. Homes are tightly grouped in the resort, mostly for four to six people, and some sleep eight or more. Gardens are not a feature.
Is Orcières-Merlette right for you?
- Best for
- Skiers and summer walkers wanting a purpose-built resort base
- Not for you if
- You want an old village feel, because Orcières-Merlette is a planned resort with its centre built around skiing.
Near Orcières-Merlette
Gap
The main town below the resort, about 40 minutes by car, and the rail stop for trains from Grenoble.
Écrins National Park
The resort sits on its edge, so high walking and mountain lakes start close to the lifts.
Lac d'Orcières-Merlette
The lake where the 1,870 metre zip line from Le Drouvet comes down.
Lac des Estaris
One of the alpine lakes reached on summer walks from the resort, alongside the Lacs Jumeaux and Lac des Sirènes.
Getting to Orcières-Merlette
Grenoble is around two hours away by car, and Gap is about 40 minutes. By public transport, Grenoble takes over four hours with a change to bus line 524 at Gap, so hire a car.
When to go to Orcières-Merlette
Winter is the main season, with snowmaking over more than half the ski area, a sledge run and cross-country trails in the wider Haut-Champsaur. Summer is for downhill biking, lake walks and the zip line. Spring and autumn fall between the two seasons, so check what is open before booking.
Villas in Orcières-Merlette
Orcières-Merlette villa holidays: questions answered
Is Orcières-Merlette the same as Orcières 1850?
Yes. Orcières 1850 is the resort's other name, matching its 1,850 metre base, and it is near Orcières in the Hautes-Alpes.
How big is the Orcières-Merlette ski area?
About 100 km of marked pistes, close to 30 lifts and a longest run of 8 km, topping out at 2,727 metres. It is the largest ski area in the Champsaur valley.
What can you do in Orcières-Merlette in summer?
Downhill mountain biking, hikes to alpine lakes, paragliding, adventure courses and a long zip line. The Grande Ourse complex adds a pool, ice rink and bowling for bad weather.
How far is Orcières-Merlette from Gap?
Around 40 minutes by car. Bus line 524 also links Gap to Orcières in about 45 minutes, so Gap is the town to head for when you need more than the resort offers.
Is Orcières-Merlette suitable for children?
It has a sledge run, a fun slope, a snowpark and a slalom stadium, with snowmaking over more than half the domain, so there is more than the main pistes.
Nearby towns to Orcières-Merlette
Written by the TrustedVillas team. Last reviewed October 2026.
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