A Jura Guide Tour: Snow holidays in the French Haut-Jura mountains
The Haut-Jura and its mountains, the ideal place for a full-scale winter holiday! Come and discover the Jura way of life where joys of snow are unlimited. As an integral part of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, this territory bordering Switzerland is characterised by its mountain landscapes and culture. Whether it is from the top of the summits, in alpine mode, or in the middle of the fir trees, in Nordic mode, you will find the activities that suit you.
It is the ideal place to start learning to ski thanks to the family-friendly resorts that are perfectly equipped for beginners.
The Jurassien Nordic Space (Ain-Doubs-Jura) is the largest Nordic area in France and an almost infinite playground for skiers, but also the perfect place to try cross-country skiing.
The Nordic spirit of the Haut-Jura is also expressed in the white and wild landscapes ideal for dog sledding, snowshoeing or Nordic walking. The snow and ice allow many other more original activities: skating and hockey on frozen lakes, ski joëring, kite surfing on snow, snow hiking, biathlon, mountain biking on snow, sledging, snowtubing, ski touring or telemark skiing...
There is no shortage of opportunities for fun, a change of scenery and a breath of fresh air when you come to the Jura in winter!
Snow activities for adults and children
Here is a summary of the resorts in the Jura offering a range of activities for all ages and abilities. The ski areas of the Jura offer a warm and friendly atmosphere in small mid-mountain villages with incredible charm and a preserved and natural environment.
The Jura has 5 ski resorts and ski areas labelled by Nordic France: the Station des Rousses and the ski areas of Champagnole Nozeroy Jura, Haut-Jura Grandvaux, Haut-Jura Morez and Haut-Jura Saint-Claude.
Station des Rousses
This must-see resort in the Jura Mountains is located on the border with Switzerland. It includes 4 villages which come together to form a human-sized ski resort, ideal for families. It is the only French resort to have been awarded the "Flocon Vert" (Green Snowflake) label. It combines mountain traditions, age-old know-how and conviviality.
What will you find there?
- 4 villages: Bois-d’Amont, Lamoura, Les Rousses, Prémanon.
- Nordic Skiing: 200 km of piste. Label Nordic France (5 Nordics).
- Downhill Skiing: 55 pistes and 29 ski lifts including 6 chairlifts.
- Snowshoe and Hiking: 78 km of pistes and routes
- Ski school: 3 skiing schools
- Recreation areas: Learning area, secure sledging runs...
Champagnole Nozeroy Jura
Champagnole Nozeroy Jura is two ski areas: Haute-Joux and Foncine-le-Haut. Resorts on a human scale where peace and quiet reign.
What will you find there?
- 2 Nordic Areas: Foncine-le-Haut and de la Haute-Joux.
- Nordic Skiing: 285 km cross-country ski trails.
- Snowshoes and Hiking: 28 pistes and routes.
- Downhill Skiing: 1 ski lift, 2 children's snow yarns (1 blue piste and 2 red pistes) at Foncine-le-Haut.
- Recreation areas: Numerous sledging areas and services.
Haut-Jura Grandvaux
The Grandvaux is 6 authentic and friendly villages with an unrivalled Nordic tradition. Home to many biathlon and cross-country skiing champions, it is a Nordic area par excellence!
What will you find there?
- 4 Towns: Nanchez (Prénovel – Chaux des Prés – les Piards), Saint-Pierre, Saint-Laurent en Grandvaux, Le Lac-des-Rouges-Truites.
- Nordic Skiing: More than 200 km of pistes, from green to black, from 2.5 to 14 km.
- Snowshoes and Hiking: 16 snowshoe trails, 1 thematic snowshoe trail "The Man of the Forest”.
- Recreation areas: Secure sledging areas in Nanchez (Prénovel - Chaux-des-Prés), Saint-Laurent and Le Lac-des-Rouges-Truites
Haut-Jura Morez
Between two forests, the three village resorts of Bellefontaine, Longchaumois and Morbier are ideal for an introduction to downhill or cross-country skiing. Beginners and families with children can benefit from ski school instructors and mountain professionals.
What will you find there?
- 3 resorts: Morbier, Bellefontaine, Longchaumois.
- Nordic Skiing: 190 km of cross-country ski trails.
- Downhill Skiing: 7 ski lifts.
- Snowshoes and Hiking: 22 pistes.
- Recreation areas: Snowboardercross, biathlon introduction, sledging areas...
Haut-Jura Saint-Claude
Here, at an altitude of over 1100 metres, in the heart of the Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park, enjoy the calm and peace that surrounds you, welcome to the Hautes-Combes!
What will you find there?
- 4 resorts: Lajoux, Septmoncel-Les Molunes, Les Moussières/Bellecombe, La Pesse/Les Bouchoux.
- Nordic Skiing: 152 kms of cross-country ski trails.
- Downhill Skiing: 6 lifts (4 green pistes, 3 blue pistes)
- Snowshoes and Hiking: 21 pistes equal 97 kms.
- Recreation areas: sledging, multi-activities, snowtubing...
- Sled dogs: 38 kms of pistes
Tips: A link between the Dôle massif and the Tuffes massif allows you to access the whole of the new Franco-Swiss domain "Jura sur Léman" with a single pass. Ski without restriction to the Serra and Noirmont massifs and enjoy an incredible panorama of the Lake Geneva basin, Mont Blanc and the Alps!
Tips: Buy your cross-country ski pass online to avoid queuing in front of the reception chalet!
Without skis and snowshoes, there are still lots of things to do
Haut Jura Nature Park
The Haut-Jura Regional Nature Park is a mountainous area covering 178,000 hectares. It is home to exceptional flora and fauna, including protected species such as the capercaillie, the Apollo butterfly and the lynx.
Visit to the museum and ice-skating rink
For the whole family, the Espace des Mondes polaires in Prémanon is a cultural centre that invites you to travel and explore. It is also a frosty ice rink and a polar bistro!
It is a hybrid space where you can play, skate, and admire life-size seals. It offers a large part of the current scientific research on the poles by making it accessible to as many people as possible. Fun workshops, lectures, multimedia devices... There's never a dull moment!
Know-how and craftsmanship
At the Atelier des Savoir-Faire in Ravilloles, discover the many skills of Jura craftsmen through an unusual, fun, and family-friendly trail.
Then set off to explore the industrial towns of excellence in the Haute-Jurassie of yesterday and tomorrow.
First, Saint-Claude, capital of the pipe and diamond industry. It is a city with the "Villes et Métiers d'Art" label and is also appreciated for its natural environment and its heritage assets (Saint-Pierre cathedral, Abbey Museum, Maison du Peuple, etc.).
Next, Morez, capital of the Lunette (eyeglasses), is a must. The Lunette Museum and the Maison de l'émail (enamel) are ideal for soaking up the atmosphere. This town is also famous for its vertiginous viaducts, over which the Hirondelles railway line runs between Dole and Saint-Claude.
You can also stop at Pontarlier, a small city once known for having 20 distilleries specialised in Absinthe, a traditional french alcoholic beverage which is made of plants, mostly of anise, fennel and wormwood. It is also known as “La fée verte” (the green fairy). It was forbidden in France in 1915 and was authorised again in 2011 after a European decision in 1988. Therefore, a lot of distilleries had to close because of the lack of opportunities. Still, you can visit a distillery in Pontarlier, the “Distillerie Guy” which offers visits for free. You have to book your reservation, and then come, to visit and enjoy a tasting of their products.
Gourmet region
Don't come to the Jura this winter without tasting the tasty Jurassian cheeses. Go to Morbier, situated between 800 and 1200 metres above sea level, to taste the famous cheese of the same name.
And of course, when you think of winter holidays in the Jura mountains, you think of Comté cheese fondue! We have therefore concocted a recipe for you that is very tasty, easy, and quick to make.
Recipe of the Fondu au Comté. We advise you to buy Comté cheese directly from Jura producers. Find a Comté cheese dairy near you and take time for a guided tour.
Summary
For those who are looking for a winter break, Jura is the perfect destination. The French Haut-Jura mountains are home to some of the best skiing destinations in Europe. There is a wide range of resorts that offer different types of snow adventures such as ski-touring, snowboarding, alpine skiing, cross-country skiing, and snowshoeing.
Also known as little Scandinavia, you can enjoy all the Nordic activities, even more, original ones such as mountain biking or kite surfing on snow.
For the less snowy fans, there also are plenty of activities to do in Jura, and it is a great place to be for culture lovers, from museums to unusual activities.
All the family members will find the right shoe, to enjoy, practice or learn new things!
Frequntly Asked Questions About Jura mountains
What to do when visiting Haut-Jura during winter?
Some things to do when visiting Haut-Jura during winter are skiing, snowshoeing, ice skating, and tobogganing.
For those who love to explore the outdoors, winter is the perfect time to go hiking or skiing.
Where to walk in the Jura in winter?
What is the best cheese in the Jura?
What unusual activities to do in the Jura?
Play the explorer and enjoy a meal inside an igloo.
A snowshoeing orientation course at the Fort des Rousses!
Ride a horse-drawn carriage in the snow and enjoy a fondue!
Visit one of the largest Comté cheese maturing cellars.
