Travel to Molines with travel insurance from Essential Travel

Molines is located in the heart of Queyras Regional Park, in the French region of Hautes-Alpes, close to the Italian border. The area is surrounded by a pristine natural environment and is home to abundant wildlife. The mountains and valleys are magnificent, with gorgeous views. Molines resort shares the ski area of Beauregard range with neighbouring Saint-Véran, just a few kilometres away.

The ski resort of Molines and its nearby hamlets are largely uncommercialised and traditional, permeated with rustic charm and a feeling of timelessness. Molines is characterised by quaint, narrow streets and typical Queyras architecture, encompassing steep-roofed stone houses with multi-terraced wooden attics, and numerous log cottages.

The areas history is preserved not only in the architecture of the village, but also in picturesque wooden fountains and in ancient, communal bread ovens, of which there are only three in the area, one being located in Molines itself.

Molines is a fairly small ski resort, with a total of 34 slopes distributed over 38kms. Of these, seven are green runs and seven are blue runs. Red runs make up the bulk of pistes, at a total of 17. Expert skiers may be a little frustrated at Molines, as the ski resort has only three black runs. The various slopes are linked by means of a system of 15 lifts. Cross-country skiing is popular at Molines, with 55kms of trails in the ski resort.

An additional worthwhile activity on a break from the slopes is visiting the surrounding hamlets scattered along the mountainside. Gaudissard, La Rua, Pierre-Grosse, and La Coin are all within a few kilometres of each other, and Fontgillard is a little farther to the east. Nearby Saint-Véran is famous for its sundials. History buffs will enjoy the 14th century church with a double sundial, located between Molines and La Rua.

The most convenient way of reaching Molines is by catching a train to nearby Guillestre, as Molines is situated almost 200kms from the nearest international airport.

Skiing in Molines

Molines is a tiny village situated deep in the exquisite scenery of Queyras Regional Park. If youre looking for skiing by day accompanied by electric nightlife, this is not the place to come. Molines is a true getaway, with the emphasis on peace and quiet in off-slope hours.

The skiing in Molines caters to all levels, though extremely advanced skiers may feel unchallenged, with only three black runs to choose from. In addition to these, there are seven green runs (beginner), seven blue runs (intermediate), and 17 red runs (advanced). These 34 runs are spread over a distance of 38kms and linked by a system of 15 lifts (14 tow lifts and one chairlift).

For excellent off-piste skiing, take the Grand Serre lift and then walk to the ridge under the Pic de Chateaurenard to ski the undeveloped north face. There is also superb cross-country skiing in Molines, with 55kms of trails through stunning Alpine scenery.

Although skiing is the focal activity in winter at Molines, there are a number of alternatives if you feel like something different. Snowshoe trekking, ice-climbing, parasailing and dog-sledding through the Aigue Agnelle Valley are offered by the resort, and all these activities expose you to the gorgeous panoramas of the Hautes-Alpes region.

There is not much nightlife to speak of, with only a few restaurants to provide entertainment before bed. Four hotels provide accommodation in the village; while other services include a bank, a childcare centre, a post office, a laundromat and a few shops.

Molines can be reached by means of car, bus or rail. Alternatively, visitors can fly to Grenoble Airport and take alternative transport from there. However, this is not an ideal method of transport because of the lengthy distance between Grenoble and the ski resort.

Apres-ski in Molines

If youre worn out and need some time off from skiing, Molines offers a number of exciting alternatives, including parasailing, ice-climbing, and dog-sledding through the Aigue Agnelle valley. There are several marked paths for hiking or snowshoe trekking through spectacular scenery

. Molines is not the place for hard-core party animals, as nightlife is limited to leisurely meals in one of the few restaurants. Accommodation is also minimal, with only four hotels in the village. Molines has a single post office and a single bank.

Transportation to Molines

Molines is located close to the Italian border, 180kms from Grenoble, the nearest international airport. It can be reached by road or rail transportation, or a combination of air and road/rail. Considering that Molines is a long journey from the closest international airport, the easiest way to reach the village is by rail.

If you opt to drive to Molines from the UK, you will need to utilise the Chunnel train service or a car ferry to reach the French port of Calais. From Calais, the journey to the resort takes between 9 and 11 hours. Most of this time is spent on the motorway A32. Take highway exit 8, Gap Briancon Vizille; Molines is situated 151kms from the exit. Molines is 727kms from Paris, 263kms from Marseille and 266kms from Lyon.

If you are coming from London via rail transport, take the Eurostar from Waterloo Station to Paris; this journey takes about four hours. From the capital, you can connect with SNCF (French Rail) trains to get to Mont Dauphin station in Guillestre. Shuttle buses provide transport to Molines, taking about 35 minutes.

Another option is to catch a plane to Grenoble, and utilise road or rail transport for the rest of the way. However, the journey from Grenoble to Molines is lengthy and tedious, particularly in bad weather.

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