The climate

Four distinct seasons, each with their own charm

Winter
Winter is a season with contrasting colours. The deep blue of the sky is in marked contrast to the pure white of the snow, in the intense light which is characteristic of the Southern Alps.

The many closeby glaciers in the Ecrins range and the natural barriers against the wind mean that the snow remains in good condition all season.. Vegetation is dormant and the wild animals do their best to survive while they await the return of spring. If they are disturbed, it can make their already difficult existence even harder. So it is important to be extremely careful when you are enjoying the great outdoors in this natural environment. Winter lasts approximately from the beginning of December to the end of March and is usually fine with cold temperatures and extremely dry air.

Winter sports rule in the 2 ski resorts in the Pays des Ecrins.


Spring
Nature is reborn as the snow begins to melt. The first flowers appear on the fine grass between the patches of snow and animals come down to the bottom of the valleys to feed on these delicacies after the harshness of the winter.

The larch trees are clad in a beautiful soft green in sharp contrast to the still snowy slopes , while the melting snow feeds the streams.

Ski touring and snow-shoeing are very popular as the risk of avalanche is much lower with the transformation of the snow. This is the time when white-water sports fans hit the Pays des Ecrins in their masses to enjoy the international level facilities and exceptional natural areas.

Spring is mostly fine with more frequent snowy and rainy periods , and temperatures remain cool. This season lasts from about the beginning of April to mid June.


Summer

Temperatures are cooler at altitude, making life in the mountain pastures or in the valley much appreciated during now frequent heatwaves. Hiking, mountain biking, white-water sports , climbing and mountaineering are the most popular sports in summer. Easy access to high mountains, the varied countryside and different levels of difficulty make the Pays des Ecrins a perfect destination for beginners and experts alike. The weather is usually good in the summer with some risk of storms at the end of the afternoon. These summer storms do not usually last long and are localized with heavy showers.

It is always recommended to set off for the mountains in the morning as the weather so easily changes in the middle of the afternoon.

These summer conditions last from about mid June to the end of September.

Autumn This is the season of many colours, the larch forests set the mountains ablaze while the forests in the valleys are clad in gold and fiery red. Its also the time for cutting wood and collecting mushrooms. Autumn hikes are given an added dimension with the smell of freshly-cut wood mingling with the scent of the forest. The good weather continues, and with the summits dusted with the first snow, the countryside is simply beautiful. Autumn is the ideal time to go hiking, climbing or to watch the animals as they enjoy the last moments of warmth and get ready for winter. The heaviest snowfalls are often at the end of autumn, but some years it can snow even earlier. Autumn is usually the months of October and November.

A high altitude Mediterranean climate

The deep blue sky in the Pays des Ecrins can be quite startling!

But in fact the whole Briançon area - the Pays des Ecrins forms the southern part - enjoys a record amount of days of sunshine.

Technical note :

2360 hours of sunshine taking mountain shadow into account or over 2500 hours of sunshine when mountain shadow is deleted

There are 300 days of sunshine per year (based on a minimum of 2 hours of sunshine per day)

The level of humidity is very low : average below 40% during the day


Obviously there are differences from one year to another, but the sky is always blue!



In all the villages, you can find a lot of sundials, which used to set the pace of daily life.

The local micro-climate can be explained by the unusual layout of our valleys: the Durance valley is north-south facing , rare in the French Alps, making hot air from the Mediterranean rise, while the high mountain ranges block clouds from the west and those which rise along the Italian Po valley to the east. We benefit from a record number of days of sunshine, even higher on average to that of Nice or Toulon. On the other hand, annual rainfall levels are less than 900mm , mostly in early winter and in the spring, ensuring good snow for the resorts even late in the season.

The extremely dry air due to the low level of hygrometry explains the almost total absence of fog and mist, even during times of temperature reversal, frequent in winter.

The topography of the terrain obviously influences the amount of wind.

Certain areas such as Pelvoux are well-protected while the Durance valley is much windier.

In spring and summer thermals, descending in the morning and ascending in the afternoon, influence the wind.

Some southerly winds carry sand from the Sahara causing ochre-coloured rain or snow.

The climate in the Pays des Ecrins and in the north of the Hautes Alpes in general, remains a harsh mountain climate with strong thermal contrasts, and temperatures often reaching below minus 10 in winter. Cool and wooded valleys contrast with the arid peaks and snowy summits. In the heart of the Alps but with Provençal influences from the Durance, you can find Mediterranean plants such as lavender, and plants with more northern influences.

But the main difference between the southern Alps and the northern Alps is the presence of splendid larch forests . With the nickname "the tree of light", the larch is the king of our valleys and the best gauge of climate.