Auron introduction
General Information
Auron is a traditional village which is also a ski resort that is located in the French Alps at an elevation of 1608 meters or almost 5300 feet and is in the commune of St. Etienne de Tinee. Auron has an advantage that since it is only 90 kilometers or 56 miles from Nice, there is a daily shuttle. Also available is a round trip between Auron and Nice by a helicopter. The valley in which Auron is located is home to over 2000 species of flowers, some of which are rare. There are three cable cars and 25 ski lifts to get people up the mountain and back down again. Auron is considered one of the sunniest and most popular ski resorts in Europe.
Winter Activities
There are many miles of ski runs so, during the winter, there is plenty of skiing and snow boarding. There are three ski areas which are good for all levels of skiing experience. Besides catering to downhill skiers, there are several trails for cross-country skiers and back country skiers and also for snowshoe-hiking. Snow scooters are available for those who want to try it. Also available are dog sledged rides, sleigh rides, and helicopter rides. Auron also has an ice rink for the ice skaters. There are facilities for paragliding, but since Auron is at the entrance of the Parc National du Mercanteur, paragliding below 1000m from the ground is banned; it is not as popular at Auron as at other resorts.
Summer Activities
There are hundreds of miles of trails so hiking, as well as mountain biking, is popular during the summer months. Rock-climbing and mountaineering are some one of the favorites during summer, but other activities like horseback riding, fishing, rollerblading, skating, and hang-gliding are also quite a flare. There are tennis, basketball, and volleyball courts, and an archery range for those who like to try their hand at. Also there is a golf course for those who wish to freak out in summers. And the Parc National du Mercanteur offers a chance to discover the fauna and flora of the Alps. Auron is part of the Via Ferrata, which is a route with a series of fixed cables and bridges so that climbers can follow the route without using their own equipment.
Other Information
The town centre of Auron is a pedestrian only area. There are many arts and crafts fairs during the year. The feudal ruins of the church nearby can be toured as well as the several museums in St. Etienne. There are several hotels and campgrounds and restaurants. Auron also has a wellness center where there is a swimming pool, Jacuzzis, spas, hot tubs, and saunas. Isola 2000, another ski resort, is across the valley from Auron. There are several museums with exhibits of traditions and arts and chapels from the 15th century to the 17th century to visit in nearby towns.