The secret valleys of Dévoluy by ski

We meet at 9am at the gîte to settle in and get to know our guide and the other participants. Once we've familiarised ourselves with the equipment, we'll begin our adventure with a climb to the Pas du Follet via the picturesque Vallon d'Âne. This first day is a perfect warm-up, with its gentle slopes and panoramic views of the surrounding ridges.

The Vallon Froid loop allows us to discover another facet of this wild region, ideal for experiencing the immensity of the Alps. Around 900 metres of ascent await us before we return to our starting point. We return to our gîte at the end of the day, where a warm welcome and a good meal await us.

After a good night's sleep in the gîte, we start our day with a loop around La Rama, on its north-east side. The climb is more technical and demanding, with a positive difference in altitude of 1,000 metres. The path climbs steadily to the summit at 2379 metres. From here, you can admire the Dévoluy range and its impressive limestone cliffs.

After a short break to admire the view and recharge our batteries, we begin the descent on skis. We finish the itinerary by returning to our friendly gîte, where a good meal awaits us to recover from this beautiful day.

After a good breakfast at the gîte, we have two options, depending on the energy and motivation of the group. For the more energetic, we'll head for the Tête de l'Aupet, a 1400-metre ascent through the magnificent valleys of Truchières and Narrites. This trail is renowned for its varied scenery, with a gradual climb that becomes more technical as you approach the crests.

For those who prefer a slightly more accessible option, we opt for the Tête d'Oriol, with its 1,100-metre ascent and return. Although this climb is a little less demanding, it remains a real challenge and rewards every effort with spectacular views. Once back down, we'll return to the comfort of the gîte for an invigorating meal, the perfect way to round off this adventurous day.

Today, we're heading for the impressive Pic de Bure, one of the emblematic peaks of the Dévoluy Massif, culminating at 2709 metres. We'll begin our ascent via the Combe de Corne, a wild and unspoilt route, often sheltered from the crowds, which immediately immerses us in unspoilt and authentic nature. We'll then continue into the Combe Ratin, with a 1,300-metre climb that will require a sustained effort.

Once we reach the summit of the Pic de Bure, we'll be greeted by a breathtaking panorama, offering a 360-degree view of the entire Dévoluy range, with the Grand Ferrand and the Obiou in the background. The descent then offers us some beautiful powder curves, before moving on to some more technical sections, where the quality of the alpine snow makes for a unique experience. We finally return to our gîte in the late afternoon.

On this final day, we'll be tackling the summit of Raz de Bec, with a sustained ascent of 1,000 metres. This loop will take us through a variety of landscapes, starting with dense forests and then progressively sparser vegetation as we gain altitude. After a few hours of effort, we'll reach the summit, where we'll be rewarded with a panoramic view of the surrounding valleys and mountains.

The descent is via the Ravin de Loupon, a narrower, more technical route with steep slopes and tight bends. We finish this expedition by returning to our gîte. The legs will be tired from these days of intense effort, but the mind will be marked by the wild beauty of the mountains and the satisfaction of having taken up this challenge to the end.