Our take
The authentic side of the Sancy: spa village below, pistes above. In winter you ski, and from April to early November you go from the thermal spa in the morning to a hike in the afternoon.
The historic resort of the Sancy: 35 pistes just above the spa village of Le Mont-Dore, at the foot of the highest summit in the Massif Central.
Le Mont-Dore is the historic resort of the Sancy, at the foot of the highest summit in the Massif Central. The spa village stretches out at 1,050 metres at the bottom of its valley, and the pistes start just above. You park at the foot of the Sancy, right at the start of the cable car.
On the ski side, 35 pistes on the north side of the Sancy, between 1,200 and 1,850 metres, linked to the Super-Besse area on the days when the link is open. Adult day lift pass €42.70 for the 2025-2026 season. For winter 2026-2027, opening planned for 19 December 2026 and closing planned for 21 March 2027, depending on snow cover. In summer, the Sancy cable car drops you at 1,790 metres, then 864 wooden steps haul you up to the summit at 1,885 metres, in about twenty minutes (cable car out of service for maintenance from 31 August to 18 December 2026). 360° panorama over the Auvergne volcanoes.
The detail we love: the Capucin funicular. Built in the late 1890s, it is the oldest electric funicular in France, registered as a historic monument, and it still climbs in its original state, from May to All Saints' Day, up to the Salon du Capucin and its walking trails.
Our take: Le Mont-Dore keeps a real village character. Skiing in winter, hiking in summer, and the thermal baths from April to early November.
Why we love it
- Skiing in winter, thermal spa from April to early November
- The Sancy cable car to the summit (out of service for maintenance until 18 December 2026)
- A real mountain village at the foot of the pistes
- The Capucin funicular, the oldest electric funicular in France
Top tip
Your Le Mont-Dore lift pass also gives access to some Super-Besse lifts, on the days when the link between the two areas is open (2025-2026 season rule). Cable car closed for maintenance from 31 August to 18 December 2026: until then, the summit is reached on foot, by the waymarked path open until 31 October if the weather allows.
Before you go
- With the Le Mont-Dore lift pass, some Super-Besse lifts are included on the days when the link is open (2025-2026 season)
- The village's thermal spa opens from April to early November, in the morning, Monday to Saturday, by reservation
- Parking free or paid depending on the zone, aim to arrive early in high season
- The Capucin funicular only runs from spring to autumn
Weather for the next 3 days
Today
8°/2°
8 mm · 43 km/h
Tomorrow
12°/3°
dry · 15 km/h
Tue 27
15°/10°
0 mm · 28 km/h
Source: Open-Meteo (CC BY 4.0). General lowland forecasts, to be cross-checked with specialist mountain forecasts at altitude.
Practical info
- Address
- Pied du Sancy, 63240 Mont-Dore, France
63240 Le Mont-Dore
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Around Le Mont-Dore resort
24 spots in and around Le Mont-Dore, enough to build your day.
Where to eat close by
€€La Table de l'Ours
4.4Le Mont-Dore · a 5-minute walk away
Le Borsalino
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 3.4 km away
€€Mémé Joe
4.8Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · 4.6 km away
Where to stay nearby
Hôtel Le Castelet
4.6Le Mont-Dore · 3.9 km away
€Résidence Le Bois de la Reine
4.0Besse-et-Saint-Anastaise · 5.6 km away
€€€Cabanes des Volcans
4.4La Tour-d'Auvergne · 5.8 km away
Hikes nearby
Waymarked routes within 15 km, GPX track included.
Trail running
On footFrom Chastreix village to the glacial valley
Start: Parking à côté de l'église, au centre du bourg
- 18.3 km
- +535 m
- 5 h 30 min
Worth a read
Articles and guides that mention this place.
Guide
Le Mont-Dore : les meilleures activités, été comme hiver
Le Mont-Dore, c'est le Puy de Sancy, une vallée pleine de cascades, un funiculaire de 1898 et des thermes. Voici les meilleures activités à y faire, saison par saison.
Guide
Ski en Auvergne : quelle station choisir selon votre niveau et votre budget
Super-Besse, Le Mont-Dore, Chastreix-Sancy, Le Lioran, Les Estables, Prabouré : les chiffres officiels, les forfaits de 15 à 43,50 € et les dates annoncées pour 2026-2027.
Hikes around Le Mont-Dore resort
Trail runningOn footFrom Chastreix village to the glacial valley
Start: Parking à côté de l'église, au centre du bourg
- 18.3 km
- +535 m
- 5 h 30 min
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