Ski-Areas > Massif Central > Cantal (15) > Monts D'Auvergne > Le Lioran
The ski resort of Le Lioran is situated in the Monts D'Auvergne area of the Cantal department in the Massif Central region. The lift served area extends from 1250 metres to 1850 metres. There are 60 km of lift served runs served by 17 drags, 6 chairs and 1 cable car. There are 150 km of cross country trails in the area with 21km over four circuits accessible from Le Lioran. The resort features a snowpark.
Due to the rail link the mountains around le Lioran have attracted skiers since the early part of the 20th century but the first lift, in the form of a cable car to the puy de Masseboeuf was only built in the 1950s. Towards the end of the 50s a local politician, Mr Peschaud, Senateur and President of the General Council proposed the idea of a ski resort. In 1960 the Cantal department put out a tender for architects (including the celebrated Laurent Chappis) and developers to build a resort on the site. In 1967 the Plomb du Cantal cable car was opened but it had needed the aid of local born Georges Pompidou who would shortly succeed General de Gaulle as president.
The resort is the largest in the Massif Central and has not been slow to adopt new technology including snow canons, the first 40 of which were installed at the end of the 1980s.
Nearest Airport(s): Clermont Ferrand, St Etienne (Ryanair flights), Limoges
Road: Le Lioran is about 5 hours by car from Paris. The autoroute costs 30€ one way for a car. Le Lioran is about 40km from the autoroute.
Rail: Really there is only one way to get to Le Lioran, direct train from Paris Gare de Lyon (around 6 hours). The ski pistes pass behind the platform to cross over the tracks. It couldn't be more relaxed or convenient.
We can recommend the Chazes hotel (tel 04.71.47.05.68) at nearby St Jacques de Blatts, about 3km from the pistes. They have an excellent restaurant, nice spacious and warm rooms and they can speak French, English and German so no bother about booking. The view is directly onto the spectacular Plomb Cantal. The hotel will pick you up from the cute 'wild west' style railway station.
Tell readers about any good restaurants and bars in the resort
Only include guides and instructors who cater for off-piste or backcountry. Please specify whether they take snowboarders.
email: info@lelioran.com
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Category: Ski Areas
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