 | Trail map of Le Mont-Dore Ski Area <click to enlarge> |
Mont Dore
(Massif du Sancy)
6184 ft (1885 m) Highest volcano in France . |
||||
| Major Peaks: |
| ||||
| Location: | Massif Central, Auvergne, central France | ||||
| Lat / Long: | 45.3° N, 2.5° E | ||||
| Volcanic Type: | Eroded stratovolcano | ||||
| Volcanic Status: | Extinct | ||||
| First Ascent: | Prehistoric | ||||
| First Ski Descent: | |||||
| Skiable Vertical: | about 3000 ft (900 m) | ||||
| Lift Served Vertical: | 2800 ft (850 m) at Le Mont-Dore Ski Area | ||||
| Mont Dore, also known as the Massif du Sancy, is an old eroded stratovolcano located just southwest of the Chaine des Puys, roughly at the center of the large volcanic region of the Massif Central in Auvergne. Eruptive activity occurred over the past 3 million years, but ceased about 250,000 years ago, and since then erosion has carved deep into the interior of the volcano. The highest remaining point, the Puy de Sancy, is the highest point in France outside of the Alps or Pyrenees. Mont Dore now hosts two ski areas, Le Mont-Dore located in the deep valley on the north side (with lifts running up to the second highest point) and Super Besse on the southeast flanks. Although these ski areas are quite modest compared to the major Alpine resorts, they do have a respectable number of lifts and runs, and they are the closest ski areas to Paris. | ||||
| Some useful links: |
Le Mont-Dore Ski Area and
Super Besse Ski Area Regional Nature Park of the Volcanoes of Auvergne ( France's largest nature park) BRGM: Massif Central (geological information about the region) BRGM: Mont Dore (geological information about Mont Dore volcano) 200 Volcans en 200 Randonnees (extensive hiking info for the region) |
