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La Loge des Gardes from Clermont-Ferrand: is it worth going or should you stay in the Sancy?

Published 21 February 2021

La Loge des Gardes is a small resort in the Montagne bourbonnaise, in the commune of Laprugne, in the Allier. From Clermont-Ferrand, allow about 1 hr 20 to 1 hr 30 by road: that is considerably further than the Sancy resorts, which can be reached in under an hour to an hour and a quarter. For a day's skiing from Clermont, the Sancy is almost always the more logical choice; La Loge des Gardes makes sense in specific cases, which we explain here.

La Loge des Gardes at a glance

• Altitude: from about 1,000 to 1,160 metres.
• Alpine skiing: four short runs, served by drag lifts, rope tows and a magic carpet for beginners.
• Other winter activities: cross-country skiing (around fifteen kilometres of trails advertised) and snowshoeing.
• Summer leisure park: zip lines, including a big one over 200 metres long, mountainboarding, off-road scooters, a treetop adventure course and tubing runs.

For winter 2026-2027, the resort is due to open from 26 December 2026 to 7 March 2027, snow permitting. At this altitude, snow is unreliable: in some recent winters the resort was unable to open its runs for lack of snow. Before setting off, check the resort website for the state of the runs and which activities are open.

The journey from Clermont

The usual route takes the A89 to Thiers, then mid-mountain roads. The journey is a little over 80 km. In winter, these small roads can be snowy or icy: equip your car in line with current regulations and allow extra time.

The Sancy resorts, closer to Clermont

South-west of Clermont, the Sancy massif is home to the busiest resorts in the Massif Central. They are higher, larger and closer:

• Le Mont-Dore, about fifty minutes away. It is the easiest resort to reach from Clermont, with a lively spa town at the foot of the slopes.
• Super-Besse, about an hour away. A larger ski area, linked to Le Mont-Dore through the Grand Sancy domain, and plenty of activities besides skiing.
• Chastreix-Sancy, about an hour and a quarter away, on the south-western side. Quieter and more family-oriented, it also offers cross-country skiing.

Le Mont-Dore and Super-Besse are aiming to open on 19 December 2026, a provisional date that will depend on snowfall. Up-to-date information is published by the Sancy tourist office.

When La Loge des Gardes is still a good idea

1. With young children, for a first taste of sliding on short, quiet slopes.
2. If you are passing through Thiers or Vichy during your stay, the resort fits into an itinerary heading east.
3. In summer, for the leisure park, which has no exact equivalent in the Sancy. Check the opening days, which vary with the season.

For a snow day without skiing, also bear in mind the walks around the Sancy lakes, described in our article on the lakes around Clermont, and our article on the Chaudefour valley for a day at the foot of the massif.

Choosing the right accommodation for skiing

To ski in the Sancy, staying in the south of the conurbation saves time every morning. Our holiday houses in Saint-Sandoux are well placed on the road to the massif, and the Résidence Au cœur des volcans suits couples and families alike. For a club or a group of friends, see our group stays page. All our properties can be booked from one night, cleaning and linen included.