Third episode of our series “My mountain to me” with the former Olympic athlete, originally from Saint-André-d’Embrun. The latter has a strong link with the Nordic area of La Chalp. For 30 years, Coraline Hugue has never strayed too far from her “resort of heart”.
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17 Feb 2023 at 15:00 | updated 17 Feb. 2023 at 15:48
The 45 kilometers of slopes of the Nordic domain of Crévoux have held no secrets for her for a long time. In the hamlet of La Chalp, Coraline Hugue is “like at home”, or almost. “These tracks even sometimes came out of my eyes”, admits the Olympic athlete, who scoured the premises – when she was in the Hautes-Alpes – at the rate of two training sessions a day for more than fifteen years. At the age of eight, the cross-country skier put her spatulas in Crévoux for the first time. In his memories, there are “the first competitions” with the Les-Orres-Crévoux-Embrun ski club or even “bus trips” to reach “the La Chalp area”. Light years away from the Olympic dreams in long-distance cross-country skiing that will materialize in Sochi (Russia 2014) and Pyeongchang (South Korea 2018).
A first name associated with the Nordic domain
The Embrunaise left the world of high level a little over three years ago. She now takes another look at her “second home in La Chalp”. “It was first a discovery, then it became a place of work, today it is a place of pleasure with friends and family. The link with the domain of the beginnings is still there. Arriving by road in Crévoux, at the crossroads towards the Nordic domain and the alpine resort, the face of the champion is always displayed on a panel.
A red run, La Coraline, even bears his first name. “At the beginning of February, my six-year-old son did it for the first time, he was proud to tell me: ‘I did the descent of death'”, she slips with a hint of emotion. Every year a cross-country ski race, both popular and intended for children, is organized in Crévoux. The ninth edition of “La Coraline” will take place on March 4-5 and 9, 2023.
Coraline Hugue has taken a step back from the practice of cross-country skiing. But his attachment to the Nordic area of La Chalp in Crévoux has not changed. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
The Nordic area of Crévoux is located near the hamlet of La Chalp. More than 45 kilometers of trails, snowshoe trails and a biathlon stadium have been developed. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
Coraline Hugue put her spatulas on the slopes of La Chalp for the first time almost 30 years ago. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
A track in the Nordic area of Crévoux bears the first name of Coraline. A real pride for the champion. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
“With two training sessions a day for years at La Chalp, these tracks sometimes came out of my sight,” admits the ex-international. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
The Nordic area of Crévoux does not only allow the practice of cross-country skiing. Snowshoes, fat bikes or biathlon are among the possible activities. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
“Crévoux is my favorite resort,” recalls Coraline Hugue. The former top athlete, however, regrets that certain investments have not been made on the site in recent years. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
When Coraline Hugue comes to the Nordic area of La Chalp, memories come back with the “first club competitions” or even “bus trips”. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
Coraline Hugue recently obtained a state diploma as an alpine ski instructor. Photo Le DL /Vincent OLLIVIER
“In Crévoux, there is always quality snow”
Young people from the club who perform, summits visible from the slopes, a refurbished foyer and the presence of the ESF (French Ski School) on the site. Not to mention the snowshoe routes and the biathlon stadium. Coraline Hugue knows how to point out the strengths of the Nordic area of Crévoux. “Here, there is always good quality snow”, assures the champion. But wouldn’t it be possible to do even better? “The Covid period has seen cross-country and Nordic skiing develop. Crévoux did not take the boat unlike others, ”said the muse of the station. Coraline Hugue advocates, among other things, the creation of more fun trails, the development of a “real” car park or better grooming. “A resort of such high quality has the means to make its area more attractive”, slips the cross-country skier.
“Sport is my whole life, I will never stop”
If Coraline Hugue has taken a step back from the practice of cross-country skiing, it is to better invest herself elsewhere. “Sport is my whole life, I will never stop,” says the former international cross-country skier. After having tried multi-sport raids in 2021, it is now found in regional cross-court competitions. “The objective is the French cross-country championships at the beginning of March in Carhaix (Brittany)”, specifies the Embrunaise, who has lost none of her competitive spirit.
On a daily basis, Coraline Hugue, attached to 4e regiment of hunters in Gap, has been working as a sports instructor for the initial training center for non-commissioned soldiers (CFIM) since the end of his international career. The high-level athlete had joined the Army of Army Champions in 2005. At the same time, the champion from Crévoux recently “felt the need” to pass a state diploma as an alpine ski instructor. To open a new chapter soon?
His recommendations
Track
“It must be La Coraline! It connects the bottom of the valley with another red run. It was the perfect track for my high level training with walls on a course that goes up and down all the way. »
The point of view
“The view of the Needles of Chabrières and the Embrunais with the changing sky and the colors of the end of the day from the blue run which allows you to return home. »
Activities outside of skiing
“Hiking with a crush on the Fairies Trail, a family walk with works of art and installations all along. »
Where to end the day
“After an afternoon on the slopes, I like to have a drink in the evening or eat at the Auberge La Grande Ferme in Saint-André-d’Embrun. »
A place to relax
“The Spa of the hotel-restaurant Les Peupliers in Baratier, ideal after a long day on the Nordic area of Crévoux. »
