With four mountain ranges and an impressive 21 resorts, France's third biggest mountain destination, Isère, is a winter sports playground with a wealth of natural assets. With an unrivalled diversity of resorts and wide range of activities to suit all, Isère really does have a resort for everyone, from pretty, traditional villages to world-renowned ski destinations.
Here at Peak Retreats, we round up our favourite spots and resorts in Isère, including some well-known names but also some you should definitely get to know!
Les 2 Alpes: High-Altitude Winter Playground
Les 2 Alpes is surrounded by dramatic mountain scenery, and has slopes on both sides of the resort so you're never far from a lift! With one of the highest glaciers in the Alps, and above average sunshine conditions, there's a remarkable variety of slopes to choose from! 70% of the ski area is above 2000m, making it a great base for multi-generational ski holidays, with something for everyone - off-piste or on-piste.
You can ski a 2300m drop without taking a single lift - get your ski legs ready! Why not stop at of the iconic Les 2 Alpes view points and grab a pic for the 'gram.
The great thing about Les 2 Alpes is that even those starting out skiing, can use the highest point in resort, the Glacier - everyone gets to enjoy the whole of the ski area!
©AGelin
Winter 2024/25 sees the opening of the Le Jandri (3S), replacing the Jandri Express Gondola, halving the time from 1600m to 3200m, taking it from just under 40minutes, down to 17 minutes.
Vaujany: A Charming Village with Big Opportunities
If you're after a smaller, more family-friendly sized resort, the small but mighty Vaujany could be the one for you! Its long-standing history as a traditional Alpine village, the resort has access to 250km of skiing within the Grand Domaine ski area. Built on a sunny slope, you can ski in an area that offers world-class skiing on majority blue-bird days! Vaujany has something for everyone - from a huge sports centre with an Olympic-sized ice rink, bowling alley and leisure facilities, to a fondue evening on the mountain side.
Vaujany has managed to preserve its old-world charm while offering a variety of facilities including two fantastic free museums, a magnificent leisure centre with a swimming pool, bowling, spa and indoor climbing wall. Stroll through the resorts narrow streets and you can discover the fountain, a farm, or the villages authentic bell tower.
Vaujany's impressive Olympic-sized ice rink allows you to give Eisstock, a cross between curling and pétanque, a go. Or book an outdoor yoga session in spectacular mountain settings!
For the Winter 24/25 season, Vaujany is putting on free events every day during the school holidays including winter sports such as hockey and biathlon, crafts workshops, torchlight descent and horse-drawn carriage rides. Activities can be booked via the tourist office.
Les 7 Laux: Hidden Gem Near Grenoble
Les 7 Laux is off the beaten track and offers skiing for all abilities within its stunning setting; just 35 minutes from Grenoble, the resort overlooks the city basin. With access to 120km of piste within the Belledonne mountains, the resort has one of the best-rated snowpacks in France. Les 7 Laux is known as an intermediate and expert's playground, but also offers plenty of cruises blues and winding green runs, making it equally great for beginners.
©R.Bouchu
One for the families, the Wiz Luge mountain coaster is a 723m track where you can reach speeds of up to 40km/h - a proper adrenaline rush! There's also a non-ski play area with play trails and a wooden labyrinth, with tunnels and safe sledging areas that will delight children aged 4-12.
©OTLes7Laux
Les 7 Laux's snowpark is particularly respected, being one of the best rated parks in France. Split into 4 different difficulty levels, the park includes a boarder cross run.
©MichaelMollier
A renowned spot for freeriders, the resort has the largest free-skiing area in the Grenoble region. Perfect for intermediates and experts!
Chamrousse: Skiing with a View
The resort of Chamrousse is relatively small yet has something for everyone, whether skiing or not. With an altitude of 2250m and just 30km from Grenoble, it's a perfect resort for a long weekend on the slopes as it's so easily accessible. The views over Grenoble are magical, and the resort enjoys stunning 360° panoramic views of the city below and the surrounding massifs.
For an adrenaline rush for all the family, Chamrousse is home to the world's largest pylon zip line. Running parallel to the La Croix Gondola, you can fly over the ski area for 2km, reaching top speeds of 80km/h.
Chamrousse holds the “Flocon Vert” label for its commitment to sustainable development. There are many eco friendly initiatives in place in the resort include switching to HV0 fuel for grooming machines, a 100% renewable alternative to Diesel.
Chamrousse has three dedicated ski touring routes, two of which go through the forest and one that is especially for night skiing.
Villard de Lans and Corrençon: A Traditional Alpine Experience
In the Vercors massif, one of the four mountain ranges that make up Isère, you'll find the lively Villard de Lans and charming Corrençon. Both villages existed long before the development of the tourist resorts, with Villard de Lans being one of the first ski resorts created in 1906 - this heritage is one that the villages have retained alongside their friendly atmosphere, right up to present day.
©StéphanieCharles
Villard de Lans has the largest market centres and ski resorts of the Vercors massif - lots to explore for all the family, even those that aren't skiing.
Both villages share one of the largest Alpine and Nordic ski areas in the Vercors, and are really family friendly - with both resorts holding a 'Famille Plus' award.
Villard de Lans has an innovative luge and ski park with the chance to try luge, snake glass, sooner and air boards! A handful of fun activities to make for an exciting afternoon for all the family.
Alpe d’Huez: Legendary Skiing with Lively Vibes
The sunny resort of Alpe d'Huez is known for its varied terrain, which is perfect for all levels. One of the oldest French ski resorts, founded in 1939, Alpe d'Huez has grown from mountain pastures to the well-loved resort we know today. There is access to an impressive 250km of piste, and the whole resort has a lively atmosphere. It's very quickly developed into the fifth largest ski area in France!
©LionelRoyet
Why not give the Sarenne a go? Take a trip down the world's longest black run - the Sarenne black piste in Alpe d'Huez requires a strong set of legs! This remarkable run is 16km long and you can now experience it for sunrise and sunset with the ski patrol!
Alpe d'Huez is well known for its festivals. In fact, there are festivals running throughout the season including International Comedy Film Festival (13-19 Jan), Tomorrowland electronic dance music festival (15-21 Mar) and Comic Festival (4-6 Apr).
©LaurentSalino
Beginners can feel right in the heart of the action whilst they master their skills on skis - this high altitude resorts has multiple places for easy cruising, with fun zones in different areas of the mountain.
Auris en Oisans: Family-Friendly Fun with Scenic Views
Auris en Oisans is located on the edge of the Ecrins National Park, at 1600m. Part of the Alpe d'Huez Grande Domaine ski area, there's a wide choice of 250km of piste and plenty of non-skiing activities; there's something for everyone! Super family-friendly, the resort has lots to keep the family entertained. With spectacular panoramic views of the La Meije mountain range and the national Parc des Ecrins - this is a great value resort linked to the same impressive ski area as Alpe d'Huez.
Part of the massive and snow-sure Grand Domaine/Alpe d'Huez ski area, Auris-en-Oisans offers world-class skiing on 250km of pistes.
For some adrenaline filled fun, Auris-en-Oisans has all-terrain ‘fat’ scooters, effectively fat bike wheels on an electric scooter, with a forest trail to ride through and explore.
80% of Auris en Oisans residences have easy and direct access to the slopes - perfect for families!
Oz 3300: Tranquility Meets Adventure
Around 45 minutes from Grenoble, Oz 3300 is set amongst fir trees just above the village of Oz. Located between the Belledonne and Grandes Rousses mountain ranges, the resort is perfect for families and those seeking a slightly more peaceful base. With access across to the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine ski area and its 250km of slopes, you can take advantage of the sunny piste as the ski runs vary from 1100m to 3330m in altitude!
©ThomasHytte
A fun one for even the smallest of your party, Oz 3300 offers dog-sledding for even the littlest mushers. 3 to 8 year olds can try out a sled specifically designed for them, and learn how to drive a team of dogs. Dog cuddles are of course a requirement!!
Just a few minutes away from Oz, up the Alpette lift from the centre of the village, you'll find the L'Alpette winter trail. Accessible to all, this track is signposted well and entirely secured. All along the circuit you can enjoy the stunning panoramic scenery over the surrounding mountain ranges. Keep any eye out for Marmottes and mountain goats on you're way around!
©SDR-OToz3300
Just before the slopes close for the day, head up to the Dome des Rousses at 2800m and make the last descent during sunset. This memorial sunset skiing experience allows you to discover the job of a ski patroller whilst making the vertical descent of 1450m down into Oz 3300 resort. Definitely one for the bucket list!
Isère has all of the elements to make a ski holiday unforgettable, from exhilarating afternoon fun on the zipwire to chasing the sunset descending one of Isère’s beautiful summits. Why not try a BBQ on the piste in Les 7 Laux, or have a go at outdoor yoga in Vaujany.
In the midst of the mountains, you'll find a resort for everyone...
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