Auris en Oisans
Why Auris en Oisans Ski Resort in Isere?
- Part of a massive snow-sure ski area
- Ideal small and friendly resort for families and those seeking a peaceful base
- 80% of the residences give easy and direct access to slopes
- Sunny resort
Auris Resort Information
Auris en Oisans, featured as one of the '15 of the best ski adventures around the world' by Escapism, is located on the edge of the Ecrins National Park at 1600m. From Auris there is a spectacular panoramic view of la Meije mountain range and the national “Parc des Ecrins” peaks.
The modern resort of Auris has guaranteed season-long skiing being lift linked to Alpe d’Huez and the rest of the Grand Domaine. The link to Alpe d’Huez via chairlift takes 10 minutes from Auris, so its easily accessible.
All Auris accommodation is close to shops and restaurants. The animation after skiing is one of Auris's qualities fun rubber rings, family challenges, night skiing... all activities offered are suited for children and parents.
Auris-en-Oisans can be reached in under 90 minutes from Grenoble Airport, under 2 hours from Lyon Airport and 2hrs 30 mins from Geneva.
Peak Retreats features self-catered apartments in Auris en Oisans. Located close to the resort centre and offering fantastic facilities, Les Balcons d'Aurea provides the ideal location for an Auris en Oisans ski holiday.
Auris en Oisans ski area
Part of the massive and snow-sure Grand Domaine/Alpe d'Huez ski area, Auris offers world-class skiing (250km of pistes).
From the summit of Pic Blanc ski area it offers at 3300m unique perspectives of the surrounding mountains to Italy and the Massif Central.
The local area is comprised of 45kms of piste and 12 lifts, linking easily with the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine offering a huge 250kms. The Grand Domaine ski domain allows you to ski on 5 resorts: Auris en Oisans + Alpe d’Huez + Vaujany + Oz 3300 + Villard reculas! The highest point is at 3330m high (Pic Blanc).
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (23/24):
Auris en Oisans local area - 45km, 12 lifts (7 chairlift, 2 draglift, 2 carpet), 19 slopes:
Green slopes: 3
Blue slopes: 8
Red slopes: 4
Black slopes: 3
Auris en Oisans skiing info
Beginners
The Auris local area is ideal for beginners and early intermediates. There is a secured beginners area and a number of green and blue slopes to progress on. In Alpe d’Huez you will find no less than 20 green slopes all spread along the mountainside. They are accessible straight from the Auris chairlift. It has quite an impressive area for beginners.
Intermediates
Within the Auris local area there are 8 red runs running down from 2,176m. They offer some great views over Alpe d'Huez. There are plenty of intermediate runs towards Alpe d’Huez and in an area called Signal. The variety of intermediate slopes is quite vast and in good snow conditions the variety of runs is difficult to beat.
Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
The Grand Domaine is home to many black pistes towards Alpe d’Huez. There are also some long and challenging runs, including the longest black slope in the world on the back of the Pic Blanc. The Sarenne (mainly black but it turns into a red run much lower down) – is 16km (10 miles) long. It is served by snow-cannons, so the piste is guaranteed to be skiable in its entirety all season, as long as the temperature is cold enough to make snow. It’s also now possible to descend it at night thanks to L.E.D lights that have been installed!
The black slope beneath the Pic Blanc cable car is another one not to miss. And you can enjoy what is arguably the biggest vertical drop of any pisted descent in the world: 2205 vertical metres, ending in Oz, without taking a lift. It’s a strong skier’s dream - and takes an exhilarating, thigh-burning 90 minutes or so. First check out the panorama from Pic Blanc at 3,330m, where it’s said you can see one-fifth of France! Then gather your courage for the legendary Tunnel Black run before skiing between the rocky outcrops of the Les Rousses Red – and beyond, all the way down to Oz.
Auris en Oisans ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Auris en Oisans ski hire and/or Auris en Oisans lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
Auris en Oisans group or private ski school (not pre-bookable)
Unfortunately we cannot pre-book ski school for Auris en Oisans. You can book ski school direct from 3 years + with the ESF.
Auris en Oisans childcare (not pre-bookable)
Childcare from 18 months-12 years (non-skiers)
Club-enfants Les Marmotte is a must for children and parents staying in Auris en Oisans. It's a day-care centre for children aged 4 to 12 in winter, as well as a day-care centre for children aged 18 months to 3 years. Open daily all season.
They also offer childcare with ski lessons.
Please contact Les Marmotte direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 76 80 08 36
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Auris en Oisans
Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.
Alpe d'Huez as a whole offers a vast array of snow sports and non-skiing activities. There are too many to list in detail, but you can see highlights on the Alpe d'Huez page.
E-Fat scooters
For some adrenaline filled family-fun, Auris-en-Oisans has all-terrain electric 'fat' scooters (imagine fat bike wheels on an electric scooter), with a forest trail to enjoy and explore.
Sledging
The resort offers a free and secured sledge area in front of the SATA desks. Careful, sledging is under parent's responsibility and supervision. Helmets are recommended. Sledges are on sale and for rental in most shops of the resort.
Snowy walks
Switch off and enjoy the simple beauty of pale winter sunlight streaming through snow-laden branches on a winter walk through one of Europe’s highest spruce forests on a marked trail in family-friendly Auris en Oisans. With or without snowshoes, walkers can take in the breathtaking views of the peaks and find footprints from animals. Follow Jacques le Bûcheron, the mascot of the trail to discover the secrets of Piégut forest.
Auris en Oisans/Alpe d'Huez news
What's new for the 24/5 season:
- Loyal visitors to Alpe d’Huez who use the DMC Grandes Rousses every day have been eagerly awaiting its modernisation, with transformation work beginning this winter.
Historic news 23/24:
- The Pic Blanc cable car is 60 years old! It opened on 10th February 1963,
- Operational this winter, there will be 5 zero-emission hydrogen-powered snow groomers and 3 hydrogen-powered buses.
- The resort has installed photo points in various locations, where you can immortalise your holiday memories without taking your phone out of your pocket
Auris en Oisans Après-ski, Bars & Restaurants
Various bars and restaurants in Auris en Oisans.
Why not try the famous Folie Douce in Alpe d'Huez for a different kind of dance scene. This branch of the Folie Douce opened in 2013, introducing the chain’s trademark Austrian-style afternoon party scene. You will find 7 other Folie Douce in the French Alps - Val d'Isere opened in 1976, Val Thorens in 2009, Meribel in 2012, St Gervais/Megeve in 2014, Chamonix and Avoriaz in 2018, Les Arcs in 2019. Access via ski or via chairlift for pedestrians.
Amenities
Auris is served by a range of amenities including: tobacco, press, gifts and souvenirs.
Mini-market 8am to 8pm.
Bread and pastries cooked onsite, local products, fruit and vegetables, charcuterie, cheese, organic products, take-outs, raclette and fondue machine rentals.
Mini-market Sherpa
Grocer’s, bread, pastries, regional products, charcuterie and cheeses. Take-out pizza. Auris’s aperitif on sale.
Various sports shops
Getting to Auris en Oisans, France
By road:
Distance from Calais to Auris en Oisans is 566 miles (8hrs) A26 Reims, Dijon then A6 Maçon, Lyon then A432/A48 Grenoble, then take the D5/N91 in the direction of Les Deux Alpes then turn onto the D44 following signs for Auris.
By rail & air:
The nearest train station to Vaujany is Grenoble approx. 45 miles away (73km) taking roughly 1 hour 30 mins.
4 international airports nearby, and a heliport at the foot of the slopes. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Auris en Oisans is roughly 75 miles (120km), approx. 2hrs
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Auris en Oisans is roughly 89 miles (144km), approx. 1hr 55 mins
Geneva Airport to Auris en Oisans is roughly 127 miles (205km), approx. 2hrs 40 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Auris en Oisans is roughly 59 miles (96km), approx. 1hr
Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.
The nearest train station to Alpe d'Huez is 40 miles away in Grenoble.
Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus lines from French/Swiss airports and some SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with), we invite you to do your own research.
