Vaujany
Why Vaujany Ski Resort in Isere?
- Vaujany is a charming mountain village
- There’s first-class skiing for all, with good snow conditions
- 'Famille Plus' resort - good children’s facilities and great for families
- The Southern Alps climate means above average sunshine
Vaujany (Alpe d'Huez) Information
Flanked by the Oisans massif to the west and the Ecrins National Park to the east, Vaujany is the gateway to the huge Massif des Grand Domaine/Alpe d'Huez ski area. Vaujany itself is a very pretty, charming and peaceful village built on a sunny slope in an area where a micro-climate ensures optimum sunshine conditions.
The facilities and amenities on offer in Vaujany are well beyond those you would expect from a small ski village and include a large cable car that can transport you to 2,800m. After a day's skiing you can relax in an authentic Alpine ambience without the commercial hype of most purpose-built resorts (likes its huge neighbour Alpe d’Huez). If Alpe d'Huez is more your scene, you can book ski holidays in Alpe d'Huez through our sister company, Ski Collection.
Après-ski facilities are impressive too in Vaujany ski resort - a new sports centre has a 25m swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fitness hall and there’s an indoor ice rink too. To access the lower parts of Vaujany (where the lifts are) from the higher part of the resort (where the shops/restaurants are) and vice versa there is an enclosed escalator which links the two - saving you from having to walk up and down hills!
Each year neighbouring Alpe d’Huez organises the Sarenne SnowBike, an untimed downhill run on the legendary Sarenne descent – said to be the longest black run in the Alps. You start from the glacier at the summit of the Pic Blanc (3330m) and descend to Huez (1460m) after some 1870 metres of vertical descent along 16km of skiing track.
Vaujany has a superb and inexpensive day nursery (minimum age 6 months) and a small, caring ski school. Not surprisingly it holds the ‘Famille Plus Montagne’ label for its children’s facilities. Vaujany is easily accessed from Grenoble (50 km) by main trunk road.
The Ski Club of Great Britain has named Vaujany in France as Europe's most family-friendly resort.
Peak Retreats offers a range of Vaujany accommodation options. All of Vaujany's ski apartments have been hand-picked and are of a very high standard (3 & 4*), providing the ideal base for a ski holiday.
Read our loyal client's review of her family ski holiday in Vaujany.
Vaujany ski area
Linked to the superb resort of Alpe d'Huez and the surrounding 'Grand Domaine' resorts, Vaujany's high-capacity cable car departs from the village centre and reaches the top of the Pic Blanc (3,330 m) in less time than from Alpe d'Huez itself currently - and there’s less queuing too. Altogether, the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine massif covers eight villages, including Auris en Oisans, La Garde, Oz 3300, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas, with a total of 250km (800 hectares) of skiing.Â
Vaujany is a pretty little Alpine village which has the unlikely benefit of being linked with the vast Grand Domaine ski area - so you get the best of both worlds: the rural, rustic charm of a small mountain community and a huge expanse of skiing. What makes this area so satisfying are its many-sided slopes. They face in all directions, so skiers can always find the best snow and conditions by simply following the sun! Most of the slopes are above the tree line.
Four main sectors make up the Grand Domaine – three in Alpe d’Huez itself plus the Vaujany/Oz sector, which consists of mainly north-west facing slopes. The skiing in Vaujany and surrounding areas (Alpe d’Huez, Oz 3300…) is spectacular, with breathtaking vistas all around - from glaciers and forests to villages nestling in the valleys below. Vaujany itself has a substantial choice of pistes and nursery slopes to delight beginners and intermediates - all easily accessed via the village centre gondola. Gondolas and fast chairs are the main access lifts serving most of the area.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (23/24):
Vaujany/Oz 3300 local area 53km - 21 lifts (9 gondola, 3 chairlift, 7 draglift, 2 carpet), 30 slopes:
Green slopes: 7
Blue slopes: 10
Red slopes: 11
Black slopes: 1
Vaujany skiing info
Beginners
Children are taken to a roped-off area at the top of the gondola and adults to the nursery slope at Alpette. There is a self-service restaurant with a sunny terrace right by the children’s learning area.
Intermediates
There are plenty of intermediate runs leading to Alpe d’Huez. And some great cruising runs above Vaujany - the choice of intermediate slopes is almost inexhaustible, and in good snow conditions, the variety of runs is difficult to beat. The red slopes between Vaujany and Alpe d’Huez can be a little tricky.
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.
Vaujany resort runs
There are no slopes directly into the village, but you can ski the blue Vaujaniate run back to the mid-station and ride the Vaujany 'Villette' gondola back to the village. Or take the black La Fare run down to the village of l’Enversin d’Oz and then take the Vaujany 'Enversin' gondola back to the village.
Vaujany ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Vaujany ski hire and/or Vaujany 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.
Vaujany group or private ski school (not pre-bookable)
Unfortunately we cannot pre-book ski school for Vaujany. You can book ski school direct from 2 years + with the ESF.
Vaujany childcare (not pre-bookable)
Vaujany has acquired the Famille Plus label for its childcare facilities. Please view here for more information on the Famille Plus label.
There are 2 options:
- Daycare centre,
- Children's club.
Daycare centre
The Multi-Accueil is a municipal facility open all year round, which welcomes children from 6 months to 4 years of age. Open Monday to Friday 08.30am-5pm.
Please contact direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 76 11 11 94
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.Â
Children's club
The Children’s Centre welcomes your children from 3 years old to 11 years old. The children’s club offers sporting and cultural activities and outdoor games related to the mountain environment (different groups according to age). Open Monday to Friday 08.30am-5pm.
Please contact direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 76 11 11 94
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.Â
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Top snow activities to experience in Vaujany
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.
Sledging
A toboggan centre at the Sports and Leisure Center with special care given to ensure adequate snow coverage. Benefit of the Alpette toboggan with access by cable car.
Top activities to experience in Vaujany
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.
Vaujany leisure centre
The leisure center is composed of different elements:
-An indoor olympic size ice rink with an ice surface of 56x24 meters and stands that will welcome up to 700 visitors, all that being set in a 3000 m² facility and a view across the valley to the impressive La Fare waterfall.
-A daycare of 300 m² that caters for 60 children.
-A 500 m² spa and balneotherapy area that offers a hammam, a sauna, massages, and even hydrotherapy sessions.Â
-A 4 lane bowling alley above the ice rink.
-A restaurant with a capacity of 120 seats and a 50 m² sundeck.
-Parking lots for a total of 120 cars
-Fast access from the village centre through 2 cable cars working in synch for a continuous flow.
Vaujany Espace Loisirs leisure centre
Swimming pool - all year Swimming. The Juniors swimming area (paddle pool, fountains, Water Toboggan). Dive into the 30-degree Celsius Main Pool with its toboggan, water spout and sun terraces with a view of the Grandes Rousses Massif.
- The Main Pool: 25m length with four lanes for competition swimmers
- The Toboggan: hair-raiser slides for daredevils
- The Paddle Pool: for the children
- Waterfall
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Vaujany/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
Vaujany apres-ski, bars & restaurants
Various bars and restaurants in Vaujany.
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
Vaujany is served by a range of amenities including a mini-supermarket, cash point, bakery, two sports shops.
Nearest petrol station is 5km at Allemont. Open 24/7.
Getting to Vaujany, France
By road:
Driving distance from Calais is approx. 566 miles (910km) (approx. 8hrs). From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, Grenoble. Follow the RN91 and then Vallée d’Olle to Vaujany. Vaujany is 50km from the motorway exit to Grenoble.
By rail & air:
The nearest train station to Vaujany is Grenoble approx. 34 miles away (55km) taking roughly 1 hour.
4 international airports nearby. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).
Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Vaujany is roughly 75 miles (120km), approx. 2hrs
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Vaujany is roughly 89 miles (144km), approx. 1hr 55 mins
Geneva Airport to Vaujany is roughly 127 miles (205km), approx. 2hrs 40 mins
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Vaujany 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.
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.
