Located just a short flight or easy train ride from the UK, Isère is France’s third largest mountain destination home to 21 ski resorts and 1,200 km of runs scattered across the Belledonne, Chartreuse, Vercors, and Oisans mountain ranges.
Of these, Oisans lays claim to both the highest mountains and the region’s largest ski areas. The Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski and Les 2 Alpes offer a huge variety of well-groomed slopes, glacier skiing and the longest vertical drops in the world. The resorts of Oz 3300, Vaujany and Auris are also conveniently positioned for access to the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski.
Less well known are the resorts of the Belledonne region. Just 30 km from Grenoble, Chamrousse makes the ideal destination for a city mountain break. Le Collet is perfect for families and Les 7 Laux is heaven for free riders with secure access to the legendary Pro valleys.
The most dramatic of Isère’s mountain ranges, the Vercors, is home to excellent Nordic skiing in Villard-de-Lans and family-friendly slopes in Corrençon-en-Vercors.
The Chartreuse massif might be best known for its botanical spirit, but this corner of Isère hides a handful of small, traditional resorts perfect for novice skiers
New in the Vercors
Résidence le Splendid, Villard-de-Lans: Opening this winter in Villard-de-Lans is a new, state-of-the-art spa at the 4-star Résidence le Splendide that will include Jacuzzis, a hammam, a sauna with an integrated salt cave, as well as a floatation cabin, waterbed and an outdoor swimming pool heated in winter. www.le-splendid-villarddelans.com/accueil.htm
Lans-en-Vercors Goes Green: The village of Lans-en-Vercors has recently been awarded two “Flocon Vert”, the prestigious Green Snowflake label awarded to destinations for their commitment to sustainability. www.vercors-experience.com/lans-en-vercors.htm
Cross-Country Skiing by Night: Enjoy the new illuminated nighttime cross-country route this winter on Bois Barbu in Villard-de-Lans. Accompanied by an audio guide, novice and experienced cross-country skiers alike can enjoy this immersive experience at dusk that covers ten points of interest along the 1.5 km-long trail. This experience has been designed by Orpheo, a key player in providing cutting-edge tour solutions for museums, cultural sites, gardens and monuments.
Woodland Adventures in Villard-Corrençon: Test your wilderness survival skills in Villard-Corrençon when you embark upon an immersive adventure in the forest. Accompanied by a local expert you will learn how to make a fire, collect wild plants, build a shelter for the night, identify wolf tracks and more. It’s the perfect immersive experience for kids (and the young at heart)! www.piedvert.com/aventure-trappeur Prices start at €27/person
Stable Time in Villard-de-Lans: Unique in France is this new activity in Villard-de-Lans guaranteed to thrill children of all ages. Ludipony invites families to spend time on the farm looking after miniature ponies – feeding, grooming and playing with them. Brushes, brooms, buckets, tractors, wheelbarrows, hay, water and watering cans all provided to ensure that the ponies are in tip top shape. leharasduvercors@gmail.com. The Ludipony experience is available during the Christmas and February holidays from 10am – 12.30pm and 3pm – 6pm
Tours and Tastings at L’Entropie: Meet the three friends who create original plant-based spirits and liqueurs using local plants and ingredients at their distillery in Autrans-Méaudre-en-Vercors. Their handmade products include a floral vodka, a gin distilled with Vercors flowers and leaves and an Alpine liquor. Visit L’Entropie and see the trio at work and enjoy a tour and tasting. www.distillerie-entropie.fr
New in Oisans
Le Jandri (3S) Arrives in Les 2 Alpes: The Jandri Express gondola in Les 2 Alpes is being replaced with the new, Le Jandri (3S) in advance of the new ski season. Designed and constructed to ensure minimal environmental impact, this state-of-the-art POMA lift will ensure improved access to the ski domain transporting passengers from 1,600m all the way up to 3,200m in just 17 minutes. The new lift will have the capacity to transport 3,000 passengers every hour. www.les2alpes.com/winter/discover/skiing-in-les-2-alpes/ski-area
A Unique Mountain Liqueur Visit: Anne Mangin in Oisans, a beekeeper and saffron producer has this year also produced a hyssop liqueur, based on traditional mountain recipes and typically used to cure a wide variety of illnesses and ailments. Boasting floral notes and 100% grown and processed in Oisans, Anne Mangin’s liqueur is a unique and original alternative to traditional mountain liqueurs. www.isere-tourisme.com/degustation/anne-mangin-miel-et-saf
Climb to New Height in Oz 3300: Climb to new heights at the newly opened Bernard Fabre Climbing Room in OZ 3300 that includes dedicated bouldering areas for children and adults as well as 14 routes of varying difficulty. https://uk.oisans.com/equipment/salle-descalade-bernard-fabre/ Adult / Child: €7/5.50
New in Belledonne
Spend the Night at 2,000 metres: Spend the night at 2,000m in the heart of the Belledonne massif this winter. Dive Xtrême are offering adventurers the chance to spend a night at “base camp” sleeping in top-of-the-range expedition tents on a frozen lake under a sky blanketed with stars. Thrill seekers can even enjoy a guided night dive under the ice. www.divextreme.fr divextremechamrousse@gmail.com. Daily from 1/12 to 14/04, 4.30pm – 9am (activity is dependent on weather). Suitable for ages 18+ Cost: Bivouac €230/1, €380/2 and €500/3 people. Night dives are 120€/pers. A souvenir video starts at €30
La Grande Odyssée: Returns Isère is thrilled to welcome back La Grande Odyssée for the second year in a row. The annual international dog sledding race takes place over 10 days in January and three stages of the 250+ km race is staged in Isère in Les 7 Laux, Col de Porte and Villard-de-Lans.