The fabulous French ‘département’ of Isère, beautifully located in the northern Alps, is a winter wonderland that offers both abundant snowfall and plenty of sunshine. As France’s third-largest mountain destination, Isère boasts four distinct ranges and 21 resorts, each with its own character, charm, and terrain. From the high-altitude thrills of Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d’Huez to the authentic village vibes of Vaujany and Oz 3300, Isère has a resort for everyone.
Whether you’re chasing powder on Europe’s largest skiable glacier or tackling the legendary 16km Sarenne black run, the region delivers world-class skiing with serious altitude. But it’s not just for experts, gentle beginner slopes, uncrowded pistes, and family-friendly facilities make it a haven for all abilities. Off the slopes, Isère’s blend of Mediterranean sunshine and Alpine snow creates a unique climate, perfect for enjoying igloo dinners, forest hikes, or panoramic terrace lunches.
With easy access via Grenoble and a refreshingly local feel, Isère is a place where skiers of every kind, from first timers to freeride fanatics, can find their perfect patch of mountain.
Leading Resorts of Isère
Les 7 Laux
© Olivier Lefebvre
Tucked away in the Belledonne range, Les Sept Laux is a favourite among skiers and riders seeking a laid-back atmosphere but some serious terrain. With 120km of pistes spanning three distinct areas; Prapoutel, Le Pleynet and Pipay, it offers varied skiing for all abilities but particularly confident intermediates and freeriders alike. The resort’s cool snowpark and popular off-piste zones are a particular draw for those in search of safe thrills beyond the groomed trails. With a modern lift system and a refreshingly down-to-earth charm, it’s far from the glitz of some big Alpine names but it’s one of the closest resorts to Grenoble, just 40 minutes away.
Recommended stay – ski-in/ski-out apartments, Les Granges des 7 Laux, with on-site bar and restaurant.
Villard-Corrençon
© Andy Bonte
Set in the heart of the Vercors, Villard-Corrençon offers a welcoming ski duo with 125km of linked ski slopes as well as extensive cross-country trails. The terrain suits all levels, from gentle forest runs to panoramic powder fields, making it ideal for mixing downhill with Nordic adventures. Villard offers a lively village vibe, while Corrençon feels more intimate and peaceful – yet both share a strong sense of place and year-round community. With cosy restaurants, local produce and a lived-in authenticity, it’s the kind of destination where visitors quickly feel like regulars.
Recommended stay – Le Splendid in Villard de Lans, comfortable apartments in a beautiful building with original features.
Chamrousse
© Gwen Lavila
Located just 30km from Grenoble, Chamrousse offers spectacular views over the city and the surrounding Alps from its tree-lined pistes. Its slopes weave through pine and fir, creating scenic descents that are at times peaceful, whilst often exhilarating. Spread across three linked areas – Chamrousse 1650, 1700 and 1750 – it caters to all levels, with Olympic heritage and a mix of groomed pistes and freeride terrain. The resort’s elevated position, easy access, relaxed vibe and woodland setting combine to make it a favourite for those seeking the perfect ski location without the crowds.
Recommended stay – Les Balcons du Recoin apartments, at the foot of the slopes
Vaujany
© Vaujany OT
Small but mighty, Vaujany blends traditional Alpine charm with cutting-edge facilities, making it a top pick for families and keen skiers alike. Located within the vast Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine, a fast cable car links the village to the heart of the slopes, getting Vaujany based skiers up the mountain ahead of the rest and unlocking 250km of slopes and high-altitude terrain up to 3300m. Despite its intimate size, Vaujany punches above its weight with a modern sports centre, ice rink, and swimming complex – all tucked into a peaceful, picturesque setting facing the Grandes Rousses massif. It’s a place where you can ski hard then have multiple ways to relax, all in a warm village atmosphere without the crowds of bigger resorts.
Recommended stay – apartments at Les Edelweiss, where facilities include hot tub, sauna and steam room.
Auris-en-Oisans
© Auris-en-Oisans OT
Auris-en-Oisans also offers a peaceful alternative to the bigger resorts of Alpe d’Huez the French Mountain Resort of which it is also a part. Perched at a snow-sure 1,600m, this family-friendly village offers great value, modern facilities and a relaxed pace. It offers direct lift access to the region’s huge 250km of slopes, one of the biggest in the Alps, and offers panoramic views of the Meije massif. Off the slopes, visitors can explore marked forest trails or glide through the trees on electric fat scooters, an exhilarating way to experience the mountain scenery. With its sunny aspect, welcoming vibe and seamless connection to high-altitude terrain, Auris is a smart choice for skiers seeking tranquillity without compromising on easy slope access.
Recommended stay – Les Balcons d’Aurea apartments are right on the snow front.
Oz 3300
© Oz 3300 OT
Oz 3300 is a family-focused village resort nestled at 1,350m in the heart of the huge Alpe d’Huez the French Mountain Resort. It again offers fast, direct access to the region’s ginormous 250km of slopes. That means fast connections up to the domain’s best high-altitude skiing whilst retaining a peaceful, village atmosphere. The resort’s compact layout means you’re never far from the lifts, and its forested setting adds a cosy, alpine feel. Off the pistes, visitors can enjoy dog-sledding, snowshoe walks, and a specially designed winter trail with breathtaking views across the Oisans peaks. It’s a place where families can relax, explore, and reconnect with nature at their own pace.
Recommended stay – Le Chalet des Neiges offers traditional apartments with access to an indoor heated pool.
Alpe d’Huez
© Jocelyn-Chavy
Alpe d’Huez, one of the big-hitters of the Isère region, is one of France’s largest and most snow-sure ski destinations, with 250km of slopes and a summit reaching 3,330m at Pic Blanc. The terrain suits all levels – from gentle learner zones to legendary descents including La Sarenne, the longest black run in the world. Its south-facing slopes enjoy up to 300 days of sunshine a year, adding to the resort’s broad appeal. Off the mountain, Alpe d’Huez buzzes with après-ski options, with a big selection of lively bars and restaurants to ice skating, escape games and snow karting. It’s a high-altitude playground with energy to match.
Recommended stay – the 4* superior apartments at Le Cristal de l’Alpe are located in the heart of the resort, just 50m from the nearest lift. Facilities include indoor heated pool, hot tub, sauna, steam room and fitness room.
Les Deux Alpes
© Pierre Jayet
Another of the province’s biggest resorts, Les Deux Alpes, set in Isère’s dramatic Ecrins massif, is a high-altitude haven with the longest ski season in France. Thanks to its high-altitude glacier skiing, it operates non-stop from early December through to early July, for a seven-month long season. Its glacier reaches 3,600m, offering uninterrupted descents from summit to village. A new gondola the Jandri now speeds up access to the upper terrain, making it easier than ever to explore the resort’s 410 hectares of marked runs. Night skiing on Vallée Blanche adds a magical twist to the experience, with both red and green slopes now open after dark. Off the mountain, the town buzzes with après-ski energy, from cosy bars to lively events.
Recommended stay – Les Clarines apartments are close to the slopes and lifts as well as shops, bars and restaurants. Facilities include indoor/outdoor heated pool, kids’ clubs and organised après activities.
What’s New In Isère for 25-26
Snowshoeing At The Summit
Les 2 Alpes is adding fresh appeal for winter adventurers with two new guided snowshoe experiences, courtesy of the Bureau des Guides. Designed to showcase the resort’s dramatic terrain and natural beauty, the new offerings cater to both thrill-seekers and nature lovers.
The first is a high-altitude snowshoe hike reaching 3,200 metres, promising blockbuster views and steep vertical drops. This is no gentle ramble – it’s a full-on alpine challenge aimed at sporty types looking to push their limits above the treeline.
For a gentler pace, the resort now offers a nighttime wildlife observation walk by snowshoe. This quieter outing invites guests to explore the forest after dark and spot local fauna as they emerge to feed and play – an enchanting way to connect with the mountain’s wilder side.
Vercors In Lights
This winter, Villard-de-Lans is set to unveil a captivating new experience in the heart of the Bois Barbu forest: Vercors en Lumière (“Vercors In Lights”), an immersive nighttime light show blending sound, storytelling and visual spectacle.
As darkness falls, visitors are invited to follow a 1.2km illuminated trail guided by the voices of Papito and his granddaughter. Their tale leads guests through the landscapes, wildlife and folklore that define the soul of the Vercors. Each stage of the journey reveals a new facet of the region, from its geology and forests to the creatures and communities that call it home.
Designed for families and nature lovers alike, the experience runs nightly and promises a magical blend of education and enchantment. Tickets are limited and advance booking is recommended via the Villard-de-Lans tourist office.
Ice Swimming at Chamrousse
This winter, thrill-seekers heading to Chamrousse can take the plunge — literally — with a new ice swimming experience at the stunning Lacs Robert. Sitting 1,998 metres up in the Belledonne massif, these glacial lakes offer a dramatic alpine setting for one of the boldest wellness trends around.
Defined as swimming in water at 5.0°C or colder, ice swimming is said to boost energy, reduce stress, and strengthen the immune system. Now, Chamrousse invites visitors to test those claims firsthand, swapping ski gear for swimsuits and diving into crystal-clear waters framed by snow-capped peaks.
The activity takes place in the only lake in Chamrousse where bathing is permitted, and is part of a growing movement that blends physical challenge with natural immersion. Participants are guided through the experience by local instructors, with safety protocols in place and the option to combine the swim with ice diving or bivouac camping on the frozen lake.
Off-Grid Dining in Corrençon
Tucked deep in the forest above Corrençon-en-Vercors, Le Clariant is no ordinary mountain restaurant. This isolated alpine lodge operates almost entirely off-grid, powered by renewable energy and driven by a spirit of innovation. Accessible only by foot, ski or snowshoe, it offers guests a rare glimpse into sustainable living — all while serving up hearty, homemade French cuisine beside a crackling fire.
Le Clariant’s commitment to autonomy is more than a technical feat. Disconnected from public water and electricity networks, the lodge has evolved into a model of eco-responsibility, blending rustic charm with modern experimentation. Visitors can explore its behind-the-scenes systems, from solar panels to wood-fired cooking, and learn how the team has adapted to the challenges of remote hospitality.
Beyond the dining experience, Le Clariant doubles as a co-working retreat and overnight refuge, with activities ranging from dog hiking to guided snowshoe adventures.
Book Isère With The French Alps Specialist
Discover your ideal Isère ski holiday with Peak Retreats. Peak Retreats is the French Alps holiday specialist, proudly employee-owned and winner of the Telegraph Travel Award for Best Ski Operator 2025. With hand-picked accommodation in over 70 resorts, they are known for delivering exceptional service, unrivalled choice and trusted expertise.
peakretreats.co.uk/isere
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