Ever wondered which ski resorts are near Grenoble? Look no further for the definitive guide to Grenoble skiing with a list of which resorts are closest to this very well-connected airport. There are many airlines such as Easyjet and Jet2 that fly into Grenoble from many regional airports from around the UK. Being able to quickly access your ski resort has never been so easy, with the option to rent a car, take a bus or organise a private door to door transfer. Whichever option you choose, there are many ski resorts near Grenoble and under 2 hours transfer time. Are you looking for a big ski resort with a huge amount of pistes, a small traditional village that feels more authentic, or perhaps a hidden gem with limited accommodation possibilities but massive skiing? From Grenoble airport, all these options are possible, it just depends what you want from your ski holiday.
Ski resorts near Grenoble airport
Alpe d’Huez – a mighty ski resort with endless possibilities
Alpe d’Huez ski resort offers a massive 250km of pistes ranging from total beginner to the truly advanced skier. There are the green and blue runs connected to the centre of the village all spread along a massive area, giving many possibilities to access different parts of the resort for those just starting out. For the most experienced of you, try out the might Le Tunnel run which is considered one of the most difficult in Europe, or La Sarenne which is the longest black piste in Europe. If you choose the later, know that once you are on it, you can’t get off and it is really really long! The resort itself is spread over several satellite villages each offering their own ambience whether it be those looking for night life right in the centre of Les Bergers, or those who like it more traditional and down beat would choose Vieux (old) Alpe d’Huez. The lift system is very well connected, and it is easy to access the different areas either using your car, the resort shuttle buses or the various ski lifts and cages that will take you around the resort.
Distance from Grenoble airport – 1 hour 40 minutes
Vaujany – Small quiet village, big skiing possibilities
The wonderful but quiet Vaujany ski resort offers families the perfect option as it is very small, with only a few bars and restaurants. However, there are many family activities organised by the locals to keep everyone amused from sleigh rides, farm visits and games to play. The bonus about this village is that it is part of the Alpe d’Huez skiing domain. So you can enjoy the massive skiing possibilities mentioned above, but you get to go back to a quiet village offering exceptional value for money without the noise and hustle and bustle associated with bigger ski resorts. As an added bonus, it is also closer to Grenoble airport with a shorter transfer time than its bigger brother.
Distance from Grenoble airport – 1 hour 20 minutes
Grenoble Skiing – So many options
Les Saisies – A little known typical French gem
This resort has become one of our favourites in recent years. Apart from the fact it is one of the ski resorts near Grenoble which is of course an added bonus, it is a truly beautiful and traditional French village very unknown amongst most British skiers. If you want to be surrounded by mainly French people, discover their magnificent culture and food whilst being able to ski surrounded by pristine forests, then Les Saisies is for you! It isn’t for those who want super high lifts as the highest is at 2650 metres. It is for those who want to go back in time before ski resorts were overly developed and see to typical mountainous architecture seamlessly built into the landscape. However, don’t be fooled into thinking there isn’t anything to do here. There are plenty of shops selling locally made and produced goods, top notch restaurants, a bowling alley and swimming complex and a very amusing luge which goes surprisingly fast.
Distance from Grenoble airport – 2 hours
Les Deux Alpes – Snow sure skiing on its glacier
If you are looking for high, snow sure skiing, then Les Deux Alpes doesn’t get much closer to this definition. It goes up to a dizzying 3600 metres and offers glacier skiing which means that even if it is warm lower down, there will still be plenty of snow up top. There isn’t a dedicated centre to this resort. It is a long narrow valley offering many possibilities to stay close to one of the many lifts spread throughout the village. There are lots of restaurants, bars and shops. Skiing wise, it is more suitable for either the experienced skier due to its aforementioned glacier skiing offering reds and blacks, plus a black straight through the middle of the mountain from the top all the way to the village, or ironically for beginners as there are many green runs from the village, plus a beautiful and long meandering green piste going from quite high up all the way back down to the resort.
Distance from Grenoble airport – 1 hour 40 minutes
Ski resorts close to Grenoble
La Grave – The legendary off piste Mecca
This is not for the faint hearted! Nor for those who are not very experienced. There is one lift that goes all the way from the small village up to the top. From here, there are no marked pistes, no ski patrol and no markers or ropes to tell you where to go. Here is the ultimate place for some serious off piste powder skiing almost unrivalled in Europe. La Grave is only a small village offering limited accommodation possibilities. You won’t find large chain accommodation companies like Accor, nor the classic ski tour operators like Crystal. It is a village run by locals for those looking for an extraordinary experience on an untamed but incredible ski domain. Unless you have skied here before and so already know the pistes, you must take a professional guide with you to show you where and where not to go. If you want to try your hand at some serious off piste skiing in search of untouched powder snow and away from the masses, this is the place for you.
Distance from Grenoble airport – 1 hour 45 minutes
Grenoble airport – who flies there
There is a large selection of low-cost airlines who will make Grenoble skiing relatively cheap such as Ryanair, Monarch, Easyjet, Norwegian, Flybe, Jet2 and British Airways. You can fly from many regional airports such as London, Birmingham, Manchester and Bristol.
Grenoble airport restaurants and bars
It is a medium sized airport which offers a decent amount of options if you arrive too early for your transfer to the ski resort, or perhaps you have arrived too early for your flight back to the UK. You won’t find as many like you’ll find in Gatwick, but there are local food options, some fast food and a bar to make sure you don’t go hungry. The prices are surprisingly reasonable considering it is an airport.
Ski resorts near Grenoble – the all in 1 guide
Grenoble airport facilities
This is becoming more and more international, so with it comes plenty of facilities to make your journey easy. There is free Wi-Fi throughout the airport, a help desk for any questions you may have, you can book car hire and transfers if these were not booked ahead of time. The airport is working very hard to become recognised as one of the go to airports for getting to the slopes, so the employees are friendly and make a big effort to make sure getting to ski resorts near Grenoble is as easy as possible.
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