Isère is a feeling, a winter escape shaped by emotion, atmosphere and the freedom to choose your own perfect Alpine experience. The fabulous French département is home to 21 ski resorts and around 1,200km of pistes. The region offers everything from high‑altitude adventure at some of the world’s largest and most famous ski resorts, to quiet forest runs and wellness retreats, at little-known, hidden-gem, family‑friendly villages which offer authentic mountain culture. Whatever its size, each resort in Isère has its own personality, ensuring every visitor finds a destination that feels right for them.
Isère’s accessibility makes the journey easy too: well‑established driving routes from the UK, smooth rail links into Grenoble and direct flights from multiple UK airports place it within easy reach for families, couples and groups. UK travellers can also book through Peak Retreats, the specialist operator for French Alps holidays, with packages available which include travel, accommodation and ski essentials.
Whether you come for exhilaration, connection, relaxation or discovery, Isère delivers a winter holiday that goes far beyond traditional skiing, a place where every moment becomes a feeling you carry home.
Here are nine amazing Isère destinations which illustrate the exceptional variety of skiing and mountain experiences you can enjoy here, each offering unique winter activities and events alongside great skiing.
© Andy Bonte
Les 2 Alpes now boasts the longest ski season in France, stretching from December to July, thanks to its high altitude, glacier terrain, which also opens up one of the world’s biggest lift-served verticals. There’s much more here than ‘just’ phenomenal snowsports though, including sunset events at 3,200m and behind-the-scenes snowmaking visits.
© Urope
Auris‑en‑Oisans is a quiet, south‑facing village offering a relaxed base with wide, open views and part of the vast Alpe d’Huez ski area. Its calm, family‑friendly atmosphere keeps everything close and convenient, with direct lift links reaching major terrain in minutes. Ski‑in/ski‑out options and gentle sunny slopes make it ideal for beginners and families.
© Focus Outdoor
Villard / Corrençon offer a welcoming Alpine atmosphere shaped by Nordic heritage and vast natural spaces. Along with great downhill skiing, their linked domain provides extensive cross‑country trails and biathlon facilities, while new experiences like Vercors en Lumière and stargazing events add fresh appeal.
© Andy Bonte
Vaujany provides a quieter base to explore the vast 250km ski area around Alpe d’Huez. Punching above its weight for off-slope facilities too, including an outstanding leisure centre, it’s ideal for families, beginners and improving intermediates, supported by modern facilities. New First Tracks and Sunset Skiing experiences this winter add still more to its appeal.
© Andy Bonte.
Chamrousse sits just 30 minutes above Grenoble in the Belledonne massif, offering 91km of skiing between 1,400m and 2,250m. You can enjoy extensive night skiing looking out over the city. Host of the downhill skiing events at the 1968 Olympics, it now features the new Olympic Games House celebrating that heritage.
© Olivier Lefebvre
Les 7 Laux is a compact, down‑to‑earth resort close to Grenoble, offering challenging terrain, family‑friendly pistes and impressive mountain scenery. With excellent intermediate and advanced slopes, one of France’s best‑rated snowparks and a relaxed, good‑value atmosphere, it’s an easy‑access choice for skiers seeking a quieter, more authentic Alpine experience.
© Andy Bonte
Alpe d’Huez challenges skiers to conquer its vast domain in a single day, with extensive slopes, another of the world’s biggest verticals at over 2,000m and high‑altitude terrain. The legendary Sarenne black run, the world’s longest, adds to the appeal of this long-established, world-famous resort.
© et Reves
Oz 3300 is a compact, family‑focused resort with a calm, traffic‑free centre and easy access to the vast Alpe d’Huez ski area. It blends excellent snow reliability and great wellness facilities with easy proximity to lifts, ski school and village amenities. The resort’s 1000 Star Hotel is a unique sky‑filled adventure that captures the village’s blend of simplicity, nature and big‑mountain appeal.
Discover Isère with Peak Retreats, the French Alps specialists. With over 20 years’ experience and first-hand resort knowledge, their UK-based team can help you plan your perfect mountain holiday. Visit peakretreats.co.uk/isere
Main Image: Alpe d’Huez © Andy Bonte
Read more: Ski Your Way: Why Isère Is the Ultimate Winter Playground