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Resort Guide

Vaujany

France | Grand Domaine

Charming village with direct access to vast Alpe d’Huez skiing

Vaujany blends traditional Alpine charm with direct access to the huge Alpe d’Huez ski area.

This peaceful, sunny village offers a relaxed alternative to larger resorts, while still providing world-class skiing across varied high-altitude terrain.

With excellent facilities, strong family appeal and a welcoming atmosphere, it punches above its weight and is ideal for those wanting authentic surroundings combined with big ski mileage and modern lift access.

Vaujany Quick Facts

  • Ski area: Grand Domaine
  • Resort height: 1250m
  • Resort top height: 3330m
  • Km piste: 250
  • Distance from Calais: 573 miles (8hrs 25)
  • Lift pass: ££££
  • No. of slopes: 111
  • Green slopes: 34
  • Blue slopes: 31
  • Red slopes: 29
  • Black slopes: 17
  • Beginners:
  • Intermediate:
  • Expert:
  • Boarders:
  • Freeride:
Highlights

Direct access to 250km Alpe d’Huez slopes with huge variety

Authentic village atmosphere with peaceful setting away from crowds

Excellent family resort with strong beginner and learning facilities

High-capacity lifts provide quick access to high-altitude skiing

Impressive leisure facilities including pool, ice rink and spa

Limited nightlife but easy daytime access to livelier Alpe d'Huez

Resort

Everything you need to know about Vaujany

Get to know Vaujany beyond its link to its famous neighbour, Alpe d'Huez. Discover the resort, the skiing and the activities on offer. 

  • Small, traditional Alpine village with a peaceful and authentic feel

  • Compact and easy to navigate with great facilities for its size

  • Ideal for families and relaxed skiers rather than nightlife seekers

A traditional village with modern comforts

Vaujany has retained the charm of a traditional Alpine village while developing into a well-equipped ski destination. Built on a sunny slope in a quiet valley, it feels peaceful and welcoming, with a real sense of local life rather than a purpose-built resort atmosphere.

Despite its small size, the resort offers excellent facilities, including an impressive leisure centre with a large ice rink and pool complex. Escalators within the village link different levels, making it easy to move around despite the vertical layout, and a large cable car to whisk you up to 2800m and into the Alpe d’Huez ski area.

Relaxed, sunny and scenic

The resort benefits from a favourable microclimate, bringing plenty of sunshine and stunning mountain scenery. Views stretch across the surrounding peaks and valleys, creating a beautiful setting both on and off the slopes.

Evenings are calm and friendly, with a sociable but low-key atmosphere that suits couples and families.

Compact and practical layout

Everything in Vaujany is close by, from lifts and accommodation to shops and restaurants. Access to skiing is via a fast efficient cable car directly from the village centre, meaning you can be high on the mountain quickly each day.

It's easily accessed by road and rail and is just an hour from Grenoble train station. The overall setup makes it very convenient, particularly for families or mixed-ability groups.

  • Access to the vast Alpe d’Huez ski area with 250km of pistes

  • Strong mix of beginner-friendly local slopes and advanced terrain nearby

  • High-altitude skiing up to 3,300m with reliable snow conditions

From the village, you take one of two gondolas to get to the slopes. You’ll head either to the Dome des Rousses at 2800m or to the Montfrais area at 1650m. Vaujany’s high-capacity cable car to the Dome des Rousses departs from the village centre and from there you can get to the top of the Pic Blanc (3330m) in around the same time as it takes to reach the same point from Alpe d’Huez! This impressive access, and less queuing, makes Vaujany a good base from which to ski the area.

The ski area links Vaujany to Alpe d’Huez, Auris-en-Oisans, Oz 3300 and Villard-Reculas.

The skiing in the Vaujany/Oz 3300 sector is spectacular, with breathtaking panoramas of forests and hamlets nestled deep in the valley below.

Beginners

Vaujany is excellent for beginners. You’ll start each day with a gondola ride to a dedicated learning area at the top and nursery slopes around Alpette, where is also a restaurant with a sunny terrace right next to the children’s learning area. These areas are safe, sunny and well set up for building confidence.

The Montfrais sector is particularly family-friendly, offering gentle slopes, a snow garden and plenty of space for learning. Progression onto easy blue runs is straightforward and well structured.

Intermediates

Intermediate skiers will find extensive options both locally with some great cruising runs above Vaujany, and across the wider Alpe d’Huez area. There are plenty of long blue and red runs, including those linking Vaujany to Oz 3300 and Alpe d’Huez itself.

The variety is impressive, with enough terrain to explore for an entire week. Some red runs near Vaujany can feel a little more challenging, making them ideal for progression.

Advanced

Advanced skiers are very well catered for. The wider ski area offers numerous black runs and off-piste opportunities, including the legendary Sarenne, one of the longest pistes in the world at around 16km.

Steep descents from Pic Blanc and significant vertical drops provide a real challenge, making this an excellent base for strong skiers who want to explore big-mountain terrain.

There aren’t any runs directly back to Vaujany but expert skiers can take the black, La Fare, which runs down to the village of L’Enversin d’Oz then take the Enversin gondola back to the village.

Mountain fun zones

There are dedicated beginner zones, themed fun slopes and snowparks in the wider area, providing fun and variety for families and freestyle skiers alike.

Nordic skiing

Approximately 30km of cross-country trails (in two loops – one of 20km, and one of 10km) are accessible by cable car, offering scenic routes in quieter surroundings.

  • Excellent range of leisure facilities for a small resort

  • Strong appeal for families with both indoor and outdoor activities

  • Easy daytime access to wider Alpe d’Huez experiences

Leisure centre and indoor facilities

One of Vaujany’s standout features is its impressive leisure centre. Built into the mountainside, it includes an Olympic-sized ice rink, swimming pool with a flume and separate pool for children, spa, bowling and fitness areas.

These facilities provide excellent options for relaxing or entertaining children after skiing, especially in bad weather.

Outdoor mountain activities

Beyond skiing, visitors can enjoy snowshoeing, sledging and other winter activities. Access to the wider Alpe d’Huez area opens up even more possibilities in the day, including events and mountain experiences.

The sunny setting and scenic surroundings make even simple activities like strolling through the village particularly enjoyable.

Family-friendly atmosphere

Vaujany is especially well suited to families, from beginner slopes to leisure facilities, everything is geared towards a smooth and enjoyable family holiday.

  • Good selection of restaurants for a resort of its size

  • Relaxed après-ski with no major nightlife scene

  • Easy access to livelier daytime options in Alpe d’Huez

Dining options

Vaujany offers a variety of restaurants serving traditional Alpine dishes alongside more casual options. While choice is more limited than in larger resorts, the quality and atmosphere are strong, with a focus on local flavours.

Mountain restaurants in the wider ski area add further variety.

Après-ski atmosphere

Après-ski is relaxed and low-key. You’ll find a handful of bars for drinks after skiing, but the overall vibe is peaceful rather than lively.

For a more energetic afternoon après scene, head to the Folie Douce and similar slopeside bars in Alpe d’Huez while the slopes are open.

Shops and essentials

The village has essential shops including a small supermarket, bakery and sports stores. While it doesn’t offer extensive shopping, it has everything needed for a comfortable stay.

Location

Vaujany location map

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FAQs

Frequently asked questions about Vaujany

Is Vaujany good for beginners? plus icon minus icon

Yes, although you need to get a gondola to the slopes, Vaujany is an excellent choice for beginners. It offers well-designed learning areas, including a snow garden and gentle slopes in the Montfrais sector. These areas are safe, sunny and ideal for building confidence. Progression onto easy blue runs is smooth, making it a great place to learn and improve.

Is Vaujany good for intermediate skiers? plus icon minus icon

Vaujany is very well suited to intermediates. With access to the Alpe d’Huez ski area, there are extensive blue and red runs to explore. The terrain offers a mix of long cruising pistes and more challenging runs, providing plenty of variety for progression.

Is Vaujany suitable for advanced skiers? plus icon minus icon

Yes, advanced skiers will find excellent terrain. The wider ski area includes steep black runs, long descents and off-piste opportunities. Highlights include the Sarenne run and dramatic skiing from Pic Blanc, offering serious challenges and variety.

How big is Vaujany's ski area? plus icon minus icon

Vaujany is part of the Alpe d’Huez ski area, offering around 250km of pistes across multiple linked resorts. This provides a huge amount of variety, suitable for all abilities.

Is Vaujany snow-sure? plus icon minus icon

Yes, Vaujany offers reliable snow conditions. The ski area reaches up to 3,300m, and the variety of slope aspects helps maintain good snow quality. Snowmaking also supports key runs.

Is Vaujany good for families? plus icon minus icon

Vaujany is one of the best family-friendly resorts. It has excellent beginner areas, childcare options, and outstanding leisure facilities including a swimming pool and ice rink, making it ideal for children.

Are lift passes in Vaujany pre-bookable? plus icon minus icon

Yes, lift passes can be pre-booked with us. These give access to the full Alpe d’Huez area. There are also smaller area passes available locally if you prefer to stay closer to Vaujany.

Can I pre-book ski hire in Vaujany? plus icon minus icon

Yes, ski hire can be pre-booked with us. Shops are conveniently located near lifts and accommodation, making collection easy and efficient on arrival.

Can I pre-book ski school in Vaujany? plus icon minus icon

Unfortunately we can’t book ski school in Vaujany, but we’d be happy to advise you on what you might need. Lessons must be arranged directly with the ESF ski school. They offer instruction from around the age of 3 years old across all levels.

Is childcare available in Vaujany? plus icon minus icon

Yes, childcare is available. Vaujany offers a daycare centre for children from 6 months to 4 years and a children’s club for ages 3 to 11. Both must be arranged directly with the provider, and early booking is recommended, especially during peak periods.

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