Oisans

With influences from both the northern and southern faces of the Alps - Provence/Cote d'Azur borders the south - L'Oisans with its spectacular peaks has been a centre for high Alpine tourism since the 19th century.

Spreading between Grenoble and Briançon, it is in the heart of the Parc National des Ecrins - one of France's greatest national parks. As well as its famous glaciers, it also boasts some of the highest peaks in the French Alps such as La Barre des Ecrins at 4102m and La Meije at 3983m. Some of the epic climbs of the Tour de France are held in the area each summer.

The skiing here is fabulous and in a dream setting. For those who enjoy off-piste skiing far from the crowds, the area offers endless possibilities in a wild, beautifully unspoilt mountainscape. There is a unique variety of challenging skiing, from steep slopes to glacial terrain and pristine forest.