Vaujany
Why Vaujany Ski Resort in Isere?
- Vaujany is a charming mountain village
- There’s first-class skiing for all, with good snow conditions
- 'Famille Plus' resort - good children’s facilities and great for families
- The Southern Alps climate means above average sunshine
Vaujany (Alpe d'Huez) Information
Flanked by the Oisans massif to the west and the Ecrins national park to the east, Vaujany is the gateway to the huge Massif des Grand Domaine/Alpe d'Huez ski area. Vaujany itself is a very pretty, charming and peaceful village built on a sunny slope in an area where a micro-climate ensures optimum sunshine conditions.
The facilities and amenities on offer in Vaujany are well beyond those you would expect from a small ski village and include a 160 person cable car that can transport you to 2,800 metres in just 15 minutes! After a day's skiing you can relax in an authentic Alpine ambience without the commercial hype of most purpose-built resorts (likes its huge neighbour Alpe d’Huez). If Alpe d'Huez is more your scene, you can book ski holidays in Alpe d'Huez through our sister company, Ski Collection.
Après-ski facilities are impressive too in Vaujany ski resort - a new sports centre has a 25m swimming pool, sauna, steam room and fitness hall and there’s an indoor ice rink too. To access the lower parts of Vaujany (where the lifts are) from the higher part of the resort (where the shops/restaurants are) and vice versa there is an enclosed escalator which links the two - saving you from having to walk up and down hills!
Each year neighbouring Alpe d’Huez organises the Sarenne SnowBike, an untimed downhill run on the legendary Sarenne descent – said to be the longest black run in the Alps. You start from the glacier at the summit of the Pic Blanc (3330m) and descend to Huez (1460m) after some 1870 metres of vertical descent along 16 kms of skiing track.
Vaujany has a superb and inexpensive day nursery (minimum age 6 months) and a small, caring ski school. Not surprisingly it holds the ‘Famille Plus Montagne’ label for its children’s facilities. Vaujany is easily accessed from Grenoble (50 km) by main trunk road.
The Ski Club of Great Britain has named Vaujany in France as Europe's most family friendly resort.
Peak Retreats offers a range of Vaujany accommodation options. All of Vaujany's ski apartments have been hand-picked and are of a very high standard (3 & 4*), providing the ideal base for a ski holiday.
Read our loyal client's review of her family ski holiday in Vaujany.
VAUJANY SKI AREA
Linked to the superb resort of Alpe d'Huez and the surrounding “Grand Domaine” resorts, Vaujany's high-capacity cable car departs from the village centre and reaches the top of the Pic Blanc (3330 m) in less time than from Alpe d'Huez itself - and there’s less queuing too. Altogether, the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine massif covers eight villages, including Auris en Oisans, La Garde, Oz 3300, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas, with a total of 250km (800 hectares) of skiing. Already equipped with one of the largest snow production plants, the area now has a second automatic unit supplying a further 75km of slopes using 923 snow cannons, covering the main runs above Alpe d'Huez, Vaujany and Oz.
Vaujany is a pretty little Alpine village which has the unlikely benefit of being linked with the vast Grand Domaine ski area - so you get the best of both worlds: the rural, rustic charm of a small mountain community and a huge expanse of skiing. What makes this area so satisfying are its many-sided slopes. They face in all directions, so skiers can always find the best snow and conditions by simply following the sun! Most of the slopes are above the tree-line.
Four main sectors make up the Grand Domaine – three in Alpe d’Huez itself plus the Vaujany/Oz sector, which consists of mainly north-west facing slopes. The skiing in Vaujany and surrounding areas (Alpe d’Huez, Oz 3300…) is spectacular, with breathtaking vistas all around - from glaciers and forests to villages nestling in the valleys below. Vaujany itself has a substantial choice of pistes and nursery slopes to delight beginners and intermediates - all easily accessed via the village centre gondola. Gondolas and fast chairs are the main access lifts serving most of the area.
Additional ski fact info, main ski info in resort facts box at top of page (23/24):
Vaujany/Oz 3300 local area 53km - 21 lifts (9 gondola, 3 chairlift, 7 draglift, 2 carpet), 30 slopes:
Green slopes: 7
Blue slopes: 10
Red slopes: 11
Black slopes: 1
VAUJANY SKIING
VAUJANY BEGINNERS
Children are taken to a roped off area at the top of the gondola and adults to the nursery slope at Alpette. There is a self-service restaurant with a sunny terrace right by the children’s learning area.
VAUJANY INTERMEDIATES
There are plenty of intermediate runs leading to Alpe d’Huez. And some great cruising runs above Vaujany - the choice of intermediate slopes is almost inexhaustible, and in good snow conditions, the variety of runs is difficult to beat. The red slopes between Vaujany and Alpe d’Huez can be a little tricky.
VAUJANY EXPERTS
The Grand Domaine is home to many black pistes towards Alpe d’Huez. There are also some long and challenging runs, including the longest black slope in the world on the back of the Pic Blanc. The SARENNE (mainly black but it turns into a red run much lower down) – is 16km (10 miles) long. It is now served by 72 snow-cannons (recently installed), so the piste is guaranteed to be skiable in its entirety all season - as long as the temperature is cold enough to make snow. It’s also now possible to descend it at night thanks to L.E.D lights that have been installed!
The black slope beneath the Pic Blanc cable car is another one not to miss. And you can enjoy what is arguably the biggest vertical drop of any pisted descent in the world: 2205 vertical metres, ending in Oz, without taking a lift. It’s a strong skier’s dream - and takes an exhilarating, thigh-burning 90 minutes or so. First check out the panorama from Pic Blanc at 3330m, where it’s said you can see one-fifth of France! Then gather your courage for the legendary “Tunnel” Black run before skiing between the rocky outcrops of the “Les Rousses” Red – and beyond, all the way down to Oz.
VAUJANY OFF-PISTE
Off-piste enthusiasts have an immense choice too, including a run with a vertical drop of 2600 metres.
VAUJANY SNOWBOARDING
There’s a lot of good freeriding to be had for experienced boarders. Alpe d’Huez and the surrounding Massif des Grandes Rousses above the village to the north-east provides some exceptional freeride terrain.
VAUJANY RESORT RUNS
There are no slopes directly into the village, but you can ski the blue Vaujaniate run back to the mid- station and ride the Vaujany Villette gondola back to the village. Or take the black La Fare run down to the village of l’Enversin d’Oz and then take the Vaujany Enversin gondola back to the village.
Vaujany ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)
Pre-book your 6 day+ Vaujany ski hire and/or Vaujany lift pass with Peak Retreats.
To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.
Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.
Vaujany group or private ski school (not pre-bookable)
Unfortunately we cannot pre-book ski school for Vaujany. You can book ski school direct from 2 years + with the ESF.
Vaujany childcare (not pre-bookable)
Vaujany has acquired the Famille Plus label for its childcare facilities. Please view here for more information on the Famille Plus label.
There are 2 options:
- Daycare centre,
- Children's club.
Daycare centre
The Multi-Accueil is a municipal facility open all year round, which welcomes children from 6 months to 4 years of age. Open Monday to Friday 08.30am-5pm.
Please contact direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 76 11 11 94
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Children's club
The Children’s Centre welcomes your children from 3 years old to 11 years old. The children’s club offers sporting and cultural activities and outdoor games related to the mountain environment (different groups according to age). Open Monday to Friday 08.30am-5pm.
Please contact direct as we cannot pre-book this kids club - 0033 4 76 11 11 94
It is advisable to book before you go and in good time as spaces get filled quickly, especially in Peak times. A childhood vaccination record will be needed.
Babysitters (not pre-bookable)
A list of babysitters is available from the tourist office.
Vaujany Resort Activities
Vaujany Leisure centre
The newly built Leisure Center is composed of different elements:
-An indoor olympic size ice rink with an ice surface of 56x24 meters and stands that will welcome up to 700 visitors, all that being set in a 3000 m² facility and a view across the valley to the impressive La Fare waterfall.
-A daycare of 300 m² that caters for 60 children.
-A 500 m² spa and balneotherapy area that offers a hammam, a sauna, massages, and even hydrotherapy sessions.
-A 4 lane bowling alley above the ice rink.
-A restaurant with a capacity of 120 seats and a 50 m² sundeck.
-Parking lots for a total of 120 cars
-Fast access from the village center through 2 cable cars working in synch for a continuous flow.
Vaujany Toboggan
A toboggan Center at the new Sports and Leisure Center with special care given to ensure adequate snow coverage. Benefit of the Alpette toboggan with an access by cable car.
Vaujany Espace Loisirs leisure centre
Swimming pool - all year Swimming
The Juniors swimming area (paddle pool, fountains, Water Toboggan). Dive into the 30 degree Celsius Main Pool with its Toboggan, Water Spout and Sun Terraces with an impregnable view of the Grandes Rousses Massif. Guaranteed entertainment for children of all ages.
- The Main Pool:
25 metre length with four lanes for competion swimmers
- The Toboggan:
hair-raiser slides for daredevils
- The Paddle Pool:
for the children
- Waterfall
Pétanque on ice
Eisstock is a little like curling, it’s also referred to as pétanque on ice and is a traditional Alpine sport that has developed in the USA, Canada and South America. Give it a go in Vaujany with a FREE hour-long taster session. For teams of four or eight (aged 10 and up), sessions take place weekly.
Vaujany Walking
Step by step, with respect of the natural evironment, with snowshoes, take the pedestrian trails...
L'Alpette: 1h45 walking trail
Access by cable car
Poutran: 1h walking trail
Access by cable car and gondola
Montfrais: 40 min walking trail
Access by Montfrais gondola
Vaujany Library
More than 6000 books (comic strips, novels, non-fiction, etc) and board games are available. Free loan. Free internet access.
Vaujany House of the fauna
Learn the secrets of the wildlife of the Oisans. Qualified staff lead this fun and realistic wildlife discovery, using interactive terminals offering a choice of virtual walks with activities featuring mountain wildlife.
Vaujany Heritage Museum
100 years of history of Vaujany told by the inhabitants through photographies and evidences. Free admission.
Vaujany Hydraulic Museum
The history of hydroelectricity through the ages and the amazing story of the building of the Grand’Maison Dam. Free admission.
Please note: All the above information is for information only. For the most up-to-date information please visit the resort tourist office website. All prices for activities are in local currency (€ Euros) and are bookable and payable locally in resort.
Vaujany Tourist Office
Vaujany tourist information
Maison de Vaujany
Tel +33 476 80 72 37
www.vaujany.com
Vaujany Ski Activities
Fondue evening in a Mountain restaurant
With a return trip on a piste basher, enjoy a fondue evening in one of Vaujany's mountain restaurants - children can even take turns sitting next to the driver!
Snowshoeing in Grand Domaine
Another approach to the mountain. Put on snowshoes and accompany our guide over prepared tracks amidst winter mountain panoramas. You'll discover the wildlife, the "chamois" and "chevreuils" (European antelope and alpine fawn deer).
Information, tariffs & registration
Tel: +33 (0)4.76.79.88.71
Get a lift pass according to the chosen intinerary.
Reservation needed and only during the week-end for a minimum of 5 persons.
Terrain parks in Grande Domaine
Situated on the “Montfrais” area above Vaujany, there is Vaujany’s snowpark for beginners where you can learn jump, slide... and approach the slopes rules.
Mountain restaurants in Local Vaujany/Oz area
Le Vaujaniat (Montfrais), Les Airelles (Montfrais), Au P'Tit Trug (Montfrais), La Grange (Alpette), Auberge de l'Alpette (Alpette), La P'oz Chez Passoud (Alpette)…
If you dont ski and want to access the mountain restaurants that are not pedestrian access, Vaujany offer a Taxi Ski service - €75 for 2 hours.
Cross-country in Grand Domaine
There are 50km of trails that include 6 loops of varying difficulty all situated at around 2000m and are relatively snowsure.
Vaujany/Alpe d'Huez News and Events 2022/23
News:
- Fancy a fondue evening with a twist? Catch your piste-basher transfer up to a mountain restaurant and spend the evening indulging in local cheese fondue, before making your way back down in your piste-basher! Kids can even take it in turns to sit with the driver!
- Alpe d'Huez, over the next few years, is investing 350 million Euros into upgrading the ski resort and ski area. The main flagship project to be undertaken is:
- The flagship project will be to build a gondola link between Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes, which will create one of the largest linked ski areas in the world (475km). It will be larger, currently, than Tignes-Val d'Isere and Paradiski. The cable car that will cross the valley is planned to take 18 minutes. Starting at 2200m in the area Signal de l’Homme, the cable car will cross the valley passing over Freney-d’Oisans to Mont-de-Lans in Les 2 Alpes.
Events:
- Mogul Ski World Cup 16th-17th December 2022 - the best freestylers from around the world will be there to offer you an extraordinary show! 2 events are on the program: single bumps and parallel bumps.
- Alpe d'Huez Cup 7th-8th January 2023 - they are between 9 and 16 years old and the track is their playground. Technical, mastery, endurance, concentration ... These seeds of champions, nearly 800, leave nothing to chance and take advantage of the Alpe d'Huez Cup to evaluate their level on a giant slalom.
- Long cross country ski race 15th January 2023 - the fourth edition of the Alpe d'Huez Ski Marathon is organized by Ski Nordique Oisans, the event is recognized as being difficult with different parameters such as altitude, vertical drop and the environment in which the runners evolve. Two events are offered: 10 km and 30 km, the queen event.
- 16th International Comedy Film Festival 16th-22nd January 2023 - this is a unique event that promotes comedy films in France. The Festival is well established and renowned for spotting talent and movie premières that often, after screening in Alpe d'Huez, go on to be blockbusters like "Bienvenue Chez les Ch'tis, Taxi."
- Les Cristaux by Atomic & Vola 4th-5th March 2023 - it is in a friendly but sporting atmosphere that 650 children will compete in the various ski disciplines. Accompanied by parents and coaches, these future seeds of champions from 4 to 12 years old will give everything to win the podium.
- Derby du Loup 11th March 2023 - every winter since 2015, the ultimate event in Alpe d'Huez has taken place: the Derby du Loup. With a departure from the summit of the Pic Blanc at 3,330 meters above sea level, snow sports enthusiasts of all kinds are timed along a course marked out for the occasion in an off-piste route with a 1,500m drop... Pure happiness!
- Tomorrowland 18th-25th March 2023 - all the best DJs on the planet meet in Alpe d'Huez for a third edition of Tomorrowland Winter. The biggest electro music festival in the world is back even stronger with a new program and some nice surprises. What to take full eyes and ears.
- Comic Festival 7th-9th April 2023 - organized with Éditions Glénat, the Alpe d'Huez comic book festival transforms "L'Île au Soleil" into "Île aux Bulles", for a new encounter between the mountains and the authors.
- Coupe de la Fédération 8th-9th April 2023 - the French Ski Federation and Alpe d'Huez, in partnership with SAMSE and the support of Dauphiné Libéré - Ski Chrono, are organizing the Federation Cup to promote competitive alpine skiing in France. An alternative to the French Championships, this national ski event is open to licensed competitors aged 13 to 30 Giant Slalom and Slalom KO System events (knockout duel)
- Sarenne Snow Bike 22nd April 2023 - mountain bikers are expected at an altitude of 3330 meters at Pic Blanc for an untimed descent on a groomed track. And what a lead! The mythical Sarenne and its 16km of white gold.
Further details can be found on the tourist office website: www.vaujany.com
Vaujany Restaurants, Bars & Aprés-ski
Le Stou - new restaurants at Pole Sports & Loisirs leisure centre
0033 476 11 11 93
La Remise - Place de a Fare
0033 476 80 77 11
Le Montfrais
0033 476 79 86 50
La Table de la Fare - Place du Telepherque
0033 476 80 82 40
L'Aigle Royal - Place de la Fare
0033 476 79 58 48
Stiefs Steakhouse Cafe - Place de la Fare
0033 681 58 57 35
Chez Bibi - Place de la Fare
6 mountain restaurants
Bars/pubs
Le Pub Arsen's Cafe (Passage des Balcons), Le Shooter (Place de la Fare)
Alpe d’Huez (30mins drive), offers nightclubs and a cinema for those who enjoy a lively nightlife.
You will find the restaurants in Vaujany are usually cheaper than in Alpe d'Huez.
Folie Douce Alpe d'Huez (alongside Val d'Isere, Val Thorens and Meribel). La Folie Douce concept was created over 30 years ago by Luc Reversade and has become synonymous with apres ski across the French Alps. Each venue has a restaurant - La Fruitiere - which serves up great food but La Folie Douce is best known for putting on a massive party on the mountain. The newly built Folie Douce will open at the top of the Marmottes lift in Alpe d'Huez. www.lafoliedouce.com
Vaujany Amenities
Vaujany is served by a range of amenities including:
Mini-supermarket, cash point, self-service laundrettes (Place de la Fare and Place du Telepherqiue - open daily), bakery, two sports shops.
2 picnic rooms are available on « Place du Téléphérique » and on « Montfrais » area.
Free WiFi access Place du Téléphérique and Place de la Fare.
Free covered car park at Place de la Fare and place du téléphérique. Open daily
Cash point on the Route des Combes.
Nearest petrol station is 5km at Allemont. Open 24/7.
Getting to Vaujany, France
By Road:
Driving distance from Calais 566 miles (approx 8hrs)
From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, Grenoble. Follow the RN91 and then Vallée d’Olle to Vaujany. Vaujany is 50km from the motorway exit to Grenoble.
By Rail:
Grenoble (3hrs from Paris by TGV).
VFD bus company (0033 8 20 08 38 38) or see www.transisere.fr
Airports:
Grenoble (St Geoirs) 96km from Vaujany (1 hour)
www.grenoble-airport.com
Chambery Airport is 121km from Vaujany (1 ½ hours)
www.chambery-airport.com
Lyon Saint-Exupéry 144 km from Vaujany (2 hours)
www.lyonaeroports.com
Geneva 205 km from Vaujany (2 ½ hours)
www.gva.ch
Access around the resort of Vaujany: Covered car parking: at the shopping arcade and central village square. Free.
Vaujany Airport Transfer
For pre-bookable private transfer rates with Peak Retreats, view here.
Vaujany Opening Dates
Vaujany ski area is open: 3/12/22 - 21/04/23