Villard de Lans

France’s 3rd-oldest ski resort offers 125km of varied downhill terrain, from 2050m right down to 1143m. The mini-sized piste map is deceptive – you can cover some distance here, for the domain brings together the terrain of Villard de Lans with that of neighbouring Corrençon en Vercors.

Skiing between them can be addictive, particularly during the fine weather which happens a lot here between snowfalls. The other thing we love about skiing here is that many of the runs are among pine forests, rather than the usual larch and spruce found further north. The result of this heady combination is more than a hint of nearby Provence.

These forest runs also provide welcome reassurance during heavy snowfalls or other spells of reduced visibility, helping you make your way safely back to a return run or a gondola descent. In fact, from the Clos de Balme télémix lift above Corrençon you can ski all the way back to Villard de Lans Côte 2000. From there it’s just a short shuttle bus ride back to the main village.

Beginners, on the other hand, have high-speed gondola access direct to an ESF ski school assembly point. For younger children there’s a secure, well-equipped Piou-Piou Club area, from which they can progress to gentle pistes on either side of a snowpark.

The old market town of Villard de Lans will please traditionalists. Not surprisingly, its proximity to the city of Grenoble has made it a highly desirable location, as reflected in the range and quality of its boutiques and restaurants.

That said, it still retains the friendly, down-to-earth vibe of a year-round working community. Step into a bar or restaurant and most of those around you will be local people (including the owner and staff). There’s also a cinema, weekly open-air markets and even a fresh fish shop – a rare find in a mountain village.

Having been welcoming visitors for significantly longer than most ski areas, Villard de Lans knows how to make them feel at home, and has recently moved its Office du Tourisme into the town’s newly-renovated 18th century chateau, where its services for visitors can continue to expand.

There’s also quality accommodation served by regular free shuttle buses to and from the front-de-neige lifts at the purpose-built Côte 2000 ski village, which has its own shops and services.

Villard de Lans holds the coveted Famille Plus label, awarded for the excellence of its range of year-round, family-focused activities and services for all generations.

For skiers and snowboarders there are safe debutant areas and ESF ski school meeting-points accessed by high-speed gondola lifts, while intermediates will find lots of long, nicely-groomed cruising runs on sheltered forest trails.

Higher up the mountain there are more technical reds and blacks, a snowpark and a couple of slalom and freeride zones.

Perhaps the strongest appeal, though, is to nature-lovers. The Vercors scenery is exceptional, and in fine conditions there’s a real sense of being in a privileged setting at the very gateway to Provence. You won’t forget skiing here.

Cross-Country Skiing

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