What’s new for winter 2022/23 in the heart of the French Alps in Isère
Located in the heart of the beautiful French Alps, Isère is France’s third biggest mountain destination. Best known for the resorts of Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes, it has no fewer than 21 ski resorts in its four famous massifs – Belledonne, Chartreuse, Vercors and Oisans – which will not disappoint with incredible scenery and views, record amounts of snow, family-friendly facilities and accommodation.
Isère comprises bustling Les 2 Alpes, family friendly Vaujany, excellent value Chamrousse and Oz en Oisans, off the beaten track villages like Villard de Lans/Corrençon en Vercors and Les 7 Laux, whose slopes are coveted by locals, plus international Alpe d’Huez. These seven resorts offer a wide variety of skiing and accommodation to suit all budgets. New to the international market this year is the affordable family resort of Le Collet d’Allevard.
Please enjoy this winter press pack and feel free to contact me if you have any questions, need more information or require images. This is the link to Isere’s press pack:
Here are a few highlights of what is new for this winter in Isère. www.alpes-isere.com
What’s New: Lifts
Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski: The new Huez Express gondola will replace the original Televillage lift from the village of Huez, a small, sleepy, charming, typical mountain village – with narrow streets and typically alpine architecture. This will speed up access and opens on 17 December 2022.
Auris: The old Les Sures chairlift in Auris will be replaced with a new, high-performance, fast telemix lift combining the advantages of a chairlift — skiers keep their equipment on and can board faster — and those of a gondola.
Les 2 Alpes: SATA, the lift company that has been managing the Les 2 Alpes lift system since December 2020, keeps improving the ski area to improve the access, the comfort and the flow for skiers across the area.
→ The Vallée Blanche area has been redesigned. The Vallée Blanche chairlift has been replaced by a télémix and the Super Venosc gondola has also been updated (both in 2022).
→ There is a new green slope between Vallée Blanche and Pied-Moutet, making this part of the ski area more accessible.
→ The Front de Neige at the bottom of the slopes is being completely redesigned. It started in 2021 and will be completed in 2024. A new ski lift and a magic carpet were built in 2022 in the Viking area. By 2024, the Coolidge area will also have a new ski lift and a magic carpet.
→ In 2023, a new ski lift and magic carpet will open in the Champamé area, which will allow easy links between Les 2 Alpes 1800 and the rest of the resort.
→ By 2025, the Jandry Express will be replaced by a new type of cable car. The Jandry Express was built in 1985 and links the resort to the glacier. The new cable car will have seven pylons instead of 15.
What’s New: Activities
Trott’athlon: Discover the Piégut forest trail in Auris on an all-terrain electric “Fat Trott” scooter. With little effort, noise free and zero pollution, this is an activity that anyone can try. Ze Trott’ has developed a new special kind of biathlon with an electric “Fat Trott” on snow and shooting with a laser rifle. Different options are available, including shooting with an optical camera rifle. 1 hour – £25/30€ pp
The Caves de la Chartreuse has had a facelift after 18 months of renovation. Discover a redesigned tour in a new more friendly interactive space in English. Find out about the history of Chartreuse liqueurs, their exceptional heritage as well as the incredible knowledge of the Carthusian monks in 75 minutes. Tours cost £10.
Outdoor Yoga is new to the family friendly resort of Vaujany. Join a 1.5-hour session with a dynamic professional yoga practitioner. Follow the Amerindian philosophical concepts of the elements: fire, water, air, earth and ether; the totem animals and the concepts of the Five Tibetan Rites that help improve your sleep, ease any worries, centre yourself on your body and the snow.
What’s New: Accommodation
RockyPop: The new RockyPop’s cosy and relaxed atmosphere, as well as its modern and innovative facilities, make it an ideal hotel for city visitors and skiers to the region. The concept of this new establishment: to offer a new generation 4-star hotel in the heart of the city from November 2023. With 109 rooms in the RockyDuo, RockySuperior category there is also the choice of studios, apartments and penthouses. With a wide range of entertainment on site including a bar, restaurant, play areas (karaoke, petanque, table tennis, children’s area) and services as practical as they are unusual, such as the florist and the bike shop. A sauna and a fitness room are also freely available to residents. Prices from: £660 for seven nights on B&B www.rockypop.com
Hotel Le Bo Lodge: This former coaching inn dating from the beginning of the 20th century is being totally renovated and set to open in Bourg D’Oisans this winter. This charming boutique hotel will feature nine mountain vibe bedrooms and a cosy restaurant. It’s ideal for skiers wanting to explore the resorts of Oisans: Alpe d’ Huez, Les 2 Alpes, Vaujany and Ornon. Prices from: £632 for seven nights on B&B. www.bo-lodge.com
Les Rondins des Bulle: Two brand new log cabins have been built in the heart of the peaceful Vercors forest near Autrans. Situated on the peaceful cross-country route, these Canadian resembling lodges accommodate four people with one bedroom and a sofa bed and an extensive lounge and fully equipped kitchen. Outside, a Norwegian bath and Finnish sauna offers relaxation during a stay. Prices start from 800€/£690 on a self-catering basis. www.autrans-gite.com
