Cats dream of ski holidays in Isère

Imagine my surprise when I discovered a secret 'petwork' of cats that are planning ski trips by train. A friend of mine was knitting ski hats and scarves for them. Could this really be true?

I had to see for myself (and to show you) and travelled around London to meet these cats in their ski gear.

The cats have clearly done their research. They've keen on the Isère region in the Southern French Alps. It has some fantastic ski resorts and is also one of the easiest ski regions to reach by train from the UK. The closest train station to most of the ski resorts is Grenoble, just three hours from Paris by TGV train, with multiple departures per day. 

Louie, for example, is a regular visitor to his local park (see photo above). He brings little skis fashioned out of scrapwood. He comes most days to a hill where the grass slope is steepest, and looks out for signs of snow. He’s heard that the resort of Vaujany has some tantalising red runs, and that’s where he’s planning to ski.  

How to travel to Isère from the UK by train

Group of friends on TGVPhoto: Daniel Elkan

Step 1: Take a Eurostar to Paris
For example, depart London St Pancras 10:31, arrive Paris-Nord 13:49.

Step 2: Change from Paris-Nord to Paris-Lyon
View guide to changing station in Paris

Step 3: Take a TGV to Grenoble
For example, depart Paris-Lyon 15:14, arrive Grenoble 18:13.

Step 4: Transfer to your resort by bus or taxi

The bus station is next to the train station, and schedules are timed to connect with arriving or departing trains.

Photo: ©VFD_KLIP.fr

Journeys by bus don’t take much longer than by taxi, but if your accommodation is located far from where the bus arrives, you might prefer a taxi.

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Alpe d'Huez

Photo: Lionel Royet

Set in the picturesque Grandes Rousses massif, Alpe d’Huez is one of France’s best all-round ski resorts. Owing to its south-facing slopes, collectively boasting up to 300 days of sun a year, the resort has rightly earned its nickname "l’Île au Soleil". From Alpe d’Huez’s summit, Pic Blanc (3,300m), skiers and snowboarders can tackle over 250km of snowsure piste, including the legendary 16km Sarenne, the world’s longest black run.

As a major Alpine resort, Alpe d’Huez caters to all levels and disciplines, with gentle beginner slopes, 50km of cross-country trails, and adrenaline-pumping options like skijoring, snowparks, and a freestyle area. Recently constructed high-speed lifts have enhanced access to the slopes, as well as electric shuttle buses that operate throughout the resort. Off the slopes, visitors can enjoy a host of activities, including tobogganing, ice climbing, paragliding, curling, escape rooms, and the famed Grotte de Glace (an ice cave containing dozens of intricate sculptures, changing seasonally) at 2,700m.

Reflecting the diversity of activities on offer, accommodation in Alpe d’Huez ranges from affordable family lodgings to luxurious hotels such as the five-star Odalys Prestige Apart-Hotel l’Eclose and the funktastic PopAlp. As a larger, bustling resort, the après-ski here is pretty lively, with venues including the iconic La Folie Douce and Smithy’s Tavern. For a chiller vibe, you can also dine on fondue in an igloo. An annual packed events calendar cements Alpe d’Huez’s reputation as an entertainment destination as much as a world-class ski resort.

What’s On 25–26

This season, Alpe d’Huez is offering a considerable host of events for prospective visitors. As the ski season kicks off, the Sea and Mountain Film Festival (Dec 15–18, 2025) will celebrate adventure and exploration through stunning cinematography. Meanwhile, night skiing and first tracks on the legendary Sarenne, introduced last season, will allow visitors to experience the world’s longest black run under the stars and at sunrise. At the other end of the season, the world-famous Tomorrowland Winter Festival (Mar 21–28, 2026) will return, bringing some of the biggest names in electronic music to Alpe d’Huez’s slopes. This will be followed by the FFS Alpine Ski Championships in April, showcasing some of France’s biggest winter athletes, and drawing the season to a close.

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Mochi

Photo: Daniel Elkan

Mochi finds the piste map useful for planning his time on the slopes. He’d planned to ski every slope until someone pointed out just how much skiing there is – far more than a week’s worth. The excitement of it all has got too much, so Mochi needs a little nap.

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AURIS-EN-OISANS

Photo: Images Reves

For those seeking the perks of Alpe d’Huez’s slopes, yet with a quieter, family-friendly village atmosphere, Auris-en-Oisans is ideal. The small, south-facing resort is tucked into a hollow at the foot of Signal de l’Homme (2,176m), and hidden from its larger neighbour by the snowy Col de Maronne. Its 45km of quiet, local slopes and single winding street provide a strong family-friendly atmosphere, while keeping guests fully connected to neighbouring Alpe d’Huez via chairlift, should they wish to check out the party. 

Solidifying Auris-en-Oisans’ family-friendly credentials, the resort offers a kids’ club for ages 18 months to 12 years, an ESF ski school, and a variety of child-oriented activities such as laser tag, dogsledding, orienteering, and cinema nights. Similarly, Auris-en-Oisans’ local piste comprises gentle blues and reds, with a large beginner area within the village. However, for those young veterans ready to take on the big leagues, an Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine pass will provide access to 250km of more varied and challenging terrain. There’s also fantastic untouched off-piste around Auris-en-Oisans itself, especially around Signal de l’Homme, and ski tourers can benefit from the newly signposted route up Les Sûres. 

Accommodation here is largely chalet-style and slopeside, offering great views of the Romanche Valley and ski-in/ski-out convenience. The handful of restaurants on offer in Auris-en-Oisans are mostly traditional, serving Savoyard classics such as fondue, charcuterie, and tartiflette. As you might expect for a small resort, après-ski is pretty low-key but charming, with the intimate Le Schuss Bar our stand-out spot for evening relaxation after a day on the snow.

What’s On 25/26

The last week of the year will be the resort’s Astronomy Week, featuring daily free workshops, lectures, and telescope observations that let stargazers explore the winter night sky. Meanwhile, from the week beginning March 14th, 2026, Auris-en-Oisans Wellness Week will provide visitors with discounts on spa treatments, yoga sessions, and guided snowshoe walks through the forest, combining relaxation and nature for a serene Alpine break.

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CHAMROUSSE

Photo: Gwen Lavila

Just a 30 km drive from Grenoble and within the Belledonne Range, Chamrousse offers a sizeable 90km of varied local pistes, from the iconic Casserousse—where Alpine legend Jean-Claude Killy won Olympic gold in 1968—to intermediate-friendly reds and cruisey blues. Beginners can enjoy gentle slopes around Chamrousse 1750, while skiers of all levels can descend from Croix de Chamrousse (2,250m) opposite panoramic views of the Oisans, Vercors, and Chartreuse ranges. Chamrousse also features two snowparks, family zones like La Montagne de Téo, tobogganing, snowtubing and, from February 2026, every Thursday, DJ-soundtracked sunset skiing at the top of the Bérangère chair.

Chamrousse is well-suited to off-piste adventurers, who can explore the backcountry with guides or tackle touring trails, including a 3 km night route. Cross-country skiers, meanwhile, should head to the 44 km of trails atop the Arselle plateau: a pristine alpine wetland officially classified as a Sensitive Natural Area. 

Accommodation in Chamrousse spans hotels, chalets, apartments, and even motorhome pitches, with many lucrative deals and packages to be found online. We personally recommend L’Étincelle Lodge: a set of twin rental homes for 12–14 guests, renovated from a former mountaintop hostel. On a different note, if you fancy a meal with a view, be sure to try La Croix de Chamrousse at the top of the La Croix gondola.

While Chamrousses’ 90km of piste (and ample off-piste) is more than enough for a week’s holiday, non-ski activities abound: snowshoeing, dog-sledding, ice diving, snowmobiling, guided hikes, sleigh rides, and a 2.1 km toboggan run. New attractions to the resort also include the world’s longest pylon-supported zip line and a Himalayan footbridge, running parallel to the La Croix gondola; the Apero aux Sommets experience (an uphill hike followed by sunset après-ski); and the free Chamrousse Explor Games, an interactive outdoor treasure hunt accessed through your smartphone.

What’s On 25/26

Every Saturday throughout the winter 25–26 season, skiers and snowboarders alike can carve under the stars during night-skiing sessions. On December 20–21, 2025, the resort hosts the French Ski Mountaineering Championship (free to spectate), followed by the festive village market in the days leading up to Christmas. Continuing the festivities, February 17th, 2026, will bring bombastic Mardi Gras celebrations to the slopes, including a large evening carnival. Finally, as the season approaches its end, Chamrousse will welcome the FIS Men’s Super Slalom on the mornings of March 19–20, 2026 (the longest slalom in the world), followed by the FIS Citadine Race ten days later.

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Sooki

Photo: Daniel Elkan

If it's raining in London, it must be snowing in Isère. So believes Sooki, who spends a considerable amount of his day watching the weather out of the window, ski hat on in readiness, excitement bubbling.

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LE COLLET

Photo: UROPE

Perched above the Grésivaudan Valley and just 50 km from both Grenoble and Chambéry, the tiny resort of Le Collet offers a cosy, family-oriented ski experience. Despite the small size of its piste (just 35km), there is a surprising amount of variety, ranging from four forested black runs for the grown-ups, to the new Tétras Délire Park where animal mascots help children discover local wildlife. Moreover, every Tuesday and Friday, Le Collet boasts Europe’s largest illuminated ski area, with ten floodlit runs extending the on-slope fun until 22:00. The resort’s tourism office even offers a night skiing + raclette package, if that’s your cup of tea (or plate of cheese).

In a similar vein, Le Collet offers a wide variety of ski-adjacent activities—including speedriding (a ski-paragliding hybrid), paragliding, electric fat biking, ice skating, skijoring, airboarding, Yooners, and snake-gliss sledging. Less adrenaline-soaked activities include snowshoe tours, pony-led nature outings for under-tens, and astronomy lectures with Nadège Perrot at La Bergère des Étoiles.

In-resort accommodation ranges from hotels and apartments to mountain refuges, many of which are budget-friendly thanks to affordable lift passes and all-inclusive packages. We recommend the Terrasses du Collet: a complex of chalets with a shared pool, sauna, and in-house restaurant. Mountain restaurants include the idyllic L’Écureuil Snack Bar (perfect for a quick break in the woods) and Le Very, serving hearty French fare at 1640 m. 

What’s On 25/26

While Le Collet is very quiet, owing to its size, December brings a Christmas calendar filled with events, markets, and a cosy chocolate fondue chalet. Meanwhile, throughout January, visitors can try out biathlon taster sessions within the village itself.

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LES 2 ALPES

Photo: Pyrène Duffau

As with Alpe d’Huez, visitors to Les 2 Alpes should think big. Thanks to a brand-new cable car reaching the Dôme de la Lauze at 3,568m, the resort is now France’s highest ski area with year-round glacier skiing. Around 70% of its 220km of piste sits above 2,000m, ensuring excellent snow quality and allowing a full 2,300m of descent from Les 2 Alpes’ summit to the village. Better yet, thanks to a good balance of blue, red, and black runs—as well as the brand-new Jandri 3S cable car, taking visitors to the resort’s glacier summit in under 17 minutes—this whopping vertical is accessible to all levels, including less confident beginners. 

Les 2 Alpes’ scale extends to its accommodation, with 32,000 guest beds, ranging from refined luxury at the Hôtel Chalet Mounier to more modern, value-for-money hybrids like Base Camp Lodge and The People hostel. Unlike other, more parochial resorts, in-resort dining reflects global tastes, expanding beyond the standard Alpine fare to more worldly cuisine at restaurants like the Michelin-starred Le P’tit Polyte and health-conscious Yonder Café.

As well as being an excellent ski resort, Les 2 Alpes functions as a cultural hotspot. The ancient village of Venosc, accessible via gondola, boasts artisan shops and cobbled streets. Meanwhile, year-round entertainment spans concerts, exhibitions, and music festivals.

Besides excellent piste, you’ll find a sizeable snowpark and lively après-ski spots like Pano Bar on the slopes. Off-slope activities include mountain biking, paragliding, and snowshoeing, alongside superb wellness facilities. 

What’s On 25/26

Winter 25–26 will bring several exciting new additions to Les 2 Alpes, including two new snowshoeing adventures and several slope expansions, bringing beginner areas to 2,600m altitude for the best possible snow quality and a serene new blue run at the end of the Jandri trail. From the 23rd to 30th December, 2025, the resort’s Magic Avenue Experience will involve dazzling parades and shows along the Avenue de la Muzelle. Finally, in 2026, the resort will once again host the legendary Rise Festival, which has in previous years brought big names like Bicep and Annie Mac—tickets for which can be purchased as part of a combined 6-day ski pass package.

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Tinka

Photo: Daniel Elkan

Tinka is counting down the days till she can zip between the après-ski bars of Les 2 Alpes, on the hunt for a good time. Unfortunately, staring moodily at the bedroom wall doesn't make the time pass any quicker, but as you can see from the photo she's perfected the 'Blue Steel' look.   

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LES 7 LAUX

Photo: OlivierLefebvre

Freeriders in Les 7 Laux's untapped terrain Photo: Olivier Lefebvre

While powderheads will no doubt find terrain in the big names on this list, Les 7 Laux is a true freeride paradise for those in the know. Rich in couloirs, ledges, and expansive snowfields, it’s the perfect training ground for beginner and expert backcountry enthusiasts alike, with resort guides available to provide safety and progression. Freeriders here can also explore the untouched Vallons du Pra wilderness, while 120km of groomed pistes link the three villages of Prapoutel, Pipay, and Le Pleynet, offering 1,050m of challenging vertical, including seven black runs and seven more black freeski trails.

For those who prefer things flat, Nordic skiers can profit from Les 7 Laux’s 25km of cross-country routes in Beldina, and a breathtaking 3km panoramic loop at 1,950m. Similarly, ski touring fans benefit from dedicated passes, sunrise-access trails, and excellent lift links. While Les 7 Laux caters well to advanced skiers, families remain central to the resort’s spirit, with wildlife-themed fun pistes, the forest Mole Trail for kids aged 4–12, and the thrilling Wiz Luge alpine coaster. Budding freestylers can also hit the expansive snowpark and 3km boardercross course.

Most of the accommodations in Les 7 Laux are located in the constituent village of Prapoutel, including cosy chalets and unique stays like the Gîte de l’Ancolie. For a more active après-ski, visitors can unwind with yoga, spa sessions, or even paragliding and dog-sledding—before ending the day dancing out in the snow at the “Ski Floor” disco.

What’s On 25/26

Owing to the sheer size of Les 7 Laux’s winter events and activities calendar, we’d recommend taking a look for yourself. Some of our highlights include the resort’s spectacular New Year’s fireworks display and the husky dog sledding race on January 20th, 2026. Meanwhile, footie fans are invited to take part in football in the snow in the village centre, every Wednesday from February through to March.

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OZ 3300

Photo: Images Reves

Formerly Oz en Oisans, OZ 3300 derives its name from the resort’s breathtaking summit, Pic Blanc (3,300m), shared with neighbouring Alpe d’Huez. This peaceful cluster of alpine hamlets forms a charming, car-free resort of ski-in/ski-out chalets, with the freedom to stay local or ski big. 

With the Alpe d’Huez Grande Domaine pass, visitors can traverse over 250km of pistes. Alternatively, those looking for a more leisurely stay can enjoy the 70km of scenic local slopes OZ 3300 shares with Vaujany (at a considerably reduced price), including a 1,675m vertical drop and torchlit night skiing every Wednesday.

Signature OZ experiences include sunset descents from the 2,800m Dôme des Rousses, the legendary La Pyramide d’Oz ski mountaineering race, held each year in March since 1997, and a 2.5km touring course on the Plateau des Lacs des Petites Rousses. Beyond skiing, visitors can try ice climbing, snowshoeing, telemarking, and yoga in the snow at 2,100m, as well as biathlon and Nordic walking. 

Off the slopes, visitors can enjoy trapper evenings with huskies, family dog-sledging, or watercolour workshops with local artist Émelyne. While dining options are somewhat limited, you’ll find excellent wood-fired pizzas at La Grange and hearty French fare at La Potee’Oz.

What’s On 25/26

This season at Oz 3300 will offer regular glacier hiking trips at Col de la Pyramide, weather permitting. Festivities include Santa Claus, who will arrive on Christmas Eve, following several evenings of torchlit storytelling strolls through the village. Looking ahead to February 2026, visitors can book private sunset skiing tours with a local guide on empty slopes, or join in with the resort’s popular night-skiing sessions under the mountain stars.

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Magic

Photo: Daniel Elkan

Magic tends not to leave her cushion. It's far too comfortable, and she has a ringside view of household proceedings from there. Plenty of time to think about fondue and hot chocalate in the ski resort of Les7Laux. She's already arranged her hat and skis ready for winter, though, ready for when the call comes. 

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VAUJANY

Photo: Lional Gehin

Just one valley over from OZ 3300 is the much-older, yet just as cosy Vaujany, a historic village of just 350 year-round residents at the foot of the Grandes Rousses massif. Founded over a thousand years ago, the village only began welcoming skiers in 1989, and since then has cultivated a mellow, family-oriented vibe with high-quality lodging and refined dining. Uniformly chalet-style architecture ensures wraparound views of jagged peaks, dramatic cliffs, and the spectacular La Fare waterfall (frozen in winter).

Skiers and snowboarders can link to Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine’s 250km of slopes, while Vaujany’s 53km of local pistes shared with OZ 3300 deliver terrain for all levels. Mountain musts include the La Fare black, comprising an 800m vertical, as well as a 30km high-altitude cross-country network for Nordic skiers and the Montfrais snow park for catching air. Freeriders and ski tourers should check out the off-piste around Perrins Sud and Épaule, while for a truly unique ski experience, visitors can book first-tracks and sunset descents from the Dôme des Rousses (2,800m) with a local guide.

Accommodations in Vaujany range from cosy apartments to deluxe four-star hotels, including the V de Vaujany and freshly refurbished Hôtel Les Cimes and Résidence l’Étandard. Dining is equally varied, from classic Savoyard fare at Le Stou brasserie to haut-cuisine at IDA, as well as novelty fondue evenings on the Enversin gondola with Téléca'Dîne. Finally, Vaujany’s Pôle Sports & Loisirs centre is well-equipped for families, offering pools, ice-skating, rock climbing, bowling, and even a flight simulator.

What’s On 25/26

Vaujany’s winter calendar kicks off with the International Ice Skating Gala on December 22nd, 2025, featuring Olympic medallists and world and European champions in a 90-minute show, free for children under 12. From January 19th to 20th, 2026, the FIS Women’s Slalom will bring further elite winter sports athletes to town, with free spectator access for all ages. Meanwhile, throughout the season, the aforementioned Pôle Sports & Loisirs centre offers regular yoga, Pilates, and aquagym classes, perfect for active recovery after a hard day on the slopes.

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VILLARD-CORRENÇON

Photo: Fanny van ce Candelaere

Villard-CorrençonPhoto: FOCUS-OUTDOOR

Located at a fair distance from the other resorts on this list, Villard-Corrençon offers a winter escape deeply immersed in nature and local culture. Nestled within the 135,000-hectare Vercors Regional National Park, this 125km ski area links the historic Alpine villages of Villard-de-Lans and Corrençon-en-Vercors. Expect wide slopes and panoramic powder fields over 900m of vertical, ranging from gentle blues to challenging blacks like Le Grand Couloir, Chamois, and Rhodo. The resort’s peak at Petit Moucherolle (2,150m) provides access to superb off-piste lines, while beginners can enjoy scenic runs from the Pré des Preys gondola. Families and freestylers alike benefit from the resort’s dedicated snowpark, featuring a kids’ area, boardercross, and several features.

Given its remote location within an area of outstanding natural beauty, Villard-Corrençon has a strong, rustic ethos. This particularly shines at the auberges Le Clariant and Malaterre, both of which serve organic local fare amid antique decor. Within the village, accommodations range from family-friendly lodgings to wellness-focused hotels, including the Hôtel Les Clarines and Grand Hôtel de Paris, both of which contain state-of-the-art spas.

Beyond skiing, Villard-Corrençon offers tobogganing, dog sledding, snowshoeing, telemarking, fat biking, and an outdoor Yeti-themed escape game. Cross-country enthusiasts can explore 155km of trails, with biathlon sessions for children and adults at Biathlon Area du Vercors. Finally, for a truly unique experience, visitors can spend a night in an igloo with local guide Xavier Mulatier.

What’s On 25/26

Villard-Corrençon will sparkle in winter 25–26, thanks to the annual Christmas market in the centre of Villard-de-Lans from December 20th, as well as the brand new immersive light shows in the Bois Barbu and Choranche Cave. Jumping ahead to the new year, the international La Grande Odyssée VVF dog-sled race will arrive on January 22nd, 2026, for Stage 11, free for all ages to spectate. Crowning the season, seafood lovers can’t miss Villard-Corrençon’s 17th annual Scallop Festival (La Fête de la Coquille) on March 28th–29th, featuring top Breton chefs, live Breton music, and a the best shellfish in the Alps at La Coupole events centre.

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Bailey and Mochi

Photo: Daniel Elkan

Bailey and Mochi are secretly drawing up plans for an additional ski holiday in Villard together. They were keeping quiet about this, and they weren't best pleased about being photographed while deep in a piste-map discussion. No one was meant to know. But now you do. 

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