An hour's drive from Grenoble, the Olle water valley serves Vaujany, located at an altitude of 1,250 m, facing the Grandes Rousses massif. This Iséroise village station is fortunate to be able to count on its territory the EDF dams of Grandmaison and Verney, and therefore to receive a windfall of more than 3 million euros each year. Vaujany prides itself on having magnificent sports facilities, including an ice rink that can accommodate the best international teams and even a gala of ice stars just before Christmas. There is also a beautiful swimming pool, a fitness room and a state-of-the-art indoor climbing wall. Better yet, the station has just acquired a cultural center with cinema, media library and even a sensory and interactive museum on the heritage of the region. Not bad for a town of just over 300 inhabitants ... Without forgetting the free covered parking in the heart of the village. Vaujany therefore ticks all the boxes for welcoming families. Daycare center (from 6 months), “little skier” course with ski lessons, meals and one-week children's club, parents can ski in peace. As for non-skiers, they can indulge in outdoor activities, such as snowshoeing on an altitude plateau, and contemplate the fauna of the massif.
Connection with the Alpe d'Huez ski area
Vaujany / Tourist Office
In terms of skiing, Vaujany has nothing to envy of the major resorts since it benefits from the Alpe d'Huez large ski area. Just take a cable car that rises 1700 m in elevation in a single section! You therefore have access to a huge playground of over 10,000 hectares and which totals more than 250 km of alpine trails. With a majestic site like the summit of the resort: the Pic Blanc. With its 3330 m of altitude, this site classified 3 stars in the Michelin green guide allows to contemplate a view on 1 / 5th of the territory! It especially allows you to ski on the Sarenne track and its 16 km long and to be the starting point for many fabulous off-piste… For their part, beginners can be content with the neighboring domain Oz linked to Vaujany by the Alpette. This ski-in ski-out resort, nestled among the firs of Oz-en-Oisans, above all offers more accessible packages. Count 54.50 € for an adult day pass and 275 € for the Grand Domaine for 6 days per adult against 38 € per day and 179 € for 6 days for Oz / Vaujany.
»Also read - Luxury skiing at Alpe d'Huez
Sarenne, the track not to be missed
Laurent Salino
The famous Sarenne piste on the Alpe d'Huez ski area, of course! We will set off from the 3,330 m of the Pic Blanc to descend this track for almost 16 km and 1,820 m of elevation: it is quite simply the longest black track in the world! And apart from the very first steep passages at the start, the slope of the track becomes easier and more like a blue at the end of the route ... And ten times a season, you can descend it at Moonlight. The “Sarenne Sunset” experience takes place between 5.30pm and 8pm. Next departures on February 18 and 25 and on March 3, 11 and 16. 55 euros per skier. Reservation required on 04 76 80 30 30.
»Read also - At Alpe-d'Huez, ski Sarenne sooner or later
Or sleep?
Chalet la Perle de l'Oisans
Pending the very next opening of the new 4-star resort, V de Vaujany, we have tested the apartment-chalets of the Pearl of Oisans. From the smallest of 72 m2 with 2 bedrooms to the largest of 142 m2 and its 5 bedrooms, the establishment rents ten apartments located in the center of the village 50 m from shops and 300 m from the ski lifts. They all have a fireplace and especially balconies with breathtaking views of the Grandes Rousses massif and the Olle water valley and the La Fare waterfall. From 320 euros per night in high season.
Chalet la Perle de l'Oisans, 15 rue du Caroux 38114 Vaujany. Phone: 04 76 80 71 62.
Good tables
Ida restaurant
Chef Arnault Baldereschi offers bistronomic cuisine where unexpected colors and aromas mingle with the sweet flavors of the mountains. Two menus are offered to guests. Let yourself be tempted by the roasted can, short jus with Jerez braised red endives. All in a cozy and refined atmosphere in the heart of the resort. From € 33 for the "Inspiration" menu.
L'Ida, 469 Place du Rissiou, 38114 Vaujany. Phone: 04 76 80 71 00.
Fondue dinner in a cable car
Panoramic dinner in the cable car of the Enversin d'Oz de Vaujany. Vaujany / Tourist Office
This winter, the Tourist Office invites a privileged few to taste a fondue in the new cable car of the Enversin d'Oz de Vaujany. Guests settle in the Porsche Design cabins with blankets to brave the cold and during each rotation, a new dish is offered. Reservation possible only for a minimum of 4 paying persons per cabin. A dinner offered only ten times during the season. Count 38 euros per adult and 25 euros per child.
Vaujany Tourist Office. Phone: 04 76 80 72 37.
To do
Flights that start from Altiport de l'Alpe d'Huez and are carried out by an experienced mountain instructor pilot. Mountain Flight School / Photo press
Flight over the Oisans massif by plane
First flights and aerial walks: several circuits of 20 to 30 minutes from the Alpe d'Huez Altiport in the Jodel D140 Abeille, a small tourist plane with a panoramic glass roof. The Alpe d'Huez Mountain Flight School flies over the glaciers of Saint-Sorlin and the Sarenne pass, rubs shoulders with the Aiguilles d'Arves and flirts with the cliffs of the Emparis plateau. 90 euros for a 20-minute flight.
École de Vol Montagne - Tel .: 04 76 11 35 81/06 88 48 70 49.
More informations
Vaujany Tourist Office, tel .: 04 76 80 72 37. www.vaujany.com
Alpe d'Huez Tourist Office, tel .: 04 76 11 44 44. www.alpedhuez.com
Oisans Tourisme, tel .: 04 76 11 11 66. www.oisans.com
