It has the perfect slopes-and-spa balance
Tucked away in the Belledonne mountains, in the south-eastern Isere region of France, is the Chamrousse ski resort. While it’s not as well-known as some other French resorts, such as Val d’Isere, Chamonix and Courchevel, the place is steeped in history, having hosted the six alpine skiing events in the 1968 Winter Olympics. Chamrousse is just a half-hour drive to the city of Grenoble and 20 minutes from the spa town of Uriage-Les-Bians, making it the perfect location to go if you don’t want a full-on skiing holiday as you can break it up with trips to either place.
Affordable fun
Whether you’re a total beginner or a seasoned pro, Chamrousse is a great location for some relaxed skiing. It boasts 43 slopes ranging from green for newbies to black runs for those more experienced. Many of them go through the scenic forest landscape that surrounds Chamrousse, giving you a truly magical experience. Compared to larger resorts, the slopes in this small village are much less crowded, so you can really enjoy the beautiful scenery as you wind your way down. It’s much more affordable than other resorts, too, with a one-day adult lift pass costing just £30.16 (€36.50). And if you want to splash out on some lessons as a beginner or to brush up on your skills, group lessons start from around £32 (€39), while private ones begin at £76 (€92) for two hours.
Snow much to do!
If you fancy a bit more variety, there are plenty of other activities to do in Chamrousse. You can snow shoe hike among the woodland areas, surrounded by snow-tipped trees and mountains. There’s dog-sledding, which is so popular places get booked up months in advance, so it’s best to enquire about it early. And once a week during the ski season, you can experience the unique sensation of night skiing. The slopes will be visible with floodlights, while you take in the amazing view of the city of Grenoble all lit up at the top.
Resting your head
There isn’t an abundance of hotels in Chamrousse, but there are plans to build more. Until then, you can rent an apartment, which is popular with the locals, or there is the cosy Hotel du Virage, which is in the style of a cute mountain cabin. There are rooms for all types of stays, ranging from twin and double beds, to quintuple rooms with bunk beds for families. It’s located just five minutes away from the slopes, shops and restaurants, and even has a spa to unwind. Prices start at £51, so it’s great value for money for a good night’s rest after a day of skiing, and a delicious breakfast to refuel the next day (including one of the best croissants you’ll ever taste!). If you’re looking to stay somewhere a bit more luxurious, though, you can stay in Grenoble or Uriage-les-Bains, which are both a short drive away. Le Grand Hotel and Spa in Uriage-les-Bains is the perfect spot if you want a mix of ski and spa. Rooms start at £120 and there’s a whole host of amenities in the spa, including a sauna, steam room, an indoor and outdoor pool, and classic treatments such as massages.
Amazing food
While in Uriage-les-Bains, a visit to two-star Michelin star restaurant, La Maison Aribet, is a must. It’s right next door to Le Grand Hotel and Spa, where chef Christophe Aribert used to work, and now he’s opened up his own restaurant, which is the ultimate culinary experience. Expect dishes packed full of flavour using the area’s local ingredients, such crayfish and spinach gnocchi, egg parfait with mushrooms and hazelnuts, and a tart made with caramel and walnuts, which are a famed for being from Grenoble. Up on the slopes, you can expect all the traditional alpine favourites – and lots of cheese! There’s raclette with potatoes, cornichons and cold-cut cured meats, and a tartiflette (a potato dish with bacon, onions, cream and cheese.)
Ravioles du Royans is a local dish that consists of tiny ravioli parcels filled with herbs and cheese, and baked in a gratin, which is guaranteed to warm you up after a day of skiing. As for drinks, as well as local beers and wine, you can sip on the enticing green liqueur of Chartreuse. It’s made with 130 herbs in Grenoble and prepared by only two monks, who pass the secret recipe on within the monastery. It’s strong in both taste and percentage, but deliciously refreshing in a Chartreuse Mule with ginger beer. That’s certainly a cocktail we can cheers to!
Need to know
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Stay at the Hotel du Virage, from £32 per person per night based on two sharing, or a seven-night stay is priced from £224, based on two sharing. Or stay at the Le Grand Hotel and Spa, which costs £63pp per night based on two sharing. Both hotels are bookable by visiting Aubergeduvirage.com.
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A one-day adult lift pass for Chamrousse costs from €36.50/£30.16, at Ski.chamrousse.com.
Words: Amy Lo. Photos: Tim Hopf