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Chamrousse Ski Holidays
Perched at 1,650m and 1,730m, Chamrousse is a purpose-built resort that perfectly balances convenience with genuine Alpine character. The resort comprises two distinct villages: Chamrousse 1650 (Recoin) and Chamrousse 1750 (Roche Béranger), each with its own unique character and facilities. The resort gained international recognition during the 1968 Winter Olympics, when it hosted several Alpine skiing events. That Olympic heritage endures at Chamrousse, with the famous Casserousse run remaining a highlight for confident skiers.
What makes Chamrousse particularly appealing is its laid-back, unpretentious atmosphere. You won't find the glitz of mega-resorts here; instead, expect a relaxed mountain village where families and groups of friends come to enjoy straightforward skiing without the fuss. The resort offers stunning views across the Belledonne mountain range, and on clear days, you can see Mont Blanc in the distance.
The local area around Grenoble adds another dimension to your trip. If you fancy a break from the slopes, the city's museums, restaurants, and historic centre are easily reachable. Chamrousse also benefits from good snow reliability thanks to its north-facing slopes, and the compact resort layout means everything's within easy reach—perfect if you're travelling with non-skiers or simply appreciate convenience.
Chamrousse is great as it has a short transfer from Grenoble and offers some great skiing
Jane Bolton, Product Director
Mountain facts
Chamrousse offers around 90km of marked pistes spread across terrain stretching from 1,400m to 2,250m at the Croix de Chamrousse summit. The ski area is serviced by 18 lifts connecting the two main villages of Chamrousse 1650 (Recoin) and Chamrousse 1750 (Roche Béranger). The terrain breakdown is genuinely well-balanced: you've got 31 marked runs split between 7 greens, 16 blues, 5 reds, and 3 blacks. One of Chamrousse's standout features is its north-facing slopes, which help maintain excellent snow quality throughout the season. The resort's layout is compact, lift queues are quite often minimal, and the slopes around the resort can be comfortably covered over a day or two.
Snow conditions in Chamrousse
Chamrousse benefits from excellent snow reliability thanks to its north-facing slopes and altitude range of 1,400 to 2,250 metres. Its north-facing slopes are a big plus, particularly during those sunny spring days when south-facing resorts can get slushy by midday. The resort typically receives good natural snowfall due to its location in the Belledonne range, and during shortages, the resort’s snow-making facilities provide cover wherever needed on the slopes. The season usually runs from mid-December to April, with January to March offering the most consistent conditions.The higher slopes around Croix de Chamrousse maintain better coverage throughout the season. Overall, the resort provides reliable snow conditions for most of the winter, making it a solid choice for skiers seeking confidence when planning their trip.
Skiing in Chamrousse
- Chamrousse is great for beginners. The gentle wide runs located around the bases of Chamrousse 1650 (Recoin) and Chamrousse 1750 (Roche Béranger) are perfect confidence builders for newbies. The slopes are generally uncrowded, allowing skiers to learn with little pressure without feeling overwhelmed. The blues around the Croix area provide excellent progression terrain with wide, forgiving slopes and stunning mountain views.
- Intermediates will find Chamrousse a brilliant playground. The blue and red runs offer proper variety, from cruisy carving runs to more challenging pitches. The scenic blue run down to Lac Robert remains a memorable highlight. Red runs, such as those at Balme and Côte, provide enough challenge without being intimidating.
- Seasoned veterans can test their technique on Chamrousse's 3 black runs, with the Casserousse, the 1968 Olympic downhill, standing out as the star attraction. It's really steep with some technical sections that demand respect. The other blacks - Olympique and Combe - are similarly challenging and rarely crowded.
Snowboarding in Chamrousse
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Chamrousse is a genuinely snowboard-friendly resort with varied terrain that'll keep riders of all levels happy. The mountain's layout works brilliantly for boarders; from the uncrowded beginner slopes around Chamrousse 1650 to its north-facing reds for confident intermediates and onto the steep black-rated Casserousse for the pros - everyone gets a taste of the action here.
- While Chamrousse isn't renowned as an off-piste mecca, there are some excellent options for those who know where to look. The areas beneath the Croix de Chamrousse and around the lake (Lac Archard) offer decent powder stashes after fresh snowfall. Hire an experienced local guide if you’re looking to explore the mountains' unmarked areas.
- The terrain park at Bachat Bouloud is not as large as the others found on purpose-built freestyle resorts, but there's enough variety to bang out a proper session for a few hours. It features jumps, rails, and boxes that are well-maintained throughout the season.
What Accommodation is Available when I ski in Chamrousse
Chamrousse offers excellent accommodation to suit all preferences and budgets. Our flexible ski holiday packages include self-catered apartments perfect for families and groups, alongside comfortable hotel options. Many properties provide convenient access to the slopes, while the resort's compact layout ensures you're never far from the pistes. Whether you're seeking budget-friendly stays or more premium comfort, we'll help you find the ideal base for your mountain escape.
What's available at Chamrousse ski resort?
Après-ski in Chamrousse
Chamrousse probably isn't quite your scene if you’re after champagne-fuelled, late-night aprés partying. The aprés here is friendly, relaxed, and very much in keeping with the resort’s laid-back mountain atmosphere, with locals and visitors mingling in cafes, restaurants, and bars.
Both villages, Chamrousse 1650 (Recoin) and Chamrousse 1750 (Roche Béranger), offer a decent experience, with a good selection of evening spots and sunny terraces perfect for a post-ski drink on clear afternoons. While Chamrousse isn’t a high-octane party destination, it still offers a few options for upbeat tunes and some loud laughter. Roche Béranger is generally the livelier of the two areas, with a handful of bars hosting occasional DJs, themed nights or live music during peak weeks. Recoin feels slightly quieter, better suited to those who prefer a calm drink or an early evening meet-up.
Late-night clubbing is limited, but that’s part of Chamrousse’s appeal. Après-ski here is about good company, mountain views, and relaxed evenings, making it ideal for skiers who want atmosphere without excess.
Facilities in Chamrousse
Chamrousse delivers everything you need in a compact, friendly setting where everything is simple, convenient and well-suited to skiers who want hassle-free mountain living. The resort keeps things refreshingly simple when it comes to facilities.
On the mountain, the resort has one gondola (La Croix), seven chairlifts, seven drag lifts/T-bars, and one moving carpet. The resort's main gondola is La Croix, which connects skiers to the summit at 2,250m (Croix de Chamrousse). This is also the primary lift connecting the resort base areas to the mountain top.
Both Chamrousse villages have supermarkets that stock all the essentials needed for self-catered stays. Skiers also have a good selection of snow sports shops for equipment hire and purchase, in case they haven't brought any gear with them to the resort. Chamrousse also features pharmacies, banks with ATMs, and a tourist office. The resort offers ski school facilities, childcare options for families, and a sports centre with a swimming pool and fitness facilities (in Recoin).
Facilities for children in Chamrousse
Chamrousse is an excellent choice for families, offering a range of child-friendly facilities in a safe and easily navigable resort. Both Recoin and Roche Béranger have dedicated beginner areas near the villages, making it easy for families to drop off and pick up children from ski schools. Local ski schools offer group lessons for children of all ages, featuring fun learning zones designed to help build confidence. Away from the slopes, Chamrousse has plenty to keep younger visitors entertained. Families will find a cinema, bowling alley and indoor play areas, ideal for afternoons off or evenings. There’s also a swimming pool and leisure facilities that are popular with children after a day on the mountain.
Why choose Erna Low for Chamrousse skiing holidays?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re TOPP members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
Only 30km from Grenoble, Chamrousse is super convenient for a quick getaway. Good mix of terrain, quiet slopes, and its Olympic runs are brilliant.
Rebecca Dodson, Sales Manager
