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Chamrousse

Overview

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Just 30km from Grenoble, Chamrousse stands out as a versatile alpine resort, popular in both winter and summer. Spread between 1,400 and 2,250m altitude, it offers a panoramic view over the Grésivaudan valley, the Grenoble conurbation and the surrounding massifs. An Olympic resort in 1968, Chamrousse has evolved while keeping a dual vocation: skiing for everyone in winter, unspoilt nature in summer. Its quick accessibility from the city makes it an ideal destination for short breaks as well as family holidays. In winter, it offers a complete, modern ski area, as well as a fine Nordic area; in summer, the resort opens up to mountain biking, hiking and outdoor leisure.

Chamrousse

📏 Altitude: 1650 m
🎿 Alpine skiing: 90 km
⛷️ Cross-country skiing: 49 km
🌟 Resort style: High-altitude resort
💰 From 45.5 €/day (2026-2027)
6 green
14 blue
15 red
6 black

Overview of Chamrousse

Chamrousse is structured around three main areas: Chamrousse 1650 (Recoin), Chamrousse 1700 (Bachat-Bouloud) and Chamrousse 1750 (Roche-Beranger). Each sector has its own identity: Recoin, the oldest, retains a more authentic atmosphere; Roche-Beranger, more spread out, is family-oriented; Bachat-Bouloud groups large residences at the foot of the slopes. The architecture is typical of 1970s-80s resorts, but several buildings have been renovated or incorporated into more contemporary schemes. The Roche-Beranger ski area base concentrates most services: tourist office, shops, childcare, entertainment. Recoin, more compact, remains the historic heart, with its central square, emblematic cable car and more alpine atmosphere. An urban transformation project aims to make the resort greener, better connected between its sectors and more pedestrian-friendly.

Our review — Chamrousse

★★★☆☆ 3.5/5

Ski area — key figures — Chamrousse

  • 🌟 High-altitude resort (Isère)
  • 📏 1650 m Village altitude (2250 m Top altitude)
  • 🎿 41 runs
  • 14.6%
    34.1%
    36.6%
    14.6%

🚠 25 ski lifts

    Power moment*: 7195 km.sk/h (Large resort)

    Average lift age: 30 years

    Get directions to Chamrousse

    When to visit

    Chamrousse in summer

    In summer, Chamrousse establishes itself as an open-air adventure playground. People come to walk towards the Lacs Robert, the Pra ridges or the Croix de Chamrousse viewpoint, accessible by chairlift. The bike park is a real asset: 6 downhill tracks, enduro routes and a mountain biking school. For families, the resort offers mini-golf, fun trails, a tree-top adventure park, archery, climbing and fishing in the lakes. Four-season attractions have also been developed: a giant zip-line, rail sledge and Himalayan rope bridge. Summer entertainment animates the week: markets, open-air shows and nature workshops. Thanks to its moderate altitude, the climate remains pleasant all summer and the infrastructure is well maintained. A versatile and accessible resort, perfect for combining sporty holidays, family moments and nature immersion.

    🎯 Things to do in summer:

    ✅ Downhill MTB • ✅ Enduro MTB • ✅ Hiking

    Chamrousse in winter

    In winter, Chamrousse offers a varied and panoramic ski area, ideal for all levels. Skiing is between 1,400 and 2,250 metres, in an accessible alpine atmosphere with direct views of Grenoble, Belledonne, Chartreuse and Vercors. The offering is well distributed: beginner zones, challenging red runs at Recoin, wide blues at Roche-Beranger and supervised freeride sectors. The Arselle Nordic ski area is a reference in the department, with its high altitude and sunny trails. But the resort also stands out for its fun and spectacular activities: a 2 km giant zip-line from the Croix de Chamrousse, a Himalayan rope bridge suspended above the void, and a four-season rail sledge. Non-skiers enjoy numerous snowshoe trails and a natural ice rink depending on conditions. The atmosphere remains family-oriented and unfussy, with good slope accessibility. Just 45 minutes from Grenoble, it is the reference resort for Grenoble residents.

    🎯 Things to do in winter:

    ✅ Alpine skiing • ✅ Cross-country skiing • ✅ Ski touring • ✅ Snow MTB • ✅ Snowshoeing

    Skiing

    Below are the 2 ski areas accessible from Chamrousse: Chamrousse (alpin), L’Arselle (Chamrousse) (nordique).

    Chamrousse

    Ski area — Chamrousse

    ⛰️ Altitudes: 1650 m – 2250 m
    🎿 Alpine skiing: 90 km
    💰 Day pass: 45.5 €

    The Chamrousse ski area extends across 90 km of runs (43 in total), converging towards the two main hubs: Recoin and Roche-Beranger. The highest point is the Croix de Chamrousse (2,250 m), accessible by chairlift or cable car, from where the long red runs of Casserousse or the Olympique Dames descend. At Roche-Beranger, the wide blue runs are perfect for families. Snowmaking is ensured by over 400 snow cannons, reinforcing the reliability of the ski area. The Sunset Park snowpark, very well equipped, attracts freestylers from across the region. A marked ski touring sector (ascent/descent routes) and a supervised freeride zone also allow skiing beyond the groomed runs. The ski area is well structured, well served by lifts and benefits from a west-facing aspect guaranteeing fine light until late in the day.

    Our full guide to Chamrousse

    L’Arselle (Chamrousse)

    Cross-country ski area — L’Arselle (Chamrousse)

    ⛰️ Altitudes: 1500 m – 1720 m
    🌲 Cross-country skiing: 49 km
    💰 Day pass: 10 €

    Chamrousse offers a superb Nordic ski area on the Arselle plateau at 1,600 m altitude. In a setting open to the Belledonne and Taillefer massifs, the site has over 40 km of cross-country trails for both classic and skating technique, through forests and clearings. Covering 44 hectares, the Nordic Park stands out for its Canadian-style landscape — a natural environment classified as a Natura 2000 zone, ideal for total immersion through forests and clearings. The Nordic ski area is designed for families, beginners and experienced athletes alike, with a diverse and flexible sliding offering. The marked trail network totals around 49 km dedicated to cross-country skiing in both classic and skating styles, across 9 trails suited to all ability levels. The ski area also features a Nordic boardercross, adding a more fun and technical dimension. Beyond cross-country skiing, the Nordic Park is a true multi-activity space: 17 km of marked trails are specifically laid out for snowshoeing and walking. A marked ski touring route is also available, departing from Bachat Bouloud to the summit La Croix. Supervised biathlon sessions using laser rifles are offered by the ski schools. A free toboggan area is accessible to all, including children. The offering is rounded off by dog sledding and fat biking on snow.

    Our full guide to L’Arselle (Chamrousse)

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    Ski pass prices — Chamrousse

    Current lift pass prices for ski areas accessible from Chamrousse.

    Ski area Day pass 6-day pass Season pass Season (prices)
    Chamrousse (alpin skiing) 45.5 € 246.5 € 740 € 2026-2027
    L’Arselle (Chamrousse) (nordique skiing) 10 € 48 € 120 € 2025-2026

    ➡️ See all ski pass prices in France

    Where to stay

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