Vercors Skiing

If your only experience of the Vercors is from visits in the summer, then you will be very

surprised how much busier it is in the winter. Considerably more holiday euros pass

through the tills in the skiing season than in the summer. The Vercors can be considered as

one vast ski station with many, many kilometres of cross-country skiing (Ski du Fond)

linking the main alpine (or downhill) stations of Autrans, Meaudre, Lans, Correncon/Villard,

Rousset and Chaud Clapier/Font d'Url. (The 1968 Winter Olympics were held in the

Vercors). There is no permanent glacier on the Vercors plateaux, so of all the ski areas in

the Alps, the Vercors is perhaps the most weather dependent and certainly one of the first

to loose snow cover. Do not discount this area for skiing though, as when the conditions are

good, the skiing is superb.

This overview concentrates on the alpine ski stations.

Autrans: The most northerly station and therefore the last to close, but equally, conditions

can become very difficult due to the piste freezing hard. Mostly steep down hill runs of

limited extent. The ski school area is often very busy with local school children.

4 button tows

2 black runs

5 red runs

1 blue run

1 green run

ESF: 2 button tows and various low level greens

Meaudre: Lower altitude than Autrans with a limited number of runs, but very popular

with locals.

2 chair lifts

2 button tows

2 red runs

2 blue runs

ESF: 1 button tow and green runs

Lans-en-Vercors: A very popular resort which we have not yet visited.

5 button tows (or chair lifts)

4 red runs

5 blue runs (with a high level traverse)

Col du Rousset: A brilliant and deceptively extensive area of skiing situated beneath the

Montagne de Beurre at the southern extremity of the Vercors. Excellent for novices and

intermediate level skiing with some very pretty low level runs through trees as well as

extensive views of the Grand Veymont from the higher runs. Top Tip: It can be very busy

at the main station, so get your ski pass and then drive around the back of the resort to the

bottom of Berger ski tow (indicated by the red cross sign for the first aid station on the piste

map) where you can usually park at the side of the road - 1 minute from the tow.

1 chair lift

8 button tows

2 black runs

4 red runs

9 blue runs

12 green runs

Chaud Clapier/Font d’Urle: Situated at a similar altitude to Rousset, and within recent

years has benefited from an expansion of pistes. It is an excellent skiing area, especially for

novices and intermediates. Top Tip: It can be very busy at the main station, so get your ski

pass and then drive down the road to the second obvious parking area which is at the

bottom of Foret ski tow - 2 minutes from the tow.

9 button tows

1 black run

4 red runs

7 blue runs

And an extensive network of green runs

Villard-de-Lans (le Balcon): The finest skiing in the Vercors with extensive skiing for all
levels, it is the only station in the Vercors that has snow canons. The view of the east
Vercors ridge from the belvedere on the far side of the Grand Moucherolle is
Breathtaking. Combined with the station at Correncon, there are:
2 gondola lifts
8 chair lifts
7 button tows
A comprehensive range of pistes to suit all abilities

Correncon: The back door to the Moucherolle. Top tip: Ski from Correncon and avoid
the massive car parks and queues at the Villard end.

Raquetting: A good alternative winter activity is raquetting (walking with snow shoes).
Raquettes can be hired quite cheaply from most ski resorts and can enable a good day out
in wonderful winter surroundings. The open Font d’Urle plateaux area is especially good,
providing an arctic like winter experience.

Vercors Skiing