France
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Region: Northern Alps
Gresse en Vercors is a French commune located in the Isere department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Inaugurated in 1965, the medium-altitude ski resort has 26 trails, never closed and is the third closest to Grenoble.
Location of the Gresse en Vercors ski resort
The resort is placed south of Grenoble and at the foot of Grand Veymond, the highest point of the Vercors massif (2341 m). Gresse en Vercors welcomes tourists attracted by its 26 alpine slopes and natural snow in a preserved natural environment.
Nestled in the heart of the Vercors Regional Natural Park, the resort offers privileged access to the Hauts-Plateaux Nature Reserve; where you can admire breath taking landscapes that hold varied fauna and numerous specimens.
Gresse en Vercors is a traditional village with the typical architecture of the Trièves, crowning a plateau perched 1200 m above sea level. The ski resort facilities are placed 1250 m above sea level in front of the impressive rock wall of the southern foothills of Vercors.
The village and resort offers all the necessary comforts and facilities for a profitable stay. In fact, there is a good variety of accommodation for everyone (hotels, bed and breakfast, rural houses, lodgings, hostels, a motorhome area, camping site, mobile homes, chalets and other kinds), two large snow fronts with a beginner’s area and a toboggan area, a nursery, a free locker room, a doctor’s office and shops.
The Gresse en Vercors resort has retained its traditional high-mountain village character, highlighted by the warm welcome it offers its guests. The wide range of culinary arts in Dauphin is one of the values that make the resort a place you will be willing to return, with restaurants that offer high quality local dishes.
Gresse en Vercors hold numerous ski related activities
It is suitable for all ski levels. During 2005, it was the snowiest resort in the Alps for 15 consecutive days. It is also known for its Nordic ski area. In recent years, the resort has gradually adapted to the current demands of an increasing influx of customers year after year; remodeling of the slopes, free transport “Transtation”, installation of an artificial snow network, or even descents with torches, alpine and night Nordic skiing.
Gresse-en-Vercors also organized a round of the French slalom Masters Cup in 2008. The town has been hosting the Tour du Grand Veymont (TGV) for 6 years as part of the G3M challenge, which brings together 3 ski competitions in the mountains surrounding the Grenoble region.
Gresse en Vercors offers many ways to enjoy snow in any of the winter sports disciplines. The 20 kilometers of alpine ski slopes extend among 1250 (snow front) and 1750 meters (at the top of the slopes) with 11 ski lifts. It also has 50 kilometers of cross-country ski trails in the classic and skating modalities that the Nordic area offers among 1200 and 1400 meters.
Our day in the snow continues at the Nordic Boardercross or practicing biathlon shooting, learning joëring (horse-drawn skis), mushing (dog-sledding), and baptisms in each of the modalities.
Get off your skis and discover the environment
As for non-ski activities, Gresse en Vercors displays a wide range to delight all kinds of customers. Snow tubing is synonymous with fun for young and old. Accessible via the L’Âge des Glace magic carpet, we jump on a descent without braking until the end. You just have to get on a donut and jump onto the safe and troden slope.
You can use electric scooters in the snow or going on an adventure riding an electric Fat Bike (mountain biking) on adapted routes (the night version is a must). If we need an adrenaline rush in our life, nothing like a paragliding baptism from the ski slopes.
You can also learn the basics of astronomy at the Astrièves observatory (recognition of the main constellations with telescopes and planetarium). If the weather is rather bad, head to the Le Scialet cinema.
Alpine and Nordic ski slopes layout
The Gresse en Vercors ski area is divided into two sectors: Alleyrons in Pointe de l’Aiguillette and Pierre Blanche below the summit of the same name. In total, there are 26 trails for all levels (2 black, 9 red, 6 blue and 9 green) that mainly run through the forest with beautiful alpine outings near the Vercors cliffs, where you can enjoy picnic areas ( the impressive views of Mont Aiguille and Trièves stands out).
The 20 km of trails on the snow front among 1250 m and 1750 m are served by 11 lifts (1 chair lift, 9 lifts and 1 magic carpet). More than fifty artificial snow cannons are found to reinforce the snow cover (mainly in beginner areas).
Most of the trails are traced in the forest, holding a great quality of snow, and the complementarity of its difficulty satisfies all kinds of skiers. Beginners benefit from a preserved and secure area on the snow front (note that the ESF, the French Ski School of Gresse en Vercors welcomes children in a secure snow garden equipped with a magic carpet).
Intermediate skiers can progress on the blue trails at the bottom of the domain, while more expert skiers will draw curves as in a canvas, on the red trails (les Bouquetins, Chamois, le Mur, la 50ième …) and more difficulties on the two black trails (Cotilles and Grand Brisou).
On the Nordic ski domain, you can cover 48 km of trails (2 green, 1 blue, 3 red, 1 black), from the town to the resort, crossing natural spaces.
Snowparks and areas to enjoy the snow
If we want to enjoy a more informal ski, in our own way, we find the Boarder Cross Family with an easier level and Boarder Cross Expert of intermediate level. The Cascade de Oups also guarantees fun times: an easy track with little bumps. You can also try and jump on the ski jumping trampoline (easy level), the permanent slalom stadium or even ” rest ” at the snowpark (easy level).
