Grenoble Airport, also known as Alpes-Isère Airport, is a well-known ski hub for travellers coming from the UK and around the world. This French international Airport sees thousands of passengers every year with swift ski transfers to nearby luxury ski resorts. In this article, Oxford Ski Company highlights the nearest ski resorts to Grenoble airport that are easy to travel to, with fast transfer times for a hassle-free luxury ski holiday.
Grenoble Skiing
Grenoble is an international airport nestled in the middle of four breathtaking mountain chains - Vercors, Chartreuse, Belledonne, and Oisans. There are nearly 20 ski resorts found among these surrounding mountains, making Grenoble a fantastic starting point for a luxury ski holiday.
Who Flies to Grenoble from the UK?
With easy access to some of the best ski resorts in the French Alps, many UK airports offer direct flights to Grenoble, including Gatwick, Heathrow, Luton, Bristol, Edinburgh, Birmingham, Manchester, and more. Some common airlines that fly from the UK to Grenoble include British Airways, with private jet charters available from London to Grenoble.
Luxury Ski Resorts Near Grenoble Airport
The closest ski resorts to Grenoble are Chamrousse and Vaujany, with the closest skiing area offering slopes as little as 40 minutes away.
For ski resorts close to Grenoble that are known for luxury, explore the list below.
Alpe d'Huez - 1 hour 20 minutes
Only a little over an hour away from Grenoble Airport, you will find one of France’s most snow-sure and sunny resorts with immaculate skiing conditions and famously advanced pistes. Alpe d'Huez is a purpose-built ski village situated in the Oisan Alps. This luxury resort is family-friendly and offers stunning luxury accommodation.
- Ski domain: Grand Domaine Ski
- Resort height: 1860m
- Pistes: 237 km
- Best for: A massive ski area and Sarene, the longest black piste in the world at 16 km long.
Grenoble Airport to Alpe d’Huez ski transfers: There are daily services from Grenoble’s city centre to Alpe d’Huez, such as the Transaltitude line which runs throughout the season and brings you directly to the resort. If you are travelling by car, Alpe d'Huez is just over an hour’s drive from Grenoble Airport.
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Courchevel 1850 - 1 hour and 45 minutes
Courchevel is perfectly positioned at the centre of the famous Three Valleys, an area with over 650 km of tree-lined slopes, varied skiing, and incredible pistes. This resort is made up of four picturesque and lively ski villages, with Courchevel Le Praz located in the lowest area and most easily accessed from Grenoble Airport.
- Ski domain: The Three Valleys
- Resort height: 1260-1850 m
- Pistes: 600 km
- Best for: off-piste skiing and fine-dining.
Grenoble Airport to Courchevel 1850 ski transfers: You can arrive in Courchevel 1850 from Grenoble in under two hours via A41. If you want to go by bus, there are a number of public bus transfers that will take you as far as Moutiers which is only a short ride to Courchevel.
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Megève - 1 hour 40 minutes
Easily reached from Grenoble in under two hours, Megève is a popular ski resort well known for its picturesque scenery and luxurious amenities. It is best known for its wide variety of skiing opportunities, from gentle slopes to challenging runs and plenty of off-piste terrain for adventurous skiers.
- Ski domain: Megève
- Resort height: 1100m
- Pistes: 325 km
- Best for: Snowshoeing and sleigh rides, a charming village centre, and fantastic luxury accommodation.
Grenoble Airport to Megève ski transfers: Via A41, you can reach Megève in about one hour and 40 minutes. There is a bus available that will take you straight from Grenoble Gare Routiere to Megève Autogare. These transfers take over two hours and operate on Fridays and Sundays.
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La Tania - 2 hours
La Tania is another fantastic Three Valleys ski resort, located between Courchevel and Méribel and only about two hours from Grenoble Airport. This quaint village is perched high on the French Alps peaks and is purpose-made for excellent skiing.
- Ski domain: The Three Valleys
- Resort height: 1350 m
- Pistes: 600 km
- Best for: Luxury ski-in ski-out chalets, a pedestrianised centre, and excellent ski schools.
Grenoble Airport to La Tania ski transfers: The car ride from Grenoble Airport is about two hours via A41. There are scheduled bus transfers available that will take you from Grenoble airport to Moutiers, which is only a short ride up to La Tania resort.
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Val Thorens - 2 hours 10 minutes
Also located in the Three Valleys domain, this modern, luxury resort is only a little over two hours away from Grenoble. Val Thorens is incredible snow-sure, purposely built in the centre of six glaciers and is the highest ski resort in Europe. Here, you will find dramatic mountain scenery and an abundance of contemporary ski chalets and hotels.
- Ski domain: Three Valleys
- Resort height: 2300 m
- Pistes: 600 km
- Best for: A long ski season, glacier skiing, and buzzing nightlife.
Grenoble Airport to Val Thorens ski transfers: Via A41, Val Thorens can be reached from Grenoble Airport in just over two hours. Depending on the weather and road conditions, a bus transfer may take over three hours.
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Chamonix - 2 hours 30 minutes
Chamonix offers an authentic alpine atmosphere, with access to several ski areas such as the famous Grand Montets and Les Houches. Just two and a half hours from Grenoble, you can enjoy Chamonix’s long tree-lined slopes, endless off-piste opportunities, and a charming alpine town.
- Ski domain: Chamonix Valley
- Resort height: 1035 m
- Pistes: 155 km
- Best for: French countryside vistas and varied and challenging skiing terrain.
Grenoble Airport to Chamonix ski transfers: Via A41, you can reach Chamonix from Grenoble Airport in just over two hours. If you take a shuttle or bus transfer, this may take slightly longer and up to three hours.
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La Plagne - 2 hours 20 minutes
In just over two hours you can reach La Plagne, a modern resort split among 12 charming villages. This is one of the most popular ski resorts in the Alps, with access to 225 km of incredible skiing in the stunning Paradiski area.
- Ski domain: Paradiski
- Resort height: 1800 - 2100 m
- Pistes: 225 km
- Best for: Varied skiing and diverse options available for any group - from five snow parks, a bobsleigh run, and an ice-climbing area.
Grenoble Airport to La Plagne ski transfers: In just over two hours, via N90, you can reach La Plagne from Grenoble Airport. Many bus transfers will take you only as far as Aime, a transportation hub that is located on the valley floor.
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Les Arcs - 2 hours 30 minutes
Another luxury ski resort in the Paradiski domain, Les Arcs is a purpose-built neighbour to La Plagne and about two hours and a half from Grenoble Airport. Comprising of four villages, Arc 1600, Arc 1800, Arc 1950 and Arc 2000, Les Arcs offers direct access to the slopes and skiing for all levels.
- Ski domain: Paradiski
- Resort height: 1800 - 2100 m
- Pistes: 200 km
- Best for: Picturesque family ski holidays and one of Europe's longest slopes, L’Aiguille Rouge.
Grenoble Airport to Les Arcs ski transfers: The journey from Grenoble Airport to Les Arcs is about two and a half hours by car via N90. Many shuttles and public bus transfers will take you as far as Bourg-Saint-Maurice, a village at the bottom of the mountain where you may easily find a ride up to Les Arcs.
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Méribel - 2 hours
Known as the “heart of the Three Valleys”, the breathtaking Méribel luxury resort is a favourite destination for skiers around the world. A two hours drive away from Grenoble Airport, at Méribel, you can expect a picture-perfect view of Mont Blanc, stunning scenery, and famously lively nightlife.
- Ski domain: Three Valleys
- Resort height: 1450 - 1700 m
- Pistes: 600 km
- Best for: Some of the best après ski and gourmet dining in Europe.
Grenoble Airport to Méribel ski transfers: Via car on the A41, you will arrive at Méribel from Grenoble Airport in about two hours. The bus transfer time is also about two hours and will take you as far as Moûtiers where you can take the local public buses or a private taxi to the resort.
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Grenoble Skiing FAQ
Does Grenoble Airport have a train station?
Grenoble Airport does not have a train station on the airport grounds. There is a train station in Grenoble, and you can easily find a shuttle bus from the airport.
Is Grenoble Airport open in the summer?
Although Grenoble Airport is open to some flights in the summer, it is mainly a winter airport, mainly catering to British travellers and winter sports clientele.
Is there skiing in Grenoble?
Although there is no skiing in the city of Grenoble, Grenoble is surrounded by some of the best skiing areas in the Alps which can be easily reached by car.
What mountain range is near Grenoble?
There are four mountain ranges near Grenoble - Vercors, Chartreuse, Belledonne, and Oisans.
Grenoble Airport Transfers
Once you arrive at Grenoble, you will easily find private luxury transfers, car hires, bus and train transfers, and taxis to continue on your journey. Grenoble Airport is located near large trunk roads that allow you to reach Isére ski resorts within an hour and Grenoble’s centre within 30 minutes.
Grenoble car hires - Car rental desks are found in the car parks near the terminal building. You can also find a nearby service station three minutes away from the airport.
Grenoble bus transfers - For reliable bus service, the Actibus will take you from the airport to the centre of Grenoble. For regular shuttle services to ski resorts from the airport, Ben’s Bus service is found waiting at arrivals on the weekend.
Grenoble taxis - There are a number of taxi providers that operate at Grenoble airport.
Grenoble luxury transfers - Should you require them, there are luxury transfers available from Grenoble to the surrounding ski resorts.
Explore our handpicked selection of luxury ski chalets and hotels in France, or contact us to start planning your luxury ski break in France today.
