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Auris en Oisans Ski Resort
South facing Auris is surrounded by spruce forest in the foothills of Signal de l’Homme, looking out over the Ecrins National Park.
Auris Station up at 1600m is a huddle of self-catered apartments and hotels, mixed with a couple of restaurants and bars. It was built on the pastures of the original Auris en Oisans village that lies below it, made up of eleven traditional hamlets – wood and stone chalets, pretty chapels, the lot.
Base yourself in the old part if you like a bit of classic alpine charm, but for speedy access to the ski area you’re probably better off at the station… Either way, a shuttle runs between the two so getting around is easy. Served by the Suires, Col and Auris express lifts, the local ski area - Domaine d’Auris – has 45km of slopes and saw 3.5 million euros of investment in 2015. Now you’ll find faster lifts, extended snowmaking coverage and a brand new green run.
But what’ll really get you out of bed in the morning is the fact that Domaine d’Auris belongs to the Grand Domaine ski area. Within 10 minutes you’re up and away into a 250km wonderland of slopes more commonly associated with the neighbouring resort of Alpe d’Huez. Trails in every difficulty (including Europe’s longest black run), world-beating off piste and lively mountainside après ski are yours to explore with the full area pass in hand, and for intermediates and above it’s well worth the investment. Another of France’s top ski areas, Les 2 Alps is within half an hour’s drive and with a skiable glacier and 223km of slopes, it makes for an amazing day trip (or two).
Stats & FAQ
Location: Southern Alps, France
Established:
Open: December - April
Downhill: 45km (Auris) 250km (Grand Domaine)
View our detailed Auris en Oisans snow forecast or snow report and see all live webcams, piste maps, road and travel maps and lift pass prices. For a picture of historic snow conditions see the snow depths month by month with our Auris en Oisans snow history.
| Nearest Airport & Transfer Time: | |
| Grenoble Airport (GNB) | 104km, 1.5 hours |
| Chambery Airport (CMF) | 128km, 2 hours |
| Lyon Saint Expury (LYS) | 149km, 2 hours |
| Geneva Airport (GVA) | 207km, 2h40 |
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| Top Altitude: | 2176m (Auris) 3300m (Grand Domaine) |
| Bottom Altitude: | 1600m |
| Resort Altitude: | 1600m |
| Longest run: | 16km |
| Slope Orientation: | S N |
| Vertical Drop: | |
| Skiable Vertical: | |
| Night Skiing: | Yes |
| Glacier: | Yes (Grand Domaine) |
Snow Report
Web Cam
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| Downhill Runs: | 45km (Auris) 250km (Grand Domaine) |
| Beginner slopes: | |
| Intermediate: | |
| Advanced slopes: | |
| Lift Pass Price: | €180 (adult 6 day Auris) €259.50 (adult 6 day Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine) |
| Nearby resorts: Alpe d'Huez, Les 2 Alpes | |
Skiing/BoardingSkiing in Auris en Oisans
Beginners might want to delay buying the full Grand Domaine pass until your instructor advises you to upgrade. There are some good greens trailing back to the village, like the Crocus and Marmottes which are usually a lot quieter than the ones over in Alpe. La Corniche is a longer piste from Col de Maronne, which you can link up with other runs for an all green descent, or take the Auris Express and ski Les Eterlous on the other side of the mountain. If you do want more green terrain, head over to the Alpe d’Huez area where dozens of runs stream from the Romains and Jeux lifts down to the resort.
We love the gentle Col blue from the top of Auris Express to 1600, and Les Demouselles which takes you over to the other side. Take the Fontfroide chair up to Signal de l’Homme for the Pre Lond - a gloriously scenic cruise.
There are some good reds from Signal de l’Homme to do laps on, and when you fancy a change of scenery and increase in difficulty, take the left fork on Fontfroide to ski the red-blue route down to Maronne. Over in the Alpe d’Huez area, the Olympique is one of the easier pistes in the area, and Signal run is wide and straight to really build your speed up.
Black run skiers simply can’t come to the Grand Domaine and not ski the Sarenne, the longest black run on the planet at a thigh testing 16km. This is one of a number of fabulous black pistes in the area – mogully Tunnel and (closer to home) Col de Cluy among them. A lot of the off piste can be easily accessed from lifts, with favourite areas including Pic Blanc and the back side of Signal de l’Homme. Don’t forget that legendary La Grave is half an hour away if you want to tick one of the world’s most daring descents off your bucket list.
Auris en Oisans Apres Ski
Auris itself is rather quiet, but up on the mountain above Alpe d’Huez you’ve got the likes of Folie Douce to provide piste side parties. Back at 1600, the Schuss bar is a popular spot for drinks out on the terrace and tasty tapas while Le Tetras does brilliant pizzas and vin chaud.
We like the fondues and tartiflettes at Auberge de la Foret, and Raphael and co do a marvellous mix of pizzas, pancakes and Savoyard dishes.
Other activities here include dog sledding, luge and snowshoeing.
Best time to go
Best time to ski Auris en Oisans
Best time to visit & ski Auris en Oisans
Being south facing means Auris can capture the best of the sunshine, which is wonderful in the coldest winter months. Later on in the season, the rays can affect the snow – but there’s always higher skiing to be had over on the Sarenne glacier above Alpe d’Huez.
Peak Dates
A Christmas market, torchlight descents, fireworks and lantern launches usually take place over Christmas in Auris en Oisans… and of course the appearance of a certain white-bearded fellow.
See in the New Year in Auris en Oisans, roaming the Grand Domaine and feasting in local restaurants.
We like Half Term in Auris en Oisans for a quieter alternative to Alpe d’Huez, with the same amazing ski area.
In Easter in Auris en Oisans you can really make the most of the spring sunshine from the resort’s south facing position.
Families in Auris en Oisans
On previous years, under 5’s have been able to ski free in Auris, and we’ve seen some great family lift pass packages too. The quieter nature of this part of the Grand Domaine makes for proper family time together, without the crowds and distractions of bigger resorts. The Club Enfants les Marmottes looks after tiddlies aged 18 months all the way up to 12-year-old tweens and if your youngsters haven’t skied before, they’ll be in good hands with the ski school and the local ski area’s gentle greens.
GroupsGroup Holidays Auris en Oisans
A small, quiet resort for evenings gathered together over drinks and games, and one great big ski area to spread out and explore… Auris en Oisans can be spot on if you’re group is more focussed on the skiing than the après ski. Every ability of skier and snowboarder will find something to suit them here, from the quiet, gentle local slopes to the incredible black pistes and powder terrain over around Alpe d’Huez.
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