Les 7 Laux may not be a ski resort that’s on your radar, but it deserves to be! Popular with families, this small, typically French resort in the famous ski province of Isère boasts 120km (75 miles) of ski slopes but is located just 35 minutes from Grenoble, making it one of the quickest and easiest resorts to reach from the UK.
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The Les 7 Laux Difference
Located in the stunning Belledonne mountain range in the Dauphiné Alps, the Les 7 Laux ski area connects three villages located on a plateau in an area of great natural beauty.
The lifts and slopes climb to a snow-sure 2400m with more than 50 ski runs for all ability levels to choose from, including fun zones and beginner areas as well as lots of freeride opportunities. There are wide open slopes on the upper mountain then tree-lined pistes below 2000m altitude.
You often have the slopes largely to yourself to take in the beautiful terrain and enjoy queue-free ascents on the lifts.
The Skiing
Les 7 Laux is popular for its intermediate and expert level terrain, but there’s lots for novice skiers and boarders.
Beginners have their own separated areas to learn their first turns upon, before progressing on to one of the many easy greens.
Intermediates have a great choice of blue-graded cruising terrain and red runs if you’re wanting more of a challenge. There are also fun zones across the ski region targeted to different ability levels.
For advanced skiers there are challenging black runs like the ungroomed Vallons du Pra black slope, among others are marked, secured but not groomed to make up one of the largest freeride areas in the region.
Les 7 Laux is also home to one of the most highly-rated terrain parks in France, designed by Oakley Brand and located up at 1900m with its own lift to allow quick returns to the top for the next lap. The park has four sectors for different abilities including a boardercross course.
Cross country skiers aren’t forgotten either with great loops on the snowy plateau through the beautiful woodland crossing the plateau where the villages are located.
Off The Slopes…
Les 7 Laux has invested in extra attractions for holidaymakers when they’re not skiing or boarding.
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The 723 metres long Wiz Luge mountain coaster is a kind of downhill roller coaster where you can hit speeds of up to 40km/h (25mph) descending one of the most beautiful mountain coaster courses in the Alps.
The resort is also home to a dog-sledding operation which leads tours from the top of the Pincerie chairlift. You’ll get the opportunity to learn the basics of driving your own team of dogs through the beautiful mountain landscape, under expert supervision of course!
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For kids there’s also a wonderful non-ski play area with trails and a wooden labyrinth, tunnels and safe sledging area that will delight children ages 4-12.
Getting There
You can reach Les 7 Laux in around 9 hours from Calais Eurotunnel Terminal, with an easy drive of motorways nearly all of the way, up until the final climb into resort.
Grenoble Train Station is just under 25 miles from resort and there are plenty of transport links close by.
Grenoble Alpes Isère Airport is just 35 minutes away – one of the closest airports to a ski area you’ll find anywhere!
If you self-drive with Peak Retreats the company offer a free FlexiPlus upgrade on most dates, so you can enjoy the flexibility and amenities of using the FlexiPlus Eurotunnel Terminal.
Where To Stay
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Peak Retreats offers Les Granges des 7 Laux apartments, located right on the piste in the centre of Prapoutel with ski-in/ski-out access.
Facilities include a wellness centre with treatment pool, hot tub, sauna, hammam and on-site restaurant and the complex is just 200m from the nearest shops.
peakretreats.co.uk, 023 9283 9310
