Since May, all the spotlights have been on the small ski resort of Villard-de-Lans. And for good reason... In the heart of spring, SEVLC, the equipment company of Villard-de-Lans and Corrençon-en-Vercors, was bought by... Tony Parker! This is enough to put the spotlight on the Isère station. Which the former NBA champion does not intend to denature.
We are not going to turn the village into a "Hollywood", the idea is to "give back" to France, "create jobs" and "help the youth", Tony Parker assured. And if the basketball star who has "never skied before in his life" has decided to invest in the Vercors plateau, it is not just to develop winter sports activities, but to develop the resort all year round. Because in summer, the richness of the flora and fauna constitutes a superb backdrop for hiking, cycling, horse riding... but also the ideal setting for sporting activities - golf, paragliding, hot air ballooning... - or more engaged sports like canyoning, climbing... In autumn and spring, you can enjoy the activities of a full sports resort, but also the traditions of agriculture and livestock farming in a lively village, all year round, which is not content with just a seasonal activity. Here, local life rhythms the year 365 days a year, from the remains of the martyred village of Valchevrière to the edges of the wild expanses of the Highlands, from the wave pool to the pedestrian streets. Even if, of course, it is in winter that Villard-de-Lans and Corrençon attract the most holidaymakers with one of the largest alpine/northern ski areas in Europe. There are some for all in equal parts: the 125 km of alpine slopes and the 130 km of the Nordic domain offer a complete panorama of snow activities, snowshoes or skis on feet.
Long live sliding...
The resort has invested a lot in recent years to improve its slopes (52 slopes over 125 km) by offering all the new slides (freeride area, snowpark), its lifts (22 lifts) and its cultural snow cover, and also to avoid some classic inconveniences for skiers (for example, the introduction of hands-free packages: reloadable cards via the Internet, which avoids queuing at the beginning of the day). Also note that ski lifts are free for children under 5 years old and the Flex Ski system (2h30 or 4h30 consecutive hours of skiing at preferential rates) is a godsend for those who only want to ski for part of the day
On the Nordic side, you can enjoy 153 km of cross-country trails marked out by skating and alternative routes with three access gates to the domain: Villard-de-Lans/Bois Barbu, Corrençon en Vercors/les Hauts Plateaux and Saint-Martin-Saint-Julien/Herbouilly. A superb space of freedom in a grandiose setting that is often compared to Canada. There are also restaurants and refuges for breaks. Note that here you can also discover biathlon, popularized by our champion Martin Fourcade
Finally, beginners also enjoy privileged conditions to learn to ski safely with a special package. In the heart of Villard-de-Lans, there is the Luge & Ski park on the Colline des Bains, dedicated to all the pleasures of skiing and family fun. Because what we don't like about sledging is to climb the slope by pulling your machine, this Park offers us 3 treadmills. A space accessible to all audiences, even toddlers from 2 years old. They allow you to use 6 toboggan runs adapted to different practices: the big one with its 12% slope, the boarder to do miniature bobsleds, the slide for the big thrills, the 68 to race with your friends... After some fun and pleasure, we regain our strength at the Maison de la Colline, hot chocolate and sandwiches, sweet snacks, before heading back to endless slides.
... and the après-ski!
Once the skis are tidied up, skiers and snowboarders will still find something to enjoy. Because the skating rink is another very popular place in the resort. Whether you are rather hockey, to push behind the local D2 champions, or Ice Party, foam party atmosphere, the ice rink open all year round and its 1,800 m² of ice surface is "the place to be". Of course, you can learn to skate there like hockey champions, but also come and have fun with friends, during evenings with many activities: light games, disco atmospheres, smoke, DJ activities...
The others will be able to take over the direction of the superb Heritage House, in the heart of the village, which is not only part of the station's built heritage (this magnificent public building dates from 1888), but which also presents collections of great richness honouring the men of the country, their work and their way of life. A collection patiently accumulated by a Vercors lover, Jacques Lamoure, to whom tribute is paid on the ground floor of the House. To discover the permanent collections, you must go up to the floors where souvenirs, objects and documents open the way to the discovery of a territory, that of the Four Mountains, and its inhabitants. You will discover the work of forestry, crafts, winter sports, climate change or daily life, not to mention the exceptional collection of driving yokes. A visit not to be missed.
Escapade in the Vercors Regional Natural Park
Finally, it should not be forgotten that Villard-de-Lans is located on the borders of the incredible Vercors Regional Natural Park. A jewel located only about ten kilometers away. To discover these high plateaus towards Lans-en-Vercors, the gateway to the park. The municipality therefore houses a house that is an ambassador for these protected and preserved natural areas. It should be noted that the Vercors Regional Natural Park covers an exceptional territory since it is simply the largest reserve in metropolitan France. It is also one of the leading French parks for the richness of its fauna and flora, as well as for its heritage. A veritable mine of information on the Vercors, events, news, accommodation, sports and cultural activities, this house is to be discovered before leaving to discover all the activities to be practiced on the vastness of this territory. Whatever the season, it is possible to enjoy the Park: skiing, dog sledding, snowkiting in winter, but also free flight, climbing, caving, canyoning, fishing, there is something for everyone!
Smart info
When? When? Villard-de-Lans and Corrençon-en-Vercors: the two villages have joined forces to offer a resort to live in all seasons. But to enjoy the snow and ski in and ski out holidays, let's meet for the 2019-2020 season between December 21 and April 5.
Getting there. By car, coach, train (Grenoble TGV station) or plane (Grenoble-Isère or Lyon airports), everything is possible.
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