5 good reasons to discover the Chamrousse summit in winter!
Presentation
Panoramic Park in the spotlight!
It's time to discover or rediscover the mountains, and in particular the peaks, in a different way, here in the form of an accessible winter walk.Is the mountain only for big skiers and big hikers? False. Completely false.
Do you love nature? Do you love the mountains, but can't make too much physical effort? Then you'll love discovering the summit of Chamrousse!
And what if this winter was actually an opportunity for you? An opportunity to climb the peaks in a different way, an opportunity to push back your limits, but also perhaps to rediscover yourself?
Here are the top 5 reasons to visit the Croix de Chamrousse summit!
1) Easy gondola ride to the summit
Go to Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin to take the Croix de Chamrousse gondola up to the top of the resort and its Panoramic Park. Your knees, back, breath, heart rate and even your children/teens/grandchildren will thank you for avoiding the 2-hour and half climb on snowshoes or cross-country skis.Just sit back, relax and admire the scenery as the resort centre gradually disappears, giving way to the mountains and a magnificent view of Grenoble and its valley. If you're lucky, you might even see a giant zip-line adventurer go by.
The Skilift company offers several passes or winter passes for taking the gondola, depending on your wishes and needs.
The Croix gondola in a nutshell:
- Departure from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin / Arrival at Chamrousse 2250 - Croix de Chamrousse (Panoramic Park in the summit of the resort)
- Ascent time: approx. 8 minutes
- Open in winter (and summer) to pedestrians and skiers: daily from 9.15am to 4.30pm from early December to mid-April (subject to weather conditions)
- Pay ski lift
- Winter pass for pedestrians: you can buy a "return" pass (to go up and down by the ski lift), or a "one-way" or "return" pass (if you want to do one part on snowshoes or cross-country skis and the other part by gondola).
- Sale on the site, at the cash desk or at the cash dispenser in Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin
❤ A little extra: babies are only allowed from 18 months upwards
2) Stroll with panoramic views of the town, mountains and lake
The summit of the resort, the Croix de Chamrousse, with its monumental cross as its name suggests, rises to an altitude of over 2250 metres at the southern tip of the Belledonne massif. It has been laid out as a "Panoramic Park", with gentle footpaths inviting you to enjoy an easy stroll, punctuated by exceptional views of the mountains, the town of Grenoble and even some lakes.A walk to the top of the resort offering a 360° view of the mountains and the city of Grenoble: belvederes with views of the 4 surrounding massifs (Chartreuse, Vercors, Oisans and Belledonne), as well as panoramic orientation tables and geological panels.
La Croix de Chamrousse "Panoramic Park" walk:
- Duration: approx. 1h30 (star trail) / Level: red - intermediate
- Departure point: arrival of the Croix de Chamrousse cable car
- Itinerary: gondola > picnic area and monumental cross > Grenoble rooftop with panoramic mountain and city views > picnic area > Oisans belvedere with panoramic orientation table and geological panels > picnic area > Himalayan footbridge with views of the high mountains > return vertiginous footbridge and path to the picnic area and the Croix gondola.
- Free access
✔ Good to know: a free Chamrousse Explor Games smartphone game to motivate your child/teenager, with a classic fun trail and an educational geology trail
❤ Little extras: explanatory panels with a detailed panorama of the mountains and viewfinder on the Meije
3) Chamrousse's new Himalayan footbridge
Discover a pedestrian suspension bridge at the gateway to the high mountains, towards Casserousse and above the legendary "Couloir de Casserousse" ski run. It's a breathtaking experience, with panoramic viewpoints over the Belledonne range (Grande Lance, Grande Lauzière, Pointe de Jasse Bralard, Pointe de Vaudaine, Grand Sorbier, Grand Van, Petit Van...).Access is free from the top of the Croix de Chamrousse (easy gondola access from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin): with the gondola at your back, follow the path for around 200m, taking the left-hand turn from the arrival point of the Lacs Robert chairlift.
Casserousse Himalayan footbridge in figures: 130 metres long and 0.9m wide at a height of 25 metres, with a maximum gradient of 9.5%.
✔ Good to know: for skiers, you can leave your equipment just before the footbridge so that you can cross it as a pedestrian.
❤ Little extra: a unique experience to come back and discover in the summer version
4) Gourmet break at the summit
Skiing and walking are great, but taking a break is even better! When you need a break, Panoramic Park has everything you need: a picnic area and, of course, the unmissable Croix de Chamrousse mountain restaurant.Whether it's for lunch or a snack, there's something to suit all tastes and budgets:
- If you've got your own snack, then the picnic area is for you: deckchairs, tables, benches, free-access plancha, rubbish bins, ski rack for winter use, with a view of the cross and the mountains...
- If you want to enjoy a meal in a typical mountain bistro, then the La Croix restaurant is for you: salad, hot dish with cheese, hot dish with ravioles (local pasta), dessert tart with fruit such as blueberries... to be enjoyed indoors in a warm mountain decor or on the terrace with the panoramic view of the resort and surrounding mountains.
✔ Tip: a free public toilet is available in the building just before the restaurant.
❤ Little extra: ...
5) Aerial ride on a giant zip line
Chamrousse's new winter (and summer) experience is not to be missed! For those aged 9 and over, solo or in a duo, the world's largest pylon zip line is yours for the taking!Leaving from Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin, hop aboard the La Croix gondola for a sensational adventure, taking off from the summit all the way down to the bottom of the resort.
Wear warm sportswear and gloves, and safety equipment (harness, helmet, protective mask) will be loaned to you at the summit. You'll need to accelerate a little after the first pylon and decelerate again at the second pylon, so that you can admire a unique view of the resort while keeping your height. What's more, you can buy your souvenir photo on arrival.
✔ Tip: take the gondola up to the summit early to enjoy the Panoramic Park (walk, belvedere, footbridge, etc.) before coming back down on the giant zip line.
❤ Good to know: online booking of your zip-line slot in advance strongly recommended (gondola ascent included)
Conclusion
Come and enjoy the Panoramic Park and its exceptional panorama in a mountain climate, a breath of fresh air to be savoured without moderation.
Discover the summit of the Croix de Chamrousse as a family, couple or group of friends, with activities for everyone: a gondola ride followed by an easy, fun walk for parents and/or grandparents (or a walk up the mountain for the more sporty), a telephone game for children and teenagers to play along with you, and adventures like the zip line and footbridge for thrill-seekers.
Drop into the Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin tourist office to pick up the map of the Panoramic Park and ask any questions you may have.
Be careful, even if you are accessible, the summit of Chamrousse is still in a mountain environment. You are on the doorstep of the high mountains, so there are a few basic rules and good manners to observe, so that the mountains remain a pleasure... be vigilant.
Come and enjoy the Panoramic Park and its exceptional panorama in a mountain climate, a breath of fresh air to be savoured without moderation.
Discover the summit of the Croix de Chamrousse as a family, couple or group of friends, with activities for everyone: a gondola ride followed by an easy, fun walk for parents and/or grandparents (or a walk up the mountain for the more sporty), a telephone game for children and teenagers to play along with you, and adventures like the zip line and footbridge for thrill-seekers.
Drop into the Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin tourist office to pick up the map of the Panoramic Park and ask any questions you may have.
Be careful, even if you are accessible, the summit of Chamrousse is still in a mountain environment. You are on the doorstep of the high mountains, so there are a few basic rules and good manners to observe, so that the mountains remain a pleasure... be vigilant.