Chamrousse Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

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FAQ - Frequently Asked Questions


Your questions. Our answers. Find the answers of your questions frequently asked in Chamrousse in our FAQ.
 

Practical questions

Find the main information about Chamrousse in every season: parking, WIFI, toilets, pets, lakes, lost objects, babies... but also the information about winter season.

IN EVERY SEASON
  • Are Chamrousse car parks free?
Yes and no, during the winter season, the car parks near the snow fronts are chargeable and the others are free.
The rest of the year (except winter), all parking spaces are free. Don't hesitate to park away from the slopes on busy days, as free shuttle bus stops are available throughout the resort to take you to the snow fronts.
  • Is there WIFI in Chamrousse?
Yes, you can enjoy a free access to the WIFI in all of our poles in the station. You just have to connect to the network “Internet Here Chamrousse“ and give your e-mail. You can find our WIFI spaces for your holidays on our map of station.
  • Where are the toilets open to the people in Chamrousse?          
    • In Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin: from the Office of Tourism, cross the main place and the toilets in free access are just after the metallic stairs on the left of the lift bulding. And also on the Vernon square (just after the Alisiers street).
    • In Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger: automatic toilets are outside of the commercial gallery (behind the desk of the ESF - French Skiing School), another on the Croisette road (just after the upward turn) and you have also free toilets next to the Écrin chairlift (former Bachat-Bouloud).
    • In Chamrousse 1700 - Villages du Bachat: the free toilets are close to the skipass sale point in the snow front.  
    • A Chamrousse 1600 - Plateau de l'Arselle (Nordic Park in winter): the toilets in free access are inside of the room “hors-sac“.
       
  • Are dogs accepted in the Chamrousse resort?
    • In winter: yes, dogs on a lead are allowed on the pre-Gaudet, Clairières and Achard lake footpaths/snowshoeshoes + on the connecting paths between the different parts of the resort Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin <-> Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger <-> Chamrousse 1600 - Arselle plateau.
      On the other hand, no, dogs are not allowed on all areas where working dogs are allowed: the slopes in the Alpine area, the Nordic area at Plateau de l'Arselle and the ski lifts (so the Croix gondola at Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin is closed to dogs in winter).
    • In summer: yes, dogs on a lead are allowed on the La Croix gondola at Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin and the entire Chamrousse mountain area. Please note that as Achard lake is classified as a Sensitive Natural Area (ENS), swimming (humans and dogs) is prohibited to avoid any mixing in the water, on pain of a fine.
    • In the resort's free shuttles: no, dogs are no longer accepted in Chamrousse's shuttles from winter 2020.
 
  • Can we go to the Chamrousse lakes (Robert lakes, Achard lake)?
In winter :
  • Robert lakes: no, pedestrian access is forbidden to the "Lacs Robert" (unsecured mountain area). The only way to get there is to pay a fee to use the lifts and slopes for downhill skiing (or to take part in the ice diving activity). And free of charge by ski touring via the secure Casserousse itinerary, then continuing on to an unsecured area outside the Chamrousse ski area (check with mountain guides or dedicated maps).
  • Achard lake: yes, pedestrian access to "Lac Achard" is permitted, and you can go there free of charge on foot, on snowshoes or on ski touring on the signposted, safe routes provided (be careful, the lake is frozen and under snow).
In summer: yes, of course, on foot or by paying lift (La Croix cable car and Bérangère chairlift). A few recommendations: hiking boots are compulsory, dogs must be kept on a lead, anticipate the weather conditions, don't overestimate your physical abilities, take a rucksack with a bottle of water, snacks, cap and sun cream...
By car: no, the only people authorised to climb our mountains by car are our winter and summer technical services. The lakes and all the other natural sites in Chamrousse are accessible only on foot in summer, and on skis or snowshoes in winter.
   
  • Can I go up to Chamrousse with my baby?
Yes, you can go to the mountains with a healthy infant. However, to protect your young child from possible earache due to the difference in atmospheric pressure in altitude, we recommend that you take breaks to perform one or more “decompression” stops of approximately 10 minutes uphill and downhill. For information, there is a minimum of 1,400 meters in altitude between the valley and the resort of Chamrousse.
 
  • Can my baby take the Chamrousse gondola?
No, it is forbidden to take the gondola with a baby up to the age of 12 months, and we strongly advise you to wait until your child is 18 months old. Newborns' eardrums are fragile and the gondola cannot take a break during the 600 metres of ascent in one go (departure 1650m - arrival 2250m).
 
WINTER
  • Do you need snow tires to go up to Chamrousse in winter?
Yes, since the French mountain law came into force, for your safety it is compulsory for your vehicle to be equipped throughout the winter season from November to April with: 4 snow tyres OR 4 approved 4-season tyres (bearing the 3PMSF mark) OR a pair of chains / snow socks in your truck.
Chamrousse is located at an altitude of more than 1650m, the risk of snow in the resort is frequent in winter and a snowfall not predicted by the weather can complicate your trips without specific equipment (on your arrival or for the return).
  • Is there a free area with a mat to teach my child to ski in Chamrousse?
No, the only carpets present in the resort belong to the ski school (ESF) or the Chamrousse ski lifts. This is the case, for example, with the Lauze conveyor belt in Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger at the rear of the shopping mall, which is a ski lift only intended to reach the Bachat-Bouloud slope. By taking this mat, you cannot go back down where you took it at the beginning.
To teach your child to ski, you have the possibility of taking a "toddler" skipass offered up to the age of 4 and start slowly with the ski lifts and chairlifts in the beginner's areas.
 
  • Is there a picnic room on the ski slopes (Chamrousse alpine ski area)?
Yes, from winter 2023, there is a room for shelter or a picnic in the alpine ski area (like the Nordic area for cross-country skiers). It is located in Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger near the snow front towards the "Les Marmots" childcare.
  • Will there be snow in Chamrousse this winter?
We do not have a way to accurately predict the weather and snow conditions and therefore cannot answer this question. Indeed, as for each territory, the years are extremely variable. But we make sure that the resort and the slopes open from December to mid-April in order to let you enjoy the most of the ski area.
For more information, we invite you to contact the reception of the Tourist Office on +33 (0)4 76 89 92 65 or by email using the contact form.
 
 

BONUS - Unusual questions:

Snow  
  • Where can I take ski and snowboard lessons if there is no more room at ESF Chamrousse? At the "Ski Plaisir" ski school or the "Gabriel Bessy" snowboard school.
  • Where can I find a ski locker?
  • Where is the practice of yooner and snooc authorized? The yooner, paret and snooc (equipped with a leash) are tolerated on the slopes of Chamrousse accessible via the gondola from La Croix to Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin. Otherwise, yonner and snooc are allowed on the Gaboureaux chairlift only as part of a reservation for the Luge Park. See Chamrousse shops for yooner rental.
  • Where is the practice of snowscoot allowed? Snowscoot is authorized on downhill ski slopes served by the Chamrousse lifts, except for draglifts, carpets and Robert lakes chairlift. See Chamrousse shops for snowscoot rental.
  • Where is the practice of baby snow authorized? Baby snow (mini snowboard with seat equipped with a scooter handlebar) is tolerated on the Croisette skilift in Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger.
 
  • Where can I find a raclette / fondue machine?
    • Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin: at the Casino Shop, at the Faim Gourmet and at the Cabanon des saveurs (loan and / or rental if buying cheese).
    • Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger: at the Grignote butcher, at the Petit Casino and at the Sherpa 1750 (loan and / or rental if buying cheese).
    • Chamrousse 1700 - Bachat Bouloud: at the Sherpa 1700 (loan if purchase) and at the Villages du Bachat residence (loan if client accommodation)
    • Throughout the resort: by 100% Fondue if cheese is ordered from their service department
Family - Children
Services
  • Where can you find a drinking water point in Chamrousse?
    • Chamrousse 1650 - Recoin: at the public toilets and at the leisure area of ​​La Grenouillère
    • Chamrousse 1750 - Roche Béranger: at the public toilets, at the Chamrousse Kids chalet (summer) / kindergarten (winter) and at the Town Hall
    • Chamrousse 1700 - Villages du Bachat: to the public toilets
    • Chamrousse 1600 - Plateau de l'Arselle: in the toilets of the picnic room
    • All the gourd filling points in the resort: partner establishments for the gourd-friendly approach in Chamrousse
Car  

 
Various