Auris en Oisans vs Vaujany: which should you book?
For most families, book Vaujany. It is the more charming and better equipped of these two Alpe d'Huez satellites, a transformed mountain village with smart facilities, a big fast gondola straight into the ski area and a calm, upmarket feel. Book Auris en Oisans instead if you want a sunnier, simpler balcony village with true ski in ski out convenience and better value. Vaujany is the polished, well funded surprise. Auris is the sunny, no fuss family bargain.
By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed July 2026
The short answer
Vaujany wins on village character, facilities and fast access to the high slopes. Auris en Oisans wins on sunshine, ski in ski out simplicity and price. Pick Vaujany for a smarter family week with more to do, Auris for a sunny, easy, cheaper one.
Both are small satellite villages on the edge of the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine, sharing the same big lift pass to around 250 km of pistes, so neither is really a standalone ski area. The choice is about the base, and these two could hardly be more different despite sitting minutes apart. Auris en Oisans is a compact, sunny balcony resort perched on a south facing shelf, purpose built but low rise and friendly, with the snow running to the door. Vaujany is a real old village down in the valley that struck lucky decades ago when hydroelectric money paid for an outsize gondola and facilities far beyond its size. The honest split is sunny simplicity and value against village charm and serious infrastructure.
The numbers side by side
| Auris en Oisans | Vaujany | |
|---|---|---|
| Resort altitude | around 1,600 m | around 1,250 m |
| Top lift (shared area) | around 3,300 m at Pic Blanc | around 3,300 m at Pic Blanc |
| Linked area | Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine, around 250 km | Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine, around 250 km |
| Local character | Sunny south facing balcony, ski in ski out | Valley village, big gondola access |
| Snow reliability | Good up high, sunny lower slopes soften | Good up high, low village relies on lifts |
| Village | Compact purpose built, low rise, friendly | Traditional, transformed, well equipped |
| Best for | Sunny family weeks, value, convenience | Families wanting charm and facilities |
| Day pass (Grand Domaine) | around $55 to $65 | around $55 to $65 |
| Nearest airport | Grenoble, roughly 1.5 hours | Grenoble, roughly 1.5 hours |
The skiing
The skiing on the mountain is the same for both, since each is a gateway into the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine of around 250 km that climbs to the Pic Blanc at around 3,300 m. What differs is how you get in and out. Auris has its own sunny little sector of friendly blues and reds right above the village that is excellent for families and improvers, and a lift link across to the main area. Vaujany leans on its enormous valley gondola, which whisks you up to the high slopes quickly and is a genuine asset, though the return at the end of the day funnels everyone back to that one lift. Strong skiers will roam the whole area happily from either. Winner: a tie on the shared mountain, with Auris better for a self contained family sector and Vaujany better for fast height gain.
Snow
Snow is solid across the Grand Domaine thanks to the high Pic Blanc glacier terrain, but down at village level both have caveats. Auris sits higher at around 1,600 m, which helps, but its south facing aspect means the lower local runs catch a lot of sun and can soften quickly in spring. Vaujany sits lower in the valley at around 1,250 m, so the snow there is the least reliable part of the trip and you generally ride the gondola up rather than ski to the door. Up high the picture is good for both. For cover on the home slopes, Auris edges it on altitude despite the sun. Winner: Auris, narrowly.
The village
This is the heart of the case for Vaujany. It is a real village with a long history, and the hydroelectric windfall left it with facilities that shame resorts ten times its size, including a smart leisure center with a pool, a modern village gondola and well kept communal spaces, all wrapped in genuine alpine character. Auris is pleasant and practical but plainer, a tidy, low rise purpose built cluster on its sunny shelf with the essentials and not much more. If you want a base with charm and things to do off the snow, Vaujany wins comfortably. If you simply want to step out onto the piste and keep life simple, Auris does that better. Winner: Vaujany, clearly on character and facilities.
Cost
The lift pass is the same Grand Domaine pass at around $55 to $65 a day, so the gap is in lodging. Auris is the cheaper, more straightforward base, heavy on practical family apartments that keep a week comfortably in the under $2,000 to $2,000 to $4,000 per person range. Vaujany has invested in smarter accommodation and aims a little more upmarket, so it sits a touch higher on average, though it remains good value for what you get and still falls largely in the $2,000 to $4,000 band. For the tightest budget, Auris. Winner: Auris, narrowly.
Apres and nightlife
Neither of these is a nightlife resort, and anyone chasing a party should base in the main Alpe d'Huez town instead. Both Auris and Vaujany are quiet, family oriented bases with a few friendly bars and restaurants and early, relaxed evenings. Vaujany has marginally more going on thanks to its facilities and village core, but the difference is small. If apres ski is a priority, neither is your answer. Winner: Vaujany, very narrowly, and only just.
Families
Both are excellent family bases, which is really what each is built for, so this is close. Auris is the sunnier and simpler pick, with its own gentle local sector right above the village, true ski in ski out logistics and lower prices, ideal for young children and a fuss free week. Vaujany counters with its leisure center, pool and broader range of facilities, which give families more to do when the skis come off, plus good ski schools and a charming setting. For pure on snow convenience and value, Auris. For a richer week with more off snow options, Vaujany. Winner: a tie, decided by whether you value sunshine and simplicity or facilities and charm.
Access
Access is a tie, since both sit on the same approach into the Oisans. Grenoble is the nearest airport at roughly an hour and a half, with Lyon a little further at around two hours and Geneva also feasible. The final mountain roads are winding for both, and a transfer or hire car is the usual way in. Neither has a meaningful advantage. Winner: a tie.
The verdict
Book Vaujany if you want the more charming and better equipped base, with a smart leisure center, a fast gondola into the high slopes and a richer family week, and you do not mind a lower village that relies on lifts for snow. Book Auris en Oisans if you want a sunny, simple, ski in ski out balcony village at better value, ideal for young families who just want easy days on the snow. Read the full Auris en Oisans review and Vaujany review before you choose, and compare both with the hub in Alpe d'Huez vs Auris en Oisans and Alpe d'Huez vs Vaujany.
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Common questions
Is Auris en Oisans or Vaujany better for skiing?
The mountain is the same, since both are gateways into the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine of around 250 km climbing to the Pic Blanc at around 3,300 m. Auris has its own sunny family sector right above the village, while Vaujany offers fast height gain through its large valley gondola. Self contained family skiing leans Auris, quick access to the high slopes leans Vaujany.
Which has more reliable snow?
Up high across the Grand Domaine snow is good for both thanks to the Pic Blanc glacier terrain. At village level Auris sits higher at around 1,600 m but faces south, so its lower runs soften in sun, while Vaujany sits lower at around 1,250 m and relies on the gondola rather than skiing to the door. Auris edges it on home slope cover.
Which is cheaper, Auris en Oisans or Vaujany?
Auris, narrowly. The lift pass is the same Grand Domaine pass at around 55 to 65 dollars a day, but Auris is heavier on practical family apartments and keeps a week in the under 2,000 to 2,000 to 4,000 dollar per person range. Vaujany aims a little more upmarket and sits a touch higher on average.
Which is better for families?
Both are excellent and it is close. Auris is sunnier, simpler and cheaper, with its own gentle local sector and true ski in ski out logistics. Vaujany offers a leisure center, pool and more off snow facilities plus genuine village charm. Choose Auris for convenience and value, Vaujany for a richer week.
Which village is nicer to stay in?
Vaujany, comfortably. It is a real alpine village whose hydroelectric windfall funded facilities far beyond its size, including a smart leisure center and a modern gondola, all with genuine character. Auris is pleasant and practical but plainer, a tidy low rise purpose built cluster on a sunny shelf.
How do you get to Auris en Oisans and Vaujany?
Both sit on the same approach into the Oisans. Grenoble is the nearest airport at roughly an hour and a half, with Lyon a little further at around two hours and Geneva also feasible. The final mountain roads are winding, so a transfer or hire car is the usual way in for both.