Visitor reviews for Oz en Oisans Ski Resort

Oz en Oisans Ratings

Overall: 4.3. Based on 15 votes and 13 reviews. Vote

Snowsure: 4.7

(1) Occasionally gets enough snow for skiing, (2) is often closed due to a lack of snow, (3) occasionally suffers from a lack of snow, (4) rarely suffers from a lack of snow, (5) Oz en Oisans is snowsure even in the poorest seasons.

Variety of pistes: 4.7

(1) The ski runs are featureless and unvaried, (3) the ski runs are varied but not extensive enough for a week, (5) Oz en Oisans has diverse and interesting pistes including forests and high alpine terrain.

Off-piste: 4.2

(1) No off-piste worth mentioning, (2) off piste is out-of-bounds, (3) some varied offpiste that stays fresh for one or two days, (5) a vast array of off-piste routes that can stay untracked for several days.

Scenery: 4.5

(1) An ugly resort in a bland setting, (3) average mountain views and resort, (5) a spectacular setting and a beautiful / historic resort town.

Access: 4.0

(1) At least one overnight stop, (2) requires a whole day, (3) requires more than half a day – you may have time for a few turns (4) arrive by lunchtime and ski all afternoon, (5) there is a main airport within an hour of Oz en Oisans.

Public Transport: 4.2

(1) There are no buses or taxis to Oz en Oisans, (3) there are slow or infrequent buses / trains available, (5) getting to the resort is easy with frequent bus / train connections.

Accommodation: 4.6

(1) No places to stay in/near Oz en Oisans, (3) a few places to stay in the resort, (5) a wide variety of accommodation suitable to suit all budgets.

Cheap Rooms: 3.6

(1) No budget accommodation available, (3) just one or two hostels so book ahead, (5) several cheap hostels and pensions available.

Luxury Hotels: 3.5

(1) No luxury accommodation available, (3) just one or two luxury hotels so book ahead, (5) several up-market hotels in Oz en Oisans.

Ski in/Ski out: 4.9

(1) The ski area is located far from any accommodation, (3) a free ski bus takes you to the ski area in a short trip, (5) Ski-in ski-out accommodation is available.

Childcare: 4.6

(1) There are no child care facilities at Oz en Oisans, (5) the resort has excellent child-care facilities including at least one reasonably priced creche.

Snowmaking: 4.9

(1) Oz en Oisans relies entirely on natural snow, (3) there are just a few snow cannons, (5) there are snowmaking facilities on all pistes.

Snow Grooming: 4.7

(1) There are no snow groomers at Oz en Oisans, (3) occasionally some pistes are left ungroomed and in a poor state, (5) all the runs at Oz en Oisans are groomed daily.

Shelter: 4.1

(1) there is nowhere to ski when it is windy or visibility is bad and lifts often shut, (3) there are some trees for poor visibility but main lifts sometimes close, (5) Oz en Oisans is mostly in forest where you can ski in flat-light and windy days, lifts rarely close.

Nearby options: 4.7

(1) If snow conditions are poor at Oz en Oisans, it will be poor everywhere nearby, (3) there are good alternatives within an hours drive, (5) other locations on the same lift pass provide a rich variety of snowsure ski conditions.

Regional rating: 4.8

(1) Oz en Oisans usually has poor snow conditions compared to other resorts in region, (3) has average conditions for the region, (5) usually has the best snow conditions in the region.

Lift Staff: 4.6

(1) The staff at Oz en Oisans are rude or unhelpful, (5) lift staff at Oz en Oisans are pleasant, cheerful and eager to help.

Crowds/Queues: 4.4

(1) the resort is always busy and there are usually long lift queues, (3) it is quiet apart from occasional weekends and school holidays, (5) it is uncrowded and lift queues are very rare.

Ski Schools: 4.4

(1) No ski schools available, (2) one or two ski schools but local language only, (3) a few ski schools but book early for multi-lingual instructors, (4) plenty of ski schools and multi-lingual instructors available, (5) excellent ski schools with friendly multi-lingual ski instructors.

Hire and Repairs: 4.8

(1) Nothing can be sourced, not even ski-wax or ptex. (3) there are some ski shops but rentals need to be booked in advance, (5) good quality ski equipment can be purchased or hired and overnight repairs are possible.

Beginners: 4.7

(1) Beginners can only watch others ski and snowboard, (3) a few gentle slopes but beginners will get bored in less than a week, (3) Vast areas of gentle terrain.

Intermediates: 4.7

(1) No intermediate terrain at Oz en Oisans, (3) intermediate skiers will get bored after a few days, (5) vast areas of cruising runs.

Advanced: 4.8

(1) Nothing for advanced skiers and snowboarders, (3) enough steep terrain for a few days with some good offpiste, (5) Enough steep terrain and offpiste areas to entertain advanced skiers for at least a week.

Snow Park: 3.6

(1) Not even a kicker at Oz en Oisans, (3) average sized park quite well looked after, (5) huge park area and expertly crafted pipes, jumps and boardercross trails.

Cross-country: 3.8

(1) There is nowhere to go for cross-country skiing around Oz en Oisans, (3) there are some cross country trails available, (5) the area features many spectacular and well maintained cross-country trails.

Luge/Toboggan: 3.7

(1) No designated luge or toboggan runs, (3) there are toboggan runs that open quite often, (5) Oz en Oisans has long and well maintained luge / toboggan facilities suitable for all ages.

Mountain Dining: 4.3

(1) Nowhere to buy food by the pistes, (3) some places to eat up on the mountain but they are often busy and expensive, (5) there is a variety of excellent mountain eateries right next to the slopes to suit all budgets.

Eating: 4.2

(1) Bring your own food, there isn't even a shop. (5) A wide variety of places to eat and drink in the resort, from fast food to fancy restaurants.

Apres-Ski: 2.9

(1) Nothing to do, not even a bar, (3) there are a few bars in the resort but nothing special, (5) clubs and bars stay open until very late and have a friendly atmosphere.

Other Sports: 4.0

(1) No sports facilities at all apart from ski lifts, (3) resort has just a small public swimming pool, (5) resort has all kinds of sports facilities, including a full-size swimming pool.

Entertainment: 3.5

(1) Besides the snow and walking there is nothing to do here, (3) the non-skier will find things to do for few days but may become bored after a week, (5) the resort area is a fascinating place to visit, regardless of winter sports.

Winter Walks: 4.0

(1) Very limited walking and no snowshoe trails, (3) a couple of designated scenic walking/snowshoe trails, (5) extensive and diverse winter walking trails for all abilities.

Ski Pass Value: 4.3

(1) A 1 week ski pass is overpriced compared to the number of lifts available, (3) the ski pass is averagely priced and covers a reasonable number of lifts, (5) ski passes are excellent value for money and cover a lot of lifts spanning a big area.

Value (National): 4.4

(1) Overall, Oz en Oisans is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the country and not worth the money, (3) overall represents average value for money, (5) overall offers the best value resort in the country.

Value (Global): 4.1

(1) Overall, Oz en Oisans is one of the most expensive ski resorts in the world, (3) overall it offers pretty average value for money compared to resorts from other countries, (5) internationally the resort offers excellent value for money.

Show all 35 ratings

January 02, 2020
Simon from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
A quick warning about the lift passes if you're planning to use them for Deux Alpes (2 days included in the 6 day passes). We've bought ours online and had them delivered. You're told to collect a voucher/ticket from one of the lift offices before visiting Deux Alpes. I did so and was told (at 2 separate lift offices in Oz en Oisans and Alpe d'Huez) that this wasn't necessary, that the lift pass would work (and if not that the confirmation of our payment was enough). We visited Deux Alpes in 2018 and 2019 from Oz and: a) the lift passes don't work there, you have to pick up a Deux Alpes pass, b) they wanted a voucher! This entailed a long wait at the lift office at Les Deux Alpes while they called Oz to confirm our eligibility, even after we showed the online confirmation of purchase. They eventually supplied us with passes, somewhat begrudgingly and with a mild telling off for not having the correct documents. It might be easier if you buy the passes directly from the station in Oz, but in either case, I would recommend you bring the receipt and some identification with you if using them in Deux Alpes.
January 02, 2020
Simon from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Stayed with family for the 19/20 new year week. Good snow coverage and sunny every day but mild temperatures meant icy lower runs back to Oz with moguled runs by lunchtime. It's generally quiet in the evenings. Not a lot else to do in resort. There's only one supermarket which is small, poorly stocked and expensive, even for Alps standards. You'll be lucky to find bread and milk after 5.30pm at peak times although the bakery at the other end of town sometimes still has some. The lift queues on the Oz side were usually much quieter than Alpe d' Huez. We sometimes queued more than 20mins for the main lifts there. Auris also quieter with plenty of nice runs. You'll have to be heading back by 3.30.
February 27, 2019
SJM from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
My family and I have been to this resort many times. We have 3 children aged 13,11 and 9. They have all learnt to ski at the ESF which is second to none. Small but quality selection of bars and restaurant, supermarket, bakery, a cheese shop. Lovely pedestrianised purpose-built resort (but with a very traditional feel). Excellent access to Alpes d'Huez Grande Domaine and contrary to other reports we have skied here at Easter and the snow is great due to the proximity to the glacier keeping temperatures lower than average. Oz stays open later in the season than many resorts because of this. Go, you won't regret it.
March 06, 2018
S Parkin from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Stayed for a week in Feb half term. Small, quiet village and most shops/restaurants on one street so easy to get about. Coming from Grenoble it's one of the easiest resorts to get to (apart from the usual traffic chaos on Saturdays). The roads were completely snow free right up to the village. Even at half term access to the pistes via the 2 gondolas was good with hardly any queues (unless you hit ski school time). The Oz & Vajaunay lift/slopes were much quieter than those on the Alpe d'Huez side. Some nice off-piste runs also. Intermediates and above will exhaust the local piste options in a few days so the full area pass is essential. The Sarenne run from Pic Blanc (longest 'black' run in Europe) is fun to try - it's only steep for a short section at the very top. I'd be wary of going late season as it's not very high and south facing but recommend highly otherwise, particularly for families.
November 29, 2017
Zack Jones from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Our family stayed at Chalet Clementine in the Clos du Pre area of Oz en Oisans in April 2017 and had a great time. The area of Clos du Pre is a quiet, peaceful setting with stunning views. The chalet was ideal for families and very comfortable, located next to the Clos du Pre piste and drag lift offering virtually ski in/ski out conditions. The resort is pedestrianised, safe for children and offers fast access to the whole of the vast Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine ski area. There are a few restaurants and bars to choose from but the resort will probably need a few more as the resort gets bigger. Our self catering chalet was perfect for us as we ate in most nights and relaxed in comfort. If you want fast access to a big ski area, a good ski school, a wide range of pistes of varying degrees of difficulty offering something for everybody then come to Oz. If you want a lively night life this resort is not for you.
January 24, 2017
mark from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
To respond to another reviewer (from the UK): car parking can be free if you choose to park 5mins from the accommodation, not in the multi-storey. WiFi is expensive in the village, but most accommodation now have their own free WiFi. Personally, I find the boulangerie very good even if it is only baked on the premises. No music is the benefit of Oz. Go elsewhere if you want night clubs etc. Sorry you didn't enjoy it. Maybe try Les Deux Alps, instead.
August 19, 2016
Smith from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
Parkings souterrains payants , quel racket ! car pas de parking disponibles près des logements ! pas de wifi, pas d'internet free, payant et très cher ! Boulangerie industrielle de basse qualité ! pas de piste de luge correcte ! containers poubelles et de verres au pied des immeubles , réveillés la nuit et tous les matins très tôt ! Pas d'ambiance le soir , pas de pubs , pas de musique ! bref le vrai piège à touristes
March 08, 2016
Mark from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
A really lovely vilage in the heart of Alpe d'Huez ski domaine, but without the busy-ness. All you need, as long as you don't want the manic nightlife. Lovely skiing back to the village and some great accommodation.
January 22, 2012
Craig from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
We have just spent the week between Christmas and New Year skiing in Oz. It was brilliant. The snow was fantastic, and the weather mostly sunny. The Poutran allowed access to a wide range of runs so every ability was catered for. We stayed in Apartment Sarenne, hosted by Richard and Janet Hughes, and were delighted with the cosy comfort and superb location so close to the Poutran we could ski back to the front door. There is a small supermarket and variety of restaurants in the village, so we were kept well watered and fed. We hired our ski equipment from 2G sports, and the service we received from Antoine and his team was excellent. We would highly recommend this location for a brilliant family holiday.
February 01, 2009
hilary pattison from Ski United Kingdom United Kingdom
My family went to Oz en Oisans for the first time last year. Having stayed in many resorts this is the one which ticks all the boxes. There are two gondola style lifts straight into two beautiful skiing areas (Alpe D'Huez and Vaujany). The children also have a great and wide skiing area in the village itself. There is everything from the longest black run in the Alps to the greatest variety of green and blue runs I have ever seen. As this resort is linked to the second highest mountain in the Alps, snow is virtually guaranteed in season. Oz en Oisans itself is like a large village, with many log cabins and trees and overlooking the spectacular Belledonne mountain range. Big enough to have facilities but small enough to be compact and easy to get around. As others have mentioned, if you like night life, go somewhere else. If your idea of bliss is a quiet meal or drink in the evening with no screaming drunken parties in the middle of the night then this is the place for you. Cars, once you get there (half way up the mountain), are pretty much redundant as there are no roads. You park up in a multi-story or on the road side and then everything is on foot for the week. That meant we were happy for our kids to go out and toboggan in the street and low slopes with all the other kids every evening after skiing. Ski school was right in the centre of the village at Os en Oisans although you need to book ahead as some people coming on spec couldn't get in. Our instructors were excellent. We could ski straight there from our chalet in 2 mins. Bliss.