Ski-Areas > Northern Alps > Isère (38) > Chartreuse > Col de Porte
The ski resort of Col de Porte is situated in the Chartreuse area of the Isère department in the Northern Alps region. The lift served area extends from 1340 metres to 1650 metres. The resort features a very impressive snowpark.
The resort's pistes are also the starting point for the ski tour of the 2082 meter Chamchaude mountain, the high point of the Chartreuse mountains.
There have been some questions about the future of this micro-resort which is a shame as it is an important historical landmark in the development of French skiing. The first drag lift in France was built on its slopes in 1935. The resort will open for the 2005-2006 season but the chair lift on the Charmont-Som side of the mountain may remain closed. It was serviced last year but it seems that it still does not have approval to run. The owner of the resort M. Garin and son of Pierre Garin who developed the station in 1935 is now 63 but is apparently still very enthusiastic about "the family business". There has been talk of Saint-Pierre de Chartreuse and even Vosges based Remy Loisirs investing but agreement is some way off.
The Col du Porte is one of the original French ski stations. A plaque at the top of the slopes celebrates a carpenter called Rossat who built France's first drag lift on the fields of the Col de Porte a year ahead of Jean Pomagalski at l'Alpe d'Huez. On a Saturday morning Grenoblois would pedal up to the Col de Porte skis and baggage strapped precariously to their backs. They would then enjoy a day's skiing before having a drink at Pierre Garin's hotel by the slopes (now in his 60s M. Garin's son is still the mayor of Sarcenas and owns the lifts)
Nearest Airport(s):Grenoble St Geoirs 60km
Road: Grenoble -> la Tronche -> D512 -> Le Sappey -> Col de Porte
Rail: Grenoble TGV then VFD bus. The 7410 service leaves the Gare Routiere (next to the mainline train station) from 8:15 arriving at the col de Porte at 9.05am.
There are several hotels, for example the Cartusia.
Les 3 Sommets at the top of the pistes serves good food at reasonable prices. The restaurant is on the 1st floor which gives a good view over the slopes and towards the Charmant Som.
Website: http://les3sommets.free.fr
Only include guides and instructors who cater for off-piste or backcountry. Please specify whether they take snowboarders.
http://www.chartreuse-tourisme.com/
http://www.coldeporte.fr/ - official website for the station
Tel : 04 76 56 26 77 Ski Pass: Adult 12.50, half day: 10,50 6 days: 60,00
The col du Porte host the Croix de Chamchaude Ski Mountaineering competition every year in March.
Category: Ski Areas
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