Mont de Lans

The pretty village of La Grave, notorious for its challenging off-piste terrain is about 30 minutes away by road - ride the old gondola for some of the most spectacular mountain views in the region. The ride up to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez an hour away offers views of distant Mont Blanc. Further afield you can tour the Chartreuse distillery at Voiron on the other side of Grenoble, visit the museum and grounds of the chateau at Vizille on the D1091, or take a ride on the old funicular railway at St Hilaire du Touvet towards Chambery.

In summer, it makes a great base for walking and cycling, on both the roads and the downhill routes in 2 Alpes. The Romanche valley nearby offers some challenging via ferratas plus grade 3 white water rafting at La Grave.

There's nowhere to eat in the evening in Mont de Lans, which provides an excuse for a large lunch on the mountain. The Diable au Cœur at the top of the new Diable chair is owned by the same family as the Chalet Hotel Mounier and is reckoned to be the best lunch on the hill. Elsewhere, Le Kanata does 'moules frites' and a beer for a bargain price, and the restaurant on the glacier offers takeaway, self-service and a proper restaurant, all with fabulous views.

Without a bar or restaurant to its name, Mont de Lans is not a good choice for the social night owl, though a ten-minute drive takes you up to 2 Alpes centre and its buzzing nightlife.