However, despite being a very flat city, Grenoble is surrounded by 3 different mountain ranges. To the north, you have the Chartruese; to the south and west, the Vercors; and to the east, the Belledone mountains.
Also, the climate in Grenoble is quite different from that in Steamboat. It rains here a lot! Grenoble gets about 915mm (36 inches) of rain each year compared to Steamboat’s 627mm (24 inches). This gives Grenoble quite a temperate climate, though it still can get pretty cold in the winter.
For me, seeing so much green and having so much all the time was so new! There are so many fruit and nut trees. I was able to go on a hike one day and collect plums from a local tree!
Grenoble has two major rivers: the Isère and Drac, which provide great sources of water for the city. The Drac River actually has a very large aquifer that is the main source of drinking water. These rivers also provide good conditions for agriculture in the surrounding regions.
Also, the climate in Grenoble is quite temperate, while still providing four distinct seasons for people to enjoy! People can live in the moderate climate of Grenoble and then travel to nearly 20+ ski resorts in the neighboring mountains.
One major challenge that people face in Grenoble is really bad air pollution. Because Grenoble is surrounded by mountains, the city often experiences a phenomenon called an inversion. This occurs when the light from the sun hits the slopes of the mountains much more than the lower valley, creating a difference in temperature.
