Resort Guide to Alpe d'Huez, France

Set on a high plateau that seems to overhang the valley below, it is easy to see why this Southern French ski resort has been nicknamed "the island in the sun".

 

Skiing & Boarding

As Frances fifth largest ski area, Alpe d'Heuz has something for everyone; great pistes, great off-piste, a board park and natural kickers on practically every run and an amazing snow and sun record. The area is shared with a few smaller villages that make for a nice midday stop off for lunch.

 

Beginners will find a good number of green slopes all around the main lift areas with easy T-bars and button lifts to ensure a gentle time.

 

Intermediate skiers and boarders will have a field day with blue and red runs spread across the resort reaching right out to Oz Station on the left and Auris-en-Oisand on the separate hill on the right. There are some lovely runs where you can just let your skis (or board) take you down the slopes while you admire the beautiful scenery as well as some good mogul fields and challenging red runs around the Plat des Marmottes area.

 

Advanced skiers and boarders should check out the runs from the top of Pic Blanc, including the 16km run down the back of the mountain and across the glacier de Sarenne (great for boarders until the end where it gets quite flat!). Though not that hard work, there is an element of "I'm on this run and there's no way of stopping 'till I get to the end". There are indeed challenging variations of most of the red and black runs throughout the resort and nearly all slopes have natural kickers for those who like to freestyle.

 

Lovers of off piste will appreciate the opportunities at the top of Pic Blanc and a short study of pre-laid tracks should provide some inspiration of what can be achieved here. Another good off-piste area is from the top of the main gondola (2700m) from the resort down to Oz station crossing the red runs that traverse there.

 

This really is a great all round resort with more than enough to keep every skier and boarder occupied for months.

 

The Town

Alpe d'Huez is not a purpose built resort but it does feel like one. There are an array of medium sized hotels throughout the sprawling town centre, a good number of amenities and a respectable number of sports facilities. The main shopping area is large enough to keep you occupied for a weeks window shopping and contains all the usual resort shops along with a few more unusual ones.

 

Though not the most picturesque resort, Alpe d'Huez is also far from being the most ugly and there is a nice feeling in the town. There is no through road to anywhere else and because you are stuck on a plateau at the top of a mountain with nowhere else to go you, get a certain feeling of togetherness with everyone else in the resort. This seems to show both in the town and on the slopes.

 

Transport around the town (and to the main lift area) is mainly achieved by riding in what's local known as "the yogurt pots"; an effective bucket lift system that passes over head through the resort.

 

High Level Resort

Lively Night Life

Good Snow Record

Large Ski Area

 

Après Ski   Alpe d'Huez has a great Après ski and night life with four clubs and many bars playing live music at least once a week.   Try out Smithy's bar for some late night dancing on tables, Crowded House for a very British feel and Sharkeys for some great guitar playing.   Igloo and Crystal are reputedly the best of the clubs, playing classic anthems throughout the night.	Activities   There are a vast number of sports activities available in Alpe d'Huez, these include:   Snow shoeing, ice rink, ice driving lessons on a 826m track, snowmobiling, parapenting, hang-gliding, 30km of marked walks, indoor and outdoor swimming pools, and a very well equipped sports centre with excellent climbing wall, squash courts, tennis courts and gym.   The resort also has a cinema (with some English films shown) and at the top of the main gondola (2700m) from the main lift area is an impressive ice cave with ice sculptures within.	Eating Out   Alpe d'Heuz has a great selection of places to eat with 50 restaurants in the resort.   Many of the restaurants serve good food at a price you would be happy paying while on holiday.   Top places to note are: Au P'tit Creux, Au Chamois d'Or and La Pomme de Pin.   Along with the more classy places to eat Alpe d'Huez, does of course sport all the usual pizza and crep bars you expect to find in a resort of this size.
Ski/Board Tuition   The E.S.F (French Ski School) seem to have a dominating presence in Alpe d'Huez though the E.S.I. (International Ski School) seem to come more highly recommended due to their smaller class sizes.	Ski/Board Hire   There are an extensive number of ski and board hire shops in the resort all offering competitive prices.   Ask your holiday rep/host for any recommendations or special offers.	Childcare   Les Crapouilloux in the resort centre provide a day kindergarten for children aged from 2 years. One full day (9:30-17:30) including lunch costs around €30.   For ski kindergarten, Les Eterlous in the Bergers area provide care for children aged 3-5 years at a cost of around €260 for 6 days (8:45-17:00). This price includes lunch.