Alpe d’Huez Ski Resort

Built in 1936, Alpe d’Huez  is also known as ‘the Island in the Sunshine’ due to the fact that the resort enjoys an average of 300 days of sunshine. The village is at an altitude of 4757 feet (1,450 m) and is as famous for its summer activities including being a stage on the Tour de France as for its winter sports. Bordering on the Ecrins National Park, the resort offers a massive range of sports from world-class skiing to mountaineering and road and mountain biking.

This s a resort famed for its liveliness and for its wide range of activities both on and off the slopes.  The center is based around Avenue des Jeux , which is where you’ll find the swimming pool, sports center, and a selection of bars and restaurants. This area developed from the original village and you will find a couple of streets with a more traditional feel. Additionally, there are two satellite areas, Les Bergers and L’Eclose which both have their own lift connections and shops and restaurants. All the areas of the resort are connected by a shuttle bus service (free on your lift pass) and during the day there is a bucket lift running through the resort up to the main lifts. There are also a number of lower villages that are connected to the ski area including Huez, Vaujany, and Villard Reculas.

Alpe d’Huez Lodging, Accommodation & Hotel Options

The main resort of Alpe d’Huez is made up of 3 main sectors with some new buildings extending out from there. The center of the resort is built along the snow front and descends in almost a triangular shape down with Avenue des Jeux almost in the center. The other 2 main sectors are Les Bergers and L’Eclose – both just a walk or short shuttle bus ride away. Both these areas have their own shops, restaurants, and ski lifts

Daria-I Nor

• Rating: 5 Star
• Location: L’Eclose
• Room Type: Apartment: 2-5 Bedroom

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L’Ours Blanc

• Rating: 3.5 Star
• Location: Centre
• Room Type: Apartment: Studio, 1-3 Bedroom

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Le Cristal de l’Alpe

• Rating: 4 Star
• Location: Centre
• Room Type: Apartment: 2-5 bedroom

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Le Pic Blanc

• Rating: 4 Star
• Location: Les Bergers
• Room Type: Hotel, Junior & Family Suite

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Les Bergers

• Rating: 4 Star
• Location: Les Bergers
• Room Type: Apartment: Studio, 1 Bedroom

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Les Horizons d’Huez

• Rating: 3 Star
• Location: L’Eclose
• Room Type: Apartment: Studio, 1 Bedroom

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Alpe d’Huez Ski Resort Mountain & Terrain

Alpe d’Huez has mainly south or south-west facing slopes and has high sunny slopes with good snow-making capacity and a modern, efficient lift system. A particular highlight is the longest run in the Alps – the 10-mile (16 km) Sarenne, a black run from  Pic Blanc 10892 feet (3,320 m) with a vertical descent of 6561 feet (2000 m).

But this is truly a ski area with something for every level of skier  – it has one of the largest nursery areas in the Alps with four free lifts for beginners and the green runs above the village and the Les Bergers area have lots of gentle, wide pistes to help beginners or timid skiers. Perfect for finding your ski legs before progressing to the blues and more challenging red runs.

Ski the lovely blue cruisy runs in the Signal sector or try the long, blue Champclotury run above Oz or the main Couloir blue from 2,700m. Once you’ve got your confidence ski the Canyon run from the Plat des Marmottes and if you’re feeling strong go for the ultimate 16km Sarenne run. There are some great black runs from the top of Pic Blanc and three to tick off your ‘to do list’ are Fare, Combe Charbonniere, and La Fuma.

There is some fantastic off-piste to explore and you should hire a guide to explore the Gorges de Sarenne and the Glacier de Sarenne and the north-facing Vaujany sector.

For boarder and freestyles, there are 2 snow parks with everything from a beginner section to an airbag jump, half-pipe, rails, and a boardercross.

There are 50kms of cross-country trails, most of which are loops that are clearly marked.  The longest is a 10-mile (16 km) loop ( La Boucle Rochette) so gives a good aerobic workout! Most of the trails are blues and reds.

Alpe d’Huez Statistics

How To Get To Alpe d’Huez

Flying to Alpe d’Huez

• Geneva – 2 hrs 45 mins
• Lyon – 2 hrs 20 mins
• Grenoble – 1 hr 40mins
• Chambery – 1 hr 55min

Transfers to Resort

Minibus transfers to the resort operate from the airport, bus, or train station.

Catching a Train to Alpe d’Huez

The nearest mainline train station is in Grenoble which is well connected with intercity train lines. The transfer from Grenoble train station is around 1hr 30mins.

Driving to Alpe d’Huez

The town in the valley is Bourg d’Oisans and the drive up to the resort of Alpe d’Huez is 15kms. The road up is very winding and there are the notorious 21 hairpin bends to negotiate,  made famous in the Tour de France race.

Alpe d’Huez Lift Pass Options

The Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine pass covers the whole ski area including the neighboring villages of Villard-Reculas, Vaujany, and Oz en Oisans.  A 6day+ pass also gives a day’s skiing in the resort of Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier and you can add a supplement to give you access to the sports center, outdoor (heated!) swimming pool, and the ice rink. There are discounts for family passes and there are also beginner passes available.

There is night skiing available which is included on your lift pass.

Cross-country skiers will also need a pass to access the trails.

Alpe d’Huez Snowsports & Ski School Improvement Programs

There are a number of ski schools in the resort offering everything from group lessons to private tuition and guiding. Group lessons typically start on Sunday or Monday and run for 5 or 6 mornings.

The ESF (French Ski School) run a ski club and ski lessons from age 2½ upwards.

Alpe d’Huez Things To Do, Activities & Tours

Helicopter & Scenic Flights – See the area from the air by either taking a helicopter or scenic flight to see the Oisans and Grand Rousse area. Light aircraft and micro-light flights are also available. Or for something really exhilarating try a tandem paraglide.

Sports Centre & Swimming Pool – A great sports center with a gym, badminton  & squash courts, indoor football, climbing wall, and fitness studio. There is an indoor and outdoor (heated!) swimming pool so you can enjoy a relaxing swim with a view of the snow and mountains.

Ice Rink – The ice rink offers both leisure skating and there are regular ice hockey matches as well as curling.

Ski Joering – Try the ancient method of transport combing skis and horses.

Husky Dog Rides – Try your hand at ‘mushing’ driving a pack of husky dogs or enjoy the experience as a passenger from the comfort of your own sled.

Ice Climbing & Mountaineering – Explore the Oisans summit and the Ecrins National Park with a guide. You can explore the ice caves found at 2,700 m (accessible via the Grand Rousses/DMC lift).   Or try ice climbing on the sunny face of the Vaujany or on the Cascade de la Fare. For beginners, there is a 12m indoor climbing wall with a boulder rock at the Sports Centre

Zip Wire – Alpe d’Huez has a 400m zip wire going over the piste and with an airbag landing at the XFly Centre

Toboggan – There is a dedicated sled run from the top of the Grand Rousse/DMC lift as well as a dedicated area on the slope next to the Bergers shopping center. There is also night sledding on the Butte de l’Eclose slope.

Night Skiing – If you want to ski some more, then try night skiing which takes place every Thursday (and Tuesday in the French school holidays) evening.

Cinema – There are 2 cinemas in the resort both of which show regular films in English ( look for VOST)

Alpe d’Huez Heli Skiing

Heliskiing is not permitted in France but  Alpe d’Huez’s has some impressive off-piste terrain so spend a day with a guide exploring the areas inaccessible by lift. Most of the ski hire shops have touring skis and off-piste equipment available for hire.

If you’re looking for even more of a challenge then head to La Grave, the legendary off-piste resort which is about 25 miles (40 km) drive.

Alpe d’Huez Restaurants, Bars and Nightlife

Alpe d’Huez has a great selection of restaurants both on and off the slopes and what it lacks in fine dining and Michelin stars, it more than makes up for in good simple food, local specialties, and good value. You’ll find everything from fondues and raclettes to pizza, pasta, and burgers as well as some great bars to keep you entertained from après-ski till late.

Particular favorites on the mountain are the Signal, the Perce Neige down in Oz en Oisans, and the Chalet du Lac Besson which is also accessible for pedestrians. There is also a branch of the (in)famous Folie Douce with its good restaurant and excellent cabaret and après-ski.

In resort each of the sectors has restaurants and bars but the biggest concentration is in the central sector where you’ll find a wide range of cuisines on offer. I would recommend  La Cremaillere for local specialties and for vegetarian options and if you’re looking for great pizza, head to Pizzeria Pinocchio on Avenue des Jeux.

Alpe d’Huez Shopping

As you would expect, the resort offers a great selection of sports shops offering clothing and equipment for skiers, snowboarders, and mountaineers. You will also find some great clothes shops and plenty of selection of craft and souvenir shops.

The resort also has all the essentials including supermarkets, specialist food shops, and pharmacy. There is also a weekly market down in Bourg d’Oisans.