Overall altitude: 1250m – 3330m
Main ski area altitude: 1600m – 2100m
Range of difficulty: Beginners to advanced
Size of ski area: 250 km
Price: Mid-price for France
This popular resort is in the Southern French Alps has wide appeal and is equally well suited to families or groups of friends of all ages and skiing abilities. It is located on a south facing plateau with an average of 300 days of sun each year it is known as the Island of Sunshine.
With a huge variety of slopes to choose from, the degree of difficulty generally increases as you go higher up the mountain. Access is fast and efficient using a network of cable cars, chairlifts and gondolas. Some of the most challenging runs start at the highest altitudes, with the reds and more difficult blues located mid way down. A great feature of Alpe D’Huez is the wide open area of gentle green runs on the lower slopes, perfect for beginners of all ages.
The diversity of slopes and modern lift system makes Alpe D’Huez popular with both skiers and snow boarders. For those looking for a thrill, there is the Snow Park which offers a range of rails, boxes and jumps with different sections ideal for different abilities. There are beginner trails in the Family Park, easy to access on green and blue runs along with an intermediate and advanced trail for the fearless.
The highest point in the resort, Pic Blanc at 3330m is easy to access, even for non-skiers, using the Reach and DMC cable cars. The panoramic view from here is amazing and on a clear day you can see 1/5 of France!
For anyone who likes a challenge, the Tunnel run is one of the steepest slopes in Europe, although its only ever open when the snow conditions are right. The top of it is ungroomed because it is too steep for the piste bashers. For those who are interested in attempting their first black run, the Sarenne run is the longest black run in the world, however apart from one or two tricky sections it’s fairly easy for a black run. The last section is flat and low which makes it quite hard work, but luckily you can escape it just before the flat section.
Many find the notorious Alpauris “scare chair” chairlift very scary because it literally drops straight down the side of the mountain to go across a valley to access the Auris area of slopes. At the bottom of the valley, people can get on the chairlift after skiing down the Sarenne, but they can only get on it going back towards the Alpe D’Huez side of the valley.
Like other Alpine resorts the price of food at the mountain restaurants is very high making lunch each day very expensive. The overall cost of going to this resort does depend on what kind of package you get, but generally it is a mid-range price for the French Alps. Bear in mind, Italian resorts are a lot cheaper. Lift passes are pricey but given the size of the ski area they cover; this is only to be expected.
Alpe D’Huez is well known for the finish of the Tour de France cycle race. As you drive up the mountain into the town, each hairpin bend is numbered getting higher as you go up, with the total being 21. The race finishes on the road just below the slopes in the town of Alpe D’Huez. If you get a bus to the main ski hub, it is likely you will come across the famous finish line of the race.
There are many ski schools that operate in Alpe D’Huez. Unsurprisingly, ESF is the main operator in Alpe D’Huez, along with Ecole de Ski et de Snowboard Prosneige, Ecole de ski et de Snowboard ESI, and Ecole de ski Easyski. All of these offer private and school/group lessons for a variety of abilities.
If you are worried about ski hire, there are plenty of hire shops in the town. There are several Intersport and Sport 2000 shops offering all grades of equipment for skiers and snowboarders. These might also be a cheaper option than your hotel’s own ski hire service if you are looking to save money. Booking ahead means you can compare prices for different shops and choose the best deal closest to you and there are often online deals available.
There are also many non-ski activities in the resort itself including an outdoor swimming pool and an ice rink, and also some that will take you further away including a luge track, skidoos and dog sledding. There are many more to pick from, and you can use the local ski bus to get to any of these in resort, plus the ski bus is included in your lift pass.
The free ski bus is the best way to get to the lifts and slopes if you stay in nearby Huez or in Alpe D’Huez itself. From Vaujany you can access the main ski area via a cable car. There is also a cable car running across the town and linking up with the central ski area as well as the strangely named lobster pot lift running from the centre to the slopes.
For more information about this resort: https://www.alpedhuez.com/en/winter/home/
Recommened weather website: https://www.snow-forecast.com/resorts/Alpe-d-Huez/6day/mid
Piste maps: https://www.alpedhuez.com/en/winter/ski/maps/
Last Updated by Isabelle on 04/04/2023