Ski Holidays in Alpe d’Huez
It is frequented a lot by holidaying Brits every year making it a top ski holiday destination. It has a vibrant village and offers fantastic skiing opportunities for all skiing abilities. Perched on a sun-kissed plateau, the resort of Alpe d’Huez forms part of the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski Area along with Auris-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Huez-en-Oisans, Villard Reculas and Vaujany. The resort earned the nickname 'l'Isle du Soleil' or The Island of the Sun, for its incredible record of having some of the Alp's sunniest slopes. It is open all year round, staying busy in the winter as much as the summer, thanks to the iconic Pic Blanc Glacier which remains open for summer skiing. The ski range at Alpe d’Huez is located between 1100m and 3300m, covering an area of about 250 km.
With a vast ski domain spanning diverse terrain, including beginner slopes, challenging pistes, and off-piste opportunities, it caters to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Visitors to Alpe d'Huez also enjoy modern facilities, including ski-in/ski-out accommodations, well-equipped rental shops, and quality restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. Additionally, the resort boasts wellness centres and spas for relaxation after a day on the slopes.
With a vast ski domain spanning diverse terrain, including beginner slopes, challenging pistes, and off-piste opportunities, it caters to skiers and snowboarders of all levels. Visitors to Alpe d'Huez also enjoy modern facilities, including ski-in/ski-out accommodations, well-equipped rental shops, and quality restaurants serving both local and international cuisine. Additionally, the resort boasts wellness centres and spas for relaxation after a day on the slopes.
Alpe d’Huez is a traditional mountain village with a robust ski culture. It is bursting full of charm and is also well known as one of Frances's liveliest ski resorts. Great for groups of friends and snowsports enthusiasts, Alpe d’Huez is also a ‘Plus Famille’ awarded ski resort, making it also a fantastic resort to visit with the kids. It also has an efficient lift system that easily connects ski holidaymakers to all the areas of its vast ski terrain. While you’re cruising the lifts and zipping up and down the slopes, dont miss out on the numerous mountain huts and restaurants that dot the slopes of Alpe d’Huez.
Alpe d’Huez is a high-altitude resort set at 1860m high in the Central French Western Alps and skiers here benefit from access to slopes almost all the way up to the 3330m summit of Pic Blanc. The south facing slopes mean it benefits from bright sunshine which makes the entire vista even more beautiful, but the pistes still hold their snow well and there’s plenty of fresh powder for off-piste pursuits. There’s suitable skiing for all levels, but confident intermediates and advanced skiers love the huge vertical drops from the top of Pic Blanc, many of which exceed 2000m.
Alpe d’Huez, right in the heart of the Oisans valley, you combine a ski area of over 250km with a collection of amazing quirky bars and you’re guaranteed a very fun holiday. This resort is home to the longest black run in Europe, La Sarenne, so it’s definitely one for the bucket list tickers.
There’s steep terrain to challenge the bravest but beginners will also find themselves right at home, there are plenty of greens close to the resort to practice and as confidence grows you can work your way up to the blues and reds overlooking the resort.
For most weeks of the season the lift pass includes a day over in the neighbouring resort Les Deux Alpes, so you get two resorts for the price of one! Back in the town you can find bars that offer hundreds of flavours of rum, fluctuating stock-market style prices and even slides, so there’s plenty to keep you entertained until it’s time to get back out on the piste!
You’ve a lot to choose from in Alpe d’Huez. The Bergers sector offers plenty of slope-side accommodation, over here you can find basic and budget residences or you can find yourself a building with a pool!
It’s the easiest area to access the lifts from and Les Bergers commercial centre will provide all the necessities for the week however the majority of the bars are a little walk away. If you’d prefer to be right in the thick of it then there are plenty of levels of accommodation in the centre of town. Seconds from shops and restaurants you can stumble from the bars to your door and there’s a shuttle bus to take you to the lifts in the morning.
Tick off La Sarenne
Dubbed “the champagne run” by the locals because it’s what you’ll deserve when you’ve finished it. You’d be mad to visit Alpe d’Huez and not tick off the longest black run in Europe! Starting at the top of the glacier it will challenge you at first before levelling out as you get lower turning into a beautiful scenic run down into the valley below. This may be the trophy run but don’t be in too much of a rush to start it. From at the Pic Blanc you’ll find a collection of blues, reds and blacks that it’s certainly worth spending a morning on.
Play in Marcel’s Farm
We don’t mean to sound condescending when we say that this little area is some of the funnest skiing in the resort. It may be designed for kids but adults can certainly have just as much fun. A playful area that’s focused on fun a series of beginner obstacles, tunnels, bumps and slides are sure to provide laughs for all abilities and you’ll definitely be keen for another run once you get down!
Ski into the night
There are never enough hours in the day, so one night a week the resort staff hit the switch on the floodlights and keep the Signal lift running so that the fun doesn’t have to stop. You can keep making turns far later than the lifts would usually allow and reward yourself with a hot chocolate at Taburle.
Push yourself on The Tunnel
Not for the fainthearted! Renowned as one of the most challenging runs in Europe this un-pisted black is sure to make even the most confident thrill seekers shake in their boots. Starting from the very top of Pic Blanc at 3330m this run will lead you down a tunnel carved through the mountain before dropping away in front of you on the other side. Once you’ve completed this you’ll be bragging about it for years.
The Après-Ski in this lively resort is amazing ̶ here are the hotspots and chill-out zones:
La Folie Douce is now a franchise with several outlets across the Alps ̶ its Alpe d’Huez incarnation has been open since 2013 on the mountain at Plat des Marmottes and features the same fun formula of cabaret-style entertainment, live music, and decent food and a fine selection of alcoholic drinks.
Smithy’s Tavern is located bang in the middle of the old town and it’s an Alpe d’Huez institution. It regularly hosts live bands and DJs, discount jugs of beer, bombs and cocktails get the party swinging and you can enjoy a terrific Tex-Mex meal to soak up some of the alcohol. As if that’s not enough, when last orders are called at 2am you can pop downstairs to L’Igloo nightclub and bust a move ‘til 4am!
Underground Bar is a British-run pub in the town centre with a ceiling adorned by colourful snowboards, cheap drinks, live TV sport and live music ̶ a sure-fire bet for a top night.
Sphere Bar is close to Le Cristal de L’Alpe apartments, it has a large sun-kissed terrace, great drinks deals, live TV sport and live music.
La Fondue en Folie A crazy place where you can enjoy “good old fondues” or the most unique ones. It is highly advisable to book your table in advance.
Lounge 21
Located in the heart of Alpe d’Huez ski resort, the Lounge 21 restaurant offers you an elaborate menu, combining generous mountain specialties, fish or meat dishes and tasty tapas, associated with a sophisticated wine list and a large selection of inventive cocktails, in a warm and stylish lounge atmosphere.
Captain Sandwich
Small little sandwich bar in the heart of resort. This is a staple of Alpe d'Huez and has been for years.
Chamois d’Or
Ideally situated at the bottom of the slopes, the Chamois d'Or has a unique identity using local natural produce resulting in delicious cuisine. Their menu gets its inspiration from the French Alps' nature - and at lunchtime, you can enjoy a big buffet after a morning of fresh air on the slopes.
Le Passe Montagne
A traditional Savoyard restaurant done well!
La Fondue en Folie
A crazy place where you can enjoy “good old fondues” or the most unique ones. It is highly advisable to book your table in this restaurant where you will surely come again to taste another dish
Les Caves
Across the road from Igloo is Alpe d'Huez' second nightclub. A little more rustic than its opposite neighbour but just as capable to keep you dancing until the early hours!
Free Ride
Located right next to the L’Ours Blanc residence, we mainly love it for its giant-size vodka syringes and toilet access via compulsory slide. Many a superb night had, definitely worth a drink or two. The drinks are constantly changing price in stock exchange fashion so make sure to keep an eye on the boards when you place your order!
Tiger Cafe
A huge bar that is ideal for big groups or for watching live sport.
Smithy’s
Partnered with its brother in Alpe d'Huez, Smithy's is a firm favourite for holidaymakers and seasonnaires alike!
O’Sharkey’s
Laid-back, Irish-themed bar featuring sports on TV, karaoke nights & games like pool & foosball.
Igloo
Brought to you by the same owners as Tiger Café, this late night club is more than meets the eye!
Underground Bar
A favourite amongst the Alpe d'Huez seasonnaire community. A great little bar on the ground floor of a hotel tucked a little out of the way of the main street.
