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Ski Holidays in Alpe d'Huez
Located in a powdery Oisans Valley mountain pasture in the commune of Huez in the Central French Western Alps, the resort village is at a heady altitude of 1860m at the foot of the 3,330m Pic Blanc.
Also known as L’Isle Au Soleil due to its average of 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s part of the world-renowned Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine ski area, which includes the villages of Villard Reculas, Vaujany, Oz-en-Oisans, Huez-en-Oisans, Auris-en-Oisans and l'Alpe d’Huez.
With 250km of diverse runs, this interlinked ski area is a paradise for skiers and snowboarders of all levels and it has one of the best lift-served verticals around, with a drop of 2,300m between the highest and lowest ski lifts and a clutch of the world’s longest pistes ̶ many of which measure a jaw-dropping 16km from top to bottom.
If you’re an adept skier in search of thrills, there are ample off-piste opportunities here in areas like Gorges de Sarenne (hire a mountain guide to be safe), while snowboarders are in seventh heaven in the huge terrain park.
The ski roots of Alpe d’Huez stretch back to the 1920s, when the first road reached the area ̶ the first ski lift followed in the subsequent decade and its size and reputation has grown ever since. The resort now has a whopping 30,000 ski beds available nightly in a range of well-appointed accommodation options.
Facilities are fabulous, with a wide range of shops, ski hire and ski lesson operators, off-piste entertainment and leisure activities to suit all ages, chic cafes and restaurants and legendary après-ski.
For a catch-all family ski holiday that blends comfort and convenience with world-class snowsports facilities, Alpe d’Huez , France is tough to top.
Jane Bolton, Product Director
Alpe d'Huez mountain facts
You only have to glance at Alpe d'Huez's impressive statistics to see why it’s considered one of France's top-tier ski destinations. The Grand Domaine ski area encompasses 250km of pistes served by 84 modern lifts, including the DMC gondola - one of Europe's fastest and most efficient transport systems. The resort's elevation ranges from 1,860m in the village centre up to an awe-inspiring 3,330m at the Pic Blanc glacier, with pistes across the entire ski area offering ideal progression and confidence-building for first-timers and more inexperienced skiers while providing a decent challenge for experts. The area boasts several unique features to play on, including Europe's longest black run (the 16km Sarenne!), an exciting tunnel run and three dedicated boardercross tracks. In short, there’s a lot to explore!
Snow conditions in Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez enjoys remarkably reliable snow conditions thanks to its combination of high-altitude terrain and state-of-the-art snow management systems. While the resort's south-facing position delivers those famous bluebird days, the elevation up to 3,330m at Pic Blanc ensures excellent snow quality throughout the season.
- The extensive snow-making system, which equates to over 400 cannons covering a decent 50% of pistes, provides a solid base even during warmer periods.
- Recent seasons have seen average snowfall around 5m, with the highest glacier areas ensuring a supercharged season with good snow cover well into May - perfect for getting your late-spring ski fix!
- The north-facing slopes around Signal and Signal de l'Homme typically offer the best powder conditions, while the sheltered Sarenne Gorge offers snow-surety throughout the entire winter season. Freeriders will find untracked powder in the Combe Charbonnière and Grand Sablat areas, with the Pic Blanc glacier providing spectacular high-mountain off-piste terrain.
- The resort's snow management team are in perpetual action to maintain perfect grooming across the extensive piste network, ensuring superb skiing conditions right from the first lifts.
Why should I ski in Alpe d'Huez?
Alpe d'Huez is a stand-out ski destination – and with high-altitude slopes, exceptional ski areas and over 250km of pistes to explore, it’s pretty easy to understand why! Here are some of Erna Low's top reasons for booking a ski holiday to Alpe d'Huez:
- The abundant mountain sunshine makes skiing pleasant and comfortable, allowing you to actually see and enjoy the most incredible “these-can’t-be-real” views across the Alps, whether you’re making your way down the hill or enjoying a cheeky lunchtime beer.
- The diverse terrain caters brilliantly to all skiers, regardless of your ability level. Beginners have excellent dedicated areas at Marmottes and Éclose, intermediates can enjoy countless scenic red runs, and experts can pit their wits and skills against the legendary 16km Sarenne black run. There’s also the resort's many thrilling off-piste opportunities to explore. Basically, you won’t be short on areas to ski!
- The modern lift system, highlighted by the ultra-efficient DMC gondola, ensures minimal queue times and maximum time on the slopes. Win-win!
- The resort's high-altitude location combined with glacier skiing ensures a supercharged season that typically runs from early December through late April.
Snowboarding in Alpe d'Huez
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Snowboarders will find Alpe d'Huez particularly welcoming, with terrain and facilities that cater perfectly to all riding styles. In fact, there are almost countless reasons why Alpe d'Huez is the perfect snowboarder’s playground. Here are just some of them:
- The resort features two well-maintained terrain parks - the main park at Signal offers an XL jump line and creative features for advanced riders with nerves of steel, while the smaller park near the resort centre provides perfect progression space for wannabe park rats.
- Three dedicated boardercross tracks add variety for those who enjoy technical challenges – or simply racing your mates down to the bottom without wiping out!
- The predominantly south-facing slopes provide excellent snow conditions for carving, while the north-facing sectors like Grand Sablat and Combe Charbonnière offer superb powder opportunities after fresh snowfall.
- The lift system is mostly snowboarder-friendly, with gondolas and chairs serving most areas and only a few drag lifts to contend with across the whole domain. Music to any snowboarder’s ears!
- The resort's naturally sunny disposition means you'll often enjoy comfortable temperatures for riding, while the high-altitude terrain ensures good snow quality throughout the season. In short, you get the best of both worlds!
- Après-ski spots like Pano Bar and Underground Café have become firm favourites with snowboarding fanatics, offering a high-energy environment to keep the fun vibes going.
What accommodation is available when I ski in Alpe d'Huez?
Alpe d'Huez offers a diverse range of accommodation options to suit every preference and budget. Many properties cluster around the main lifts and village centre, ensuring easy access to both the slopes and resort amenities. Our carefully curated Alpe d'Huez holiday packages offer unmatched hospitality with all the extras you need for a stress-free getaway, so no matter what you’re looking for, we’ve got you covered. Take a look at some of our handpicked options below.
All Ski Resort Accommodation in Alpe d'Huez
Ski Holidays in Alpe d’Huez
Après-ski in Alpe d'Huez
The après-ski scene in Alpe d'Huez beautifully complements its sunny daytime vibe, offering something for every taste. Here are some of our highlights:
- La Folie Douce brings its signature brand of high-energy slope-side parties with live DJs, champagne showers and dancing on tables until sunset. Go there once, and life will never look the same again!
- The infamous Smithy's Tavern serves up craft beers and home-cooked meals that hit the spot after a long day in a cosy pub setting. But don’t be fooled... things can get pretty rowdy! For the complete Smith’s experience, stay till after dark and experience incredible live DJs, table-top dancing and perpetual beer drinking!
- Located on what feels like the top of the world at 2,600, the Pano Bar's sun terrace is pretty much unbeatable and becomes the perfect spot for pre-last lift cocktails with panoramic mountain views. In contrast, the Underground Café attracts snowboarders with its laid-back vibe.
- Traditionalists will love authentic French après at Le Pub Walser, which is well-known for its vin chaud and cheese platters. You can thank us later.
- The resort frequently hosts special events like torchlit descents and fireworks displays, bringing the magic of the slopes to the resort centre.
Facilities in Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez boasts outstanding holiday-making facilities that enhance every aspect of your getaway. The modern lift system includes the impressive DMC gondola (capable of carrying a whopping 3,500 passengers per hour) and the Pic Blanc cable car accessing the glacier. Two main ski schools (ESF and Evolution 2) offer lessons in multiple languages for all abilities. The Palais des Sports et des Congrès houses an Olympic-sized ice rink, climbing wall, bowling alley and indoor pool – perfect for non-ski days. Several well-equipped rental shops provide the latest ski and snowboard gear, while specialist stores cater to freestyle enthusiasts.
Dining options range from quick-serve crêperies to gourmet restaurants like L'Edelweiss, with many mountain restaurants featuring sunny terraces. And the cherry on top? Regular shuttle buses connect all areas of the resort, and the tourist office organises weekly events and activities, so whatever you choose to do, you know you can get home from it all.
Facilities for families in Alpe d'Huez
If you’re holidaying with your absolute favourite people, good news... Families are exceptionally well catered for in Alpe d'Huez. In particular, the dedicated Piou-Piou children's area at Bergers features magic carpets, fun obstacles and a secure learning environment that kids will love. ESF's Piou-Piou Club takes children from the age of 3, offering ski lessons combined with play activities to help with progression. Several hotels and residences provide kids' clubs with supervised activities, allowing parents to get a full, uninterrupted day on the hill.
The resort has plenty of built-in safety features, including slow zones in busy areas and family meeting points. Beyond skiing, children will love the ice rink, swimming pool and weekly torchlight descents. Many restaurants offer early children's menus and high chairs, while accommodation providers can arrange babysitting services. Plus, the pedestrianised village centre and traffic-free access to many lifts make navigating with young children stress-free... Words every parent wants to hear!
Why choose a ski holiday to Alpe d'Huez with Erna Low?
Incredible value holidays: We’ll beat any competitor’s price, giving you the best value for money.
Huge choice of accommodation: Choose from bargain breaks, 5-star premium deals and so much more.
Customisable travel: We specialise in fully customisable ski holidays; offering a wide range of options to suit all tastes and budgets.
Fully protected bookings: We’re ABTOT and ATOL members and abide by their Code of Conduct.
5-star Trustpilot reviews: We pride ourselves on the service we provide, which is why out of 10 of our clients would recommend us.
Rebecca Dodson, Head of sales
