Find information on Alpe D Huez in our Travel Guide covering sights, foods and nightlife plus more...
Alpe d'Huez is one of the most southerly of the French alpine resorts. Built above the original village of Huez on the Grandes Rousses Massif, it is one of the highest resorts in Europe. At an altitude of two thousand two hundred metres, Alpe d'Huez can guarantee snow throughout the season. An extensive lift system gives easy access to the pistes that accommodate all levels of ability. It is a good family resort with facilities for young children and babies. The hotels, apartments and chalets cater for most budgets, shopping is good and the nightlife is lively. An Alpe d'Huez holiday offers good snow cover on south facing sunny slopes.
High in the mountains, at an altitude of over two thousand metres, Alpe d'Huez has excellent snow conditions. Its pistes cater for every level of ability and fitness. It is a large vibrant resort with excellent skiing followed by lively evening entertainment.
Alpe d' Huez's slopes accommodate all levels of ability. It is therefore popular with a wide variety of holidaymakers from families to groups of young people, as well as couples of all ages.
The Alpe d' Huez ski season lasts from mid December until mid April. Being high in the mountains it almost guarantees good snow conditions throughout the season. Alpe d'Huez is also popular in the summer with hill walkers, mountain climbers and mountain bikers.
Alpe d'Huez lies high in the mountains on a south facing plateau. It is not the prettiest resort as its eclectic mix of styles of accommodation spreading up the hillside displays evidence of little forethought, but it does provide excellent skiing for all levels of ability and the views over the valley are stunning. Basket lifts connect the various levels in the resort.
Alpe d'Huez has well over two hundred kilometres of pistes, one third of which are devoted to beginners, one half to intermediate skiers and the remainder are for advanced skiers. It is possible in Alpe d'Huez to get away from crowded slopes if you explore the runs to Oz and Vaujany. Advanced skiers can take the thrilling sixteen kilometre Sarenne run which is the longest black run in Europe. There are two snow parks offering good facilities for snowboarders. The extensive lift system, eighty-four in total, offer easy access to all pistes.
Alpe d'Huez has ski schools for every level of ability and for children from three to twelve years. There are also crèche facilities for babies from six months. A current vaccination certificate is required and reservations should be made before departure.
Alpe D'Huez hotels, apartments and chalets provide over thirty thousand beds and cater for all budgets. Its restaurants, bistros and cafes offer a varied cuisine accommodating most palates. There are a good number of mountain restaurants where you can enjoy both refreshments and spectacular views. After a day on the slopes, as well as a lively nightlife, Alpe d'Huez provides many recreational facilities. These include ice skating, swimming and fitness, ice driving, sightseeing from the air in a small plane or helicopter or even paragliding.
Alpe d'Huez is also popular in the summer with mountain hikers, bikers and climbers. The village is one of the stage finishes of the Tour de France. Competitors must negotiate fourteen kilometres of eight percent gradient while negotiating over twenty hairpin bends.
Alpe d'Huez après ski is lively with bars and clubs providing live music and discos. Other evening options include the ice rink and the outdoor swimming pool (heated of course). There is also a well equipped sports centre with an indoor pool, tennis courts, climbing wall and gymnasium.
Alpe d'Huez has a good range of shops including many ski and sports stores where you can purchase equipment. Great bargains are to be found towards the end of the season. The supermarkets supply all your daily needs and there are shops where you can buy local specialities as well as gifts and souvenirs.
Alpe D'Huez has several mountain restaurants with many more in the town. They serve a wide range of menu from traditional local dishes to fast foods and to international cuisine.
