Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez Ski Area

Located on a fully south-facing plateau, Alpe d’Huez offers glorious sunshine all day long – up to 7½ hours per day in December and 11 per day during April! So don’t forget your sun glasses and sun cream!

The high altitude of Alpe d’Huez, which reaches 3300m combined with the high-tech snow making equipment covering 86km of the ski runs (60 of the slopes), guarantees snow cover from December to April.

There are few places to rival Alpe d'Huez for the extent and variety of ski terrain. The main bowl of Alpe d’Huez is conveniently naturally divided into zones suiting the different levels and abilities of skiers and snowboarders.

The glacier in Alpe d’Huez reaches an altitude of 3300m. There are two access routes: via the Marmotte III funitel which will take you to 3060m or the Pic Blanc cable car which will take you to the very top at 3300m. From either of these two summits you will have truly breath-taking views across to Mont Blanc, Aiguilles d’Arves and La Meije. From here you can experience the legendary 16km long Sarenne black slope – arguably the world’s longest pisted ski run! Created in 1976, this run is the eldest of the fantastic runs connecting Pic Blanc at 3300m to the Sarenne gorges at 1510m. Fare and Château Noir (14km) also offer great length and amazing views.

Alpe d’Huez actually boasts one of the world’s biggest vertical drops: in excess of 8000m! There are four descents, all between 12km and 16km long, allowing you to ski down a 2000m altitude drop without taking one single chairlift! Pretty impressive! If you complete all four descents you can donate €1 to the ‘A Chacun son Everest’ children’s charity in exchange for a certificate. The four routes are:

• Pic Blanc (3300m) – La Villette (1295m)
  Pic Blanc – Piste du Tunnel – 2700 – Piste des Rousses – l’Alpette – Piste des Chalets –Montfrais – Piste de la Vaujaniate – La Villette.
• Pic Blanc (3330m) – Gorges de Sarenne (1510m)
  Pic Blanc – Piste de la Sarenne - Gorges de Sarenne.
• Pic Blanc (3330m) – Oz en Oisans (1340m)
  Pic Blanc – Piste du Tunnel - 2700 - Piste des Chamois – 2100 – Piste de Poutran – Piste de l’Olmet - Oz en Oisans.
• Pic Blanc (3330m) – L’Enversin d’Oz (1125m)
  Pic Blanc – Piste du Tunnel – 2700 - Piste des Rousses – l’Alpette – Piste des Chalets – Piste de la Fare - L’Enversin d’Oz.

The Butte de l’Eclose slope is a specially prepared well-lit area open for night time sledging fun with family and friends. Open 17:30 – 19:30 during December & January, and 18:00 – 20:00 during February & March. Access is included with your lift pass or tickets can be purchased at the bottom of the slope. Only sledges with brakes are permitted and helmets are highly recommended.

Alpe d’Huez Beginners/Low Level

Beginners are very well catered for in Alpe d'Huez with a very vast array of gentle nursery slopes just above the resort. The large network of green runs above the Alpe d'Huez village is as good a nursery area as you will find anywhere, probably one of the biggest in the French Alps. Several chairlifts serve this ideal area: Fontbelle, Lac Blanc and Romans.

There are 2 beginner areas in Alpe d’Huez:

• Rif Nel: Offers 10 well groomed green runs and a marked area specially equipped with baby modules to add a little extra fun. Access is via the 2 Rif Nel drag lifts and the new Rif Nel Express aerial ropeway.
• Les Jeux: Offers 6 beautiful green slopes. Access is via the Ecole 1 drag lifts and the Grenouilles rope tow or for the more confident the Jeux, Poutran and Babars drag lifts.

The Petit Rif Nel and Ecoles 1 drag lifts plus the Grenouilles rope tow are free to use, but please note a free lift pass must still be obtain from the lift pass office.

Alpe d’Huez Intermediates

Alpe d’Huez is a great starting base for intermediates to explore the whole of the Grand Domaine Massif. The west side of the bowl is home to the Signal 2115 station which offers a great mixture of blue and straight red runs. The Signal slope is also open for night skiing every Thursday (plus Tuesdays during French school holidays).

The north side goes above 2100m and is slightly steeper, again offering a good mixture of blue and red runs. The Grand Domaine gondola takes confident intermediates looking for more of a challenge to Pic Blanc on the south side at 3320m.

Alpe d’Huez Experts

On the south side of the bowl, the Grand Domaine gondola takes experts to Pic Blanc at 3320m. The slopes in this sector are predominately black. The infamous and appropriately named Tunnel slope passes through a tunnel before dropping away steeply.

But the main attraction for experts here is the legendary Sarenne black run. This 16km run is one of the world’s longest pisted runs and takes you from Pic Blanc at 3300m right down to the Sarenne gorges at 1510m. It is also possible to book a special night time excursion on this run every Wednesday evening: accompanied by qualified ski instructors and ski patrollers, take the last cable car up to the top of Pic Blanc at 3300m and watch the sun set over the unique panorama whilst enjoying a lovely glass of mulled wine.

Ski the 16km Sarenne slope assisted by headlights and continue your evening with a traditional mountain dinner at the ‘Auberge de la Combe Haute’ restaurant. Finally, ski back to the village of Huez, where a shuttle bus is provided to take you back to Alpe d’Huez.

You must be a good skier to participate in this unforgettable experience. Helmets are recommended. Not recommended for snowboarders due to the slight gradient on the return to Huez village. Must be pre-booked. Contact the local tourist office or e-mail Ski Anim’Alp for more details and cost: contact@animalp.fr 

Alpe d’Huez Off-Piste

The Grand Domaine gondola takes experts and intermediates to Pic Blanc at 3320m, where some great off-piste skiing can be accessed: the Combe du Loup, Côtes de Rivet, Pied Froid, Cerisier Combe and Corridor.

Alpe d’Huez Snowboarders

Alpe d’Huez organised the Ski Cross World Cup in 2010, 2011 and 2012, so snowboarders, snow park enthusiasts and freestyle skiers can rest assured that the recently redesigned and improved ski style areas are top notch. 20 new snow cannons have also been installed in the freestyle area to make the snow coverage even better.

The intermediate/expert Alpe d’Huez snow park covers an impressive 21 hectares, making it one of the largest snow parks in the French Alps. It is conveniently located at the foot of the ski slopes, close to the resort, between the Lac Bleu drag lift and the DMC and is equipped with half pipe, jumps and rollers near the main lift base.

You will also find a beginners’ snow park alongside the 1er Tronçon slope, which is perfect for those just starting out.

The Alpe d’Huez snow parks are equipped with an automatic video shoot system with three cameras on two ramps. By identifying yourself with your lift pass, you can view your jump directly on the big screen. Enter your mobile phone number and you’ll receive a text link to your video, enabling you to share your exploits immediately via the social networks. More information: http://www.freestylepark.fr

There is also a boarder-cross course and lots of free riding to be had due to the mountains’ extent and variety.

Alpe d’Huez Cross-Country

In Grandes Rousses there is an impressive 55km/ 34 miles of cross country ski trails, taking you around mountain lakes, the altiport area and Auris.

Alpe d’Huez Pedestrians

Alpe d’Huez offers pedestrians and snowshoe walkers 35km of marked routes to explore, with or without a guide. Benches are also provided along the way so that you can sit back for a while and simply admire the views.

The pedestrian lift pass gives you access to more than 20 lifts. Just because you are not a skier or snowboarder does not mean that you should miss out. There’s plenty to do: look out over the Besson and Noir lakes at 2100m; visit the ice cave at 2700m; be mesmerised by the magnificent view from the top of Pic Blanc at 3330m where you can actually see over 1/5 of the whole of France; explore the village resorts of Huez, Auris and Villard-Reculas; or meet your skiing friends or family for a lovely lunch in one of the mountain restaurants.

Approximate cost of a pedestrian pass: €19.50/person/day and €83/person/7 days.
With a 7 day lift pass you are also entitled to enjoy three other activities: 1 entry to the outdoor swimming pool, 1 entry to the ice rink and 1 activity at the sports centre (without an instructor and before 16:00).

Alpe d'Huez Ski Hire

View here for pre-bookable ski extra prices in £ for Alpe d'Huez 2017/18

Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

We have selected Skiset to ensure that only the highest standard of equipment and service will be provided for all levels of skiers. More information on ski hire.

We have wo conveniently located hire shops in Alpe d’Huez for all your ski and snowboard equipment needs. We offer competitive prices and special offers are also available. Pre-booking your equipment hire will allow you to save precious skiing time once in the resort and means you can budget for your ski holiday, knowing that it is already book and paid for.

Alpe d'Huez Lift Passes

View here for pre-bookable ski extra prices in £ for Alpe d'Huez 2017/18

Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Lift pass delivered FREE to your home. Book your lift pass for Alpe d'Huez at least 14 days prior departure and we can arrange hands-free lift passes delivered to your home, meaning you can ski straight through the gates, giving you more piste time - at no extra cost! Please note you will not be required to hand over a voucher at the kiosk in resort (non-applicable for free passes as you will be asked for a photo and a proof of age on site). Conditions apply. Please enquire with a member of the Ski Collection team for more details.

Other lift pass on offer (to buy locally in resort in Euros):

Alpe d'Huez beginner ski passes give access to the Grand Rif Nel, the Rif Nel and the Ecole 1 drag lifts. Rif Nel, Ecoles 2 drag lifts and the Grenouilles magic carpet are FREE, although you will need to pick up a hands-free pass from one of the Ski Pass Offices to be able to access these lifts. 

The 1st Gliss pass allows you on all drag and chair lifts in Alpe d'Huez except the Alpauris and Marmottes 1 chair lifts. This pass includes the Rif Nel beginner zone, 6 green pistes and the Espace des Jeux beginner zone; a protected beginner area on the Signal sector of resort. All the drag lifts and chairlifts marked with a yellow circle on the piste map (not the interactive one) are included in the 1st Gliss pass. These passes can only be bought a the Ski Pass Offices in resort.

Beginner - €22.50
1st Gliss - €41.50

Grand Domaine ski pass – ½ day and daily rates 2017/18:
1/2 day - €44.50 children, €44.50 adults
Day - €43 children, €52.50 adults

Alpe d'Huez Ski School

Ski school for children is available to book from 2.5 years to 12 years, in Sainte Foy, with Ski Collection. Children 4-5 years will go into Piou Piou lessons.

We also pre-book private lessons.

View here for pre-bookable ski extra prices in £ for Alpe d'Huez 2017/18

Please note, these Pound Sterling prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Ski School: Please note that lesson times are subject to change right until the last minute. Outside French school holidays the ski school reserves the right to cancel group lessons should numbers be insufficient. For peak periods (24/12-7/1, 11/2-11/3 & 31/3-24/4) we strongly recommend that you book as early as possible and in any case at least 6 weeks prior to the required dates. Morning lessons tend to get booked up first and therefore we may only be able to offer afternoon classes within 6 weeks of departure. In some resorts English speaking instructors may not always be available, particularly at peak times.

We cannot always guarantee that prices will be cheaper than in resort. When ski packs prices are calculated, the currency is bought at the exchange rates that apply at the time. You can be assured that once you have booked your extras, if the pound depreciates, you will not be charged.

Alpe d’Huez Snow Report

For up-to-date snow and weather conditions including last snowfall for Alpe d’Huez please visit OnTheSnow. This service is provided by skiinfo.com and we have no control over its content. Here is the snow record data for Alpe d’Huez.

Top slopes shows the average snow cover in cm at the top of the ski area. Bottom Slopes shows the average snow cover in cm at the bottom of the ski area (this is generally where the nursery pistes are located). About 10 cm is generally enough to ski but it very much depends on what’s below ie. grass or more rocky surface. During the less snowy seasons, the 900 snow cannons in the Grand Domaine do ensure decent snow cover is maintained on the lower slopes.

Alpe d’Huez historical snow record 2006 – 2016 (10 year average)

Alpe d'Huez resort season dates

Alpe d'Huez ski area is open: Saturday 02/12/17 – 21/04/18 (Saturday)

Children

Alpe d’Huez is proud to be a ‘Family Plus’ ski resort! This label and seal of approval is issued by the French Ministry of Tourism if a holiday destination meets certain commitments to ensure a successful trip for the whole family.

The 6 commitments are:

• Personalised hospitality for families.
• Events and activities adapted to suit all ages.
• Prices adapted for all ages.
• Activities for all ages, that can be enjoyed individually or as a family.
• Shops and services that are conveniently close by.
• Children are fully pampered by the professional resort staff.

Childcare

The Creche Les Intrepides takes care of your children from 6 months to 4 years old:

Avenue de Brandes
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 14 91 41 51 or +33 (0)4 76 11 21 61
E-mail: creche.lesintrepides@mairie-alpedhuez.fr

ESF Alpe d'Huez

Children can learn to ski from 3 years old in Alpe d'Huez with ESF. Ski school is pre-bookable with Ski Collection.

Activities

Alpe d'Huez offers a whole host of activities to suit all tastes. The Alpe d'Huez sports centre includes a swimming pool, ice rink, sledging area, climbing wall, squash and tennis courts. The futuristic church hosts weekly classical music concerts, the ice cave at 2700m has impressive ice sculptures and there are 2 cinemas.

You can also try exciting activities such as ice driving, mountain biking (yes, in the snow!), dog sledging, caterpillar tracked vehicle excursions, paragliding, visit the snow factory and take a helicopter excursion to Les Deux Alpes. Please see below for further information on some of the activities offered in Alpe d'Huez.

Dog Sledding

Take a dog sled excursion for a unique nordic adventure.... Sleigh trips along pedestrian routes. Reservation required at least 48 hours in advance.

Guide Prices:
Adult: €32-€55
Child: €22-€40

Avenue du Rif Nel
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 03 65 15 61
Email: secondsouffle@yahoo.fr
Web: www.secondsouffle.fr

Ski Joëring

Ski joering is being pulled along on skis by a horse. Meeting place: Poutran's Equestrian Centre.

38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 03 65 15 61
Email: secondsouffle@yahoo.fr

Deval'Moon X'Trem Sensations

Essential zorbing on snow - a great one for thrill-seekers.

38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 85 48 77 61
Email: devalmoon.concept@gmail.com

Ice Skating

Municipal skating rink / Patinoire Municipale
Avenue des Jeux
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 11 21 16

Aéro Alpe d'Huez

First flights, micro light, initiation flights, pilot school. Reservations require.

Altiport Henri Giraud
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 81 72 32 99
Email: aero-alpedhuez@hotmail.fr
Web: www.aero-alpedhuez.com 

Paragliding

Tandem flights.

38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 89 09 49 39
Email: rouyerje@free.fr

Speed Riding

A mix between parachuting, paragliding and skiing - perfect for extreme thrill seekers!

Rond Point Des Pistes
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: +33 (0)6 22 66 27 71
Email: info@alpevollibre.com
Web: www.alpevolibre.com

Skidoo

Guide Prices:
10 minutes: €20
20 minutes: €35

1er Tronçon DMC Grandes Rousses (2100m)
Rond Point des Pistes
38750 Alpe d'Huez
Tel: 06 88 51 69 06
Email: info@espacemotoneige.com
Web: www.espacemotoneige.com

Apres-Ski, Bars & Restaurants

Eating out is an important business in Alpe d'Huez which boasts over 45 restaurants with something for all tastes and pocket. Au P'tit Creux, Passe Montagne, Les Caves restaurants offer good value food and wine.

The Alpe d'Huez ski resort is often reported as very lively and friendly, so make the most of the 20 bars and 4 discotheques. There is also a great selection of mountain restaurants spread over the Grand Domaine ski area.

‘La Folie Douce’ has arrived in Alpe d’Huez!

December 2013 saw the arrival of the fourth legendary ‘La Folie Douce’, in Alpe d’Huez. Other locations include: Val d’Isere, Val Thorens and Meribel. This unique après-ski venue is an open-air club on the ski slopes with a resident DJ, live singers and musicians which also offers gourmet cuisine within La Fruitière restaurant or something a bit quicker from the Le Nuvo self-service restaurant. The atmosphere is amazing and once there this place is hard to leave….so please don’t leave Alpe d’huez without popping in for a least one drink!

Getting to Alpe d'Huez, France

By Road:

From Calais: 580 miles, approximately 8hrs 35mins.
Listen to Autoroute FM (107.7 FM) for traffic news in English.

From Calais, take A26 Motorway to Reims and Troyes, then A5 Motorway to Dijon, then A39 motorway to Lons-le-Saulnier and Bourg-en-Bresse, then A40-A42 Motorway heading towards Lyon. Then take A432 Motorway passing Lyon Airport to A43 Motorway then A48 Motorway to Grenoble. Continue on A480 following directions of Sisteron/Gap/Briançon up to exit 8 (Stations de l’Oisans). Follow direction to Briançon turning on D1091 at Vizille. In Bourg d’Oisans turn left onto D211 towards Alpe d’Huez then onto D25a. Drive through Huez village and then take the 1st Left ‘Entrée Ouest’. Follow this road to the resort centre of Alpe d’Huez.

By Air:

Grenoble to Alpe d’Huez: 65 miles, approximately 1hr 30.
Website: www.grenoble-airport.com

Lyon to Alpe d’Huez: 95 miles, approximately 1hr 55.
Website: www.lyonaeroports.com

Geneva to Alpe d’Huez: 130 miles, approximately 2hrs 40.
Website: www.gva.ch

Private taxi transfers from airports to Alpe d’Huez are pre-bookable via Ski Collection! See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

By Rail:

Taking the Eurostar from London couldn’t be easier. We offer 2 options: direct Ski Train (St Pancreas or Ashford to Moûtiers or Bourg-St-Maurice) or Eurostar Beyond (with a change at Paris). See our train services page for more information.

The nearest train station to Alpe d’Huez is Grenoble (40 miles). More national train information is available at: www.sncf.com

Private taxi transfers from Grenoble to Alpe d’Huez from £122 per person return (based on 4 people sharing) are pre-bookable via Ski Collection! See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

Bus Transfers:

There are daily bus links between Grenoble coach station (next to the train station) and Alpe d'Huez. Duration: 1 hour 30 minutes. Approximate prices: €5.80/one way (€4.10 for under 25 year olds). Contact VFD/Trans’Isère: Tel: +33 (0)8 20 08 38 38 Website: www.transisere.fr 

Coach connections are also possible between Chambéry - Savoie Airport and Grenoble Bus Station. Contact Altibus: Tel: +33 (0)4 79 68 32 96 Website: www.altibus.com

Car Hire:

Ski Collection can arrange very competitive car hire at all airports, train stations and other town locations. 7 day rental ranges from £230-£549 (any other duration possible). See our car hire page for more information.

Resort Shuttle Bus in Alpe d’Huez:

The different areas of Alpe d’Huez are very well connected by the free resort shuttle bus which has 4 different routes plus 1 night route.

Circuit Pomme (Apple route) runs between 07:25 – 19:00.
Circuit Fraise (Strawberry route) runs 08:45 – 17:57.
Circuit Myrtille (Blueberry route) runs 08:30 – 17:40.
Circuit Citron (Lemon route) runs 09:15 – 17:35.
Circuit Nuit (Night route) runs starts at 18:00 and finishes at 21:53.

Every Wednesday and Thursday there is a bus service from Alpe d’Huez to Les Deux Alpes. The journey takes about an hour, leaving Alpe d’Huez at 08:30 and returning from Les Deux Alpes at 16:30. Seats must be pre-booked from the Alpe d’Huez bus station or the ‘Palais des Sports’ sports centre. Approximate cost: €11/person return.

Resort Parking in Alpe d’Huez:

There are numerous public car parks in Alpe d’Huez:

Covered car parks: Tel: +33 (0)4 76 11 21 75.
Approximate cost: €29-€58/car/week:

• Bergers, Route de l’Altiport, 38750 Alpe d’Huez. Spaces: 264.
• Coulet, Rue du Siou-Coulet, 38750 Alpe d’Huez. Spaces: 97.
• Cristal de l’Alpe, Avenue de l’Etendard, 38750 Alpe d’Huez. Spaces: 100.
• Palais des Sports, Avenue de Brandes, 38750 Alpe d’Huez. Spaces: 136.
• Patinoire, 6 Avenue des Jeux, 38750 Alpe d’Huez. Spaces: 114.
• Rif Nel, Avenue du Rif Nel, 38750 Alpe d’Huez. Spaces: 235.

Outdoor car parks: Tel: +33 (0)4 76 80 32 32:

Blue parking zones near shops are limited to 90 minutes only, between 09:30 – 12:00 & 14:30 – 19:30.

Free outdoor car parks: Avenue de Brandes, Chemin de Brandes, Place Paganon, Avenue de l'Eclose, Chemin de la Chapelle, Les Bergers, Avenue du Rif Nel, L'Eclose and Place du Cognet. A European parking disk is required for outdoor parking, which is available in all public areas, as well as from all resort's shops.

Check out the tourist office website for information on what is going on in Alpe d’Huez and the Grand Domaine ski area: www.alpedhuez.com

Amenities

Alpe d'Huez has a wide selection of shops and services including food shops, bakeries, 2 pharmacies, doctors, dentist, physiotherapist, vets, post office, banks, garages, petrol station, gift and souvenir shops, newsagents, hairdressers, beauty salons, fashion stores, jewellery and sport shops.

Medical Centres

The main medical centre in Alpe d’Huez:
Centre Medical de Bergers,
Centre Commerciale des Bergers,
Alpe d’Huez
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 80 69 29.

There are also 2 doctors surgeries in Alpe d’Huez:
Group Medical de la Meije,
Route du Signal, Alpe d’Huez.
Tel: +33 (0)4 76 80 37 30.

Group Medical des Jeux,
Avenue des Jeux, Alpe d’Huez.
Tel: +33 (0)4 79 80 35 84.

Nearest Hospital

The nearest hospital to Alpe d'Huez is Grenoble (80km away).