Alpe dHuez

Resort description:So whats the story about this resort? Well,the 2230 metre vertical down from Pic Blanc, the highest peak of the Grandes Rousses Massif, is one of the largest in the world and leads to some of the planet's longest descents, including the 16km (10 mile) long Sarenne run, the longest black in the world and one of 11 above the resort. Beginners might not be too interested in that, but they will find the wide slopes immediately above the resort are open sunny expanses with largely gentle gradients. There is also a free lift for first timers use.

For intermediates there is almost endless terrain, with some of the best around the slopes of Le Signal d'Homme and the Plat des Marmottes. Passes of six days or longer also include a day or more in several neighbouring resorts including Serre Chevalier. There is also a joint ticket with Les 2 Alpes, so there's more than enough skiing or boarding to be had.Our ski hire rates are also the same for 6 or 7 days!

The Ecole du Ski Français in Alpe d'Huez has over 400 instructors and offers tuition in all disciplines and in good English. It has a particularly good reputation and regularly dominates the annual 'Instructor Challenge' competition for French ski schools. The International Ski School also operates in Alpe d'Huez and the Mountain Guides Office can arrange a multitude of snow-based activities including off-piste runs one evening a week to a mountain restaurant for a fondue.

Cross country skiers have three signposted and maintained tracks, the easiest being the Brandes loop leaving from the Altiport. The 10km Poutran loop is classified blue whilst the 'Loop of the Lakes' is graded red and is 20km long.
Snowboarding in Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez is a very active snowboarding centre with the two major schools giving snowboarding tuition. Snowboarders have the Nature Snowboard Space to themselves - on top of all the pisted and off-piste terrain. Created next to the Rond Point des Pistes - Alpe d'Huez's central spot - the Park was inaugurated in 1996. There are slides, quarter pipes and a Rossignol poutlet. A second, newer park features more modules and a boardcross course.
Alpe d'Huez Aprés Ski

One of the livelier French après ski scenes feeds off more than 30 bars and restaurants including the popular Zoo Music Bar, the 'O' bar, the Last Bar and the Underground. Smithy's Tavern is also normally busy. Later on there are four nightclubs to choose from. However, many visitors head for the Palais de Sports or one of the other sports facilities in the resort after the lifts close.

A variety of events are staged throughout the season, including an ice driving competition in December and a comedy film festival in January. A classical music concert is organised every week.Definitely a resort to visit and check out.

Resort Information

Season 	          Dec - Mid April
Nearest Airport   Grenoble, Geneva, Chambery and Lyon
Ski Area 	  240km
Ski Lifts 	  73
Ski Runs 	  120
Longest Run 	  7km
Resort Height 	  1860m

Snowball Ratings 

Beginners 	     4 / 5
Intermediates 	     4 / 5
Experts 	     4 / 5
Families 	     4 / 5
Nightlife 	     3.5 / 5
Affordability 	     4 / 5
Non Ski Activities   3.5 / 5