Alpes d'Huez

Europe > France

Overview

Alpe D'huez enjoys alot of sunshine, in fact 300 days a year to be exact! Add to this the benefit of a Glacier to ensure incredibly good snow, and you certainly get the best of both worlds - good sunshine and good snow!! The resort is home to Europe's longest black run and up to 30 gentle slopes for the novices. Nightlife buzzes and there is something for absolutely every taste and ability. The terrain here is fantastic and the snow quality is very good (due to the Glacier). For partying - this place is on a par with Morzine, and literally rocks! There is also night skiing!

Snow Surety
The Pic Blanc Glacier at Alpe d'huez tops a very impressive altitude of 3330m which is higher than most. This allows for summer skiing/snowboarding and so you can bet the winter snow is great!

Off Piste/Freeride
The open terrain and superb bowls that make up the local area are great for carving snowboarders and skiers. There are plenty of natural features like powder bowls and rollovers to make the riding and skiing very exhilarating for all levels. There is a respectable 250kms of slopes, but on top of this Alpe d'huez has even more back-country opportunities than normal resorts due to the Glacial snow and larger-than-average amounts of powder that fall each season! You will certainly not get bored here - the added backcountry on top of the normal ski slopes makes Alpe D'huez a Freeride mecca!

The long length of some of the runs makes Freeriding an absolute joy and especially so in the powder. The longest run is over 17kms which is about the longest in Europe! In fact there are many long cruising runs in the area allowing for some great Freeriding to suit every level of rider/skier.

Freestyle
A Snow Park and a very good Halfpipe is provided and also very well maintained, and offers good beginner options too - especially in the Jump Park. The floodlit slopes also offer some good hits.

Beginners
With up to 69 easy runs and a great network of blue and green runs around the Mountain base, the beginners are furnished with alot of choices that are easy to get to and will not intimidate you in the learning period. The local instructional services are also very good with English speaking schools.

Resort life
The nightlife in Alpe D'huez is very varied and also extremely close to the chalet (in fact right on the doorstep!). It ranges from the chic bars and cafes to a more lively and up-for-it party atmosphere with nightclubs and plenty of late night bars all over resort. Like Morzine, if you want social - then this place is incredibly lively, however if you want more sophistication then it has nice cosy bars too.