Guide to Alpe d'Huez, French Alps

Alpe d'Huez is an extensive sophisticated ski area which ranks amongst Europe's largest and highest. The resort is located east of Grenoble, in the Grandes Rousses Mountains of the southern French Alps. There is an excellent variety of ski runs for all grades here, with many challenging runs and a huge gentle beginners area. Ski schools have English tuition. Local claim to fame is the longest black run in Europe, stretching along for 16 km. Thick snowfalls, high altitude and huge snowmaking installations mean good skiing from before Christmas until after Easter. Sprawling outwards above the old village of Huez there is a large array of shops, banks, launderettes, bars, restaurants, plus two ski schools. The town is built on steep slopes, so for the less able it could be difficult to walk around. Even in late season, the weather is usually very good and modern lifts mean few queues. Other ski areas connect with Les 2 Alpes including Les Deux Alpes, the weekly ski pass can be used in both areas.

Mountain Information
	Resort Altitude	1860m
	Vertical Drop	2210 m
	Top Lift	3,350m
	Total lifts	87
	Total Runs	220 km/135 miles
	Night skiing	Yes
	Snowboards	Yes
	Cross Country	50 km
	Season	Dec - April
Getting to Alpe d'Huez

The quickest and cheapest way to travel to Alpe d'Huez ski resort is to first find one of the many cheap flights to Grenoble airport, Alpe d'Huez is about 40 miles distance from Grenoble and is only a 90 min. transfer, try BensBus for cheap transfer fares. The resort is also accessible by rail via Grenoble train station, with daily buses or a coach providing transport from the station to the resort. There are also many cheap flights to Lyon from regional airports, this airport is 95 miles from the resort. If you live on the south coast try flights to Chambery this airport is 80 miles distance from Alpe d'Huez. By car, take the N91 Grenoble - Briancon to Le Bourg D'Oisans and follow signs up the steep D211 mountain road.

Accommodation

Skiers can choose from an enormous choice of accommodation here, from expensive to good value hotels, chalets, budget self catering and apartments, amongst a total of more than 30.000 beds in the resort. Many more hotels are located in the vicinity. For those seeking quieter low key locations nearby, there is nice accommodation in the resorts of Auris, Oz-en-Oisans, Villard-Reculas or Vaujany, all with access to Alpe d'Huez.

Bars, restaurants and apres ski

There is no shortage of lively bars and discos, but they are a bit spread out. Try the Yeti bar, the Pacific, Smithy's, 'O' bar, Sharkeys or l'Etalon. One favourite drinking spot is the Underground Bar in hotel Chamois. Nightclubs include Le Sporting, Stage One and the Igloo. Restaurants are good, serving a wide range of food. Cremaillere, the Au P’tit Creux and Le Genepi are recommended for good cuisine, or fill up cheaply at Tex-Mex. There are also many delightful rustic mountain restaurants.

Other Activities

There are also plenty of other activities to choose from in Alpe d'Huez. The large outdoor ice rink is great for families if you don't want to ski, or go for a helicopter ride to Les Deux Alpes. Other off-slope facilities include aerobics, rifle shooting, archery, body building, classical music concerts, curling, golf, ice driving, jazz dance, martial arts, squash, tennis.
As for snowboarding, two challenging snow parks are another bonus and the whole mountain is suitable for freeriders. The local Visalp Pass for the lifts also gives free or discounted access to two swimming pools, ice rink, splendid sports centre and museum.
 
Compare more French Ski resorts or have a look at what is on offer just over the border in Italy or Switzerland.

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