Worldwide Ski ResortsFranceAlpe D’Huez

Ski insurance for France

Overview

Alpe-d’Huez is a large, traditionally French resort situated to the east of Grenoble. It has a slightly unkempt appearance and comprises of a somewhat haphazard collection of buildings. Significant measures have been taken over recent seasons to smarten up the village which is known as one of the most friendly ski resorts in France. The resort is well served by some very good restaurants and accommodation is plentiful, although inclines to the more basic levels of comfort.

Profile

Alpe-d’Huez scores heavily by virtue of the sheer scale and variety of its ski area. The high, south or south west facing sunny slopes combine to provide around 235 km of piste and 87 lifts. There are plenty of runs to suit skiers and boarders of every standard, including raw beginners who will delight in the wide nursery slopes that are situated alongside the main resort.

The runs are split into a number of interesting sectors and Although the main village may not be to everyone’s taste, there are a number of charming satellite villages in the immediate area that is fast becoming referred to as the Massif des Grandes Rousses. A Visalp lift pass is available that covers all the lifts in Alpe-d’Huez, Auris, Oz, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas and there is a free bus service that is included in the cost of the pass. The lift systems are modern, mainly fast and efficient, ensuring that the queues are refreshingly small and quick moving, thanks to the investment made by the resort in modern lift technology.

Mountain Information

The resort stands at 1860 km and the slopes lie at between 3320 km to 1120 km. The largest overall skiing sector is positioned on the slopes of the Pic Blanc above the village itself. This area has runs ranging from the very tough at the top to some challenging upper red runs for the improving intermediate and ending with the wide, gentle motorway slopes towards the bottom for the novice skier.

The summit of the Pic Blanc is the highest point of the ski area and is accessed via the Grandes Rousses gondola from the main village. The resort boasts the Sarenne, which is the longest black run in any of the alpine resorts and a huge area for off piste enthusiasts — particularly around the north facing Vaujany sector. Mountain restaurants are plentiful in the areas and are all of a generally good standard. Ski school facilities are reportedly very good with excellent spoken English standards. Child day care within the resort is also said to be of a high standard.

Apres Ski

The village is livelier than many other French resorts and has a wide range of bars and clubs — including British and Irish run establishments — and a disco. There are also two swimming pools, an Olympic ice rink and an ice driving school.

French Resort Guide

Resort Information • Alpe d’Huez

Resort Height Resort Height 1880m
Top Station Top Station 3300m
Bottom Station Bottom Station 1880m
Vertical Descent Vertical Descent 1120m
Drag Lifts Drag Lifts 49
Chair Lifts Chair Lifts 23
High Capacity High Capacity 15
Opening Dates Opening Dates Dec-April, July-Aug
Rating Expert Rating Expert 7
Rating Intermediate Rating Intermediate 7
Rating Beginner Rating Beginner 6
Apres Ski Rating Apres Ski Rating 8
Snow Reliability Snow Reliability 10

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