Alpe d'Huez Reviews

• Overall Rating 4
• Family Friendly 4
• Downhill Terrain 5
• Terrain Park 5
• Nightlife 3

Date Visited: Jan, 2007

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Full review

Alpe d’Huez is big and vibrant with far more shopping and 'things to do generally' off the slopes than in most other ski centres, especially by French ski resort standards. It’s a serious mountain which will test the most hardcore skiers and boarders, the most determined of which could disappear off piste for the entire week. This unpretentious resort also has a lot going on off the slopes, with hundreds of shops, bars and restaurants and dozens of other things to do.

One of the world's major ski centres, the Grandes Rousses ski area above Alpe d'Huez is a huge and high domain served by an extensive lift system with a massive vertical drop crowned by one of the continent's major glacier summer ski areas. The 2350 metre vertical down from Pic Blanc, 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 so a ‘must-ski’, and one of 11 above the resort. The descent takes 90 minutes if your reasonably competent and begins with a 300 metre long tunnel, usually leading to a steep mogul field. Other blacks worthy of a visit are La Fare or Chateau Noir and many feel that some of the reds would be graded black in most other resorts.

Off piste at Alpe d’Huez is legendary with descents possible of up to 2000 metres. There are more than twenty routes from the top of Pic Blanc alone, typically full of gullies with powder that stays fresh longer, thanks to the altitude. The many options include the 2,100m Pic Bayle descent which begins with north – east – south route down, followed by a 45 minute hike to a glacier then on to Clavans from which a taxi or helicopter are required. Mountain guides can be hired from €330 a day based on a group of five and are especially recommended with many routes crossing glacier terrain, helicopter pick up from €80 per person based on a group of four. Expert skiers will be tempted by the Grand Oisans Safari, launched in 1999, which offers a guided off-piste circuit between Alpe d'Huez , les Deux Alpes, La Grave and Serre Chevalier. Passes of six days or longer also include a day each in Les Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier.

Snowboarders have the 'Nature Snowboard Space to themselves, located next to the Rond Point des Pistes - Alpe d'Huez's central spot.

The Mountain Guides Office arrange a weekly torchlit run down the Sarenne run with some off piste ending with dinner a fondue dinner at a mountain hut.