Alpe D'Huez Ski Resort, France

Ski Alpe d’Huez and the higher you go, the steeper it gets! Skiers will find the perfect mix of wide gentle greens towards the bottom of the mountain, challenging blues and reds in the middle and steep and demanding blacks at the top, although most corners of the domain are accessible on gentler pistes. The high altitude does mean that most runs are above the tree line, but all those bluebird days mean you won’t miss them too much. Advanced skiers may find the tough high runs closed when bad weather does arrive, but all will be forgiven when you get to carve up the Sarenne, the longest black piste in the Alps. Dropping the awesome 2210 vertical metres over 16km from the top of the Pic Blanc takes over an hour, it is one of the most advanced pisted runs in the world, but if it's speed that makes you freak, you may prefer to sample the sheer unpisted delights of the Tunnel – if you do, you know you are at the top of your game!

 

Sector-wise, beginners and families will enjoy Vaujany’s cruisy and picturesque northwest facing blue and red runs. Intermediates should brave the vertigo-inspiring down and up Auris chairlift to sample the north-facing reds on the Auris side, whilst experts should find the yellow brick road over to the village of Oz to shred some excellent off-piste and tree runs. Boarders and park rats can get their kicks in the resort’s two snow parks, on the challenging boarder cross or dropping in on the natural half pipe, Le Couloir. Beginners will also want to make like the pros on the smaller kickers and rails in the beginner park just above the village.

The pass also has the added bonus of granting you access to ski in Les Deux Alpes for 2 days, Serre Chevalier for 1 day, access to the outdoor/indoor swimming pool, night ice skating or you can hit the pistes under the moonlight and enjoy some night skiing. The large nursery ski area provides many free lifts for those setting out on skis for the first time.

 

Family lift passes are available in Alpe D’huez and you can book them online up to 10 days in advance of your first days' skiing.

What’s more, you can even hop on the shuttles between the different sectors so it’s easy to make the most of it all from any Alpe d’Huez chalet. Die-hard skiers can maximise their time on the slopes with a spot of night-skiing, practicing their turns in the Signal Slalom Stadium or once a month, tackling the 16km Sarenne run by the light of the moon (weather dependant). You can even take a day trip over to sister resort Les Deux Alpes to put a few more kilometres under your skis (just buy the bus ticket, or better yet, take a helicopter!). Adrenaline junkies won’t want to miss the huge ice-driving circuit and even culture vultures can amuse themselves with Alpe d’Huez’s architectural highlight – the local church’s surreal organ in the shape of a giant hand. Now that’s what we call an all-round resort!

 

Anyone with an aversion to sleeping whilst skiing will also not be disappointed with the choice of nightlife on offer near their Alpe d’Huez accommodation. Dispersed throughout the village are an assortment of English, French and Scandinavian bars and we all know that makes for some very late nights. Choose from hanging with the locals in Freeride Cafe or Last Bar, jumping around to live music in your ski boots at Underground or spotting French celebs in the upmarket, cabaret style Sporting Bar. For those who don’t like to slip slide too far between their bars, the central hub of Smithy’s, Zoo bar, Tropicana and Igloo club should not disappoint.

Of course, if your ski holiday is not complete without eating your way through half a moon of cheese, you will definitely want to sample the old barn setting of la Pomme de Pin, or the atmospheric surroundings and gourmet food at the rustic Au Petit Creux or Au Chamois d'Or. Carrying on in the French gourmet vein, the steaks at the Génépi are not to be missed and neither are the crepes, either sweet or savory at La Creperie Des 4 Soleils. To finish your meal with a perfect homemade Génépi, go and see Rodolphe at Au Dahu Grillé or for laid-back dining, check out Les Caves de l’Alpe or Lily Muldoon’s. Indian and Thai flavours are dished up at the aptly named Chilli Powder and night owls can keep their strength up with a late night fix from Captain Sandwich, open until 2am.

 

When you ski Alpe d’Huez, you will also find some amazing food being served up on the hill. In a beautiful secluded location on the edge of a frozen lake lies the Chalet du Lac Besson, or hide amongst the trees at the Forêt de Maronne hotel. For good value grub, l’Auberge de l'Alpette does tasty basics or to reward yourself and rest your legs after tackling la Sarenne, make a pit stop at La Combe Haut (just phone ahead to make a reservation before you get there).