Alpe d'Huez Ski Resort, France

Overview of Alpe D'Huez

Alpe d’Huez sits at 1,860m, high above the valley and surrounded by snowy peaks. Known as l’île au soleil, or ‘island in the sun’, thanks to its average 300 days of sunshine a year, it’s a favourite for those classic bluebird ski days.

But the sunshine doesn’t come at the expense of snow. This high-altitude site was specifically chosen for a purpose-built ski resort thanks to its winning combination of snowy winters and sunny days.

The very respectable 250km of pistes stretch up to a mighty 3,330m on the Pic Blanc glacier, giving Alpe d’Huez an excellent snow record and plenty of high-altitude skiing to enjoy well into spring.

Well known among the French as a snow-sure gem, this resort combines traditional Savoyarde buildings in the Old Town with more modern additions. It’s a great all-rounder too, with plenty to keep different types of skiers happy.

Three things we love about Alpe d'Huez

1. Snowboarder friendly - With two snow parks to choose from, there’s plenty of space for boarders to practise new tricks, work on old favourites and generally have a bit of fun off the piste.
2. Night skiing - Alpe d’Huez offers the chance to swap bluebird days for skiing under the stars. The red-graded piste on Signal Mountain is lit up in the evenings, giving you a completely different way to experience the resort.
3. The legendary Sarenne - At 16km from top to bottom, Sarenne is one of the longest black runs in the world and a serious tick for confident skiers. Starting at 3,330m on the Pic Blanc glacier, it winds its way all the way down to the valley.

Snow-sure choice

• Famous for its uniquely sunny, south-facing bowl there are colder, shaded, north-facing slopes across the broader area. 
• Alpe d'Huez has 1070 snow cannons, with snow-making coverage across 40% of the resort (88km of piste)
• Average annual snowfall is 445cm, with approximately 36 days of snowfall across the year

Skiing and Boarding in Alpe D'Huez

Alpe d'Huez skiing offers an impressive variety of terrain across the four main sectors, with 250km of pistes, some excellent off-piste, a glacier, two snow parks and the legendary Sarenne, the longest black run in Europe. So there really is something for everyone.

The Alpe d'Huez ski area links five resorts, all connected by the lift system: Alpe d'Huez 1860, Auris-en-Oisans 1600, Oz 3300, Vaujany 1250 and Villard-Reculas 1500. There are 111 runs across the Grand Domaine: 36 green runs, 29 blue runs, 27 red runs and 16 black runs. There are also 67 ski lifts, giving easy access to the different sectors of the area.

The number of green runs is a big appeal of the ski area, making it a great choice for beginners and those still finding their feet, while the 27 red and 16 black runs offer plenty for more confident skiers to get stuck into.

The Alpe d'Huez ski area lift pass gives you access to the full 250km domain, so you can ski between the different resorts and explore the whole area during your stay.

Beginner

• Alpe d'Huez is a great choice for beginners, with several protected beginner areas close to the resort centre.
• The Barbar, Jeux and Pic Blanc 1 lifts give you access to a good selection of green runs.
• There are four magic carpets underneath the Rifnel Express and Marmottes 1 lifts.
• Try the Fun Zones at Chez Roger and Marcel's Farm, both accessible by bubble, so there’s no need to tackle a chairlift if you haven’t quite mastered them yet. The bubbles are also handy for non-skiers in your group who want to meet everyone for lunch, as they can use them as pedestrians.
• Once you’re ready to progress to blue runs, head over to the Vaujany area (far left of the piste map) where you’ll find a good selection of cruisy blues. There are also some lovely blues beneath the Romain and Marmottes 1 lifts.

Intermediate

• The red piste to the left of the DMC 2 bubble is a good one to try when you’re first progressing onto reds, as it’s towards the easier end of the scale. It’s also usually quieter than the main bowl.
• The red runs on the left-hand side of the ski map are scenic and generally long and cruisy. Poutran is particularly pretty, with plenty of icicles to spot along the way. This area is also a good option if you’d rather spend less time getting back on the lifts.
• Head over to the Auris area via the Alpauris chairlift, nicknamed the ‘scare chair’ by some due to its up-and-over route in both directions. It offers impressive views and access to a great ski area. From here, you can ski down to Auris village on a mix of reds and blues.
• There’s a lovely cruisy blue from the top of the Louvets lift, which you’ll reach shortly after getting off the Auris Express.
• Auris is also a good option when visibility is poor, as some of the lower runs are lined with trees. It can also be a good choice on icy days, as the slopes here tend to get plenty of sun and can feel softer than elsewhere in the resort.
• The Signal area has a good mix of blues and reds. From the top of Signal 2100, you can head either way down the mountain. On the back of Signal, the Villard run is a particular Skiworld staff favourite: a long, quiet and cruisy blue that’s especially good after a fresh dump of snow.

Advanced and Off-Piste

• The Oz-en-Oisans area offers a variety of more challenging skiing, including off-piste terrain on either side of the Poutran red run and tree skiing further down the mountain.
• For steep piste skiing, head up towards the Pic Blanc glacier, where you’ll find several black runs. The Sarenne is the longest black run in Europe and one of the resort’s big bucket-list descents. The steepest section is near the top, so if you want to tick it off without tackling the initial pitch, you can join it from the top of the Marmottes 3 lift. There are also plenty of off-piste opportunities in this area.
• For one of the steepest runs in the resort, try the Tunnel black run, on the left-hand side of the piste map from the top of Pic Blanc.
• Expert skiers can explore the couloirs from the top of Pic Blanc, which eventually join the Sarenne.
• In Vaujany, Roche Melon is a black unpisted run, while La Fare is a long black run that descends all the way into Vaujany. It’s rarely open, but when conditions allow, it’s a challenging descent with trees to navigate and often icy conditions.

Park

• The two main snow parks are located above the resort centre, with access from DMC 1, Les Jeux or Romain. One is aimed at beginner to intermediate riders, while the other is designed for more advanced park riders.
• A new park was built in 2025 on the back of Signal, on the run down towards Villard-Reculas. It proved popular while also tending to be quieter than the main park.
• There’s also a baby park off the Rifnel Express, which is a good place to practise smaller jumps.
• The Fun Zone at Chez Roger, accessed from the top of the Romain lift, has some fun park-style features including rollers and a box. There’s also a mini slalom, which is particularly good for kids, and a tunnel feature to ski through.
• Marcel's Farm has a tunnel, a box, a mini half-pipe at the top and a bell to ring at the bottom. Good fun for kids and adults alike.

Additional tips

• The Pic Blanc glacier is accessible without skis if you buy a pedestrian pass, so non-skiers can enjoy the views from 3,330m too. You can also book the lift in advance to help avoid queues when it’s busy.

When skiing or snowboarding in any unpatrolled or unpisted area, you should always have the correct equipment and consider using a qualified mountain guide. Off-piste skiing and snowboarding can result in serious injury or death, even with a professional guide or instructor. Our partner ski schools in Alpe d'Huez, ESF and Masterclass, offer off-piste lessons and guiding.

Activities in Alpe D'Huez

Fancy a break from skiing and snowboarding? There’s plenty to keep you busy in Alpe d'Huez, from night-time adventures and ice caves to swimming, sledging and mountain walks.

• Night skiing  - Experience the thrill of skiing after dark on the Signal piste, available during selected peak weeks.
• ESF Ski Show - During peak weeks, head out after dark on a Wednesday evening to watch the ESF team perform a torchlit descent down the mountain.
• Outdoor swimming - Take a dip in the heated outdoor swimming pool on the main high street.  
• Ice Caves - Take a trip inside the Grotte de Glace, located at the second stage of the DMC gondola, and wander through its fairytale-themed ice sculptures.
• Cinema  - Settle in for a relaxed evening at Cinema L'AgorAlp after a day in the mountains.  
• Palais des Sports - Alpe d'Huez's sports centre has plenty to keep you occupied, including indoor climbing, badminton, squash, table tennis, indoor tennis, an adventure course, an escape game and an indoor swimming pool.  
• Luge des Bergers - Take a ride on the rail sledge, a little like a rollercoaster on rails, with a route suitable for different ages and abilities.
• Luge sledging - Grab a sledging lift pass and take the DMC 1 up to the dedicated sledging run for a speedy descent back down.
• Dog sledding  - See the mountains from a different perspective on a dog-sledding excursion. These trips can book up quickly, booking at least 15 days in advance is recommended.  
• Hiking and snowshoe hikes - Explore the winter landscape on foot, with a selection of hiking and snowshoe routes around the resort.
• Helicopter rides - Take to the skies for a bird's-eye view of Alpe d'Huez and the surrounding mountains. You can also fly over to Les Deux Alpes and make use of the one-day pass included with a six-day Alpe d'Huez lift pass.  
• Parapenting (Paragliding) - Soar above the Signal side of the resort for a bird’s-eye view of Alpe d’Huez and the surrounding mountains.
• Sunset Sarenne - Join an organised sunset outing, taking the last lifts up to Pic Blanc with an ESF guide. After watching the sunset and enjoying food and wine at a mountain refuge, you’ll be guided down the Sarenne piste by head torch for a memorable ski under the stars. This comes highly recommended by our Skiworld resort team.

Après Ski in Alpe D'Huez

Anyone with an aversion to sleeping on a skiing holiday won’t be disappointed by the nightlife in Alpe d'Huez. From lively après spots to late-night bars, there are plenty of places to keep the evening going.

• Freeride - This bar has a slide down to the toilet. Enough said.
• Smithy's - Where everyone ends up on a good night... dancing on the tables, of course! It’s a good spot for food earlier in the evening, before things get livelier from around 10pm with live bands or the resident DJ.
• La Folie Douce - Head up the mountain for après at this famous venue, where live music, DJs and plenty of dancing get going every afternoon. It’s accessible to both skiers and pedestrians via the Marmottes 1 lift.
• Sphere - Sphere has a chilled atmosphere for both après and evenings, with live music or DJs most nights and the occasional karaoke session thrown in.
• Underground - Found in the Old Town, Underground is a live music bar with après from 4pm, live sport and a late-night atmosphere.
• Moose Bar - Based in the L'Eclose area, Moose Bar is a lively spot that’s often popular after La Folie Douce. Expect music, drinks and a party atmosphere.
• L'Indiana - A good option for a more chilled après, with big screens showing live sport, food, drinks and a lively atmosphere alongside free darts and table football. 

Places to eat in Alpe D'Huez

As with any ski resort, especially during peak weeks or after a big dump of snow when everyone heads out onto the mountain, it’s a good idea to book your restaurant in advance.

On the mountain

• La Folie Douce restaurant - There are two options here: La Fruitière for a proper sit-down meal, or La Petite Cuisine for something a little quicker. Both have lovely sunny terraces and impressive mountain views. 
• Le Signal - A great spot for lunch with a restaurant upstairs and a snack bar downstairs, serving everything from burgers and salads to gratins, pasta and Asian dishes. There’s also a south-facing terrace with great views over the resort and surrounding mountains.
• Le Spot -A relaxed spot for a snack or something more substantial, with burgers, paninis and other quick bites. Grab a deckchair, settle onto a sheepskin rug and make the most of the views over the resort.
• La Cabane - A Skiworld favourite, tucked away beneath the Marmottes 1 lift. You can eat on the panoramic terrace or inside the cosy chalet, with food and drinks available throughout the day. They also offer evening dinners with transport to and from the restaurant, so you can arrive by piste basher and enjoy the journey back down afterwards.
• L'Aventure - Located in Oz-en-Oisans, L’Aventure is another great mountain restaurant, with a panoramic terrace and a menu focused on authentic, modern mountain cooking.
• FuFu Ramen - A Japanese restaurant in the Oz-en-Oisans sector, serving authentic Japanese dishes including its speciality, ramen. It’s accessible by ski only.
• La Plage des Neiges - A family-friendly mountain restaurant with generous home cooking and a south-facing sun terrace. It’s a lovely place to stop for lunch, with deckchairs and great views over Alpe d’Huez and the surrounding peaks.

In town

• Au Montagnard - Bring your appetite to this one! Get stuck into a good burger, cheese specialities or some classic Savoyard cooking. The menu focuses on seasonal ingredients and homemade dishes.
• Smithy's - A more relaxed and fun option, serving Tex-Mex favourites including burgers, with plenty of choice for groups and families. It’s also a good option if you’re looking for somewhere that gets going earlier in the evening. 
• Au Chamois d'Or - A great restaurant with a homemade menu using local ingredients and a good choice of traditional dishes.
• La Crémaillère - A classic French restaurant and a favourite among our Skiworld staff. It has a cosy atmosphere and serves traditional mountain food, including the highly recommended côte de boeuf, a 1kg prime beef sharing dish served with garlic cheese jackets.
• Edelweiss - This cosy, family-friendly restaurant is often raved about by our guests. Expect plenty of traditional mountain favourites, including fondue, raclette and tartiflette.
• La Fondue en Folie - If you’re after a proper fondue, this is the place to head. Expect plenty of melted cheese and classic Savoyard accompaniments.
• L'Indiana - A good option for food, drinks and live sport, with a sunny terrace that’s particularly appealing in the afternoon. It also has table football and darts, making it an easy-going spot for a few drinks and something to eat.

Family Features Alpe D'Huez

Please also see the Activities and Ski Schools sections for a wealth of non-skiing and skiing options for families.

Depending on the age of your child, there are a few childcare options available in Alpe d'Huez.

• In Resort Creches  - ESF Chalet des Enfants. A nursery and ski school for little ones from 2.5 to 4 years old, located in a protected area in the Bergers district. Choose from different ski lesson options, or simply the nursery facilities. Lunch is also available as an optional extra.
• Les Intrepides Nursery - A day care centre welcoming children from 6 months to 4 years old during the holidays, subject to availability. The nursery is open daily during the main winter season and offers different childcare options, including mornings with lunch or afternoons with a snack. Advance booking is compulsory.
• ALSH Leisure Centre - An activity centre for children aged 4 to 12, offering a range of activities and different length day packages, with or without meals.