Alpe d'Huez (Grand Domaine)
High altitude resort

Resort description

Alpe d'Huez has been growing since the 1930s on a large sunny plateau, above the tree line. An impressive modern lift system now links the villages of Auris-en- Oisans, Huez-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas making it the 5th largest ski area in France, known as Grand Rousses Massif.

Alpe d’Huez

 

Though not a purpose-built resort, so great are the additions to the original village that it has all the convenience of one.

 

Avenue des Jeux is the central focus of the resort is, where you will find most of the shops, bars and restaurants.

 

The rest of the resort in fairly spread out into satellite self-contained hamlets.

 

The bus service around the resort is free to lift pass holders.

 

Skiing in Grandes Rousses

 

Grandes Rousses Massif is a genuine all-rounder. What make it so satisfying are its many sided slopes, so skiers can always find the best snow conditions by simply following the sun. It is divided into 4 sectors.

 

There are the Pic Blanc slopes that have a great selection of runs for experts with the Sarenne run and some good mogul fields reached by a 300m long tunnel.

 

The Signal de l’homme slopes are separated from the Pic Blanc slopes by the Sarenne gorge. There are some challenging red runs here for intermediates.

 

In the small sector of Signal you can take runs down to the village of Villard- Reculas. The blue run in the Signal area is flood lit twice a week throughout the winter for night skiing and snowboarding. 

 

The final sector is Vaujany-Oz which has some great cursing runs just above Vaujany for early intermediates. There is also a great black run which offers a 2200m decent that takes you down to Enversin which is just below Vaujany. 

 

Holders of a 6 day lift pass can explore the neighbour domain of Les Deux Alpes where a bus runs to on Wednesdays and Thursdays. Seat must be pre booked (€6 return).

 

 

Snowboarding in Grandes Rousses

 

There is a 1.5km terrain park with half pipe, jumps and rollers near the main lift base.

 

There is also a boarder cross course and park for good boarders near the Babars drag lift.

 

There is also lots of free riding to be had due to the mountains extent and variety.

 

Cross Country Skiing

 

There is 50km/ 31 miles of cross country trails in the whole area.

 

Ski Schools

 

The ESF in Alpe d’Huez offers skiing and snowboarding lessons for adults and children.

 

You can either have group lessons or private lessons.

 

For young children the ESF has a Kindergarten.

 

For more information about pre-booking Ski School in Alpe d’Huez, please select here

 

 

Lift Passes

 

Lift passes give you access to Alpe d’Huez and the whole of the Grandes Rousses ski area

 

For more information about Alpe d’huez lift passes, please click here

 

Photos provided by Alpe d'Huez tourist office taken by JP. Noisillier, F.Marie, V. Thiebaut
The Skiing
There are few places to rival Alpe d'Huez for extent and variety of terrain. The Grand Domaine gondola takes experts and intermediates to Pic Blanc at 3320m where some great off piste can be accessed. This is also a great starting base for intermediates to explore the whole of the Grand Domaine Massif. Beginners are well catered for with the vast array of slopes just above the resort. The main attraction for experts is the Sarenne run. This 16km run is the longest black run in the Alps.
Après Ski
Eating out is an important business in Alpe d'Huez which boasts over 45 restaurants with something for all tastes and pocket. Au P'tit Creux , Passe Montagne, Les Caves restaurants offer good value food and wine. The resort is often reported as very lively and friendly, so try from cosy to noisy amongst the 20 bars and 4 discotheques.
Amenities
Alpe d'Huez has a wide selection of shops and services including food shops, bakeries, pharmacies, doctors, post office and banks, hairdressers, beauty salons, fashion stores, jewellery and sport shops.
Activities
There is a sport centre that offers a swimming pool, ice rink, sledging area, climbing wall, squash and tennis courts. The futuristic church hosts weekly classical music concerts. There are also 2 cinemas. You can also try ice driving or you can take a helicopter excursion to Les Deux Alpes.
Getting there
Driving distance: From Calais: 580 miles, approximately 8 hrs 35 mins.
Airport access: Grenoble: 65 miles, approximately 1 hr 30 mins. Lyon: 95 miles, approximately 1 hr 55 mins. Geneva: 130 miles, approximately 2 hrs 37 mins.

Ski Facts
Village height:
1860m (6,100ft)
Slope range:
1120m(3,670ft)-3320m (10,890ft)
Ski area:
Grand Domaine
Piste coverage
240
Ski lifts
85
Ski runs
 120
Green
 38
Blue
 32
Red
 34
Black
 16
Snow cannons
 900
Beginners
 ***
Intermediates
 ****
Experts
 ****
Boarders
 ****

Tourist Office
+ 33 (0)4 76 11 44 44
Click to Alpe d'Huez (Grand Domaine) website
 
Accommodation
L'Ours BlancOur rating: ****
1 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 4
(c 25m2) Living area with 2 single sofa beds or 1 double sofa bed, 1 bedroom with 1 double or 2 single beds, bathroom & WC (some are separate).

Studio Sleeps 4
(c 23-26m2) Living area with 2 single pull out beds, alcove with 2 bunk beds, bathroom & WC (Some are separate).

1 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 4-5
(c 40m2) Living area with a double sofa bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds & 1 single folding bed, bathroom & WC (some are separate).

1 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 7
(c46-54m2) Living area with double sofa bed, bedroom with 2 single beds & pull-out bed, alcove with bunk beds OR Living area with 2 single sofa beds & pull-out bed, a double bedroom, alcove with bunk beds. Bathroom & WC & shower-room.May be split level.

2 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 6-7
(c 46-54m2) Living area with 2 single sofa-beds & 1 single pull-out bed, 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, bathroom & WC (some are separate) & shower-room with WC.

2 Bedroom Alcove Apartment Sleeps 8
(c 54-57m2) Living area with 2 single sofa-beds, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, 1 bedroom with a double bed, 1 alcove with bunk beds, bathroom & WC (some are separate) & shower-room with WC.
Chalet de l'AltiportOur rating: ***
5 Bedroom Chalet Sleeps 10
(c 120-130m2) 5 bedrooms each with either 1 double or 2 single beds, 5 bath or shower rooms, 4 WCs and a sauna.

5 Bedroom Chalet Sleeps 10-12
(c 120-135m2) 1 bedroom with a double bed. 2 bedrooms each with 2 single beds & 2 bedrooms each sleeping 3 (some with bunk beds) OR 3 bedrooms each with 2 single beds & 1 bedroom sleeping 4. 4 bath or shower rooms, 5 WCs & a sauna or whirlpool.

6 Bedroom Chalet Sleeps 12
(c 125-135m2) 6 bedrooms each with 2 single beds OR 1 bedroom with a double bed & 5 bedrooms each with 2 single beds. 6 bath or shower rooms, 6 WCs, a sauna and/or a whirlpool.

7 Bedroom Chalet Sleeps 14-16
(c 195-200m2) 5 bedrooms each with 1 double or 2 single beds, 2 bedrooms each sleeping 3 (some with bunk beds), 6 bath or shower rooms, 6 WCs and a sauna.


8 Bedroom Chalet Sleeps 16
(c 200-210m2) 6 bedrooms each with 2 single beds. 1 bedroom with a double bed & 1 bedroom with 2 single beds or bunk beds OR 2 bedrooms each with a double bed. 8 bath or shower rooms, 8 WCs and a sauna.
Le Cristal de l'AlpeOur rating: ****
1 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 2-4
(c 35-40m2) Living room with sofa bed sleeping 2, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, bathroom and WC.

1 Bedroom Alcove Sleeps 4-6
(c 45-50m2) Living room with sofa bed sleeping 2, 1 bedroom with 1 double bed, 1 alcove with bunk beds, bathroom and WC.

2 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 4-6
(c 50-55m2) Living room with sofa bed sleeping 2, 1 bedroom with 1 double bed, 1 bedroom with 2 single beds, bathroom and WC.

3 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 6-8
(c 70-80m2) Living room with sofa bed sleeping 2, 1 bedroom with 1 double bed, 2 bedrooms each with 2 single beds, bathroom, shower room and 2 separate WC's.

4 Bedroom Apartment Sleeps 8-10
(c 90-95m2) Living room with sofa bed sleeping 2, 2 bedrooms each with a double bed, 2 bedrooms each with 2 single beds, 2 bathrooms, 2 shower rooms and 2 separate WC's.
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