Accommodation
Nicknamed the “Island in the Sun” for its incredible 300+ blue-sky days a year, Alpe d’Huez sits on a vast south-facing plateau above the Oisans Valley and commands the mighty Grand Domaine ski area. With skiing up to 3,330m on the Pic Blanc glacier and a base as low as 1,130m, it offers one of the largest vertical drops in the Alps – over 2,200m.
The numbers impress: 250 km of pistes, 141 marked runs, and 65 lifts serving everything from nursery slopes to double-diamond blacks. But stats only tell half the story – Alpe d’Huez’s terrain is as diverse as it is extensive.
Beginners: Few places are better for first-timers. The wide, gentle slopes directly above the village mean novices can start and end their day without trekking far. Motorway-width greens like those in the Les Bergers sector are forgiving, while ski schools here are among the largest in France.
Intermediates: This is cruising paradise. Rolling reds and blues let you cover ground between villages like Vaujany and Auris. Runs such as Olympique or Vachette combine views, flow, and just the right challenge for confident skiers.
Experts: The jewel is the 16 km Sarenne, often cited as the longest black run in the world. It’s a rite of passage – a non-stop, leg-burning descent from glacier to valley. Add in the infamous Tunnel run (you emerge from a rock tunnel onto a near-vertical wall of moguls) and a wealth of off-piste from the Pic Blanc, and the high end of the ability spectrum is more than satisfied.
Freestylers: Two snowparks, a boardercross course, and a half-pipe keep riders busy, while natural terrain features across the domain invite playful skiing.
One extra perk: a clear day from the Pic Blanc summit gives you one of the most panoramic views in the Alps – from Mont Blanc to Mont Ventoux, covering a fifth of France.
The Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine pass covers all 250 km of pistes, including Auris, Oz, Vaujany, and Villard-Reculas.
Adult: €64/day | €336 for 6 days
Teen/Senior: €57/day
Child: €53/day (under-5s ski free)
Deals:
Saturday special ~€40 (if booked online by Thursday)
Weekend pass ~€104
Bonus: 6+ day passes include free ski days at Les Deux Alpes, Serre Chevalier, Montgenèvre, Puy-Saint-Vincent, and even Sestriere in Italy – a serious value-add for adventurous skiers.
Passes are available at lift stations, online, or via accommodation providers. Many hotels offer package deals including lift passes.
Alpe d’Huez is a big resort town with more than 32,000 beds, meaning there’s a genuine range from budget self-catering to five-star indulgence.
Budget: Self-catered apartments and smaller 2★ hotels dot the Old Town and satellite villages (Oz, Auris, Vaujany). These are ideal for families looking to save without losing slope access. Staying in outlying villages often means quieter evenings and a more traditional feel, while still connecting into the main lift system.
Mid-Range: A strong selection of 3–4★ chalet-style hotels and residences, often with spas and half-board dining. Hotel Le Pic Blanc (4★) is a perennial favourite, with its spacious rooms, wellness area, and prime location near the slopes. Apartment complexes like Le Cristal de l’Alpe combine independence with hotel-level facilities such as pools and saunas.
Luxury: The resort has seen a wave of upmarket development. Hotel Daria-I Nor (5★) offers ski-in/ski-out convenience, fine dining, and a superb spa, while the historic Grandes Rousses Hotel (5★) – dating back to 1902 – blends tradition with modern luxury, right in the heart of town. Both cater to travellers wanting refinement without sacrificing slope access.
📍 Best ski-in/ski-out locations: Les Bergers and Rond Point des Pistes. Properties here let you clip into your skis at the door – ideal for maximising slope time.
With over 20 on-mountain restaurants and a bustling village dining scene, Alpe d’Huez satisfies both casual appetites and gourmet cravings.
On the slopes:
Chalet du Lac Besson: Hidden by a frozen lake, this rustic hut serves grilled meats and regional classics in a magical setting.
L’Altiport: Dining beside a tiny mountain airstrip – where else can you watch planes take off as you tuck into traditional Savoyard dishes on a huge sun terrace?
La Fruitière: The gourmet counterpart to Folie Douce’s après-ski madness – refined alpine cuisine with a side of music and atmosphere.
In the village:
Savoyard staples: La Petite Taverne and similar taverns dish out bubbling raclettes, fondues, and tartiflettes. Perfect for a cosy winter night.
Casual fare: Crêperies, burger bars, and pizzerias keep it simple and family-friendly.
Fine dining: Au Puits des Saveurs offers creative twists on French cuisine, while the Chamois d’Or Hotel delivers elegance and fine wines for a refined evening.
Food here is about more than eating – it’s about lingering on terraces, basking in the sun, and turning lunch into an event.
Alpe d’Huez’s après is famous – some say it’s the liveliest scene in the French Alps outside of Val d’Isère.
On the mountain: La Folie Douce at 2,300m is legendary. From mid-afternoon, DJs, live performers, and dancers turn the terrace into a high-altitude festival. Dancing in ski boots under the sun is practically a rite of passage here.
Back in town:
For a relaxed vibe: Le Tremplin offers a huge terrace for beers in the afternoon sun.
For pub buzz: Sphere Bar, Freeride Bar, and O’Sharkey’s are popular meeting spots with live music and themed nights.
For a classic: Smithy’s Tavern is a British-run institution, blending sports-bar energy with late-night dancing.
For the hardcore: Igloo Club and Les Caves run until dawn – if you’ve still got the stamina after a day on the slopes.
The après scene is inclusive – you can choose your tempo, from a quiet vin chaud to a night that stretches until 5 a.m.
The resort sits at 1,860m on a broad south-facing shelf, meaning the village itself is often bathed in sun while other resorts sit in shadow.
Character: It’s not a quaint hamlet – this is a large, functional resort – but the Vieil Alpe quarter retains cobbled lanes and old chalets, while newer developments add comfort and convenience. The architecture is mixed, but the overall vibe is lively and cosmopolitan.
Getting there: The final climb is legendary – the 21 hairpins of the Tour de France road. Grenoble is 90 minutes away, Lyon two hours, Geneva three. Shuttle buses and transfers are plentiful.
Activities: Alpe d’Huez excels at non-ski options. Lift passes include free entry to the outdoor heated pool and ice rink. Thrill-seekers can try the 1 km Alpine Coaster, dog sledding, snowmobiling, ice driving, or even paragliding from the mountain tops. Culture seekers can ride the gondola down to Huez village for a taste of history.
It’s a resort as much as a town – with shops, cafés, and a sports palace ensuring you never run out of things to do.
For me, Alpe d’Huez is one of those rare places that really does offer something for everyone. Beginners get easy access to forgiving slopes, intermediates can rack up miles across the Grand Domaine, and experts have runs that stick in the memory forever. Add in sunshine, views, and après that can rival anywhere, and it becomes hard to fault.
My personal highlight? Skiing the 16 km Sarenne from the Pic Blanc summit. By the time you reach the valley, your legs are shot – but the satisfaction is immense. Then it’s straight to a terrace for a vin chaud, watching the après kick off in the golden sun.
What I love most is that it feels inclusive. Families, groups, partygoers, or solo travellers – everyone finds their place here. Alpe d’Huez isn’t the prettiest village in the Alps, but it has a buzz, breadth, and brightness that make it unforgettable. For a resort that truly delivers across the board, this is one of my top recommendations.
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