The international first-class resort of Alpe d’Huez (in French transcription – Alpe d’Huez, Alpe d’Huez, is located 60 km from Grenoble, on a high (1860 m) plateau of the huge Grande Rousse massif, south of the Pic Blanc mountain (3330 m).

This is one of the oldest (opened in 1936) and universal resort regions in France, known both as a wonderful winter resort with a large number of diverse slopes, and as a summer recreation center with the cleanest air and characteristic natural and climatic conditions. All its slopes face south, so during daylight hours the sun shines on the town and the valley constantly (more than 300 sunny days a year, the duration of daylight in December is 7.5 hours, in April – up to 11 hours), for which the resort received its second name – l’ile au Soleil (“Island of the Sun”). And from the surrounding slopes of the mountain peaks, in good weather, you can look out over a quarter (!!) of the entire southern part of France, from the Italian border almost to the Massif Central.

The residents of Alpes-d’Huez carefully monitor the ecological condition of the resort. Work is underway to restore forests, programs are being developed for the recycling and reuse of waste, and reusable ski passes are used.

Climate of Alpes-d’Huez

As already noted, due to its southern location, the resort is obliged to a large number of sunny days a year (about 300 days). This fact serves to extend the time for skiing. So, in in December and January you can ski until five in the evening. The resort has a reputation as an area with a good amount of snow, the lower sections of the slopes are provided with this same snow by more than 400 snow cannons.

Over the past two decades, the resort has grown in all directions. The location in the form of steps on the mountain and a well-developed system of lifts make it possible to ski even from the hotel itself.

Historical background of Alpe-d’Huez

The development of all ski resorts at one time went through several stages. Winter resorts arose on the basis of patriarchal mountain villages, which could provide guests with excellent rest and peace. Some of them were created for the survival of local residents after closure of production facilities with outdated technologies.

Alpe-d’Huez in France is one of these resorts. After the depletion of the silver mine in the village, a joint-stock company was created headed by the mayor and local residents invested personal funds in the construction of a ski center. And only years later did it receive worldwide recognition.

Winter vacation

Alpe-d’Huez is one of the most famous winter centers in the country, one of the few world resorts with an altitude difference of more than 2000 meters (from 3323 meters at the top of Lac Blanc to 1100 meters in Anversin-d’Oze). There are 118 trails (38 “green”, 31 “blue”, 33 “red” and 11 “black”) with a total length of about 237 km. At the same time, the conditions of the resort, famous for its difficult “black” slopes, allow you to clearly separate difficult slopes from simpler ones and offer excellent conditions for both experienced skiers and young people or families with children.

Here is the longest ski slope in Europe (and according to some reports – in the world!), stretching from the Sarenne glacier (about 3300 m) for as much as 16 km! Together with the adjacent slopes and tunnels, it allows you to slide without a break for an hour and a half, and in the evenings almost all of its sections are illuminated. You can go down this slope at night with lanterns or torches.

At the same time, there are unique routes with 4-5 connected slopes of varying difficulty levels, allowing you to cover up to 8 kilometers in one descent! Especially good in this regard are the descents from the mountains l Alpette (2050 m), Signal (2125 m) and Signal de Iomm (2176 m), Montfray (1650 m), Livre Blanc (2530 m), Rlat de Marmotten (2300 m) and, of course, the peak of Lac Blanc itself (3323 m), among which you can find both relatively easy “red” and quite serious “blue” trails (for Alpes-d’Huez such a paradox with marking is easily explained by the variety of descent conditions even within one trail).

The upper sections of the trails run along a large glacier, and therefore are capable of providing the most “hard” slopes in the region. And taking into account the use of numerous lifts and gondolas (82, total capacity of more than 102 thousand people per hour!) to move from trail to trail in a day, you can “roll” several dozen kilometers and never go down to the hotel! The same applies to more easy slopes, which cover the southern and southwestern slopes directly in front of Alpe d’Huez with a dense network.

Alpine skiing in Alpe d’Huez also offers ample opportunities for off-piste skiing. Skiing holidays in Alpe d’Huez will appeal to all categories and age groups of skiers.

For professionals: a large selection of long black and red slopes, special attention should be paid to the black slopes from Pic Blanc, as well as off-piste slopes leading to Vaujany. From the Cloche de Macle station, the long black Combe Charbonnier leads down, as well as two long red slopes, which at the beginning have a rather difficult black section.

For intermediate level: a rich selection of slopes for advanced skiers in the area above Vaujany, as well as on the Des Marmottens plateau, from the Signal stations (2176 m and 2115 m) simpler trails. The network of blue trails is located directly above the Alpe d’Huez resort.

For beginners: the blue and green trails above the resort are quite busy, so it is better to use the trails in Oz-en-Oise or Oris-en-Oise. There are special free lifts for beginners.

Resort map

Technical characteristics

Altitude of the resort: 1860m.

Skiing area: 1860m.- 3330m.

Length of trails: alpine – 230 km., flat – 50 km.

Trails: total – 235 km

– Blue – 110 km

– Red – 85 km

– Black – 40 km

Number of lifts: total – 85

The ski season lasts from the beginning of December to the end of April.

Rental of a ski set or snowboard will cost an adult 160-190 euros for 6 days, for a child – 100-120 euros, lessons in ski school – from 51 euros per day for adults and up to 180 euros for children (with meals), skate rental – 3 euros, visiting the swimming pool or baths of the sports complex – from 12 euros, helicopter tour – from 50 euros, delivery of skiers to the neighboring ski resort Les-Deux-Alpes – about 60 euros.

There are two snow parks on the slopes – one for beginners and the other for desperate extreme sports. There are illuminated trails for night skiing.

50 km of trails are equipped for cross-country skiing. 30 km of hiking trails have been laid.

Ski pass

Estimated cost of living and The price of a holiday in Alpe d’Huez is quite moderate for such a modern resort. A one-day ski pass for Grand Rousses (valid in Alpe d’Huez, Huez, Auris-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Vaujany, Villard-Reculas) will cost 38 euros for adults (13-59 years old) and 26 euros for pensioners (over 59 years old) and for children aged 5 to 13.

A Ski Visalp pass (includes all sports and entertainment complexes of the Rousse Valley, 2 days of skiing in Les Deux Alpes and free use of the resort bus) valid for 6 days will cost 199 euros for adults and 142 euros for children and pensioners, for 13 days – 388 and 265 euros respectively. Ski Visalp can be purchased at numerous sales centers or ordered online with delivery home.

Après-ski

In addition to skiing, you can visit the Sports Palace with numerous sports grounds and clubs, as well as three modern snowboard parks (in Alpe d’Huez, Oris-en-Oisans and Monfries). There are 3 ski schools, a nursery (for children from 6 months to 2 years), the Les Marmottes ski kindergarten (from 2 to 4 years) and a school (from 4 years), a municipal museum (Musee d’huez et de l Oisans), a grotto with ice sculptures (located at an altitude of 2700 meters near the Pic Blanc lift), 2 swimming pools (indoor and outdoor), 2 cinemas, an Olympic outdoor ice rink (open from 10:00 to 23:00), snowmobile trails and 50 km. flat ski slopes, 30 km. hiking trails, paragliding club, helipad (excursions are conducted, and skiers are delivered to 20 off-piste skiing areas), 9-hole golf course, toboggan run (length 1350 m), school for training in extreme car driving and many other facilities.

Summer vacation

In Alpe d’Huez, all the opportunities for summer vacation are developed. In the resort, you can take multi-kilometer and diverse hiking routes: the tourist office will offer you more than a dozen different routes ranging from 30 minutes to 5 hours. There is a riding school. More than 200 km have been laid for mountain biking.

Alpes-de-Haute-Provence offers great opportunities for climbing. On the 2200-meter-high Lac Besson cliff, about 150 routes have been created that are suitable for athletes of different levels. There are also two Gorges de Sarennes Via Ferrata routes in the mountains, equipped with all the necessary fastenings and climbing equipment.

Entertainment

In addition to ski passes, the Alpe d’Huez resort also offers the Visalp pass. Its holders have the right to visit ice rinks, swimming pools, museums, concert halls and cross-country ski equipment rental.

In winter, anyone can try their hand at driving a car on ice. At an altitude of 2,700 meters, an ice rink is open for visitors cave. There is a winter kiting school.

In the modern Palace of Sports and Congresses, you can do 26 different sports – squash, tennis, football, golf, aerobics, etc., there is a fitness club, a swimming pool, two cinemas.

Among the popular sports entertainments – a helicopter flight to the neighboring ski resort of Les Deux Alpes. This pleasure costs about 60 euros.

In the resort itself, you can find 12 restaurants, 5 discos and numerous bars, as well as various sports and entertainment facilities in the nearby villages of Vaujany, Oz, Ory and Villars. And having descended to the foot of the mountain, you can visit picturesque villages along the Romanche Canal and Lake Chambon.

Hotels

There are 19 hotels of various levels here, as well as numerous cottages and chalets in the mountains and almost fifty places to stay in the surrounding towns (the resort can accommodate up to 32 thousand tourists at a time).

3-star Hotel Les Bruyères

Located in Alpe d’Huez, 1 km from L’Alpe d’Huez Ski School, Les Bruyères offers various facilities, such as ski-to-door access, a terrace and a shared lounge. Featuring free WiFi, the hotel is located around 8 km from Villard Réculas Ski School and 600 metres from Rif Nel 1 Ski Lift.

At the hotel, all rooms are fitted with a desk and a flat-screen TV. All rooms are equipped with a private bathroom with a shower, while some rooms also offer a mountain view. The rooms include a wardrobe.

Skiing is one of the activities that guests can enjoy near Les Bruyères.

The signal is 700 meters from the property, and L’Eclose Ski Lift is 700 meters away. DMC Ski Lift is 700 meters away. The nearest airport is Grenoble – Isère Airport, 106 km from the property.

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Les Bergers 4 Star Hotel

Résidence Pierre & Vacances Les Bergers is a residence in the Domaine des Grandes Rousses, 100 metres from the Alpe d’Huez ski lifts and the Les Bergers district centre. It offers apartments with balconies, a heated outdoor swimming pool, a lounge and 2 saunas.

Each apartment at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Les Bergers has a kitchen with a microwave with grill function, a dishwasher and a coffee machine.

The restaurant at Résidence Pierre & Vacances Les Bergers includes La Fondue, which serves traditional Savoyard cuisine. Guests can relax in the bar or on the terrace. by the pool overlooking the valley and the Ekreni Mountains. There is a fireplace in the reception area.

The restaurant serves bread and pastries. Breakfast, half board and meal plans are available at an additional cost.

With advance booking and depending on the date of stay, guests can benefit from discounted rates on passes and equipment rentals.

Hotel Daria-I Nor 5-star hotel

Located in Alpe-d’Huez, 1.3 km from the ski school L’Alpe d’Huez, Hôtel Daria-I Nor offers accommodation with a fitness centre, private parking, a bar and ski-to-door access. Among the facilities of this property are a restaurant, a 24-hour front desk and room service, along with free WiFi. The property is non-smoking and is located 9 km from Villard Reculas Ski School.

At the hotel, rooms include a desk, a flat-screen TV and a private bathroom. All rooms include a wardrobe.

Guests at Hôtel Daria-I Nor can enjoy a buffet breakfast.

The accommodation offers a spa and wellness centre with a hammam, a hot tub and an indoor pool. The area is popular for skiing, and ski equipment hire is available at Hôtel Daria-I Nor.

Popular points of interest near the hotel include Bergers Ski Lift, Romains Ski Lift and Rif Nel Express. The nearest airport is Grenoble – Isère, 107 km from Darya-I-Nor, and the hotel offers a paid airport shuttle service.

Chalet LALPEDU

Розташоване на 1800 метрах висоти в історичному центрі Альп-д’Юез, шале LALPEDU пропонує номери з видом на гори. Гості можуть отримати знижку на прокат гірськолижного спорядження у своєму магазині-партнері.

Шале має 2 житлові зони, 2 обладнані кухні та 2 балкони. Він також має 2 санвузли.

Магазини та ресторани знаходяться в 500 метрах від готелю. Гості можуть дістатися до гірськолижних схилів, поїхавши на автобусі громадського маршрутного таксі.

Район популярний для катання на лижах, а влітку гості можуть насолодитися походами на гірських велосипедах. Найближчий аеропорт – аеропорт Сен Геоарс, в 104 км від готелю.

Пам’ятки в Альп-д’Юезі

Найбільшу популярність курорт отримав під час проходження тут Зимових Олімпійських ігор у 1968 році. Саме з цього часу невеликим селищем і отриманий статус світового гірськолижного курорту, який знають і за межами Франції. Відмінними рисами Альп-д’Юезі є надання відмінного сервісу і наявність різноманітних і протяжних трас.

Внизу під Альп-д’Юез знаходиться долина Романч, від якої вгору ведуть дороги по горах Гранд Русс. Завдяки наявності найвищого піку Франції Мон Блан снігу тут завжди досить.

Загальна протяжність всіх трас становить більше 240 кілометрів, половина з яких йде на складні траси, виділені червоним і чорним кольором.

Популярність курорту пов’язана з наявністю трас для будь-якої фізичної підготовки відпочиваючих. Тут однаково комфортно себе відчують і майстри лижного спуску і початківці. Система зв’язку між трасами відмінно продумана і, тому курорт працює без збоїв, чим і приводить у захват численних гостей. Новинкою курорту вважається підйом гірськолижників на найвищий пік Альп під назвою Блан на висоту 3300 метрів. Навіть влітку на льодовик доставляють туристів, які не перестають захоплюватися видами Національного парку Екреном і знаменитих альпійських вершин.

Недоліком прийнято вважати південне розташування гірськолижних трас, що призводить до підтоплення снігу і перетворення його в жорстку крижану кірку. Саме це покриття не дозволяє гірськолижникам отримати максимальне задоволення від вільного ковзання. Такий серйозний мінус господарі курорту намагаються усунути за допомогою снігових гармат.

До визначних пам’яток Альп-д’Юез можна віднести два сноупарка, а також освітлену ділянку для катання на лижах або санях в нічний час. Всі траси сертифіковані Міжнародною Федерацією лижного спорту і дозволяють проводити змагання навіть самого вищого рівня.

На цьому курорті мають можливість займатися зимовим спортом лижники-інваліди. Для цього на станції зроблений полегшений доступ на підйомники, надається в прокат спеціальний лижний інвентар та надається допомога спеціальними акомпаніаторами.

Сам життєвий уклад місцевих жителів сприяє гарному стану лижного курорту. Так, влітку на пасовищах, розташованих на місці гірськолижних трас пасеться велика кількість корів і баранів, завдяки яким підтримуються хороші умови для зимового катання: тваринами поїдається трава, що виключає ковзання першого снігу і запобігає сходження лавин після перших снігопадів.

Влітку популярність Альп-д’Юезі досягається за рахунок гірських велопробігів. Тут проводиться марафон по маунтібайку Мегаваланщ, звідси стартує найпрестижніша багатоденна велогонка “Тур де Франс».

Як дістатися

Найближчі аеропорти – Гренобль (63 км), Ліон (163 км) і Женева (220 км), причому через близькість до залізничної станції Гренобля (лінія TGV Paris – Grenoble) дістатися сюди можна і на поїзді (від вокзалу 3 рази в день відправляються спеціальні автобуси).

Найближча станція поїздів SNCF знаходиться в Греноблі. Там можна пересісти на місцевий потяг, який йде безпосередньо до станції Альп-д’Юез (1,5 години в дорозі).