Ski holidays in Alpe d’Huez

Facts about the Alpe d’Huez ski area

The village of Huez sits at 1,450 m, the Alpe d’Huez resort is at 1,860 m, and Pic Blanc reaches 3,330 m.

Glacier skiing: Saranne, located at 3,300 m. This is also where you’ll find the 16 km-long piste, with varied difficulty along the way. It’s marked black—but if you can ski red runs, you should be able to handle it.

Part of a large, linked ski area: Access the entire Grande Domaine on one pass, one of the longest pistes in Europe, the infamous ‘Tunnel’, plus outstanding skiing for all levels and abilities. If you’re completely new to skiing, it’s a great area in France for a first-class experience.

Alpe d’Huez ski area: 5 resorts and 2 villages

Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine covers 5 resorts and 2 villages: Alpe d’Huez, Auris en Oisans, La Garde, Le Freney d’Oisans, Oz en Oisans, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas.

To give you a full range of experiences, many recreational areas have been developed—so there truly is something for every level: 1 snowpark (expert and beginner areas), 1 boardercross zone, 1 piste for night skiing, 1 slalom area, 2 areas reserved for beginner skiers, and a 1,200 m toboggan run.

Beginners on skis/snowboard in Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez is the perfect place for a first-time skiing or snowboarding experience. With renowned ski schools and plenty of easy blue runs, there are lots of opportunities to practise. The pistes that run right down to the town are typically gentle and criss-crossed by easy-access green/blue runs. The area is also excellent for beginner snowboarders, with few drag lifts and lots of wide green and blue pistes.

Le Petit Prince is a simple, long blue piste that runs all the way from the top of Signal Mountain into the charming village of Villard. The runs are challenging enough for beginners, while also offering spectacular views over the surrounding valleys.

Intermediate skiers and snowboarders in Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez is ideal for intermediate skiers and snowboarders, with over 100 blue and red pistes. There are plenty of ways to explore the mountain. We recommend the wide, open runs around Auris, which are perfect for practising carving. On the opposite side of the resort, the red runs down to Oz-en-Oisans and Villard Reculas offer more demanding descents that will test even the most confident intermediate.

Around Dome des Petites Rousses, there are plenty of exciting, powder-covered red runs to take on. More adventurous intermediates will want to try the challenging, energy-sapping Sarenne descent from the top of Pic Blanc.

Advanced skiers/snowboarders in Alpe d’Huez

When it comes to advanced skiing, Alpe d’Huez sets an impressive standard. You’ll find some of the most challenging terrain in France, including La Sarenne, the world’s longest black piste, and the infamous Tunnel, which is typically pure moguls—check it out on YouTube before you take it on. On top of that, this outstanding resort offers plenty of off-piste options for expert skiers and snowboarders.

From the top of Alpe d’Huez

From the top of Alpe d’Huez, you can look out over the nearby resort of Les Deux Alpes. By helicopter it takes around five minutes to get there, while by car it’s about 45 minutes. For years there has been talk of linking the two resorts by lift. This now seems to be gaining momentum with a proposal to build a 3S lift to connect them in the future.

Snowboarding in Alpe d’Huez

Whether you’re finding your balance in the beginner area or taking on the world’s longest black piste—the 16 km Sarenne—this place has a lot to offer snowboarders. There are snowparks: a small one near Vaujany and a larger one right next to town, with rails, boxes and a halfpipe in peak season, plus a boardercross course packed with banked turns and gap jumps.

As a snowboarder, you want a ski area without too many flat sections. Alpe d’Huez has a few—but definitely not many.

Glacier skiing in Alpe d’Huez

The 3,300 meter high Sarenne Glacier offers some of the most challenging skiing in Alpe d’Huez. Hop on the gondola to the top of Pic Blanc to take the 16km Sarenne piste, the longest black piste in the Alps. Or for something more challenging, try Le Tunnel, which starts with a rocky tunnel under the glacier before tackling the moguls on the way down.

Off-piste areas in Alpe d’Huez

Alpe d’Huez offers a wide range of off-piste skiing, as mentioned above, and for truly great off-piste, check areas like Gorges de Sarenne and Glacier de Sarenne. In Alpe d’Huez you’ll find more than 20 high-altitude off-piste routes, with gullies and tracks of fresh powder. You can also visit the famous La Grave off-piste area, which is exclusively off-piste—but when the snow falls, you’ll need to be quick, because all the locals head there too.

Restaurants in Alpe d’Huez

Here’s a quick overview of the fantastic places to eat in Alpe d’Huez, with around 50 restaurants including hotel restaurants, offering a wide range of menus. From small family-run French bistros to burger bars and sushi spots, you’ll find plenty of choice.

Le Crémaillère

Le Crémaillère is a gem with a friendly atmosphere and excellent food, making it the perfect choice for a special evening. Mountain dishes such as fondue, raclette and côte de boeuf are always popular picks.

Au Montagnard

Au Montagnard offers a relaxed, cosy setting where you can tuck into inviting raclette or fondue, or a hearty burger, while sharing a drink or wine with friends.

Smithy’s Tavern

Smithy’s Tavern is known for its English staff and versatile American/Tex-Mex menu—think sizzling fajitas, ribs, steak and sharing platters. When the kitchen closes, people flock here to party.