L’Alpe d’Huez (France)

La Sarenne: Longest black slope in the world!

Children and beginners will have no end of fun in the Bergers section, with easy, gentle slopes for gaining confidence. Fun slopes like Marcel's Farm and Chez Roger provide a fun challenge with obstacles and mascots. For intermediate skiers and snowboarders, there are plenty of day trips to be made to the nearby ski resorts of Vaujany, Auris-en-Oisans and Oz-en-Oisans. Vaujany offers a very different experience, with skiing below the tree line. Expert skiers should start the day by taking the Pic Blanc gondola up to the Pic Blanc, where there are stunning views of the surrounding mountain peaks. This is the starting point for La Sarenne, the longest black slope in the world. Alternately, if you veer off to the right and go through a tunnel, you'll have access to fantastic black slopes including Le Tunnel, notorious for its waist-high moguls! L'Alpe d'Huez boasts floodlit slopes for night skiing, a must-try if you never have!

Snow parks at L'Alpe d'Huez

Alpe d'Huez has a south-facing snow park, which ensures sunshine from 9am onwards and perfect light for shooting some pictures of the best moments of your ski holidays. The snow park is constantly evolving to meet the requirements of beginner and expert freestylers alike. Each zone of the snow park is adapted for a different ability level, with a variety of tables, boxes, rails and other jumps.

Discover the Oisans mountains by snowshoe or ski touring

What better than a snowshoeing tour to get in shape before hitting the ski slopes? L'Alpe d'Huez offers daily snowshoeing tours of the spectacular Oisans mountains and the Massif des Grandes Rousses. Tours take place in the mornings and afternoons throughout the ski season, from December til April. Or, kick the adrenaline up a notch and book a guided backcountry ski session in the Massif des Grandes Rousses or the Massif des Ecrins. This is a once-in-a-lifetime experience to ski on virgin snow away from the crowds, with the potential to spend a night in a mountain refuge. As the Bureau des Guides puts it, "ski mountaineering for everyone... but go with a guide!" More information is available at the Bureau des Guides, inside the ESF chalet at the Rond-Point des Pistes.

Family holidays at L'Alpe d'Huez

The ski resort of Alpe d'Huez, with its "Famille Plus" label, is committed to ensuring a personalized welcome, adapted activities and unforgettable family ski holidays. The daycare centre “Les intrépides" welcomes the smaller members of the family, aged between 6 months and 4 years old, with friendly, English-speaking staff always ready to help. The ESF children’s chalet offers ski lessons for all ages, in combination with childcare services and an outdoor play area. Family ski holidays in Alpe d’Huez are always a success!

Legendary après-ski and international events

La Folie Douce is one of France's most popular après-ski institutions and opened a location at the top of the Marmotte lift in L'Alpe d'Huez a few years back. Every afternoon, the huge wooden terrace at La Folie Douce turns into an outdoor club, with DJs and live musicans and skiers bopping along to the music while still in their ski boots! L'Alpe d'Huez also has a jam-packed event calendar. Among other events, the ski resort hosts the annual International Comedy Film Festival, and was home to the first-ever Tomorrowland Winter music festival in the 2018/19 ski season!

Alternate activities at L'Alpe d'Huez

L'Alpe d'Huez offers a full spread of alternate activities should you get tired of skiing and snowboarding! The village has an outdoor swimming pool and ice skating rink with beautiful views of the ski area. Families and the young-at-heart, be sure to try the exhilarating VR alpine coaster . There's also a sledging area, ice climbing routes and an ice cave to discover, plus an Altiport which offers paragliding and other airborne activities.