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PLAN YOUR ALPE D’HUEZ SKI HOLIDAY
Looking for the right stay in Alpe d’Huez?
Top Snow Travel can help you choose the right accommodation, village location, dates, transfers, ski lessons and extras for a seamless France ski holiday.
Choosing the Right Accommodation in Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez is situated in the Southern French Alps that attracts visitors all year round. It is a high-altitude ski resort, sitting at 1869m above sea level, making the snow cover incredibly reliable.
The excellent quality of skiing in Alpe d’Huez is enhanced by the Pic Blanc glacier that stretches up to 3,300 meters, the area’s highest point. You can enjoy glacier skiing in Alpe d’Huez in both winter and summer.
Another reason for the popularity of Alpe d’Huez is its reputation for being the sunniest ski resort. It has the most days of sunshine out of any other French ski resort, earning it the nickname ‘l’Isle du Soleil’ or The Island of the Sun.
Alpe d’Huez is located in the Grand Domaine ski area, which is made up of 6 resorts and their own ski areas. Therefore, there is terrain for every level of skier and snowboarder and something for everyone’s preference. So, if you like to cruise the blues, hit the park, or explore challenging terrain, Alpe d’Huez has something for you.
The ski season in Alpe d’Huez runs from early December to late April. This means you can enjoy the early season snow or squeeze a trip in during spring and still have excellent snow.
Alpe d’Huez has been awarded the ‘Famille Plus’ label by the French Tourism organisation. This is something only ski resorts most suited to families receive.
There are some fantastic four and five-star hotels and apartments in Alpe d’Huez, with outstanding service and everything you possibly need during your trip. Many of these beautiful buildings are close to the slopes and give you easy access to all this thriving ski resort offers.
No visit to Alpe d’Huez would be complete without experiencing its excellent après-ski and nightlife. After exploring the Grand Domaine ski area, there are many spots to enjoy a few drinks and live music. You can chill out in the afternoon sun with a quiet drink or party until the early hours.
Alpe d’Huez can be an excellent choice depending on your dates, group profile, skiing level and accommodation expectations. If you are still exploring options, browse our French ski resorts page to discover more of the resorts we recommend across the French Alps.
Located on a sunny plateau in the Southern Alps in the Grande Domaine ski area, the Alpe d’Huez ski resort is often affectionately referred to as “The Island in The Sun” thanks to more than 300 days of sunshine every year.
Despite its sunny south-facing orientation, at a high altitude of 1,860m, Alpe d’Huez provides a reliable and beautiful blanket of snow all winter long. This gives Alpe d’Huez one of the longest ski seasons in the French Alps.
Alpe d’Huez is home to the world’s longest black run, La Sarenne with 16km, starting from the Pic Blanc summit at 3,330m. The Sarenne descent is completely on-piste and descends more than 2,000 vertical metres.
Alpe d’Huez provides skiers and snowboarders alike plenty of different slopes to suit all levels of ability, from beginners to advanced.
The resort has something for every level and ability of skier or snowboarder, with great snowparks and appeals to anyone looking for good value or budget ski packages without compromising on first class ski conditions.
Alpe d’Huez has been awarded the ‘Famille Plus’ quality label by the French Tourism body, signifying that it is particularly suitable for family holidays.
There are plenty of easy runs (green and blue runs) leading into the resort perfect for young children and beginners alike while also providing a big selection of red and black runs for the more advanced thrill seekers.
Due to the long snow season, Alpe d’Huez is suitable for early season travel or spring skiing and for families, friends and couples wanting to learn skiing or snowboarding for the first time.
There are plenty of non-skiing activities on offer including the outdoor ice skating rink, ice cave with sculptures, a cinema, the Alpine Coaster (1 or 2 seat sledges), dogsledding, ski joering, snowmobiling (skidoo), ice driving, paragliding, scenic and helicopter flights including microlight flights and more…
The Premium Pass Winter provides access to the Sports Centre’s gym, swimming-pools, skating-rink, mini golf, ping-pong as well as extra options such as fitness, aquafitness, squash, badminton, tennis, football, pan, climbing, archery, jorky ball, tournaments..
Alpe d’Huez is a 1hr50min drive by private transfer from Lyon Airport and 2hrs 40min drive from Geneva airport.
It’s a 1hr 15min drive from Grenoble train station, the closest train station in France to Alpe d’Huez.
Top Snow Travel can also arrange helicopter or scenic flight transfers from all airports or other ski resort altiports in the region
Next winter, Alpe d’Huez Ski Resort is scheduled to open from December 5th 2026 to April 18th 2027.
There are 5 ski resorts and 2 villages which are part of the Grand Domaine lift pass and ski area which include: Alpe d’Huez, Auris en Oisans, La Garde, Le Freney d’Oisans, Oz en Oisans, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas.
Ski Information
Season
December 05, 2026 – April 18, 2027
Ski area
Resort altitude: 1,860m
Set in a large, sunny bowl, Alpe d’Huez is part of the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine ski area.
This links it with the resorts of Auris-en-Oisans, Huez-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Vaujany and Villard Reculas to form 249 kilometres of tracks.
There are 84 ski lifts giving access to 41 green runs, 34 blue, 40 red and 16 black, as well as two terrain parks, a boardercross and a halfpipe.
Linked ski area
Grand Domaine (5 resorts and 2 villages): Alpe d’Huez, Auris en Oisans, La Garde, Le Freney d’Oisans, Oz en Oisans, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas.
- 250km of runs
- La Sarenne (16 km) is the longest run in the world
Transfer time to Alpe d’Huez
- Grenoble train station (closest): 1hr 15min*
- Grenoble airport: 1hr 30min*
- Lyon airport: 1hr 50min*
- Geneva airport: 2hrs 40min*
*Transfer time is approximate, by private transfer vehicle and subject to traffic, weather and road conditions. Shared shuttle/bus transfers have set departure times, take much longer to travel and don’t offer door to door service which is why we recommend and only book private transfers.
Activities & Location
Non-ski activities and experiences
Alpe d’Huez has a cinema, spas and sculptured ice caves to explore.
Other activities include ice lazer quest, snowshoeing, scenic helicopter flights, ice skating, dog sledding, ice climbing, ice driving, horse riding and snowmobiling.
Après-ski
Alpe d’Huez is known as a party resort, with lots of lively bars and nightclubs.
La Folie Douce is the place to go for après, with live music and tabletop dancing from early afternoon until lifts close.
Restaurants range from burger bars to a Michelin-starred restaurant, L’Altiport.
How to Get to Alpe d’Huez
Alpe d’Huez ski map
Alpe d’Huez ski season STARTS in…
Alpe d’Huez Ski Resort Video
Come and discover “The Island in The Sun” thanks to more than 300 days of sunshine every year, the world’s longest black run, La Sarenne with 16km and much more
Watch this video to find out more…
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