Location and access to the ski area
Alpe d’Huez is just 1 hour from Grenoble, reached via the legendary road with its 21 hairpin bends that Tour de France riders know so well. The resort is made up of 8 distinct districts, all linked together, offering village life on the scale of a major resort.
From Alpe d’Huez, you are right at the heart of the ski area: the Pic Blanc cable car whisks you up to 3,330 m in just a few minutes. It is the starting point of the legendary Sarenne, the longest black run in Europe, with 16 km of uninterrupted descent.
The ski area from Alpe d’Huez
The Alpe d’Huez sector gives direct access to all 250 km of slopes in the Grand Domaine. Here are the must-dos:
Legendary runs:
- La Sarenne: 16 km and 1,800 m of vertical drop, with ever-changing scenery from the glacier down to the alpine pastures
- Le Tunnel: a unique underground passage opening onto one of the steepest pitches in France (35°)
- Le Pic Blanc: a 360° panorama covering one fifth of France
Beginner areas:
- The snow front at Les Bergers, with free magic carpets
- The Vieil Alpe beginner area
- Free lifts: Télévillage, Télécentre and Alpe Express
Winter activities beyond skiing
Alpe d’Huez is about much more than alpine skiing. The resort offers an exceptionally wide range of activities:
Alternative snow sports:
- Mountain coaster (1 km of thrills, with a virtual-reality option)
- Mountain Kart: a fun descent on a three-wheeled kart
- Airboard and snake gliss
- Electric fat biking on snow
Adrenaline activities:
- Tandem paragliding (landing on skis in winter)
- Airbag jump to try out tricks in complete safety
- Ice climbing on frozen waterfalls
- Snowmobiling and dog sledding
Wellness and culture:
- Agoralp: swimming pool, ice rink, gym
- Aquatic centre with panoramic views
- Notre-Dame-des-Neiges church, with its stained-glass windows by Arcabas and its one-of-a-kind organ
- Maison du Patrimoine de l’Oisans (local heritage museum)
Events of the season
Alpe d’Huez hosts some major events:
- December: FIS Moguls World Cup
- January: International Comedy Film Festival (since 1997)
- March: Tomorrowland Winter (electronic music festival with 26,000 festival-goers)
- All winter long: night skiing and torchlight descents
Practical information for staying in Alpe d’Huez
Types of accommodation: The resort offers a complete range, from budget studios to 5-star hotels, including charming chalets and self-catering residences.
Shops and services: Every kind of shop is on hand: supermarkets, bakeries, pharmacies, sports shops and equipment hire. The village is lively day and night.
Eating out: More than 80 restaurants in the resort and up the mountain. From fine dining to snack bars on the slopes, from traditional Savoyard restaurants to cocktail bars.
Nightlife: Alpe d’Huez is renowned for its lively après-ski, with plenty of bars, pubs and nightclubs.
Getting to the other resorts:
- Villard-Reculas: via the Signal chairlift (8 min)
- Auris-en-Oisans: via the slopes
- Oz-Vaujany: via the Alpette sector
Who is it for?
Alpe d’Huez suits every kind of visitor:
✅ Families: Famille Plus label, plenty of childcare facilities, themed fun slopes (Marcel’s Farm, Jacques le Bûcheron)
✅ Experienced skiers: easy access to the legendary black runs, extensive off-piste terrain, snow parks
✅ Party-goers: buzzing nightlife, internationally renowned festivals
✅ Non-skiers: a wealth of alternative activities, walking trails reachable by lift
⚠️ Please note: a lively, bustling resort, which may be less suited to those seeking complete peace and quiet.
Good to know
- Altitude: 1,860 m (resort) to 3,330 m (Pic Blanc)
- 2025-2026 season: 6 December 2025 to 19 April 2026
- Lift pass: the Grand Domaine pass gives access to all 250 km of slopes
- New in 2025: Cabane à Sucre (a gourmet experience in a trapper’s cabin setting)
- Tip: book your time slot for the Pic Blanc cable car in peak season
Keen to discover the other villages in the ski area? Carry on with our series of articles on Vaujany, Oz 3300, Auris-en-Oisans and Villard-Reculas.
