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10 reasons Alpe d'Huez is a must-ski destination

Panoramic alpine views, flamboyant dancing, stunning sunshine, high mountain peaks, vibrant coloured flavoured rum, world class skiing, scrumptious fondues, late nights and a humongous list of activities off the piste, is just a small taste of what to expect on a ski holiday in Alpe d’Huez.

Alpe d’Huez is one of our most popular ski holiday destinations. This all-round-resort boasts 250km of ski runs, 2 snow parks and 50km of cross country trails. The height of the resort and ski area means snow is guaranteed throughout the season and is a popular choice for late season holidays.

As the UK’s largest independent ski travel agency we work with over 70 ski tour operators to offer you the widest range of ski holidays and find the perfect trip for you. Inghams is one of the largest operators we work with and invited Iglu Ski along on a trip to Alpe d’Huez for Snowboxx festival where we stayed at the popular Chalet Hotel Les Cimes.

With so much to do in resort, here are your 10 must-dos in this amazing ski town:

 



1. Folie Douce

Last season the famous French après chain extended into Alpe d’Huez, to what may be my favourite location of all. Try to imagine dancers dressed in black feather wings, men in leather high heels, champagne showered down from an elevated DJ booth and a saxophonist prancing around on the bar as you purchase drinks. It’s like something out of a Baz Luhman film and an excellent way to way to get the party going.

Après may have only started at 2, but by 2:15 there are already people dancing on the tables and making the most of their short time in this spectacular cosmos. In addition to the epic party that the Folie never fails to deliver, you go weak at the knees staring at the stunning views off the dance floor balcony.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Top left and bottom photo: Gregory Ke Photographie

2. Fondue Madness

Appropriately labelled as ‘The Best Fondue in the World,’ La Fondue En Folie was of course our first choice for dinner on the chalet staff’s night off. How good was it? Well, how often do you get to the bottom of a cheese fondue... Never? We polished off it all. And the meat fondue too. Plus we were still infatuated enough with cheese the next day to stomach a round of Croque Monsieurs at lunch.

There is an extensive menu filled with various meat and cheese fondue options. The restaurant size is modest so booking early in the week is recommended.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

La Fondue En Folie: When the tables are full, food is placed in hangers above!

3. Pic Blanc Glacier

Alpe d’huez is a glacial resort that offers high altitude skiing and some of the longest descents in the Alps. The 3330m Pic Blanc glacier summit is the start of the longest black run in Europe, Sarenne that has a 2220m descent over the 16 km piste. On a clear day you can spot the peaks of Mont Ventoux, Taillefer, Belledonne, Chartreuse, Mont Blanc and the Aiguilles d'Arves.

As a high ski resort, snow conditions are great throughout the winter season and there is even skiing on the glacier during the summer months. Yes the skiing is fantastic up on the glacier, but what really took my breath away was the astounding vista. There are panoramic mountain views as far as the eye can see and the ocean of clouds make you feel like you are on top of the world.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Views from the peak of Pic Blanc

4. Chantebise 2100 Mountain Restaurant

When you think of the perfect mountain eatery, what do you imagine? Large sun-soaked terrace overlooking the ski slopes, an extensive selection of your favourite alpine foods, and a large chilled beer in your hand? All the boxes get ticked at this lunch stop.

Perfectly located at the first DMC stop, near the snow park and the green pistes, it is easy meet point and accessible for everyone, non-skiers and beginners included. The hefty menu has all the alpine favourites of cheese and meat combinations including croque monsieurs, tartiflette, burgers, pizzas and salads. The calzone and montagne croque monsieur (raclette cheese) were our top picks after an active morning ski.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

The fantastic large sun terrace

5. Chalet Hotel Les Cimes

Les Cimes is a great value hotel for this fantastic resort. The large accommodation is brilliantly situated less than 100m from the slopes, taking you to the Grande Sure chairlift and straight up to fantastic Signal pistes. Perfect if you are keen to get out on the slopes first thing. The south facing positioning means the sun terrace gets the sun in the afternoon and the front bedrooms have an incredible view of the alpine landscape.

A weeks stay on half board chalet catering basis starts from £503 pp which includes accommodation, transfers and flights. A six day lift pass costs £189 per adult (aged 13-64) when pre-booked through us and ski and boot hire costs from £105 per adult when pre-booked. View more information and ski deals at Chalet Hotel Les Cimes

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Top - the amazing views at sunset from the front rooms. Below - the hotel exterior and large breakfast selection

6. Vibrant Nightlife

Head to the Underground Bar for a brilliant night you will probably end up not remembering! The super friendly staff create a welcoming and fun atmosphere that is a favourite amongst the seasonaires in resort. If you are like me and prefer a cider over a beer, well great news, they have it on tap here! Most nights the owners band plays live music so expect to keep dancing into the small hours.

Our other favourite night venues in Alpe d'Huez included Sphere bar, L'Etalon Rum bar and Igloo bar

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Lots of different flavours of homemade rum at the pirate themed Etalon bar

7. Long Lasting Ski Runs

If you like long lasting ski runs, there are 5 pistes in Alpe d’Huez that add up to an impressive 10 000m of height difference. L’Enversin d’Oz (2205m), La Villette (2035m), Oz en Oisans (2000m), Huez (1880m) and La Serenne (1830m).

As much as I loved being at the peak of the glacier, my favourite ski runs were on the other side of the mountain at Signal and the ski runs down to Oz and Vaujany. If you are a fan of long ski runs then this is the side of the ski area is for you.

Get first lifts up to Signal and enjoy the stunning, wide, corduroy pistes down to the TSD Le Villarais chairlift. This area is normally quiet first thing as the crowds head to the main ski lifts around the green slopes. For more lengthy slopes you can take the runs from 2100 at the first DMC stop or from 2050 at L’Alpette down to Oz en Oisians at 1350 or Montfrais, towards Vaujany, at 1650m.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Top of Signal

8. Snowboxx Festival

This wondrous festival turned Alpe d’Huez into a spectacular wonderland for an entire week. The popular ski resort is already known for its varied and vibrant nightlife, but Snowboxx came into town and took the party to the next level. At every moment of the day you had the opportunity to join in with the festivities, from a waterslide competition or disco dodgeball in the day; to Meat Horse Disco at Folie Douce for après on the mountain or an afternoon terrace party back in the town; to evening events including tropical tea parties, pool parties or joining the headliners 2 Many DJS, Eton Messy and Jungle at huge open air gigs. The possibilities were endless, but you were guaranteed to have an awesome time wherever you ended up.

The festival crowd was fantastic fun; there was always a sea of fancy dress and smiles to get you in the mood to party, even if you are still brushing off the hangover from the night before. Snowboxx has now sold out for 3 years in a row, and I cannot wait to see what they have in store for the ski crowds in 2016.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Snowboxx festival 2015. Top - Fun at Folie Douce. Bottom - 2ManyDJs

9. Ski the Longest Black Run in the Alps by Moonlight

Discover an unforgettable experience whilst on holiday in Alpe d’Huez and conquer the legendary 16km Sarenne by moonlight. This brilliant evening takes place every Wednesday which fits in perfectly with chalet staff night off.

After taking up the last cable car at 4.30 pm to the peak of Pic Blanc you watch the sun set over the breath-taking panoramic view at 3330m whilst sipping on a vin chaud or hot chocolate. When nightfall’s the group is joined by qualified ski instructors and ski patrollers as you ski down the 16km piste by moonlight (and supplied headlights). The run takes about an hour to ski down and once you have reached the bottom you are rewarded with a 3 course mountain dinner at the Auberge de la Combe Haute. After a cheese filled evening you ski back to the village and a shuttle service is provided from 10:15pm to transport you back to resort.

The excursion is subject to good snow cover and weather conditions. You must be a good skier or snowboarder to take part and you are advised to book early. Cost is approx 75 Euros. Email contact@animalp.fr for bookings.


Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

Panoramic views at the top of Sarenne

10. Swim or Ice Skate for FREE

With every 6 day lift pass you can benefit from 1 entry to the swimming pool, ice rink and the sports centre. So after a day on the slopes you can head to the outdoor pool for a relaxing afternoon or if you fancy just a half day on the mountain, you can head into town for lunch and a skate on the ice rink, all for free!

This is what’s great about Alpe d’Huez, it’s so much more than just a ski resort. There are plenty of ‘off-piste’ activities to keep any children or adults occupied if their ski legs are feeling tired. Other entertainment includes: Dog sledding, snow mobiling, paradliding, helicopter rides and ice driving.

 

Alpe d'Huez ski holidays

 

Snowboxx festival, is without a doubt, been the highlight of this ski season. It was the best fun to experience a music festival in a ski resort whilst surrounded by the iconic views of Alpe d'Huez. March is a perfect time to visit this stunning ski resorts as you get to enjoy the brilliant spring skiing conditions, and the snow was still good enough to make it to the end of Sarenne! View more photos from this ski trip.

By Krystelle

 

View ski holidays in Alpe d'Huez 

For more information on Alpe d’Huez Grande Domaine Ski please visit www.alpedhuez-granddomaine-ski.fr

For more information on Snowboxx visit www.snowboxx.com