Igluski.com Latest Ski News

Lots to do in Alpe d'Huez

2008-01-10

This January people taking ski holidays in Alpe D'Huez will have plenty to do besides skiing, as the resort's calendar is packed full of events and festivals.

January 1st kicked off the filled schedule with the week-long Ice Festival, a "colourful visual show" and a "play between materials, the transparency of ice and the heat of the lightbeams" which features works from ice sculptor Michel Authier.

Those taking ski holidays in Alpe D'Huez from January 5th were in time to catch the start of the FIS Alpine Skiing Race Week - seven whole days of international ski racing.

Younger skiers are also part of the month's sporting schedule with a two-day Fila Sprint meeting dedicated to children aged five to sixteen years old.

Taking place from January 15th until January 20th 2008 will be the eleventh annual International Comedy film Festival. A selection of eight comedy films will be previewed at the event.

Finally, from January 23rd until January 27th, those on Alpe D'Huez ski holidays will be able to enjoy the Mountain Motor Show featuring ecology, hybrid engines and steering on ice.

Alpe d'Huez is "best" resort for first-time skiers

2008-01-17

Holidaymakers looking to book ski holidays for the first time have been issued with a series of tips by one publication.

The Times recommends that first-times skiers ask their tour operator for advice and recommendations on resorts and whether they have had feedback on different regions.

Additionally, the newspaper notes that Alpe D'Huez ski holidays are best for beginners.

"It's also home to one of the biggest areas of nursery slopes in the Alps - right in front of town," the times reported.

The publication adds that for more experienced skiers, Verbier ski holidays in Switzerland may be a good choice.

On January 14th, 36 out of 46 pistes were open at Verbier.

North America ski holidays are also recommended by the Times for new skiers and snowboarders.

Love on Alpe D'Huez ski holidays

2008-02-07

Holidaymakers who found their soulmate while skiing in Alpe D'Huez have been encouraged to contact the Ski Club of Great Britain to share their stories

The news comes after Abbey reveals that according to research by Cahootsa number of Britons intend to whisk their loved ones away this leap year in order to propose in a special location.

One Ski Club of Great Britain member of staff even confessed to their own love affair while enjoying a ski holiday in France.

"I met Bonnie when I was a ski host in a resort in France. She had been taken on holiday by her parents to recover from a 'bad boy' experience. We got married last summer," the information manager revealed.

Another story told the tale of Cat who met now-husband Mick while on a ski holiday in Alpe D'Huez.

Following a chance encounter at a bus stop Mick left Montgeneve where he was staying to join Cat in Alpe D'Huez for a fortnight. He stayed for 18 months before marrying Cat.

'Best snow of the season' falls in Alps

2008-03-25

Britons enjoying family ski holidays in Europe this Easter will no doubt be thrilled with the way the weather has turned out for them.

The Ski Club of Great Britain reports that snow has been falling all across the Alps, benefiting those skiing in Alpe D'Huez and those enjoying ski breaks in Les Deux Alpes.

Other resorts to have benefited from the flurries of powder include Tignes, La Plagne and various ski resorts in Austria.

"The conditions are quite simply the best of the season with light fluffy powder off piste and gorgeous soft snow on the piste," Ski Club member Sarah Vizard commented.

Roughly 50 centimetres of new snow fell in Verbier in the last week with ski conditions described by the Ski Club as "great".

Meanwhile, the Ski Club's Verbier rep described Easter bank holiday weekend as "the best weekend of the season".

Rhone-Alps 'the jewel in the crown of France's ski regions'

2009-12-01

The French Alps look set to be more popular than ever next year as winter sports enthusiasts escape the crowds of Canada to enjoy some of the world's finest slopes.

With Vancouver set to host the 2010 Winter Olympics in just a couple of months, many Canadians are already looking to get away for a few weeks, with a significant number likely to look to the guaranteed snowfall and challenging pistes of France for their winter-fix.

Writing in the Toronto Sun, travel expert Ilona Kauremszky advised one such couple that the Rhone-Alps region hasn't gained its reputation as one of the finest skiing and snow-boarding destinations on the planet for nothing.

"The Rhone-Alpes region is by far the jewel in the crown of France's ski regions. No wonder," she wrote.

"The world's largest ski area - imagine six major ski resorts in one place and you get the picture- the area is also heaven for non-skiers as spas and gastronomy are popular."

The Rhone-Alps region has hosted the Winter Olympics on three separate occasions and it boasts excellent transport connections to the major cities of Lyon and Geneva in Switzerland.

Written by Chris Smith

Alpe d'Huez & Les Deux Alpes Resort Update

2011-08-30

Thanks to our new in-resort reporter, Masterclass ski school's Stuart, here is the low-down on the current work taking place in Les Deux Alpes and Alpe d'Huez.

With the intention of replacing the old bubble lift that runs from Huez to Alpe d'Huez in the near future, the TO Huez piste is being regraded and new snow cannons are being installed for the forthcoming season. The bowl, although south-facing, is a traditionally a 'cold bowl' and also has the benefit of being in the tree line, thus ensuring a bit more visibility in poor weather.

The Signal de l'Homme side of Auris en Oisans has now had a new blue run cut down its eastern side. This extremely quiet sector of Alpe d'Huez has for years been the domain of the 'off-piste brigade' and red run skiers only. This new run will not affect their territory but will make the access to the green areas of Auris much easier.

Deux Alpes have submitted proposals to extend their pistes with the aid of snow cannons down the north face to the Town of Freney. Freney is a very short hop to Alpe d'Huez. Imagine Vaujany to La Grave on the same lift pass. Watch this space!

Written by Stuart Adamson
© Igluski

Alpe d'Huez Update - Great Snow & Perfect Pistes

2012-01-16

Our in resort-reporter, Stuart the Silver haired legend [apparently] from Masterclass Ski, has sent us an update of what's going on in Alpe d'Huez at the moment.

The boys at Masterclass have over the last week skied Les Deux Alpes and Serre Chevalier, as well as their home resort.

It doesn't matter where you go, the skiing on piste is great. Alpe d’Huez has the most snow, by over a meter, but the other two resorts are skiing really well. There is practically no powder following the high wind during last week's storm and off piste is limited to a lot of Sastrugi high up in 2 Alpes and Alpe d'. The only option left for the off piste masochists is a lot of breakable crust. All stations are really quiet and the perfect weather —forecast for the next week — makes this period ideal for piste skiers.

The new lifts in Auris en Oisens, a satellite resort of Alpe d’huez, have been a roaring success, as have the new blue runs that now make the Auris sector available to the more timid skiers. There are also great reports about the new shortcut from the Alpette run to the Alpette lift.

We have just finished hosting the world skicross champs in Alpe d'Huez, where local interest was focused on Ophélie David who announced that she couldn't resist the temptation to compete yet again. After winning the world championship no less than seven times, David unexpectedly continued this season and came a very creditable 5th. Not bad for some one touching 40 years old.

As for the weather, there is a small amount of snow forecast for later next week. Watch this space!