Alpe d'Huez at a Glance
Located about 60 km from Grenoble, the mountain resort of Alpe d'Huez is nicknamed the "island of the sun" because its south-facing plateau sits at an altitude of 1,860 metres, treating downhill skiers, cross-country skiers, and snowboarders to prime weather conditions. Both family-friendly and lively, the resort was founded in the 1920s and acted as a true pioneer in many areas. It installed its first ski lift in 1936, and its comedy film festival, launched in 1997, enjoys national renown. Plus, it is home to the longest black run in the world, the Sarenne!
Spanning a 10,000-hectare ski area with 250 km of slopes, Alpe d'Huez ranks as the 9th largest ski area in France. Connecting the 5 resorts of Auris-en-Oisans, La Garde, Oz-en-Oisans, Vaujany, and Villard-Reculas, it offers 135 downhill ski runs well distributed across all skill levels. While beginners will want to stick to the lower section, advanced skiers can tackle the Sarenne and its 16 km descent starting from the top of the glacier, which guarantees an uninterrupted run lasting 1 hour and 30 minutes. 81 lifts, 2 snowparks, and a backcountry zone reserved for expert skiers round out the terrain. Cross-country skiing enthusiasts can pursue their sport along 50 km of trails.
When natural snowfall falls short, the resort relies on roughly 100 snow cannons covering about 50 runs. In terms of visitor numbers, the department stands as the 3rd most popular mountain destination in the country. If your schedule allows, aim for January or March for smaller crowds, followed by the Christmas holidays, and finally February when visitor numbers peak. Hotel occupancy rates regularly hit 75 to 90%.
During the summer months, the resort stays busy with plenty of activities, events, and occasional visits from the Tour de France. Hiking and outdoor sports draw steady crowds of summer visitors looking for adventure.
Alpe d'Huez is a mountain resort that looks like many others in the winter. In the summer, there is something that makes it unique for cycling enthusiasts: the climb from Bourg d'Oisans, 21 switchbacks stretching over almost 14 km, with sections at 13% where it is already quite a feat just to keep moving.
Made famous by the Tour de France, there is a real sense of satisfaction in completing the climb.