Come to Tomorrowland in March

The ultra-famous Belgian festival Tomorrowland, which attracts thousands of music fans, comes to Alpe d’Huez this winter. For a week in March, this alpine resort will turn into Ibiza on the snow thanks to the first-rate DJs that will grace Tomorrowland Winter Festival’s stage including Martin Garrix, Armin van Buuren, Steve Aoki, Afrojack or Dimitri Vegas & Like Mike, to name but a few. No need to ski for this one!

Go shopping

Over the past few years, Alpe d’Huez’s profile has been on a fast upward curve and this is reflected not only in the new five-star hotels in resort but also in the shopping now available here. The commercial centre at Les Bergers, by the Marmottes lift station, is home to several high-end winterwear boutiques and casual street clothing shops. Meanwhile, up in the main street and around the ice rink, there are plenty of fashionable boutiques like Superdry, Napapijri, O’Neill, Levis, Fred Perry, JOTT and Schott.

Take in a bit of culture

Every Thursday night throughout the winter season, the local church, located next to the leisure centre, hosts a classical music concert with artists from all over the world. Prices are 10 euros per person and the concerts get underway at 18:15. For those interested in Alpe d’Huez’s heritage, the museum regularly holds locally themed exhibitions with history and geology very much to the fore. The region’s rich history really means they have plenty to choose from.

Local lift operator SATA also provides twice-weekly guided tours up to the summit of the Pic Blanc. The views from here are truly epic and, on a clear day, you see for literally miles and miles including as far as Mont Ventoux, the ‘Giant of Provence’ to the west. These tours start from the DMC lift station at the top end of town and you will need to purchase a day ‘pedestrian’ lift pass to gain access up to 3300 metres.

Visit the leisure centre

The huge leisure centre really offers something for everyone, young and old, skier and non-skier. Indoor activities include a climbing wall, swimming, a gym, group indoor cycling, yoga, Pilates, fitness classes, table tennis, crazy golf, squash, tennis, boules and a cinema, I think I’ve listed them all!

Try the Alpine Coaster

Opened in 2017, the Alpine Coaster has proved a huge success. Located in Les Bergers quartier, next to the Marmottes lift, the coaster comprises a 700m high-speed, adrenaline-fuelled course. It boasts a virtual reality option to further enhance the thrill, taking you through four seasons in one ride. Reaching speeds of up to 40kph, the action is certainly fast and furious. The coaster is open seven days a week throughout the season, with extended opening hours in the peak month of February.

Go ice skating

Normally only reserved for Christmas festivities in the UK, in Alpe d’Huez we are lucky enough to have an ice rink that’s open all year round. Situated right in the middle of town, on the main street, it’s open every day into the evening. Skates are available to hire at the rink. The ice rink also holds weekly ‘curling initiation’ sessions and is home to the local ice hockey team, who have regular home games here throughout the winter season. The ice hockey games are free to watch but wrap up as it gets bitingly cold in the evenings at the rink.

Pamper yourself

Over the past few years, several high-end spas have arrived in resort. Many are located in the larger hotels in resort, like the super-swish spa inside the Chamois d’Or Hotel at the DMC lift station. Pretty much every treatment you can think of is available in resort, with something to suit all tastes and budgets.

Try snowshoeing

Whilst you may think you are like Scott reaching the Antartic with a couple of tennis rackets lashed to your feet, it really is a great way to spend a day here and take in the natural beauty that is all around. There are miles and miles of almost endless walks that await you and your ‘raquettes’, and it’s very easy to do. You can simply hire the kit from pretty much any ski hire shop in resort or you can buy the kit if you fancy, prices start at around 75 euros for the ‘raquettes’ and you will need a couple of poles to assist you as well. The area around the fort is particularly popular for snowshoe walking, as is the Sarenne Gorge area up behind the Altiport. If you prefer a guided snowshoe walk, this too is available, with prices starting at 23 euros.

Let the Husky or ski-doo take the strain

The scenery around Alpe d’Huez is truly stunning, and you can take it all in without breaking a sweat. Every day, ski-doo tours are run by Espace Motoneige from the Les Bergers commercial area at the bottom end of town (by the Marmottes 1 lift station). Prices range from 80 euros up to 260 euros depending on the length of trip you choose. Evening meals are included in some of the evening tours and are generally taken up at high altitude restaurants, which provide a wonderful view over the resort. For a more old-school trip around the slopes, why not try a traditional Husky-sled ride, operating from the top end of the Altiport at the end of the trail to the Sarenne gorge, the rides take place every afternoon.

View the live snow report for Alpe d’Huez here

‘Famille Plus’ Label

Alpe d’Huez is part of the ‘Famille Plus’ scheme. This is an officially recognised label which is given to resorts and destinations that go out of their way to cater to families and children. Under the label, resorts promise to provide activities, entertainment and prices to suit all ages. Look for the label throughout the resort, at shops and restaurants, and you’ll be guaranteed a warm welcome and the best deals and services for families and children. Grenoble Isere airport is only around one hour and 15 minutes away by coach, while both Lyon and Chambery are only around two hours away.

Great Hotels and Accommodation

The choice of hotels in Alpe d’Huez is constantly improving, with new establishments opening every year. This constant flow of new accommodation forces the hand of older hotels to up their game, and this has seen pretty much every hotel in resort renovated over the past few years. So, no matter which hotel you choose, you are assured of top quality accommodation. Book Accommodation

Convenience

Alpe d’Huez offers a great free bus service every day throughout the winter season. A fleet of largely eco-friendly electric buses operates around resort from 07:30 right through until midnight. By day, a series of routes (named after fruit; apple, strawberry, lemon, etc.) run regularly around resort and bus stops are located pretty much every 200 metres, mainly outside the big hotels, linking the whole of resort together. These run until around 19:00, when they are replaced by a single night bus route that runs in a big loop from the Altiport all the way down to the old village of Huez. All the main places of interest and lift stations are served by this fabulous free shuttle service.

Great ski schools

No matter how old you are, the tuition available in Alpe d’Huez is truly brilliant. The biggest of all the ski schools, ESF (the guys in bright red) offers great lessons for little ones. Over recent years, ESF has developed more of a ‘creche’-like facility down at the Les Bergers area, complete with little magic carpet lifts and fun slaloms.

Family-friendly bars & restaurants

Most restaurants around resort have a children’s menu and families are always made welcome. But perhaps the most popular with the kids is Smithy’s Tavern, in the middle of resort, which has a great Tex-Mex-style menu and boasts a good range of child-friendly meals. Monday nights at Smithy’s is burger night, a genuine winner with all the family.

Firework displays, ski shows & torchlight descents

Torchlight descents and firework displays are always a highlight on the calendar in Alpe d’Huez and a real hit with families, young and old. Held at New Year and throughout the busy month of February, these really aren’t to be missed.

Loads to do away from the slopes

In addition to the great leisure centre, Alpe d’Huez prides itself on a whole host of activities away from the slopes. These include husky rides, ski doo rides, helicopter and plane flights, ice skating, classical music concerts, outdoor heated swimming and the alpine coaster attraction, to name but a few.