Alpe d'Huez Ski Guide: Where to Stay, Eat, Ski & Après

The Louk · 8 min read · Resort guide

SunnyAll levelsLong runsSnow parkGroups

Alpe d'Huez calls itself l'Île au Soleil - the Island in the Sun - and it earns it, with around 300 days of sunshine a year on a big, south-facing mountain. The skiing is high, varied and huge, from gentle village nursery slopes to the legendary Sarenne, the longest black run in the Alps. It's lively and sociable without being manic, great value, and a brilliant all-rounder for mixed-ability groups.

Altitude1,860m village · up to 3,330m (Pic Blanc)

Ski areaGrandes Rousses / Alpe d'Huez — ~250km

Best forSun · all levels · long descents

SeasonEarly Dec – late April

AirportGrenoble ~1.5hr · Lyon ~2hr · Geneva ~2.5hr

Trip typeGroups · families · value

Budget££ · good value, sunny

⛷The skiing

Alpe d'Huez's slopes climb to the Pic Blanc at 3,330m, reached by a cable car with a jaw-dropping view. From the top drops the famous Sarenne - a 16km black run, the longest in the Alps, that's within reach of confident intermediates. There's a big, sunny beginner area right in the village, endless cruising, a strong snow park, and quieter linked villages like Auris, Oz and Vaujany.

La Sarennethe Alps' longest black - 16km from Pic Blanc, a real bucket-lister.
Village nursery areaa huge, gentle, sunny beginner zone right in resort.
Vaujany & Ozquieter linked villages and long runs off the main bowl.

📍 Official piste map & live lifts (alpedhuez.com) →

The Louk tip

Take the Pic Blanc cable car on the first clear morning, tackle the Sarenne while it's quiet, and finish with a long sunny lunch - this is a resort built for terraces.

🏨Where to stay

Luxury

Hôtel Au Chamois d'OrThe grande dame - elegant 4-star superior by the slopes.
Daria-I NorBig, modern 5-star with a lovely spa and pool.

Boutique & mid-range

Hôtel Le Pic BlancComfortable, well-placed and good value.
Hôtel Royal Ours BlancCentral, relaxed and handy for the lifts.

Chalets & cosy

Village apartmentsSki-to-the-door options right across the resort.
Vaujany chaletsQuieter, characterful base with its own big cable car.

🍽Where to eat

On the mountain

La Cabane du PoutatSunny, popular slope-side lunch spot.
Chalet du Lac BessonCross-country-side hut famous for its warmth and food.
La FruitièreLively mountain dining above the village.

In town

Au P'tit CreuxLong-standing favourite for refined mountain cooking.
Smithy's TavernFun, buzzy and great for groups.
La CrémerieCosy and traditional in the heart of the village.

🍾Bars & après

La Folie DouceThe mountain cabaret institution - champagne and DJs from mid-afternoon.
Smithy's TavernThe classic lively après-into-evening bar.
O'Sharky'sBuzzy pub with a great atmosphere.
Sphere BarCentral spot for a first drink.

❄Off the slopes

Pic Blanc & the glacier grottoRide to 3,330m for the view and an ice cave.
Ice driving & the poolFrozen-circuit driving and the village aquatic centre.
ParaglidingSunny tandem flights over the Oisans valley.

🚁Getting there

Alpe d'Huez is unusually close to an airport - Grenoble is only about 1.5 hours, with Lyon around two and Geneva around 2.5. The 21-hairpin climb up from the valley (of Tour de France fame) is spectacular; leave it to a transfer driver.