Ski Holidays L'Alpe d'Huez

In L’Alpe d’Huez, the south-facing plateau has earned the resort its nickname of “Île au Soleil” (Sun Island), with an open view of the Alps. When renting in L'Alpe d'Huez, aim for the snow front: the lifts leave from right there, with shops and ski services all around.

Good skiers go up to the Pic Blanc, at 3,330 m, to ski down Sarenne: about 16 km, the longest black run in Europe. With children who are beginners, we recommend looking first at Les Bergers: the Chalet des enfants welcomes little ones there from 2 and a half years old in a protected area.

Advice from the Mountain Collection team, updated in October 2026.

From L'Alpe d'Huez, you ski on the 250 km of runs of the Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine Ski. You start from the snow front, at 1,860 m, and go up via the Signal and the Petites Rousses to the Pic Blanc, at 3,330 m.

Two protected areas are reserved for beginner skiers. Next come fun green runs such as Marcel's Farm or Chez Roger. The ski area has 37 of them, and 35 blue runs for what comes next. The ESF, EASYSKI and the ESI take children in lessons from 2 and a half or 3 years old, depending on the school.

Two cable cars are all it takes to go from the snow front to the summit: the Grandes-Rousses cable car up to the Petites Rousses, at around 2,600 m, then the Pic Blanc cable car. From up there starts Sarenne, the longest black run in Europe: about 16 km down to the Gorges de Sarenne, at around 1,510 m. Closer to the resort, the red Signal run comes down from the top of the Signal to 1,865 m: about 1.5 km of steep slope.

The ski area extends over seven municipalities. From Auris-en-Oisans, three lifts in succession bring you back to L'Alpe d'Huez in less than 30 minutes.

In L'Alpe d'Huez, the Grotte de Glace can be visited at around 2,700 m, via the Pic Blanc lifts: you walk through a gallery of sculpted ice.

For them, there is sledging, the ice rink, the swimming pool and the indoor play area at the AgorAlp. Climbing and archery are also available, adapted to their age. If you are skiing with a baby, the Les Intrépides crèche takes them from 3 months.

Even without skis, you can still go up: to the Signal, at around 2,100 m, or to the Pic Blanc by cable car. The trip up to the Pic Blanc can also be made with a guide, who tells you about the landscape and its history. To slide without equipment, there is the rail toboggan, tubing and the mountain kart. The marked trails, on foot or on snowshoes, offer a quieter outing.

Local produce means honey, saffron and artisan condiments from Auris-en-Oisans.

To reach L'Alpe d'Huez by train, get off at Grenoble, from where the D1091 leads to Bourg-d'Oisans, at the foot of the climb to the resort. By air, Grenoble-Isère, Lyon-Saint-Exupéry and Geneva serve the region.

From Allemond, in the valley, the Eau d'Olle Express gondola goes up to Oz 3300, from where you reach the rest of the ski area without getting back in the car.

In winter, the Alpe Express, the Huez Express and the Télécentre carry pedestrians free of charge between districts and villages. The Résalp shuttles, also free, provide the same link with vehicles accessible to people with reduced mobility.