Brief Resort Overview: Alpe d'Huez is located in the Grandes Rousses massif approximately 50 miles East of Grenoble at an altitude of 1860m. The resort is also quite famous as the destination of the summer Tour du France which passes along the grueling climb up the switchbacks on the village access road each July. Although most of the resort is modern there is still a very small area where you can see a few traditional buildings which date from the original village. The ski resort is very modern and has some unique features such an outdoor public ice skating rink and outdoor heated pool. The skiing is very extensive and it is possible to ski to several villages. It is also possible to arrange for a helicopter to pick you up and drop off the back side into a series of several bowls which often have powder snow. The resort has several back-country powder bowls which can be reached by ski lift.

Principal advantages of the resort: The back-country skiing. The availability of quality affordable four-star lodging. The large network of runs and skiing which connects several villages. The high altitude of the ski area and reliable snow record including some glaciated terrain. Also the resort has the largest lift served vertical drop (almost 7,000ft.) in the French Alps and possibly all of the Alps skiable in one marked run going all the way from 3330m down to 1250m.

Best Time to go: January-April

Ski Area description: Glacier, bowls, runs, steep slopes

vertical drop: 2100m
snow zone: 3330m-1250m
kms of ski runs: 220
amount of terrain (including lift accessed bowls): 6000 acres

open Trail Map in other window click here