The setting of Alpe d'Huez is a delight, as it lies in a large open bowl in the spectacular Southern Alps, with wonderful views of the reddish Grandes Rousses Mountains all around. Renowned for having 300 sunny days a year, the village offers a large number of outdoor activities and sports for all the family to enjoy.
Famous for cycling and mountain-biking, Alpe d'Huez is home to one of the most celebrated finish of the Tour De France. The great value `VISALP´ pass gives you free access to all the chairlifts, the indoor and outdoor swimming-pools, the museum and no less than 26 different activities to enjoy.
Crunch Busters
Book Early to secure your `Crunch-Buster´ deals
FREE holidays for children and infants
Full child discounts even in their own rooms
FREE soft drinks all day for children
FREE packed lunches for all
FREE wine for all adults with dinner
FREE ice-lollies for children
FREE Baby Listening and Child Patrol Service
Visalp Pass conditions apply
All `Crunch-Busters´ have limited availability, must be reserved at the time of booking your holiday, and may be changed or withdrawn at any time. Conditions apply to most deals
For Ramblers, Hikers & Bikers
Alpe d'Huez is an exceptional area for walkers and bikers alike, with clearly marked paths showing the level of difficulty. There are hiking trails to suit everyone. Not all paths involve high gradients; the Lakes Path from the DMC gondola is a gentle stroll to Lakes Besson and Carrelet, or you can take the easy path to the spectacular Gorge de Sarenne and catch the lift back from the village of Huez.
For mountain-bikers there are 14 downhill and 16 cross-country itineraries, all well signposted, and offering the choice of forests, high mountain pastures or gentle lower runs. There are several easy routes runs just above Alpe d'Huez itself, and the most difficult and famous route, the Megavalanche, runs down from the Pic Blanc at 3,300 metres.
The Esprit Welcome Wander
The Welcome walk takes place on Sundays and is a family-friendly walk suitable for all ages, to introduce you to the local area. It offers a great opportunity to meet fellow guests and to plan the week’s activities. The gentle walk will culminate at a scenic spot to enjoy a complimentary light packed lunch. You may then leave your younger children in our child carers capable hands and enjoy a further hour’s walk if you wish.
Attractions and Activities
Alpe d'Huez has an outdoor heated swimming pool with a separate child pool and plenty of space around to soak up the sunshine. There is also an indoor pool in the Sports Centre. Adults £3/Children £1.50 (free with Visalp pass).
Panorama of the Pic Blanc
The highest point in the Grand Rousses is the Pic Blanc at 10,925 ft with exceptional views from which you can see one-fifth of France. Travel up by cable car. Adults £13/Children £6.50 (free with Visalp pass).
Attractions and Activities
Alpe d'Huez is a major activities centre in the French Alps in the summer and
you are really spoilt for choice. Take to the skies and fly over the village or
try rock-climbing, via ferrata and the famous Poutran Equestrian Centre, offering
beginner tuition as well as longer rides. Attractions include outdoor and indoor
swimming-pools, a summer ice-rink, summer toboggan-run, tennis courts and a 9-hole
golf course. You can also play beach volleyball, mini-golf and trampolining or try
clay pigeon shooting, archery or even climb the indoor climbing wall.
Save £ £ £ with the VISALP PASS, includes FREE use of:
All gondolas & cable cars
Outdoor & indoor swimming pool
Summer toboggan (to 12.30)
Outdoor skating rink
26 activities in the sports & convention centres
Outdoor tennis courts (to 14.00)
Beach volleyball
Indoor climbing
Mini golf
Huez museum
6-day pass: Adults: £60 / First child under 20: £45 / Other children: £29
Parc Walibi
Just north of Grenoble is this fun-park with activities for all ages. There are white knuckle adrenaline attractions for the brave and gentler rides like the little train for younger children. All the family will enjoy the water-park with its slides, rides and splashes. Adults £20 / Children £16.
Parc Walibi
Just north of Grenoble is this fun-park with activities for all ages. There are white knuckle adrenaline attractions for the brave and gentler rides like the little train for younger children. All the family will enjoy the water-park with its slides, rides and splashes. Adults £20 / Children £16.
Sightseeing flights
An adventure for all the family, giving you a new perspective on the dramatic peaks, lakes and glaciers of the area. Prices start from £40 per person for a 20-minutes flight.
Ice Skating
Practice your figure skating or ice dancing skills on Alpe d'Huez's outdoor ice rink open open every morning and from mid afternoons to 10pm. Adults £5/Children £pound;2.60 (free with Visalp Pass). Skate hire extra (approx £3).
Twin Centre Ideas
The sporty atmosphere of Alpe d'Huez makes a good combination with either the more tranquil setting of Belle Plagne or the vibrant alpine centre of Chamonix. Don't forget that we offer flexi-stays in Belle Plagne so if a 10, 11 or 12-night stay suits you best, that can be arranged. Alpe d'Huez is also ideal if you have a second week arranged in the South of France to enjoy a perfect `beach & mountain´ combination.
Around & About
The surrounding mountains provide stunning scenery, and a trip by car up to the high mountain passes following the routes of the Tour de France is well worth the drive for the simply amazing views.
The major town in the area is Grenoble with many shops and museums plus the famous Bastille Fortifications, reached by a system of egg shaped cable cars.
Slightly further afield, and for a more back-to-nature day, then visit the Vercours National Park including its colourful caves including the Luire Caves that were used as a hospital in World War II.
The Col de Lauteret close to Alpe d’Huez has botanical gardens with more than 2,100 species of alpine plants and is en route to historic Briançon, guarding the entrance to the valley with many buildings classified as UNESCO World Heritage Sites.