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Alpe d’Huez is known as the island in the sun, and with good reason: most of its slopes face south, so on a clear day you can ski in sunshine from first lift to last. We have skied here with a group of mixed abilities, flying into Grenoble and staying in a self catered two bedroom apartment. This guide covers what to expect and how to plan your own trip.
Alpe d’Huez at a glance
| Ski area | Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine, around 250 km of pistes and 111 runs |
| Altitude | Village at 1,860 metres; skiing from about 1,125 to 3,330 metres at the Pic Blanc |
| Famous run | The Sarenne, a black run of around 16 km from the Pic Blanc |
| Linked villages | Vaujany, Oz, Auris and Villard-Reculas |
| Nearest airport | Grenoble |
| Adult 6 day pass, 2026/27 (approx.) | €336.50 |
| Best for | Sun lovers, mixed ability groups, beginners and keen skiers alike |
Figures from Alti Mag’s resort guide and Snowcarbon. Always check the official Alpe d’Huez website before you book.
Why we like Alpe d’Huez
Like our other favourite resorts, Alpe d’Huez worked well for a group of mixed abilities. There are safe, sunny runs for every level, with a big beginner area right above the village and plenty to challenge stronger skiers higher up. Everyone could ski at their own level and still meet up easily.
For confident skiers, the highlight is the Pic Blanc at 3,330 metres, reached by gondola and cable car, with views across a huge sweep of the Alps. From the top, the Sarenne runs for around 16 kilometres, one of the longest black runs in the Alps, though it flattens out lower down.
Getting to Alpe d’Huez
How we did it: flying to Grenoble
We flew to Grenoble, which is the closest airport and usually the best choice for Alpe d’Huez. Transfers usually take around an hour and a half to two hours, but a lot longer on Saturdays in the school holidays, when the roads are at their busiest. The final climb includes the famous road of 21 hairpin bends up from Le Bourg-d’Oisans, well known from the Tour de France.
Transfer options from Grenoble
- Shared shuttles and buses run from Grenoble airport to the resort, mainly on Saturdays, timed around flights. Booking ahead is recommended in school holidays.
- Ben’s Bus runs shared coach transfers to and from the airport. From Grenoble it connects with scheduled flights any day of the week (5 December 2026 to 17 April 2027), and from Lyon it runs on Saturdays (5 December 2026 to 27 March 2027). In the resort it stops at the Palais des Sports, Place Jean Moulin and Bergers, with a lower stop at Huez en Bas; Ben’s Bus says the Palais des Sports and Place Jean Moulin stops may be cancelled in bad weather or heavy traffic. It quotes about 2 hours from Grenoble and 2 hours 30 minutes from Lyon, and Saturday fares from Grenoble of £36 single or £63 return, with 10% off for children under 12. Check luggage allowances and the flight delay policy when you book (Ben’s Bus, checked October 2026).
- Private transfers take you door to door and can be good value for a family or group.
- Hire car: useful for supermarket trips, but you will need winter tyres or snow chains, and parking in resort.
Our guide to Grenoble airport transfers compares buses, shared and private transfers and car hire for Alpe d’Huez.
Book your transfer or hire a car
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SunTransfers: Grenoble airport to Alpe d’Huez
Get a price for your flight times and group size. Book early for February half term.
Car hire at Grenoble airport
Opens with February half term 2027 dates as an example, so change them to your own. Grenoble is a small airport, so book early. Make sure the car has winter tyres or snow chains for the mountains.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
For winter 2026/27, Jet2 has announced Grenoble flights from four of its UK bases, including Newcastle. Check Jet2 and other airlines for flights from your nearest airport. Geneva is further away, around three hours by road, and longer in the school holidays. Our guide to getting to the French Alps compares the options.
The ski area
The Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine is split into several sectors linked by lifts. Above the village is the main Pic Blanc sector. Across the resort, the Signal de l’Homme area is gentler and popular with beginners. The linked villages of Vaujany and Oz give access to quieter slopes and are worth a day’s exploring.
The south facing slopes are wonderful in the sunshine, but it does mean the snow can soften in the afternoon later in the season. Ski the sunniest slopes in the morning and head higher or into the shade after lunch.
Where to stay
Alpe d’Huez is a large resort spread across a wide slope, with several neighbourhoods. When choosing accommodation, check how far you are from the main lifts, the beginner area and ski school, as walking across the resort in ski boots is hard work. The linked villages of Vaujany, Oz and Auris offer a quieter, more traditional alternative, with lifts up into the main ski area.
We stayed in a self catered two bedroom apartment booked through a holiday rental site, which kept the cost down and gave us space to relax in the evenings. See our guide to where to stay on a ski holiday for what to look for.
Where to book
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Look for somewhere close to the lifts or ski school, and check whether bed linen, towels and final cleaning are included in the price. The searches below open with February half term 2027 dates as an example. Change the dates and group size to match your own trip.
Vrbo: holiday apartments in Alpe d’Huez
We have used Vrbo for self catered apartments on our own trips.
Expedia: hotels and apartment residences in Alpe d’Huez
Useful if you would rather have a hotel, or want to compare residences with a reception and services.
Skiworld: chalet and hotel packages in Alpe d’Huez
Packages with flights and transfers, if you would rather not book separately.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Lift passes
The full Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine pass was listed at around €336.50 for six days for an adult in 2026/27. Cheaper local passes are available for beginners who will stay on the lower slopes. Buy online before you go, and see our lift pass guide for more ways to save.
Families and beginners
- A big learning area sits right above the village, with gentle green runs.
- Ski schools run group lessons for children and adults. Book early for half term.
- A free picnic room at the first section of the Pic Blanc gondola, at around 2,100 metres, according to the Alpe d’Huez tourist office. A handy way to save on lunch.
More money saving ideas in our guide to finding a cheap lunch on the mountain.
Who Alpe d’Huez suits
- Sun seekers: few resorts get as much sunshine on the slopes.
- Mixed ability groups: plenty for every level, with easy meeting points.
- Beginners: a large, gentle learning area right by the village.
- Keen skiers: the Pic Blanc, the Sarenne and a big linked area.
See how Alpe d’Huez compares with Les Arcs, Avoriaz and Les Deux Alpes in our guide to choosing a ski resort.
Frequently asked questions
What is the nearest airport to Alpe d’Huez?
Grenoble, around an hour and a half to two hours away by road, though it can take a lot longer on Saturdays in the school holidays.
Is Alpe d’Huez good for beginners?
Yes. Beginners usually start on the gentle slopes around the DMC and Les Bergers lifts, just above the village, and SeeAlpeDHuez says some of the beginner slopes low down do not need a full lift pass. There are plenty of green runs to progress to, and lots of ski schools with English speaking instructors.
How long is the Sarenne?
Around 16 kilometres from the Pic Blanc, making it one of the longest black runs in the Alps.
Is Alpe d’Huez sunny?
Very. Most of the slopes face south, which is why it is known as the island in the sun.