Restaurants, food and drink

The cuisine in Alpe d’Huez is typically French with a range of restaurants serving traditional mountain fare such as fondue and raclette. In the centre of town the cozy bar and restaurant Smithys run by Ben and Mette has one of the most varied themes as it is a restaurant that turns into an apres bar with live music from 9pm. We’d also recommend L’Alaska, in the centre of town, close to Chalet La Breche and run by generations of the Sarret family. This charming restaurant has a truly authentic atmosphere and it makes a great raclette. There are also various takeaway options from the traditional pizza to a Thai takeaway. Alpe d’Huez caters for it all and its also reasonably priced.

If you’re looking to splash out on a meal try the Fruiterie at the top of the Marmottes lift. Part of La Folie Douce family this stylish restaurant is an atmospheric place for lunch on the mountain. Less expensive is the Captain Sandwich burger shack’ hidden away in town but incredibly popular with our Alpe d’Huez reps who rave about the huge variety of burgers on offer, if you don’t fancy lunch on the mountain, this is worth coming back into town for, as are the huge portions on offer in the outdoor swimming pool cafe.

Après, bars, clubs and nightlife

Alpe d’Huez has a loud and lively après scene, here the dancing and live music continues until late into the night. Nevertheless, the scene in Alpe d’Huez remains inclusive and you don’t have to be a pro-partier to participate in the table top dancing. Les Cave’s bar and nightclub has a welcoming vibe and the vibrant schedule of events is both eclectic and lively.

The Freeride Pub, where the party continues until late into the night, is popular with seasonaires. It’s not often that we highlight somewhere for their toilet, but the slide down to the WC is one of the unique highlights of this bar, especially when it’s accompanied by shots! With live music most evenings and snowboards decorating the ceiling we also highly recommend The Underground Bar for a great night out.

Shopping

Avenue Les Jeux is the main centre for shopping in Alpe d’Huez with a couple of supermarkets ideal for self-catering visitors. In the area around Place Paganon there are several sports equipment shops offering ski and snowboarding rentals. And if you are looking to purchase postcards and souvenirs to take back home there are plenty of suitable stores selling everything from jewellery to heavenly chocolate.

Spas and relaxation

Many of the hotels in Alpe d’Huez have spa facilities which are available to their guests. The Hotel Pic Blanc has an excellent spa complete with sauna and whirlpool as well as an indoor pool. Guests of the Pic Blanc can also take advantage of the massage and beauty treatments which are available to buy locally. Both the Hotel Le Royal Ours Blanc and Les Grand Rousses have wellness facilities as well as an indoor pool for guests as does the recently built Hotel Daria-i-nor. Public facilities in the resort include an indoor swimming pool at the superb local sports complex, the Palais des Sports, situated in the centre of town which offers everything from a climbing wall to a game of boules

Arts, culture and events

The lively calendar of events in Alpe d’Huez ranges from film festivals to elite sporting competitions. Particularly popular are the regular ice hockey matches which are held at the outdoor ice rink. One of the highlights of the sporting calendar is the Pyramide d’Oz held in the neighbouring small village of Oz-en-Oisans. This ski mountaineering race is held at the end of January, initially a competition held for enthusiasts the event is now the first stage of the Ski Mountaineering World Cup circuit.

Cultural activities in the town include the local cinema and the church with an organ in the shape of a hand. Movie buffs will also enjoy the annual International Comedy Film Festival, which Alpe d’Huez hosts every January. This festival showcases some of the best feature-length comedy films from across the globe as well as previously unseen short films. Visitors with an interest in sculpting should head to the ice caves at the top of the Grandes Rousses lift at 2700m. These magical caves are carved by expert ice sculptors and their appearance changes every year – it is a must see for every visitor to Alpe d’Huez.

Resort Activities

It’s not all about skiing and snowboarding in Alpe d’Huez. There are plenty of alternative activities to keep you occupied both on and away from the pistes, many of which can be booked through speaking to your Inghams representative.

Night skiing

The flood-lit Signal piste is regularly illuminated throughout the season providing visitors to resort with an opportunity to enjoy the thrilling experience of night-time skiing. Speak to your representative in resort to organise this excursion locally.

Heli touring

A fantastic way in which to visit the neighbouring resort of Les Deux Alpes which is included on your lift pass is by taking a helicopter to the slopes. This sounds like the preserve of the super-rich, but this five or six-minute transfer between Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes is not only glamorous but also reasonably priced! Trips run three times a week and drop you off in Les Deux Alpes in the morning before picking you back up later that afternoon (pay locally).

Ice skating

The Open-air ice skating rink is located in the heart of town. The floodlit ice rink is open until late most days of the week, making it a perfect evening activity after a day on the slopes (pay locally).

Other activities in Alpe d’Huez:

• Cinema (English screenings on Tuesdays)
• Ice cave visit
• Indoor climbing
• Snowmobiling (pay locally)
• Indoor and outdoor swimming pool (pay locally)
• Biking (arrange and pay locally)
• Parapenting (book and pay locally)
• Sledging
• Ice driving (book and pay locally)
• Snowshoeing
• Mountain rollercoaster