| Reviews: 37 |
| Review Mod |
| Kirkcudbrightshire |
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  4 of 5 18/08/2002 @ 18:42 |
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| Price Paid |
| £500 |
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| Booked Trip Through |
| Crystal |
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| Times Visited |
| 2-5 Times |
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| Review Detail |
Alpe d Huez is one of the largest resorts in France easily reached from
Grenoble. It is a purpose built resort surrounded by a few small
traditional villages such as Vaujany, Villard-Reculas, Auris-en-Oisans
and Le Chatelard Maronne all of which are directly linked by both
lift and piste into the vast Alpe d Huez area, and make a good
alternative for accomodation.
I vividly remember my first trip here about 5 years ago, myself and a
mate came for a weeks skiing (have boarded here a couple of times
since). We got a private taxi to drive us up from Grenoble and the
driver had to keep stopping so we could empty our bladders of the
large carry out we brought with us. On arrival at the Hotel Petit-
Prince we could hardly stand up. My pal then tripped up over a ski
bag on the reception area floor resulting in a massive carpet burn on
his forehead which looked gradually worse as the week went on.
Next morning we had a chairlift right out the back of the hotel
that whisked us up into the area in no time. There is plenty of
choice of slopes here for all ability levels. Beginners have a huge
choice of easy runs just above the village where the slopes are
basically in the sun all day long. When there is plenty of snow
intermediates have a huge choice of blue and red runs spread
over the whole of the area. For better or advanced riders there
are endless posibilities both on and off piste including what is
supposed to be the longest piste in the Alps- “The Sarrene”
This run is about 10 miles long and starts from the top of the
Pic Blanc (3320m) , it starts as a fairly steep and demanding
pitch that is usually mogulled all the way down into Sarrene
gorge where it is very flat and can mean a slight walk back in
but this does not detract from a really good run. The chair
that is used to access the Signal de l Homme area across the
gorge is not for anyone who is afraid of heights, it has some
spectacular scenery from it but I have always been scared
to take any pictures incase I drop anything all the way down
to the gorge below.
From the top of the Pic Blanc you are on the summer glacier
area with its spectacular views all around. You can see over
to the slopes of Les Deux Alpes. From here there is a long
tunnel that you walk through to access the runs back down.
It is pretty steep and mogulled to start with and a lot of
people set off down here who are not really competant
enough and spend most of the time stuck between the
mogulls picking themselves up.
Alpe d Huez has plenty of places to eat on the mountain
and as most of the slopes are south facing it is a great
place to sit out at lunchtime and top up the tan. There
are plenty of bars – Smithys being one of our favourites
as well as a couple of clubs to dance the night away in.
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| Strengths |
A big area with something for everyone.
One of the best lift systems in Europe
High slopes and good snow making.
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| Weaknesses |
Lower slopes can get worn and slushy.
Lots of drag lifts for beginners.
Can get a bit busy at peak times. |
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| Similar Resorts Visited |
| Over 100 resorts worldwide. |
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