Activities in Alpe d'Huez
On Snow Activities
Ice Skating
There’s a huge outdoor ice skating rink on Avenue des Jeux, next to Residence L’Ours Blanc, which is open from 10am to 11pm each day throughout the season. It’s a great place to take the whole family and they have boots to fit kids as young as three, as well as skating aids. You’ll even get one free entry with every six day lift pass, and under 5s go free.
Dog Sledding
For a unique and exhilarating way to explore the slopes after the lifts have closed, book a dog sledding session with Second Souffle (+33 (0)6 03 65 15 61). Learn to control these beautiful animals as they whisk you through the snow, or take a back seat and let one of the experienced guides take the reins.
Snow Mobiling
Alpe d’Huez is a great resort to give snowmobiling a go. Espace Motoneige (+33 (0) 6 88 51 69 06) has a dedicated snowmobiling circuit with bumps, banked turns, climbs and descents where you can learn to tame one of these powerful machines. Located at the first station of the Grandes Rousses gondola, next to the Chantebise restaurant, the circuit is open from 10.30am to 4.30pm daily.
After the lifts have stopped you can explore the resort’s empty slopes with one of the company’s experienced guides, either driving your own snowmobile, or as a passenger. The hour long tours depart at 5.30pm, 6.45pm, 8pm and 9.15pm every evening from the meeting point outside the shopping centre in Les Bergers, opposite the Marmottes gondola.
Paragliding
Paragliding is another great activity for thrill seekers, and with Alpe Vol Libre (+33 (0) 6 22 66 27 71) you can either fly in tandem with a guide or learn to handle a wing yourself. You can also try speed riding, which is a cross between paragliding and skiing, and provides the ultimate adrenaline rush for speed freaks.
Off Snow Activities
Indoor Climbing Wall
The Palais des Sports on Avenue des Brandes has a 180 m² indoor climbing wall (+33 (0) 4 76 11 21 42) with 21 routes of varying degrees of difficulty. The centre offers lessons for all abilities, including kids as young as six. There’s also a separate bouldering room for those who prefer to climb without ropes and harness.
Swimming
The Palais des Sports also has a large indoor swimming pool as well as a separate splash pool for young kids. As an alternative to swimming why not try one of their aqua aerobics or aqua palming classes, which are held regularly. You’ll also get one free entry to the swimming pool with your six day lift pass.
(+33 (0) 4 76 11 21 42)
Gym
There are fantastic fitness facilities in the Palais des Sports including a cardio suite, weights area and a range of classes including Zumba and yoga.
(+33 (0) 4 76 11 21 42)
Cinema
Alpe d’Huez has two cinemas. Cinema Le Palais (+33 (0) 4 76 11 21 64) is located inside the Palais des Sports and has two separate auditoriums. Cinema Le Signal or Le Mégarama is located on Route d’Huez and seats 300 in its auditorium with HD digital sound. It’s open every day except Friday, with screenings at 6pm and 9pm. Call +33 (0) 4 76 11 21 64 for a recorded message of the schedule.