Family Holidays in Alpe d'Huez

If you’re heading to Alpe d’Huez with the kids, staying close to the lifts makes life a lot easier — fewer steps in ski boots for everyone! The resort is perfect for families, with ski-in, ski-out options around Bergers and the Rond Point, plenty of family-sized accommodation, and a good mix of terrain for all abilities. Most ski schools are nearby, and the town centre offers extra fun at the Quartier des Jeux with its sports centre, ice rink and outdoor pool. For something quieter, Auris en Oisans has easy lift access and family-friendly activities.

Lift passes are a big part of the cost of a family ski holiday, so it pays to choose the right pass. In Alpe d’Huez there are plenty of concessions to help keep costs down: kids under 5 go free, children 5 to 12 get a reduced rate, beginner areas can be cheaper, and pedestrian passes let non-skiers ride the lifts to watch the kids. Half-day passes work well for little ones, and families of four or more can save with a family lift pass, where everyone pays the reduced rate.

Ski school is a must if you want your little ones to learn safely and have fun. Most schools offer full and half-day sessions with English-speaking instructors and dedicated areas where kids can learn to stop, turn, and glide. Lessons usually start from two and a half years old with inflatables and games to keep it playful. Half-day sessions are enough for beginners. The price covers tuition only, so children 5 and over need a ski pass, equipment and warm clothing. Under 5s don’t need a pass but will need a hands-free card from any lift station.

Alpe d’Huez has something for every member of the family. Beginners can start on the nursery slopes, which are free to use, before moving on to gentle green runs from lifts like Rif Nel, Grand Nif Nel, Sagnes and Ecole 1. For more confident skiers, the whole Grande Domaine is yours to explore, with 249km of pistes across six resorts. There are also two snow parks: a beginner-friendly park above 1,800m with small features, and a bigger Montfrais park for more advanced skiers and snowboarders. Everyone from little ones to teens will find plenty to enjoy.

Alpe d’Huez is full of things to keep the kids busy when they’re not skiing. In winter, head to Les Bergers for free sledging or try the DMC1 run for a thrill. There’s outdoor ice skating on Avenue des Jeux and husky dog sledding at the equestrian centre. The Palais des Sports has a cinema, indoor pool, climbing wall, mini golf and courts for squash or tennis. In summer, the outdoor heated pool on Avenue des Jeux is a hit. With so much to do, the kids will never be bored.

Alpe d’Huez has plenty of childcare options to make your family holiday easier. For little ones, there are daycare centres and kids’ clubs offering fun indoor and outdoor activities, games, songs and play in the snow. Ski schools also cater for children from around two and a half years, combining lessons with supervised play. During the summer holidays, sports centres sometimes run kids’ clubs with swimming, climbing, tennis and basketball. If you prefer more flexibility, babysitters and private nannies are available through the local tourist office, making it easy to enjoy some adult time.