La Folie Douce
High above the slopes of Alpe d’Huez, La Folie Douce turns après-ski into a spectacular celebration of music, dance, and mountain spirit.
December in Alpe d'Huez: What's on and weather
Your guide to the first month of another exciting season
It's December, the ski lifts open and the Christmas holidays are on the horizon.
December is ideal for an early ski trip, with quiet slopes and minimal lift queues before most tour operators start just before Christmas.
As the month progresses and schools break up, the resort fills with visitors, bringing a packed schedule of events - from parades and special Christmas menus to lively New Year’s celebrations, making the final two weeks especially vibrant. Expect sports competitions, opening parties, and plenty of festive celebrations, including a visit from Père Noël.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
Meteorologically, December is historically a cold and snowy month. Averaging around 12 days of snow fall, the temperatures rarely get above freezing, with a high of 1°C and lows of around -6°C to keep the snowfall fresh. Make sure thermals are on your Christmas list.
School holiday skiing
Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:
- Group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
- If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
- Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
- Avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service.
- Seek out the peripheral areas and try to avoid the busy main ski areas. A great tip to get away from the madding crowd is to hop onto the AlpAuris lift (aka the 'scare chair') at the Les Bergers area of resort and head across to the Auris sector of the ski area. It’s always much quieter over there and there is something for everybody with plenty of variety.
- Get off-piste. Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry.
Opening Parties
Many bars open in mid to late November, but December brings a wave of lively season-opening parties across Alpe d'Huez. These festive events feature classic après-ski fun: live performers, table dancing, and champagne showers. If you enjoy following hours on the slopes with hours of socializing, you’ll find plenty of local après-ski sessions throughout the resort - perfect for keeping the festive energy going all season long.
New Year's Eve
Always a big night in Alpe d'Huez, the town is full of revellers, the restaurants will be busy, so it would be best to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see the New Year in, make sure you've planned ahead.
Bars & Clubs in Alpe d'Huez
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Au Dahu Grillé Restaurant
French run restaurant and bar with a nice terrace to sit out in the sun.
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Smithy's Tavern
Smithy’s Bar is a true Alpe d’Huez classic - a lively spot that promises great food, great music, and great company. Whether you’re here on a family holiday and need food the kids will love, catching that must-see sports event, or planning dinner for two or thirty, Smithy’s can do it all. The menu is packed with crowd-pleasing favourites, while the bar serves up delicious cocktails, crafty beers, and good vibes from the first sip.
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Prosneige Bar Cafe
Nestled right on the slopes, Prosneige Bar Café offers a unique ski-side experience in Alpe d'Huez. Perfect for families, friends, and solo skiers alike, it’s the ideal spot to take a break, refuel, and soak up the alpine atmosphere.
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L'Atelier Bar and Restaurant
Welcoming and friendly bar, located in the centre of resort and close to the telecentre mid-station, it couldn't be easier to access from anywhere in the resort, or on your way down from the mountain.
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FreeRide bar
Nestled at the foot of the slopes, FreeRide Bar is an authentic après-ski gem born from the friendship and passion of three inseparable ski instructors. This bar isn’t just a place to grab a drink - it’s a celebration of mountain life, good humour, and genuine camaraderie. Warm, creative, and full of personality, it perfectly captures the spirit of Alpe d’Huez.
Winter Things To Do in Alpe d'Huez
Family fun
Christmas is synonymous with school holidays. As hundreds of children and their families descend on the pistes, the resort puts on a show for them. There will be lots of events and activities to keep the little ones entertained on and off the mountain, so be sure to check out our things to do for some family fun.
Wintersport Things To Do in Alpe d'Huez
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Snowshoe walks
Strap on your snowshoes and explore the winter trails of Alpe d’Huez with a qualified instructor, discovering the mountains at a slower pace and in complete tranquillity. Snowshoe walks are suitable for all ages and require only a basic level of fitness, making them perfect for families, mixed groups, or anyone looking for a peaceful winter escape. Each outing is rated by difficulty, allowing you to choose the walk that best suits your group.
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Biathlon activity
Step away from the bustle of the ski slopes and try your hand at biathlon, a brilliant winter adventure that mixes cross-country skiing with precision rifle shooting. It is an exciting blend of endurance and focus, and it suits mixed groups beautifully. With adapted equipment and clear guidance, it is accessible to absolute beginners as well as those keen to push themselves a little.
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Evodriver
This company offers instruction on driving around the same ice track that's used for the popular Andros Trophy event and it's guaranteed enjoyment!
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Outdoor synthetic skating rink
Situated in the heart of the main street (Avenue Les Jeux) is the patinoire (ice rink) – in the middle of town underneath the shadow of the Royal Ours Blanc Hotel.
December events in Alpe d'Huez
The main events in resorts in December will mostly centre around the festive spirit that Christmas brings, and with so many families visiting the resort for the festive season, there is a real child-like excitement as the big day draws ever closer.
Aside from this there's usually some events going on up the mountain, as the whole ski area opens up - check out our events calendar for the big ones not to miss.
Events in Alpe d'Huez
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Ice Hockey Matches
Free entry to watch the ice hockey show and a match afterwards. It lasts for 2 hours.
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Trophy Sea Mountain
Up to 15 teams compete in a multitude of events.
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Christmas in Alpe d'Huez
Celebrate Christmas in Alpe d'Huez with a torchlight descent, fireworks, a skating gala, Christmas carols and much more.
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Ice skating gala in Alpe d'Huez
Enjoy a free ice skating show by the figure skating club of Alpe d'Huez during Christmas and the February school holidays.
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Alpe d'Huez Cup
The Alpe d'Huez Cup is a giant slalom competition for children aged between 9 and 16 on the Stade du Signal.
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Coupe 602 Ice Cup, Alpe d'Huez
Held over a weekend, with 10 hours of daytime and nighttime racing - head to the Eco Driver circuit to see the chaos unfold
More inspiration...
With the lifts opening and the festive season in full swing, December is a great time of year to come to Alpe d'Huez. Book your ski holiday now and enjoy carving the first turns of the winter.
