February in Alpe d'Huez: What's On & Weather

There is still regular snowfall, generally around 14 days, and very much like January the average daily temperatures fall between a high of 0°C and a low of -7°C. This is great news for the piste conditions, but remember to wrap those little ones up nice and warm and very much a time for keeping on those hats, gloves and a thermal under-layer. 

Classical music concerts at the church
If a bit of culture is your thing, then head to the stunning church next to the leisure centre where the music of Bach, Mozart, et. al. is played on the wonderful organ each week. Every concert is led by a different conductor and features many other instruments and performers from all over the world.

Valentine's Day
For this 14th February, take your pick of the best in town with the many gourmet options, and if you're after some entertainment many places will put on live music. Take a look at our restaurants page for some romantic inspiration.

February is a popular month for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the four-week French holidays begin. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:

1. It will be almost impossible to book private lessons over this period, group lessons are the best option. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
2. 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.
3. Ski over lunchtime. The slopes are calmer between 12:00 and 14:00 while the French take a leisurely lunch break.
4. Pre-book your lunch and avoid the queues. Some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service. It's the best way to avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains.
5. Seek out the peripheral areas. 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.
6. 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. 

ESF torchlit descents & Ski Shows

Held up on the floodlit Signal piste, these descents are one of the season's highlights, not to be missed! The descents see a wonderful display by around 350 ski instructors and are followed by a great fireworks display. The event lasts around 75 minutes and it can get quite cold, so make sure you wrap up nice and warm.

Sarenne Sunset
The Sarenne black run is the stuff of legend here in Alpe d’Huez and there is no better way to experience it than at night. Starting as the sun goes down, you are accompanied by the ski instructors of ESF on this magical twilight, torchlit descent of one of the world's most famous pistes. Organised by ESF ski school, booking is essential.

Family fun
Discover a modern paret experience, called 'Yooner'. These mini wooden sleds were used by children in the 1900s to get down the mountains, however, these days they are the source of an evening's fun on the slopes after they have closed, as you fly down the piste helpfully guided by ESF. Open to anyone aged eight years and over, the evening sessions last around 1h30. Booking is essential with ESF.