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February in Alpe d'Huez: What's on and weather
A busy time in resort after the calm start to the year
It's the school holidays, the resort is full of families, and the snow is already deep in resort.
In February, Alpe d'Huez goes all out to entertain families here on holiday. The ski area will obviously be very busy throughout the month but, thanks to around 100 pistes and 70 lifts being open, the queues shouldn't be too bad.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout February.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
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.
What's on in Alpe d'Huez in February?
Classical music concerts at the Alpe d'Huez 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 14 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.
Ice skating festive gala
Head along to the patinoire in town for a free ice skating show. Head out for some early evening fresh air and watch the figure skating club put on a colourful offering. See the events calendar for more information.
Game Over festival
For the first time Alpe d'Huez is hosting this fun filled weekend full of your favourite video game characters, with games and simulators to play on and quizzes for the real geek-gamers amongst you.
School holiday skiing
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:
- 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.
- 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. The slopes are calmer between 12:00 and 14:00 while the French take a leisurely lunch break.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
Things to do
ESF torchlit descents and ski shows in Alpe d'Huez
Held up on the floodlit Signal piste, these descents are one of the season's highlights that are 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.
Family fun in Alpe d'Huez
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.
Bars and clubs
If, like most people, you like to follow several hours of exercise with several hours of drinking, you can hit up any of number of après-ski sessions offering great music, delicious food and happy hours.
More inspiration...
There are plenty of things to do in Alpe d'Huez on and off the slopes, so take a look at what's on offer.
