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The manic pace shows no signs of letting up in March
Magical March sees the half-term holidays behind us and a party vibe settles on the town.
With fewer families around, you also tend to find far fewer ski schools on the hill, which of course, also means an end to those long, snaking trails of beginners making their way down. It also makes for quieter lift lines. So all in all, an ideal month to visit Alpe d'Huez to make the best of the near-perfect conditions.
Read on for a look at what we like to get up to when spring arrives in town.
The days are stretching out now with sunrise at the start of March at 07:10 and sunset at 18:22, so there will be plenty of daylight at the end of the day after the slopes close. Traditionally, March sees the end of winter and the start of spring in the Southern Alps.
You can expect temperatures to rise from mid-March onwards and sunshine to be prevalent. There is still regular snowfall, on average 14 days, and the temperatures still dip below freezing at night to keep any new snow nice and fresh. The average daily temperatures generally fall between a high of 2°C and a low of -5°C.
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:
This ski school is part of the prestigious École du Ski Français, one of the most well-known and trusted ski schools in the Alps, with schools across France’s major resorts.
This ski school connects snow sports enthusiasts of all abilities with expert ski and snowboard instructors across Europe’s top resorts. With thousands of top-rated, verified instructors to choose from, their private lessons offer a flexible and personalised learning experience.
Enjoy a truly tailor-made experience with private ski or snowboard lessons, designed to suit your needs and pace. Whether it’s your first time on the slopes, a refresher to brush up on skills, or a boost to gain confidence on steeper runs or off-piste terrain, private tuition offers focused, one-on-one instruction.
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
With over 30 years of experience teaching skiing and snowboarding across the French Alps, their mission is to help you make the most of every moment on snow.
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
When the lifts close for the day hundreds of skiers / revellers head into town to find an après-ski party, and one thing's for sure, you won't have far to stumble in your boots to find a jug of beer and some good snacks before you head home for dinner... or not! It's easy to find a last-minute table for dinner now the school holiday crowds aren't here.
High above the slopes of Alpe d’Huez, La Folie Douce turns après-ski into a spectacular celebration of music, dance, and mountain spirit.
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.
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.
French run restaurant and bar with a nice terrace to sit out in the sun.
There is no cover charge to get in here regardless of when you rock up.
Open throughout the winter and summer seasons, pedestrians and skiers alike can enjoy this mountain restaurant.
Is it time to book a ski lesson? With quieter slopes there's less queues and the softening snow makes for a much kinder landing. The ice rink is always a good place to head for things to do, whether that's watching the local ice hockey team or ice skating club, or getting involved yourself whilst trying to avoid hitting the deck.
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.
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.
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!
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.
March is always a busy time in the resort, with music festivals and events up the mountain of both the entertainment and sporting variety. There's lots going on in resort for when you're giving your legs a rest day, fancy checking out some entertainments après-ski or before you hit the hay.
Attempting a maximum of six climbs - ‘giving up is not an option’
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
The legendary Marmotte road bike race covers the four cols of the Alps over 173km with a 5,000m height gain.
A 21km trail connecting the Pic Blanc glacier 3300m altitude to the Oisans valley at 700m.
Oisans Col Series reserves sections of the road or a col to Alpe d'Huez for cyclists who will gather to tackle a part of the famous climb of the 21 bends without any motor vehicles.
Bastille Day is celebrated across the whole of France with a bang...well, several in fact, fireworks always feature heavily.
Find out all about what is happening in Allpe d'Huez and how to make the most of your time here. The latest news, reviews of fun activities, current events and the trendiest restaurants, as well as interviews with leading locals, insider's guides and our top choices for things to do, see and experience in the valley. Plus, during the winter season, our famous snow reports and dump alerts all in the same place.
See allLatest News & ReviewsAlpe d'Huez hosts a wide range of events throughout the year. In the winter, you can expect motor racing on ice, comedy festivals, ski races and various live music gigs. During the summer months, the focus turns to cycling with the Tour de France usually passing through town. The Megavalanche, a mass-start mountain bike race that draws thousands of MTB fans from around the world, takes place in July.
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