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Bring your children on a ski holiday to Alpe d'Huez
Here's why we recommend Alpe d'Huez as a family destination.
Travelling anywhere with children can be challenging, and in a ski resort it can be doubly so with things like lift passes, equipment hire and ski lessons to arrange (never mind hats, gloves, snotty noses and the rest...!). Alpe d'Huez is a family-friendly resort that makes all these things as easy as possible, and skiing could just be the perfect whole family activity, here's why...
When travelling with children, short transfers to resort are a must and Alpe d'Huez has good transport links to the main airports. Grenoble Isère airport is just over an hour away, while both Lyon and Chambery are only two hours. Geneva is also an option at a slightly longer three and a half hours.
They provide the best price for airport transfers to destinations throughout the French Alps, year-round.
Booking with them means your holiday won’t involve the stress of public transport, the cost of private transfers, or the hassle of fitting snow chains on a hire car.
This company offers private and shared transfers from Geneva Airport to Alpe d'Huez, nearby areas, and resorts across the Alps. With great value fares on all journeys, it’s an easy way to save money.
Alp Venture offers safe, reliable and professional private transfers to Alpe d’Huez at competitive prices.
When looking at where to book, you'll find some hotels and apartments have connected rooms or suites that are great for families. The choice of hotels and rental accommodation in Alpe d'Huez is constantly improving, with new establishments opening every year. Pretty much every hotel in resort has been renovated over the past few years, offering top quality accommodation with services for families. Plus for young children several hotels and holiday companies offer childcare packages, if you would like some time to ski or relax without the children.
Situated in the Les Bergers district, this recently refurbished Pierre & Vacances residence offers a wide selection of apartments in various sizes.
This charming residence features warm wood décor and offers superb mountain views over the Massif de l'Oisans.
A cosy, family-run chalet hotel in Alpe d’Huez, just steps from the Alpe Express lift.
Right in the heart of Alpe d’Huez, this charming chalet hotel offers a cosy mountain retreat with south-facing views and a friendly, relaxed atmosphere.
Nestled in the heart of Alpe d’Huez, Hôtel Le Castillan offers a warm, family-friendly atmosphere with direct access to slopes and hiking trails.
Langley Hotel Le Petit Prince in Alpe d’Huez offers stylish, practical rooms near the lifts - perfect for families. Enjoy beautiful valley views, a kids’ club, ski rental and relaxed dining.
The restaurants and bars here are generally very down-to-earth and child-friendly, making them good for taking the children out in the early evening. The majority have wifi so you can get online with iPads and games consoles if required - especially useful for keeping the teens who've tagged along occupied. Most restaurants around resort have a children’s menu and families are always made welcome.
High above the slopes of Alpe d’Huez, La Folie Douce turns après-ski into a spectacular celebration of music, dance, and mountain spirit.
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.
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.
French run restaurant and bar with a nice terrace to sit out in the sun.
Underground Bar is the ultimate live music venue in Alpe d’Huez, offering a vibrant après-ski atmosphere that keeps the energy flowing long after the slopes close. From four o’clock in the afternoon, the bar comes alive with music, drinks promotions, and a lively crowd, making it the perfect spot to unwind with friends or enjoy a laid-back evening in town.
There is no cover charge to get in here regardless of when you rock up.
As a resort popular with families you are guaranteed an excellent range of skis and snowboards for all ages of children in the rental shops throughout the resort. The ski techs will help you all find what you need from beginner skis up to the top of the range.
And once you're all set up, there are two great places to go with the kids when skiing together. Marcel's Farm and 'Chez Roger' comprise half pipes, slalom courses, tunnels and a section of rollers and kickers which are great fun for all. Torchlight descents and firework displays are always a highlight on the calendar in Alpe d'Huez and a real hit with families, young and old. Held at New Year and throughout the busy month of February, these really aren’t to be missed.
Right in the heart of the shopping centre of the town the shop is only 50m from the main ski lifts and 5m from the ski school and lift pass office.
Want to rent skis or snowboards in Alpe d'Huez? Just visit the Skiset AB Sports Centre Station store!
Ski and snowboard rental close to the ticket office and ski slopes. Save time and money by booking online with Intersport. Have your equipment ready to pick up as soon as you arrive and hit the slopes straight away!
No need to carry your ski equipment around with you! Simply pick it up from the ski shop in resort. You can collect your equipment from at least 5pm the day before your 1st skiing day.
Welcome to the ski hire and ski equipment store in the very centre of Alpe d'Huez. Benoit and team will welcome you and assist you in the store.
Located in the heart of Alpe d’Huez, Precision Ski – Ski Dream greets you in a friendly atmosphere, just steps away from accommodations, restaurants, and the first slopes.
The tuition available in Alpe d'Huez is truly brilliant. You'll find ski schools offer lessons for little ones, there's even a 'crèche'-like facility at the Les Bergers area, complete with mini magic carpet lifts and fun slaloms.
There are lots of beginner areas around the lower slopes, easily accessed and some not requiring a pass, so it's easy to practice with the kids. Plus Alpe d'Huez offers favourable lift pass prices to families, making valuable savings.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Alpe d’Huez prides itself on offering families a whole host of activities away from the slopes. These include husky rides, skidoo rides, helicopter and airplane flights, ice skating, and the alpine coaster attraction, to name but a few. On the days you don't want to ski, head to the leisure centre. Spend some time scaling the climbing wall, swimming in the pool, playing table tennis, crazy golf, tennis or squash or try your hand at boules.
Discover a brilliant line-up of family activities in Alpe d’Huez, perfect for bringing everyone together on the snow. Whether your crew loves a challenge, prefers shared adventures or wants to try something completely new, there is an experience for every age and level.
Discover the freedom of ski touring and explore the quieter side of Alpe d’Huez, where wide-open landscapes, peaceful summits and fresh air set the tone. With friendly, uncompetitive groups and routes for every level, you can take things at your own pace and enjoy the mountains in a whole new way.
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.
You'll be sure to enjoy some amazing views and an experience like no other!
Ecole MCF offer a wide range of Mountain Bike courses for adults and children in Alpe d'Huez, from afternoon trips to 5 day courses.
The resort has worked hard to become a part of the officially recognised ‘Famille Plus’ scheme, bestowed only on those resorts and destinations that go out of their way to cater to families and children. They provide activities, services, entertainment and prices throughout resort favourable to those holidaying with kids in tow.
Alpe d’Huez operates a great free bus service every day throughout the winter season. A fleet of largely eco-friendly electric buses operates around resort from 07:30 right through until midnight, and bus stops are located pretty much every 200m, mainly outside the big hotels, linking the whole of resort together.
Vaujany is a charming alpine village set at 1,250m with stunning views and a blend of traditional and modern Alpine architecture. Connected to the Grande Domaine ski area by the Vaujany-Alpette cable car, it offers chalets, hotels and apartments close to lifts and village facilities. Ideal for those seeking a peaceful base with a few good restaurants and bars, while the nearby town of Bourg d’Oisans provides all the essentials just a short drive away.
The ski station of Oz en Oisans is a small, purpose-built, primarily north-facing resort set at 1,650m, above the tiny village of Oz. Built around the two main lifts serving Oz, the town centre consists of several purpose-built apartment blocks and chalets.
Set at around 1,800m at the top of the world-famous Tour de France climb of the 21 bends, Alpe d’Huez is a large south-facing, purpose-built resort with a fantastic record for both snow and sunshine. Often sitting above the clouds, Alpe d’Huez is referred to by the locals as “Ile du Soleil” or “Island in the Sun”.
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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