Why you should learn to ski in Alpe d'Huez in 2019
The Grand Domaine ski area is the perfect place to learn
Alpe d’Huez’s reputation as one of the world's leading ski resorts is well documented and fully justified. This extends from complete novices right through to the most experienced of skiers.
As a beginner there really is no better place to head than Alpe d’Huez. Here are a few great reasons why.
A huge amount of easy pistes
There’s nothing worse as a novice than encountering a steep red run when you are still finding your feet. It can also become quite boring to continually ski the same green or blue piste that you have become comfortable with. Well, fear not, Alpe d’Huez boasts a whopping 20 green pistes for the complete novice and a further 20 blue pistes for the improver. Indeed, 13 of these green pistes and eight of the blue runs are located in the main 'bowl' area that surrounds the resort itself, with the remainder being dotted around the fabulous Grand Domaine ski area. So get out there and enjoy yourself.
The beginners’ slopes are lower down
Unlike some 'top hat' resorts where the steep slopes are lower down and the easier slopes are higher up, Alpe d’Huez can boast that pretty much all of the easier pistes are located directly adjacent to the resort itself. So there's no need to get a lift back down to resort after a great days skiing – here you can experience the thrill and satisfaction of skiing all the way back down to resort level on a myriad of wonderfully easy green slopes. The pistes from the mid-station of the DMC lift at 2100m back down to resort at 1850m are all truly wonderful, gently sloping and really wide and, as such, are perfect for the even the most nervous of beginners.
Great ski schools
Be it group or private lessons, the level of tuition here is truly second to none. The biggest of all the ski schools is ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais) and these guys are instantly recognisable by their bright red outfits. All their instructors are English speaking and many have been in resort for the whole of my 11 years here. Personally, I have had both Alpine and Nordic ski lessons with ESF and they really are great; indeed, I had Nordic ski lesson a couple of years ago as a complete beginner and I have to say it was brilliant. EasySki, based at the bottom of the DMC lift system, is a smaller operation than ESF but their expertise is on a par, again great for beginners. For a British alternative, the guys at Masterclass Ski School are great. Stuart and Mel have been in resort for years and have around 50 years of ski tuition experience between them; they offer a smaller, more bespoke package which is perfect for beginners.
A great snow record (and plenty of snow cannons)
Last year's epic snow season was well documented when most modern records were well and truly broken, but Alpe d’Huez is not a one season wonder. With a resort height of 1850 metres and a top height of some 3300 metres, year on year the snow conditions are among the best that you will find in the Alps. The fact that local ski lift operator SATA Ski continue to improve the snow cannon network only helps to ensure the very best of conditions in Alpe d’Huez.
And a great sunshine record
Nicknamed the 'Ile au Soleil' or 'Island in the Sun', Alpe d’Huez can boast a sunshine record of more than 300 days a year. There’s no better feeling than learning to ski in a wonderful sunny environment.
A wide array of ski hire shops
As a beginner, it’s likely that you will be looking to hire your gear in the first instance. If this is not included in your package trip, there are a huge number of gear hire shops in Alpe d'Huez to choose from. Pretty much every 'quartier' (quarter) of town has at least one, with outlets in the old town, L’Eclose, Les Bergers, the main street and at the DMC lift station. You really are spoilt for choice and, with such big competition, prices are keen and the quality is very good.
An ever-improving lift system
SATA ski are never ones to sit on their laurels and admire what is an already impressive lift system. Every summer, they undertake upgrade works across the whole network, and this year was no exception. They spent some €14 million on a new cross-town lift system, which makes access to all the pistes even easier than it was before.
Plenty to do away from the slopes
It’s important to sample all that Alpe d’Huez has to offer away from the slopes and there are just plenty of things to do here. Why not try ice skating at the ice rink, in the middle of town? There's also swimming in the outdoor heated pool, climbing at the leisure centre, an alpine coaster at Les Bergers, husky rides, ski-doo safaris, spa treatments, classical music concerts at the wonderful church and, of course, the resort's legendary après-ski.
More inspiration...
Alpe d’Huez really is the perfect destination for beginners. But don’t just take my word for it, get out here and see for yourself. Bon ski!
