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Read reviews of the best Alpe d'Huez activities
Since last week’s prediction that the first snows of winter were not far away, the alpine weather has launched us back into summer. Over the past few days we’ve had temperatures in the mid- twenties and very little breeze. The early mornings have been a little foggy, but that’s been burning off by 9am. It’s perfect weather for all the DIY that needs to be done before the winter season starts again.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 17th September 2009
Take to the skies for some amazing views of Alpe d'Huez
Give something different a try on your trip to Alpe d'Huez - either in winter or summer
Amongst the many summer activities available in the Southern Alps, there’s one I’ve been desperate to try for the past year… the via ferrata. Translated from Italian, via ferrata simply means ‘iron road’. It’s a mountain route marked by a fixed line and iron handles.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 1st August 2009
I guess it had to happen eventually… a break in the recent heatwave. Friday dawned chilly and I think the whole town sighed in relief, grateful for a respite from the 34°C heat of the past week. That being said, once the day fully kicked-in it was hardly cold, just a little overcast and cooler at around 25°C. I took the opportunity to race around Alpe d’Huez and do some of the town-based activities that have eluded me so far this summer.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 23rd August 2009
Take to the skies of Alpe d'Huez!
If you're looking for something a little different to do on your trip to Alpe d'Huez, why not give speed riding a try?
Read more about Parapenting in Alpe d'Huez: 11th February 2015
The winds have been whipping the southern alps mercilessly and erratically since last Thursday. Bad weather severely hampered last week’s mountain bike event in Les Deux Alpes, the Mountain of Hell, but this week we’ve certainly felt the worst of it.
A great way to see the mountain, great fun & great for your fitness
Cross country skiing has long interested me and has been on my to-do list for ages. I love watching the biathlon on Eurosport and marvel at how these phenomenal athletes control their heart rates in order to shoot with un-erring accuracy having just skied so hard uphill. So last week we finally decided to give it a go.
There's plenty of choice, treat yourself or a loved one to a spa session
Sometimes after a tough few days on the slopes you may fancy a bit of relaxation and pampering to ease those aches and pains, if so you don't have to look very far here in resort as there are plenty of options available to you.
Last week we set off in the direction of Salette and Laffrey on an exploratory tour in preparation for the impending inter-season, when both resorts all but close and it’s great to get out of the ghost town for a day or two. This weekend, we decided to explore a little more in this direction, heading-off to La Mure and Drac.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 27th August 2009
Living in the mountains, it’s easy to become complacent about the beauty that surrounds you on a day to day basis. The Southern Alps is a region filled with glaciers and the retreat of these ancient masses has carved some incredible and rugged features into our landscape. Such features are best seen from on high and we’re lucky enough to have some of France’s highest roads on our doorstep. So today, The Boyfriend and I hit the road, taking a tour of the ‘local’ Cols which took us between 700m and 2645m above sea level and over around 300km of roads. It’s been quite a day!
The leisure centre gym is used by top athletes, why not join them?
It's no wonder the gymnasium in the Palais des Sports et des Congres (the leisure centre) here in Alpe d’Huez is used by some top sportsmen and women as the benefits of altitude training are well documented – higher red blood cell count, greater muscular endurance and increased vaso-dilation to name but a few.
Read more about Rubbing shoulders with the stars in Alpe d'Huez gym
OOver the past two days, the weather here in the Southern Alps has taken a turn for the worse. While it remains warm, we’ve been victim to storms of rain and thunder, which have cleared the muggy air of last week and have lowered temperatures to the twenties. The freeze level on Deux Alpes’ glacier remains high – at between 3650m and 4350m – so the rain we’ve had in town is likely to have only fallen as sleet, at best.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 10th August 2009
When you live in a small town it’s always good to get away, even if it’s just for the night. Tourist resorts are no exception and – when the masses descend for the August rush – the prospect of the open road becomes even more tempting. Thankfully it’s my birthday in mid-August and this usually gives me a great excuse to pack a bag and head-off for a little break.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 19th August 2009
Road biking to the Col d'Ornon from Bourg d'Oisans
If you’re after a shorter less committing bike ride than the infamous 21 bends up to Alpe D’Huez, the Col D’Ornon is a great option from the same starting point. The ride is easily done in less than two hours and there are certainly no compromises on the scenery!
Living in a hanky - a guide to camping in the Oisans
So the sun is out, temperatures are soaring and high season is just around the corner, which means it must be time to go camping. It’s cheap, it’s outdoors and you can do it almost anywhere, what’s not to like? All right, it happens to be chucking with rain on this particular morning, but it’s not going to do that all holiday is it?
As August progresses the hot, sultry weather in the southern alps persists. We’re now finding that the mornings and evenings are cooler than earlier in the summer, but by midday temperatures are soaring into the low-30s and the afternoons are long and warm. To keep active, I’m finding it’s better to get up and out early, aiming to be home by 11am, when the sun really starts to intensify.
Read more about Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 14th August 2009
New attraction for the whole family in resort
Last Friday morning, the 10th December, I was invited to the official unveiling of the latest attraction to be launched here in Alpe d’Huez: the all-new Alpine Coaster. Situated behind the commercial centre at Les Bergers it’s a stone's throw away from the Marmottes lift station.
Twitching, birding or bird spotting in the forest
Having worked as a beach lifeguard and surf, paddleboard, kayak and canoe instructor for around 10 years now, I am always being asked by inquisitive tourists at the beach “what's that bird over there?”