Event Previews & Reviews from Alpe d'Huez

Now the clocks have gone forward here in resort there's even more time to do things away from the slopes when you’re here on holiday.

New Years Eve celebrations certainly got underway with a bang here in Alpe d’Huez, albeit in somewhat tricky visibility. Celebrations got underway at Les Bergers at just after 5.30pm with a torchlight descent by the ski instructors of ESF Ski School, with hundreds of blue, white and red torches forming a fantastic French tricolour, a truly wonderful sight.

Next weekend sees the 20th edition of the prestigious Pyramide d’Oz ski mountaineering race, a race that regularly forms part of the French National Cup (Coupe de France) – on a course that was used in the 2009 World Cup. Around 150 to 200 competitors are set to tackle the gruelling course.

Whether you fancy a trip to the PicBlanc, a peaceful and tranquil tour of the historic church or the hustle and bustle of an ice hockey match there’s always plenty of things to do away from the slopes.

The London Ski and Snowboard show is for many the first event of the winter. Pick up the latest kit, catch up with friends and enjoy the party. It'll be a couple of months before you can do it for real.

We may be expecting a huge dump of snow in the next few days (see our dump alerts) but the keen cyclists amongst us are already planning our summer events and setting training programmes to suit

The 26th season of the high octane action Trophee Andros makes its much anticipated return to Alpe d’Huez next weekend. Racing will take place on Friday 16th and Saturday 17th December at the ice racing track, which is situated behind the leisure centre in the centre of town.

That's it for another epic week of riding and racing at the 2016 Megavalanche.. the snow was deeper and longer than it's been in the past 5 years, creating much more challenging conditions for the riders taking part this year.

Whether you fancy a trip to the summit of the Pic Blanc, trying curling or visiting the museum, there’s always plenty going on away from the slopes.

Deciding to go and watch the Tour de France is a 'no-brainer' for me, but trying to describe the overwhelming sense of passion, enthusiasm, fun and camaraderie to those who have never been is difficult. It can be hard to persuade the uninitiated to come with you.