Event Previews & Reviews from Alpe d'Huez

Be it taking 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 here in Alpe d'Huez.

April may be round the corner but there’s still plenty to do away from the slopes here in Alpe d'Huez.

You know the ski season has officially started when La Folie Douce opens its doors, the music starts pumping, the champagne corks start popping and crowds of people jump up to dance on tables in their ski boots.

New Years’ Eve is always a big night here in Alpe d’Huez and this year was no exception. The weather wasn’t great for a “pub crawl” but, hey, it’s NYE, so we braved the conditions and headed out – out out!

The gnaliest race in Alpe d'huez is easliy the Megavalanche. A top to bottom, mass start downhill race with hundreds of competitiors racing from the glacier to the town.

It’s school holiday time so there’s a full entertainments programme on so whether you fancy a trip to the summit of the Pic Blanc, and art exhibition, trying curling or visiting the museum, there’s always plenty going on away from the slopes.

This years Snowboxx festival was a sell out in Alpe d'Huez. Oli & Neil were there checking out some of the action on and off the slopes.

The famous torchlight descents by the fabulous ski instructors of the ESF ski school are always one of the highlights on the events calendar in Alpe d’Huez, and last Wednesday was no exception.

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.

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.

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.

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.