Alpe d'Huez

L'Alpe d'Huez is a mountain resort town in the commune of Huez, in the Isère department, in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region of France. It sits in the central French Western Alps, with ski terrain ranging from 1,250 to 3,330 metres, close to the Écrins and Grandes Rousses mountain massifs.

Where is L'Alpe d'Huez located?

The resort sits on a sunny mountain terrace above the Romanche valley, in the heart of the French Alps. It is flanked by two major massifs: Écrins to the south and Grandes Rousses to the north. This open, high-altitude plateau setting, ringed by peaks, has made the area a natural draw for mountain tourism and winter sports.

How big is the ski area?

L'Alpe d'Huez ranks among the largest ski resorts in the northern French Alps, alongside Val d'Isère, Tignes, Courchevel, and Les Arcs. Its vertical range, from 1,250 up to 3,330 metres, is one of the most significant in the region, supporting a long season and a wide variety of runs — from gentle beginner slopes to demanding high-altitude terrain.

How did the resort develop?

L'Alpe d'Huez belongs to what's known as the second generation of ski resorts: destinations that grew gradually around small existing mountain villages, as opposed to third-generation resorts such as Courchevel, which were purpose-built from scratch as large-scale tourist complexes with extensive hotel capacity. A major boost to the resort's growth came from the Winter Olympic Games held in nearby Grenoble, which spurred substantial expansion of tourist and sporting infrastructure across the region.

What should you know before visiting?

Given the altitude of its upper slopes (up to 3,330 metres) and its proximity to major mountain massifs, L'Alpe d'Huez offers reliable ski conditions for most of the winter season. The resort falls administratively under the commune of Huez, which is worth knowing when planning travel or searching for local listings — some accommodation and services may appear under the commune's name rather than the resort name itself.

Who is L'Alpe d'Huez suited for?

The scale of the resort and its wide altitude range mean it appeals both to families looking for gentler slopes lower down and to more experienced skiers drawn to the higher terrain. Its position next to the Écrins and Grandes Rousses massifs also widens the options for visitors planning excursions beyond the resort itself.

Frequently asked questions

Where exactly is L'Alpe d'Huez? In the central French Western Alps, in the commune of Huez, Isère department, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region.

What is the altitude range of the ski area? The slopes run from 1,250 up to 3,330 metres above sea level.

Which mountain massifs are nearby? The Écrins and Grandes Rousses massifs.

Is it a large ski resort? Yes — L'Alpe d'Huez is regularly listed alongside Val d'Isère, Tignes, Courchevel, and Les Arcs as one of the largest ski resorts in the northern French Alps.