Alpe d'Huez ski resort is located in the French Alps near the southern city of Grenoble and is one the most popular ski resorts in the country. Situated at 1,860m above sea level, the resort boasts a staggering 220kms of skiable terrain, ideal for beginners on skis and snowboards, but also great for thrill seekers. Skiing is possible in the summer, thanks to La Sarenne.

There are an array of shopping opportunities, from fashionable boutiques to ski sports outlets with the latest in designer skiwear, in the town. Accommodation options are widespread and there are 32,000 beds available in hotels, chalets, bed-and-breakfasts and private apartments. Alpe d'Huez ski resort has the added attraction of ski-in, ski-out accessibility.

Alpe d'Huez has an astounding 220kms of runs, with a longest single run of 16kms (one of Europe's longest). Slopes are graded into 33 per cent for beginners; 30 per cent, intermediate; 25 per cent, advanced; and 12 per cent for experts. Eighty-seven lifts have a total capacity of 94,000 skiers per hour and there are 50kms of prepared cross-country trails also.

Alpe d'Huez ski resort has many off-slope activities and facilities, including: ice-skating (artificial); ice hockey; curling, and hiking. There is also indoor and outdoor swimming; indoor tennis; paragliding; a sauna; and a sports centre, with 26 activities. There are several bars and discos to choose from for nightly entertainment as well as a cinema.

The November to April ski season at Alpe d'Huez has special deals pre-Christmas holidays, in mid-January, and mid-March. There is also summer skiing on the Sarenne Glacier.

Many travellers arrive at Lyon-Satolas Airport, transfer to Grenoble by bus, and then take a bus from Grenoble to Alpe d'Huez. Alternatively, if you can get a good flight to Grenoble, a bus meets every arrival.