Family holidays in Alpe d'Huez

If you’re coming for a ski holiday with a young family, look for accommodation near any of the lifts. The fewer steps your little people have to take in ski boots, the better (for all concerned!).

Alpe d'Huez is popular with families because it has:

• a good mix of terrain for people of all abilities
• ski-in/ski-out accommodation around the Bergers district and by the Rond Point up by the main DMC lift
• lots of family-sized accommodation
• a good selection of bars and restaurants

Lift passes make up a significant portion of the cost of a family holiday to the mountains, so it pays to check you're buying the right ticket for your group.

Here in Alpe d'Huez there are various concessions to help you keep your costs down, such as:

• kids under 5 use the lifts for free
• kids between 5 and 12 pay a reduced ('youth') rate
• there are reduced-price ski passes if you only want to use the beginner areas
• you can buy a pedestrian pass - if maybe you or your partner don’t ski, but you still want to go up and watch the kids

You can buy half-day lift tickets if a full day on the mountain seems too long for the kids. It's not a lot cheaper than an all-day ticket, but it'll save you a little bit. 

Lift passes in Alpe d'Huez for families of four or more

If you're a family of four or more, you'll be able to save money on the regular ticket price by buying a 'family lift pass'.

If you have designs on raising the next Shaun White or Chemmy Alcott, then getting your kids into ski school is going to be a priority!

The ski schools all:

• offer full and half-day sessions
• have English speaking guides
• will take your kids to a dedicated area where they can learn how to snow plough, stop, turn and glide safely

Ski schools usually take weekly bookings, so if you're only here for a few days it's good to check if there's any space for your kids.

What age can kids start ski lessons

Ski schools will take children from 2.5, which is quite young when compared to other ski resorts who normally take them from 3. At this age, the focus is on fun in the snow, so there are normally inflatables and games to play.

Most beginner areas also have a 'magic carpet' travelator (a bit like the ones you get at airports) to get kids and beginner adults to the top of the slopes without having to contend with lifts.

Whatever age, half-day lessons are normally more than enough if you're a novice.

What's included in the price of a lesson

The price you pay for a ski lesson is for tuition only. Ski passes are not included.

So for children aged 5 and over, you'll need to make sure they have: 

• a valid ski pass (you can get discounted passes if you're only using the nursery slopes)
• skis, helmets, goggles - you can hire these from one of the many ski hire shops in the resort
• appropriate clothing, like salopettes and a jacket, warm layers and gloves  

For those under 5 years old a ski pass isn't necessary, but you'll need to buy them a hands free card to use at the turnstiles. You can get one from any lift station, you'll need their passport to prove their age.

A decent mix of terrain should keep all the family happy.  

The ski area in Alpe d'Huez is well suited to beginners and the nursery slopes can be accessed without a lift pass so you can build up your confidence without having to commit to buying a pass.

Once you feel happy to try some higher runs, buy a beginners ski pass and explore some of the lovely wide green runs off the Rif Nel, Grand Nif Nel, Sagnes and the Ecole 1 drag lifts. Find out more about the beginners ski areas.

For more advanced skiers, you have the whole of the Alpe d'Huez Grande Domaine to explore. With 249km of pistes spread over six resorts, there is terrain suitable for everyone.

There are two snow parks in Alpe d'Huez, the larger one being beside the beginner runs above 1,800, most easily accessed from the DMC 1st station. Although this is a big park in size, it's very beginner friendly, with a number of small features providing a gentle introduction to park riding. The other snow park is in Montfrais, and is on the whole for more advanced skiers and snowboarders.

You can hire just about anything you need for children in Alpe d'Huez.

Items such as high chairs, pushchairs, cots, baby carriers and playpens can be rented in resort. Check with your accommodation provider, for high chairs and cots especially.

All the ski shops in Alpe d'Huez offer a kids ski pack rental as well. Most will also rent you sledges, strollers and sledge-strollers - look out for the 'Famille Plus' logo.

Baby changing facilities are available by the SATA boxes at the Rond Point des Pistes, at the outdoor pool, at the ice rink, in the Palais des Sports, and at the tourist office.

There are several options for childcare in Alpe d'Huez. You can contact the local tourist office for a list of available babysitters.

If you're here during summer

The sports centre of each town sometimes hosts a kids club during the summer holidays, with activities like swimming, climbing, tennis, basketball and ice-skating.