Car: not necessary
Alpe d'Huez, the 'island in the sun' has an average of 300 days of sun a year. It is situated on a high plateau at 1860 m at the foot of the Grandes Rousses mountain range and at the crossover of 6 different valleys. The 220km of skiing radiates from Alpe d'Huez, with wide open nursery slopes near the resort centre, and many satisfyingly long reds finishing inthe valley skivillages. The infamous La Serrene - 16km of black piste, one of the longest in the world, starts from the glacier at Pic Blanc: 3330m. The altitude of Alped'Huez ensures that there is a long ski season. There is a lively night life and a good variety of shops and restaurants. There is an indoor and outdoor swimming pool, outdoor skating rink and a comprehensive sports complex. The village itself is large and unusually for a ski resort, level with wide roads and so excellent for babies in pushchairs or the elderly. There is a mixture of architectural styles in the village. The views are stunning.
