Alpe d’Huez Villages

Photo: Copyright © Alpe d’Huez Tourisme | Laurent Salino

The main village of Alpe d’Huez is quite spread out but loosely set in a triangle with the church and sports centre in one corner, Bergers in another and the Rond point des pistes at the apex. Some of the Alpe d’Huez accommodation spills outside of this and there has been a recent surge in chalet building above Bergers. It’s not an ugly resort by the standards of French purpose-built resorts, but it is a bit bland, sprawling and amorphous. It’s only architectural highlight is its church. Built in the round, the organ is in the shape of a giant hand and is one of the more surreal that you will see anywhere in the world. Whist it’s not a beautiful place to stay in, Alpe d’Huez can be a very enjoyable one. It’s not an outright party town, but there is enough choice of bars, restaurants and nightclubs to make sure everyone has a good time. 

You can also stay in the smaller, quieter lower villages of the Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine. Villard Reculas has the most rustic charm and good skiers will relish the final black run home with its off-piste alternatives (there is also a blue back for less accomplished skiers). Vaujany is a good value option with quick access to the highest and most North facing slopes, and marvellous views but you often have to do take a lift back to the resort as it is impossible or nasty to ski all the way down. It’s hamlet of La Villette is even smaller, quieter and more isolated but it has good access to the uncrowded, beginners-friendly area at Montfrais. Auris is on the other side of the Grand Domaine. It’s small, purpose-built but in a nice wood-clad chalet style, and family friendly.

Oz en Oisans is really called Oz en Oisans 1350 (it used to be called Plan Oz) to distinguish it from the old village (now sometimes called Oz en Oisans Village) which you pass through on the road up to it. The new Oz en Oisans was purpose built in the same attractive style as Auris, but for most people it’s better positioned within the ski area. It also has an ice rink and a supermarket, and most of the accommodation is sk- in, ski-out. Lastly you can stay in the old village of Huez, from where there is a cable car up to the main resort and a blue run down. It’s cheaper and more authentic than the huge child it gave birth to nearly sixty years ago, but less convenient

Ski hire and equipment rental in Alpe D’Huez and the surrounding villages

There are plenty of ski rental shops in the main resort, but there is less choice in the smaller villages. Wherever you go, rental prices are quite high if you simply walk into the nearest shop when you arrive. Some hotels and tour operators have recommended shops, but they rarely offer the best value even when they give a small discount (usually 5% or 10% at most) to the hotel or tour operator’s guests. Generally, if you want to save money, you’re much better off booking in advance with a reliable service provider like the one below.

Pre-book with Skiset in Alpe d’Huez, Vaujany, Auris en Oisans and Oz – and save up to 50%

Skiset has an excellent reputation for hiring out good modern equipment for skiers and boarders of all standards, It has 10 outlets in Alpe d’Huez, and more in Oz, Vaujany, Auris etc so one should be very close to your accommodation. If you book online in advance, you can save up to 50% on what you would pay if you walk into the shop. You will also save time when you arrive in the resort, because your ski rental equipment is reserved, fully prepared and ready and waiting for you.  Check Skiset shop locations and advance booking discounts currently available >>>