The Overview
Michael Fulton
Melbourne-based skier and snowboarder with 50+ resorts across 5 continents. Specialises in Australian resorts and international resort comparisons.
Alpe d'Huez Grand Domaine is one of the largest ski areas in the French Alps, delivering 250km of marked pistes across five linked resorts — Alpe d'Huez, Auris-en-Oisans, Oz-en-Oisans, Vaujany and Villard-Reculas — spread across 10,000 hectares of skiable terrain in the Grandes Rousses massif of the Isère. The ski area spans elevations from 1,125m at the base to 3,330m at the Pic Blanc summit, producing a skiable vertical of 2,205m — one of the largest continuous vertical drops in the Alps.
The 159 runs break down as 28% beginner, 52% intermediate, 15% advanced and 5% expert, a profile that reflects Alpe d'Huez's reputation as one of the finest intermediate destinations in France, though the 17 black runs and over 50km of expert terrain ensure serious skiers are equally well served.
The resort's defining run is the Sarenne — a 16km black piste descending from the Pic Blanc glacier at 3,330m to the Gorges de Sarenne at 1,510m, widely regarded as the longest black run in Europe and covering nearly 1,830m of vertical in a single unbroken descent.
The Tunnel piste is equally iconic: a 200m cave bored directly through the mountainside that deposits skiers onto one of the steepest mogul fields in France at a 35° gradient. Alpe d'Huez has been a recognised ski destination since the 1920s and hosted bobsleigh events at the 1968 Winter Olympics, but its parallel fame as a Tour de France summit finish — first used in 1952 with Fausto Coppi and climbed regularly since 1976 — has embedded the mountain's identity in both snow sports and cycling culture in equal measure.
2205m
Vertical
159
Runs
250 km
Piste
4m
Annual snow
The Terrain
159 runs across 250 km of piste
Alpe d'Huez spreads 159 runs across 250 km of piste of terrain. It leans intermediate at 52%, with 45 beginner runs to find your feet and 32 advanced or expert runs when you want to push.
Terrain split
159
runs
159 runs across 4 grades
Beginner45 runs · 28%
Intermediate83 runs · 52%
Advanced24 runs · 15%
Expert8 runs · 5%
Time it right
When to visit Alpe d'Huez
Alpe d'Huez operates from mid-November through to late April, with the 2025/26 season running 10 November to 20 April — one of the earlier opening dates in the French Alps, made possible by the Pic Blanc glacier and high-altitude snowmaking infrastructure that secures coverage from the summit down from the first weeks of the season.
The resort records an average annual snowfall of around 3.8 metres, but its elevation profile and 1,071-gun snowmaking network provide consistent coverage across the full 250km domain even in low-natural-snowfall years. The current 2025/26 season has accumulated a total of 781cm with a base depth of 350cm as of early March, reflecting a strong winter in the Isère.
Alpe d'Huez is widely known as the "Island in the Sun" — a nickname rooted in the south-facing orientation of the main resort village, which averages approximately 300 sunny days per year, more than almost any other major French ski resort. This characteristic creates a distinctive seasonal rhythm: cold, firm snow on high-altitude north-facing aspects contrasting with warm, spring-condition grooming on the lower south-facing village slopes, often simultaneously.
The Sarenne glacier at Pic Blanc maintains cold, reliable snow throughout the season regardless of conditions at lower elevations, making December through April consistently productive for skiers who know how to track the mountain's aspect changes across the day. Spring skiing at Alpe d'Huez is particularly well regarded, with long daylight hours, warm base temperatures and deep upper-mountain snowpack converging through March and April.
Season 2025 - 2026
10 Nov 2025
Opens
20 Apr 2026
Closes
161
Days open
4 m
Annual snow
Getting there
Getting to Alpe d'Huez, and where to stay
Alpe d'Huez sits in the commune of Huez in the Isère department of the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region, 59km east of Grenoble in the central French Western Alps. The resort is accessed from the Romanche Valley via the D211 road, which climbs 1,000m in elevation across 13.8km through the famous 21 hairpin bends — the same road used by the Tour de France for its legendary Alpe d'Huez summit stages.
Grenoble itself is around one hour by road and served by regular train connections from Paris Lyon on the TGV in around two and a quarter hours, making Alpe d'Huez one of the more accessible major ski resorts in the Alps by public transport for international visitors arriving through Paris. Grenoble Airport handles limited direct flights from some UK and European destinations, while Lyon Saint-Exupéry is approximately two hours by road and offers significantly broader international connections.
The five villages that make up the Grand Domaine each offer distinct characters — the main Alpe d'Huez village is a purpose-built resort with a lively après-ski scene anchored by La Folie Douce and a dense concentration of ski-in accommodation, restaurants and bars.
Vaujany, by contrast, is a traditional mountain village of around 600 residents that grew wealthy from hydroelectric power revenues and invested heavily in a gondola and cable car infrastructure that gives it disproportionately strong lift access relative to its size. The 6-day Grand Domaine pass includes two free days at Les 2 Alpes, which is visible directly across the Romanche Valley from the Auris sector and reachable by road in around 30 minutes — an arrangement that effectively extends the week's skiing beyond the already substantial 250km home domain.
Where to stay
Search all stays →Hotels and lodges near Alpe d'Huez, powered by Stay22.
Latest News
From the SnowStash desk
FIS Weighs Holding World Championships in Almost Every Winter, Starting 2032
The International Ski and Snowboard Federation is looking at a major shake-up to its title events calendar. From 2032, World Championships could run not just in odd-numbered years but in every non-Olympic winter too, effectively putting a global title event on the calendar almost every season. The FIS Council has approved the concept following a feasibility study, though an accelerated rollout as early as 2028 is also under consideration.
4 Sept 2026
Mount Buller Becomes Latest Australian Resort to Call Time Early on 2026
Mount Buller closes out its 2026 season this Sunday, joining Falls Creek, Hotham and Charlotte Pass in a cluster of closures landing almost simultaneously and roughly a month ahead of schedule. The culprit is stark: Spencers Creek's benchmark snow depth hit 31.2cm on 3 September, just 18% of the 73-year average and an all-time low for this point in the season. Six of Victoria and NSW's best-known resorts will have shut their lifts early within a span of about two and a half weeks.
4 Sept 2026
Tremblant to Add New Timber Summit Ski Sector for 2027/28 Season
Tremblant has confirmed a major expansion of its Quebec ski area, with a new Timber Summit sector adding 62 acres of terrain, eight trails and a high-speed quad chairlift for winter 2027/28. It's part of a CAD 42.5 million investment that also includes a new beginner learning zone at Versant Soleil opening this coming season. The project has grown considerably since it was first announced back in 2020, when it carried a far smaller budget and an opening date that never eventuated.
2 Sept 2026
Mount Hotham to Close for the 2026 Season on Sunday, September 6
We knew when the Bird Bath Pond Skim showed up on Hotham's Instagram that the season was on its way out. It's been a rough one - I only managed two days on snow all year, at Falls Creek - and now Baw Baw, Selwyn and Hotham have all called it, possibly the worst Australian season I've seen in a decade. Hotham's last day of lift operations is Sunday, 6 September, with a Retro Day, Father's Day après and closing sales before the lifts stop turning for good.
1 Sept 2026
Thredbo to Replace Ageing Gunbarrel Quad With New Six-Seat Chairlift for 2028
Thredbo Alpine Resort has confirmed plans to replace its 37-year-old Gunbarrel quad chairlift with a new six-seat Doppelmayr D-Line, targeting winter 2028. The AUD 35 million project will keep travel time roughly the same but lift capacity from 2,800 to 3,000 skiers per hour. It's part of a broader investment push that also includes doubled snowmaking capacity at Friday Flat for 2027, with the ageing Kosciuszko Express now flagged as the resort's next major lift replacement after Gunbarrel.
31 Aug 2026
Aerial Tram Collides With Crane at Alpe d'Huez: 23 Injured
An aerial tram carrying around fifty passengers struck the boom of a construction crane on the route to Pic Blanc at Alpe d'Huez on Wednesday morning, injuring 23 people, three seriously. The cabin tipped on impact before the operator reversed it to right the car. Most of the injured were treated on site, with five taken to hospital in Grenoble, including a pregnant woman assessed as a precaution.
28 Aug 2026
Why Glaciers Are Collapsing - And What Happens When They Do
A deadly flood on the Nepal-China border, a decade-old tragedy on Italy's Marmolada, and an unstable glacier right now above a village near Zermatt - three very different mountain ranges, the same underlying story. Warming ice is destabilising terrain that was considered settled for generations, and the results range from catastrophic floods to slow-motion monitoring situations that could go either way.
27 Aug 2026
Pitztal Glacier Set to Reopen for the 2026/27 Ski Season on 26 September
Tyrol's highest ski area is gearing up to open a full month ahead of most of the Alps. The Pitztal Glacier is scheduled to start its 2026/27 season on Saturday 26 September, running through to 2 May 2027, with the lower-altitude Rifflsee area following in December. High-altitude terrain up to 3,440 metres gives the glacier a head start on snow, though as always, the actual opening extent will depend on how September's weather plays out. Early online ski pass bookings can save up to 30%.
26 Aug 2026
Alpe d'Huez Webcams
10 live angles across the mountain. Tap any camera to go full-screen.
About Alpe d'Huez's live webcams
Check live conditions across Alpe d'Huez with 10 real-time webcams showing snow, weather, and lift operations, updated every 10 minutes. Check high-elevation cams for powder visibility and base-area cams for crowd levels before you head up.
Camera guide
- Pic Blanc3330m
- Survey the roof of the Grand Domaine through this alpe d'huez webcam at the Pic Blanc summit at 3330 meters — the highest point in the ski area and the launch pad for the Sarenne, widely regarded as the longest black run in Europe at 16km. This high-alpine live snow cam delivers real-time visibility conditions across the glacier terrain where cold, preserved snow holds reliably from November through late April regardless of conditions at lower elevations. Essential for expert skiers and powder hunters assessing the upper mountain before committing to the 1,830-meter vertical Sarenne descent to the Gorges de Sarenne below.
- Signal de l’Homme2176m
- Check mid-mountain conditions across the Auris sector through this alpe d huez webcam at Signal de l'Homme at 2176 meters, where wide-angle views sweep across the western flanks of the Grand Domaine toward the Auris-en-Oisans village below. This Alpe d'Huez live cam monitors the terrain that connects multiple ski zones across this sector of the domain, giving intermediate skiers a real-time read on slope quality and visibility before traversing out from the main resort. A useful reference across the alpe d'huez webcams network for skiers using the Auris sector as an alternative to the busier central village lifts.
- Marmottes III3060m
- Monitor high-alpine conditions near the Pic Blanc glacier through this alpe d'huez webcam at Marmottes III at 3060 meters, where the terrain above the treeline offers some of the most demanding and consistently cold skiing in the French Alps. This Alpe d'Huez live cam delivers essential visibility updates for advanced riders targeting the upper mountain's mogul fields, off-piste itineraries and the entry point to the legendary Tunnel piste — a 200-metre cave bored through the mountain that deposits skiers onto one of France's steepest mogul fields. Check this alpe d huez webcam before any high-altitude session to assess wind and snow surface quality near the glacier.
- Le Signal2114m
- Experience Alpe d'Huez's sun-soaked central hub through this alpe d'huez webcam at Le Signal at 2114 meters, where multiple ski runs converge at one of the resort's busiest mid-mountain interchange points and the famous "Island in the Sun" character is most apparent. This Alpe d'Huez live cam provides a real-time read on slope conditions and crowd levels at this central hub, helping skiers time their transitions between sectors on a mountain that averages 300 sunny days per year. A go-to reference on the alpe d huez webcams network for intermediates planning their day across the 250km Grand Domaine.
- DMC 22700m
- Track upper-mountain access conditions through this alpe d'huez webcam at the DMC 2 gondola station at 2700 meters — the upper station of the backbone lift system that carries thousands of skiers daily from the village toward the Pic Blanc summit terrain. This Alpe d'Huez live cam provides essential real-time visibility of snow quality and weather conditions at the critical transition point where the main gondola artery delivers skiers into the high-alpine zone above 2700m. An important pre-session check for anyone targeting the glacier runs, Sarenne descent or advanced terrain accessed from this key upper-mountain hub.
- DMC 12100m
- Monitor the primary access artery of the Grand Domaine through this alpe d'huez webcam at the DMC 1 mid-station at 2100 meters, where the resort's backbone gondola system processes the majority of daily uphill traffic from the main village base. This alpes d'huez webcam delivers real-time views of lift operations, crowd levels and snow conditions at the central mid-station that feeds the entire upper mountain, making it the most practically useful camera for timing your morning departure from the village. Essential for day visitors and resort guests assessing queue build-up before heading out from their accommodation.
- Auris en Oisans1600m
- Discover conditions at the western gateway to the Grand Domaine through this alpe d'huez webcam at Auris-en-Oisans village at 1600 meters, offering a lower-elevation perspective on one of the five linked resorts that make up the 250km ski area. This Alpe d'Huez live cam monitors snow coverage and conditions on the slopes framing this traditional Oisans village, which provides a quieter and more characterful alternative base to the main resort for visitors seeking less of the purpose-built atmosphere. A useful live snow cam for skiers staying in the Auris sector assessing morning conditions before joining the main domain network above.
- Vaujany1720m
- Survey the Grand Domaine from its most characterful entry point through this alpe d huez webcam at Vaujany village at 1720 meters — a traditional mountain community that used hydroelectric revenues to build disproportionately excellent lift infrastructure, including access to one of the largest cable cars in France. This Alpe d'Huez live cam monitors conditions across the Vaujany sector's family-friendly lower slopes and the approach to the Grandes Rousses cable car that launches skiers directly into the upper domain. A practical reference for visitors based in Vaujany checking morning conditions before connecting to the wider alpe d'huez webcams network above.
- Oz en Oisans 33001350m
- Check valley-level access conditions through this alpe d'huez webcam at the Oz-en-Oisans base at 1350 meters — the lowest entry point in the Grand Domaine and the starting point for the high-speed gondola that rises through 1,950 vertical meters to connect directly into the main ski area. This Alpe d'Huez live cam monitors base-level snow conditions and gondola operations at this village gateway, which provides convenient domain access for visitors staying in the lower Oisans valley without the drive to the main resort at 1860 meters. A useful live snow cam for lower-valley based skiers planning their daily approach to the 250km domain above.
- L’Herpie2375m
- Assess conditions across the Signal sector through this alpe d'huez webcam at L'Herpie at 2375 meters, positioned at a strategic mid-upper elevation that reveals snow quality and visibility across a broad sweep of intermediate and advanced terrain. This Alpe d'Huez live cam monitors one of the domain's most versatile elevations, where the terrain serves all ability levels and the aspect shifts allow skiers to track the mountain's characteristic contrast between cold north-facing snow and the warm, sun-drenched south-facing slopes that define the resort's "Island in the Sun" identity. A reliable daily reference across the alpe d'huez webcams for planning route choices through the central mountain.
Alpe d'Huez snow cams FAQ
How often do Alpe d'Huez snow cams update?
All Alpe d'Huez snow cams and webcams update every 10 minutes with fresh images showing current mountain conditions. This frequent update schedule ensures you have access to near real-time conditions for planning your ski day at Alpe d'Huez.
Which Alpe d'Huez webcam shows the best powder conditions?
The high-elevation Pic Blanc webcam at 3,330m provides the clearest view of powder conditions and snowfall. These Alpe d'Huez webcams capture fresh snow accumulation and visibility better than base area cameras.
Can I see Alpe d'Huez lift queues on the webcams?
Yes. Multiple Alpe d'Huez snow cams specifically show lift queue areas and chairlift operations, helping you time your arrival and avoid peak queue periods.
When is the best time to check Alpe d'Huez snow cams?
Check Alpe d'Huez webcams early morning (7-8am) for overnight snowfall assessment, and mid-afternoon for current crowd levels and weather. The live cams are most useful after storm events to assess fresh powder.
How can I check current conditions before buying Alpe d'Huez lift tickets?
Use our Alpe d'Huez webcams alongside the live snow report to assess conditions before purchasing lift tickets. The webcams show real-time visibility, snow quality, and operational status.
Do Alpe d'Huez webcams work on mobile devices?
Yes. All Alpe d'Huez snow cams and webcams are optimized for mobile viewing, so you can check live conditions from anywhere using your phone or tablet.
More Alpe d'Huez intelligence: snow report, lift tickets, trail map, resort overview.