Alpe d’Huez is known locally as the Ile de Soleil, Island of Sunshine, and nestles spectacularly in a high altitude bowl with pistes stretching out to every surrounding mountain peak and point of the compass. One of the oldest ski resorts in France, Alpe d’Huez was originally a 14th century mining town, a resistance stronghold during the Second World War and subsequently home to one of the earliest Alpine ski refuges in 1928. Granted there have been plenty of architectural carbuncles since those early beginnings, but ‘Quartier des Vieil Alpe’ is a pleasant and charming contrast in a more traditional style; a wander round its little back streets peals back the character and tradition of an old mountain village.

The apres-ski is as lively as you would expect of a bustling high-altitude resort with all the usual glitz, energy and glamour. There is also a dazzling array of non-ski activities, two swimming pools, an ice rink and a large sports centre with climbing wall. Primarily though, we have come here because this is a skiers resort; the large beginners plateau, glittering glaciers, lung busting altitude, cast iron snow guarantee, fabulously varied terrain and state of the art lift system make it a skier’s delight no matter what your age and experience.

Our brand new private courtyard of piste-side chalets is in the perfect position to enjoy the very best of Alpe d’Huez in luxury never before seen in the resort. An exciting caged people carrier provides aerial transport down to all parts of the resort.

• Local Activities