In summer we open chalets in Morzine, Les Gets and Alpe d'Huez in the peak summer months. We have selected these three resorts as they offer the perfect location for a summer holiday in the mountains, and the chalets will provide a perfect retreat for families, groups or couples looking for a short break or a week away.
With prices from just £45 per person per night we hope there's something to suit your requirements. Please call us on 0203 892 4060 if you’re considering a summer holiday in the Alps.
Please contact Louise, Jess or Gareth if you have any questions.
01 Sep 2020
Stayed Aug 2020Morzine is one of the most beautiful places for an active summer holiday I know :) The chalet (Kenai) was perfect for our needs and we would definitely recommend it to our friends.
25 Aug 2020
Stayed Aug 2020The Manior is the best chalet in Morzine. It has captivating views and The Manior itself is simply stunning. We booked the whole chalet for our family of 6: 2 adults and 4 children aged 12, 11, 10 and 8. To to say we felt “special” is an understatement! The chef Matt cooked delicious meals and the chalet host, Kirsten was what all top chalet hosts should aspire to be like. The beds are so comfortable and the chalet is super spacious. 6 of us could get lost in it, 20 People would fit very comfortably. There are places to be together and be apart- the rooms themselves are spaces you want to spend time in. The whole holiday was lovely and we couldn’t recommend VIP highly enough! A great company where you always get more than expected. If you have never visited The Alps in summer you really should. Morzine is a special place, very vibrant with lots of amazing restaurants and beautiful lakes and mountain walks. Definitely book a chalet through VIP because they have the best chalets in Morzine. We have been returning with our Family now for 8 years and everytime it gets harder to leave!
24 Aug 2020
Stayed Jul 2020We continue to return with VIP as we love the service, the quality of the chalets and general attitude of all the staff. However, this was without a doubt our best trip and we want to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to Seb and Hannah who went above and beyond to make our trip wonderful. They were consummate professionals, kind and thoughtful to our every need (and such hard work in the heat in masks!), thanks to you both. Michelle & Paul
14 Aug 2020
Stayed Aug 2020Our first summer mountain holiday was not a disappointment. We loved all the resort had to offer and were amazingly well looked after by Hannah and Seb who catered for the needs of two young children, food allergies and were the perfect hosts with their hospitality skills and wonderful local knowledge. The perfect holiday thank you X
25 Jul 2020
Stayed Jul 2020We literally can’t fault The Manoir, Morzine or our wonderful hosts, Hannah and Seb. Firstly Morzine in the summer is an amazing place to holiday. The Manoir really is spectacular accommodation. The rooms are so luxurious, the hot tub a family favourite, pétanque is great, cinema/ games room is awesome! Most importantly, our hosts Hannah and Seb looked after us brilliantly. They were so professional whilst being so friendly. Our 6 and 8 year old adored them both. The food they cooked was delicious and plentiful. We really had a wonderful holiday and will be back in 2021!
04 Sep 2018
Stayed Aug 201814 Aug 2018
Stayed Aug 201809 Jul 2018
Stayed Jul 2018We had a lovely few days in Morzine staying in Chalet Nevada in early July. It's right in the centre of town with great views of the mountains and the town; ideally placed for everything. It was also well appointed with everything you could need for your stay. The Multi Pass is fantastic and gets you onto all lifts and gives discounts on many activities. Highly recommend the pool complex and the kids just loved the luge track (great fun, even for adults!). The bakery across the road is amazing; outstanding cakes as well as the usual bread and pastries! VIP also arranged a nanny for us for one day through Cheeky Monkeys and Hayley was wonderful, would highly recommend the service. The VIP team couldn't have been more helpful, thanks very much to Ben and Andy. Very much looking forward to returning again soon.
18 Jun 2018
Stayed Jun 2018Great accommodation with lovely staff in a superb location. We really could not have been more delighted with our choice!
31 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017We have considered an alpine summer holiday for a number of years and are delighted that we chose to visit Morzine with VIP Ski. We stayed in the beautiful Little Lumi for a week in August and had a wonderful time. The location on the main street is perfect, with shops and the best bakery we have visited just across the street and lifts up to the mountains just minutes away. The chalet was spotlessly clean and comfortable with a perfect heated balcony for day and evening use. Nat and Ben are the perfect hosts. They are knowledgeable, charming and friendly and couldn't have been more helpful. We really didn't want to leave and will definitely be back. We have already recommended VIP Ski to a number of our friends!
30 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017My girlfriend and I stayed at Valdez suite for five nights as we were back in Morzine for a wedding. Having worked for VIP myself, I knew of the standard expected and the emphasis on quality and we were certainly not disappointed. Valdez itself remains an incredibly stylish and perfectly located chalet that easily holds four people. Our favourite areas were the balcony overlooking the main high street and the fantastic hot tub facility. The resort manager, Natalie, was incredibly friendly and helpful. Her communication was fantastic and she made us feel incredibly welcome. Our two cleaners were both very friendly and did a fantastic job working around us when necessary. Overall, we cannot recommend VIP and Valdez enough and we will be back very soon! Thank you.
29 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017Had a fabulous family holiday. Gorgeous house, great food, lovely chalet cooks/hosts Loved Morzine in the sun. The multipass is a great addition.
23 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017From the minute we arrived in Morzine our experience was amazing ! I had only ever been to Morzine in the winter, but in the summer it just keeps on giving!! There is so much left to do we will have to return. Our accommodation was perfect for our large mixed aged group 2-63!! It was clean, equipped to a very high standard and quality, right down to the luxurious spa products. Our chalet host Chloe could not have been more helpful and with her knowledge of the area enabled us to get the very best from all that Morzine has to offer. To sum up when I asked my partner for his contribution for review he said " it was the best holiday he had ever had"
23 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017In a great location Best bakery, pizza and ice cream just across the road Double glazing keeps it quiet at night The place was spotless. Quality sheets and towels. Well equipped kitchen, extra fridge for drinks We enjoyed the morzine passes. Played tennis, used the fabulous pool in town. Nice being able to walk A perfect spot for a family with kids ( us, kids aged 11 and 13) or a group of friends Free parking is good
20 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017We stayed for a week self catered in Chalet Berger and had a wonderful time. The welcome pack gave us loads of info about Morzine and activities, and the free multi passes were a great addition too. The Chalet was kept so clean and tidy and the staff were great when they popped in to make sure we had everything we needed. Would thoroughly recommend Vip ski and Morzine as a resort in the summer and winter, the team here make everything as easy as possible.
14 Aug 2017
Stayed Aug 2017We had a brilliant 4 night stay in Morzine in the Valdez Suite as a family of four with a 2 and a 5 year old. The apartment was spacious and clean. Our only complaint was that the apartment was a little hot but then that meant the sun was shining out side so lovely weather to enjoy all of the activities on offer. The swimming pool is great, we visited the lakes at Les Gets and Montriond and did some walking, pony rides, lift trips etc. The resort was really busy which meant everything was open. VIP staff in resort couldn't have been more helpful and friendly to ensure we had a good few days. We just did a taxi transfer and didn't regret not having a car in resort as the bus service is very reliable. We would definitely look to return another summer for an active break.
08 Aug 2017
Stayed Jul 2017Great, quiet location with fantastic views across the mountains. Easy access to all activities in Les Gets, Morzine and beyond. Lovely rooms and food was fantastic.
26 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017We have stayed in the Alps before in the summer, but we have been looking for a while to concoct the perfect recipe for a multi-family holiday with young children. We chose the catered 'half board' option and struck gold with Nick (chef) and Nicky (hostess). The Manoir provided us 5 immaculate bedrooms with en-suites that easily catered for our two (4-person) familes plus a granny. The house and vista are gorgeous. The interior decor was lovely. The team were excellent, friendly and accomodating hosts. When we requested an outside table and chairs, they accomodated the same day. When we fancied a cheese board, it was sourced. When we put in our special dietary requests, they were met. All with no consternation or awkwardness. Childrens' tea was always on the table, having 'rocked up' 5 minutes prior and all four children (ages 13, 12, 5, 3) gobbled it all up. The parents could have easily had the same, but a later evening gourmet 3 course feast was subsequently provided with the young ones safely asleep upstairs. We have previously stayed with VIP in Lech, St Anton and Meribel (all good) and this surpassed our expectations. Morzine has a huge amount to offer the outdoor enthusiast. The manoir had a hot tub, which was pristine, and we think there's even space on the terrace for a swimming pool at some point in the future which would ice the cake ;) Thank you Nick and Nicky for making our holiday so special
26 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017Altitude Lodge is simply amazing. In a tranquil setting above the town of Les Gets it is the perfect place for unwinding and enjoying the stunning views. The rooms are beautifully decorated and extremely clean. The rooms with private hot tubs are desirable - we recommend Room 5. The staff are so friendly and nothing is too much trouble. We were on a half-board basis and the food was of a very high standard. All dietary requests are carefully taken care of. The service was excellent and we felt very well looked after. We visited in mid July and the weather was perfect. There is a lot do to in the area from walking, to zip-wiring, summer luging, parapenting, swimming and white water rafting to name just a few. We would highly recommend this hotel and would not hesitate in returning.
25 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017What a wonderful holiday we had. Ben our host couldn't have been more helpful and what a chef!!! It was like eating in a 5* restaurant every night. He made us picnics on some days which were more like culinary feasts. No day went without a check up phil he call and suggestions on what to do. If only all chalet company's could be like this.
24 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017From booking through to leaving, all of us were blown away with just how good our holiday with VIP was. The fact that you arranged transfers for multiple arrival and departure days and times, all of which where ready and waiting for us in a convenient place and appropriate for the luggage we had was great and really took the pressure out of this part of the holiday. The chalet itself was brilliant. Cleaned everyday and around us sometimes was again great. Any questions we had, Nat was always on the other end with helpful answers and seemingly a smile while she did it. Full credit to her as a number of us mentioned how nice and helpful she was. When we were leaving, a late departure was no trouble, and though the ice machine was broken, there were bags of ice in the fridge for us once this was mentioned. I really would have no issues booking via VIP again, and personally doing the same chalet would be my preference. I think you have found at least 13 new customers for VIP.
15 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017From the moment we walked into Altitude Lodge, we knew we were going to have a fab holiday...the chalet was as lovely as the photos on the web site and in such a tranquil spot . But what really brought the chalet to life were its lovely staff, so friendly and so helpful...we'd like to say a massive thank-you to Seb, Chloe, Hannah, Andy, Sean and later in the holiday Ben and Natalie for making our stay so enjoyable. The food was SO good and we really appreciate the effort that went into it...we love our food!!! We came to walk and love the fact that you can do a whole host of walks from the doorstep and with the great lift system working in the summer, (thank-you for the free lift pass!) you can cover quite a distance without using the car or bus. It was our first time in the French Alps and we loved it! We will definite holiday again in this area and would love to come back to Altitude Lodge (and a certain Patisserie in Morzine!!) (We would just also like to mention how helpful the booking staff were and how easy it was to arrange the holiday.)
11 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017Amazing chalet with a great view from all the bedrooms and balconies. Also being in the centre of town meant it was only a short walk to the ski lifts, bars and restaurants! I had such a great week , would definitely recommend a stay at Nevada!
11 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017Great service from VIPski, Well appointed chalet with huge balconies 5 mins from the lifts. The mountains at this time of the year are absolutely stunning, take a lift to the top then follow one of the many trails through fields of wild flowers down to bottom. I had expected the town in summer to be a bit quiet but there was a lot going on and the mountain bikers were having a great time. Swim in one of the natural lakes or the towns open air pools.
10 Jul 2017
Stayed Jul 2017Altitude Lodge is a superb place to stay in the summer; exceptional value with lovely bedrooms, great for families and delicious plentiful food as always! The whole VIP team, including Seb, Chloe and Hannah were wonderful and incredibly helpful, ensuring we got the best out of our short break. The Lodge is up the mountain at the mid station (Chavannes) and is very tranquil with amazing views, right in the midst of many walk/bike trails. It's only a short car journey up/down mountain, so very easy to get into the centre of town or beyond. Les Gets and the surrounding area is just incredible in summer with so many activities on offer for all ages and abilities, our kids were in heaven; can't believe it's taken us so long to give it a go. Already planning another visit. Thank you VIP.
Morzine bustles with excitement, activities and weekly markets in the summer months; it’s a magnet for touring cyclists, bikers, classic car enthusiasts, walkers, climbers, adrenalin seekers and scenic tourists. It's such a great place many of our staff have made it their permanent home.
Morzine Summer Holidays
We open several of our chalets in Morzine during the summer months. All are perfectly located in the centre of the town so you have easy access to everything on offer. We have self-catered, B&B or half board options so whatever your requirement we'll hopefully have something to suit. A summer holiday in the Alps is much more relaxed than our winter ski breaks and our service is tailored to you.
Morzine has many cafés and bars, there are a wide variety of lovely shops, restaurants and boutiques. The sporting facilities are amazing, from world renown mountain biking, incredible road biking, an Olympic outdoor swimming pool, 10 outdoor tennis courts, an ice rink, two golf courses, an adventure park, summer luge, horse riding, parapenting, trampolines, playgrounds and a whole variety of sports and alpine activities. The ski lifts spread to every point of the compass and give effortless access to hundreds of kilometres of high mountain footpaths and mountain bike trails.
During the summer Les Gets abounds with flowers and sunshine and offers a tempting mix of activities. Anyone considering a summer holiday in Les Gets will discover a warm welcome and a wonderful village in a stunning location of the French Alps.
We bought Altitude Lodge back in 2008 and spent three years renovating it to what it is today. The hotel includes a bar, lounge terrace, two small private lounges with flat screen entertainment, and private hot tubs. What's more, it's only 400m from the Les Gets golf course. Many rate this as the most scenic course they have ever played with lush green fairways and the glorious backdrop of a snow clad Mont Blanc.
Les Gets summer holidays
Les Gets and the surrounding area provides a playground for hiking and mountain biking. The ski lifts spread to every point of the compass and give effortless access to hundreds of kilometres of high mountain footpaths and mountain bike trails. For those looking for total relaxation you will not find a better spot. The area has something to offer every age and interest, and is the ideal destination for individuals, couples, families and groups.
The Portes du Soleil area has something to offer every age and interest, and is the ideal destination for individuals, couples, families and groups. If you choose to stroll further than your front door then the spectacular beaches of Lake Geneva are only 30 minutes away, Annecy and Chamonix a little over an hour, and Italy 20 minutes further.
SPECIAL OFFER
We will be giving all guests staying with us in Morzine and Les Gets a FREE Multi Pass for the duration of their stay. The multi pass gives unlimited use of 21 chairlifts and cable cars and the inter-resort bus service. It also gives access to the swimming pool and swimming lake, the ice-rink, mini-golf and tennis courts. Plus unlimited access to fabulous heritage sites throughout the Portes du Soleil. In addition a large number of restaurants, bars and shops will offer discount up to 20% on presentation of the Multi Pass card.
Alpe d'Huez lives up to its nickname ‘The Island in the Sunshine’ enjoying hot summers and spectacular scenery. Perfect for those just looking to relax or the complete adrenaline junkie! It provides an outstanding playground for adults and kids alike - cycling, walking, climbing, swimming, horse riding and ice skating are just a few of the activities available to keep you occupied in the summer.
Alpe d'Huez Summer Holidays
Our exclusive development in Alpe d'Huez should tick every box on your list. Built around an atmospheric cobbled courtyard at a giddying altitude of 2000m, and surrounded on two sides by mountains, this has to be the perfect location for a summer holiday in the Alps.
All our Alpe d'Huez chalets are similar in style, think stone walls, slate roofs, vaulted ceilings, solid timber floors, hi-tech entertainment, wet suites with hot tub and sauna as well as snappy chic en-suite bathrooms.... and every bedroom has a balcony. For guests staying in all chalets we can provide safe and secure bike storage and parking. The 7 chalets have between 2 and 8 bedrooms and sleep 2-15 guests comfortably.
Located only an hour from Grenoble, 2 hours from Geneva and less than 5 hours from Paris, Alpe d'Huez is a magnet for those just looking to relax or the complete adrenaline junkie! It provides an outstanding playground for adults and kids alike - cycling, walking, climbing, swimming, horse riding and ice skating are just a few of the activities available to keep you occupied in the summer.
The ski lifts spread upwards giving effortless access to endless footpaths and mountain bike trails. The town, originally a 14th century mining town, bustles with excitement and in addition to the many cafes and bars, there are a wide variety or shops, restaurants and boutiques.
Most of our chalets are offered on a serviced self catered basis, but we offer a breakfast, evening meal or half board upgrade options. We can also provide picnic lunches or cook your own BBQ. Sit back and relax in the evening and let one of our talented chalet hosts prepare and cook dinner (of course they do the washing up too).
Breakfast upgrade £7.50 pp.
To prepare you for your day our breakfast will include a continental breakfast and cooked option plus orange juice, coffee & a selection of teas.
Dinner upgrade including wine £30 pp. Half Board upgrade £35 pp.
Starters - For those who prefer the savoury course how about; Courgette and mozzarella salad; Summer bruschetta; Sweet potato and coconut soup; Chorizo and chickpea salad
Mains - For main course your host will freshly prepare dishes such as; Duck breast, hasselback potatoes and summer vegetables; Teriyaki beef, Jasmine rice and stir fry vegetables; Lemon chicken, quinoa and mixed green salad; VIP burger, sweet potato wedges and salad; Marinated Pork chops, sweet slaw and sweet potato mash.
Dessert - If you still have room you can then enjoy something sweet, such as; Baked lemon cheesecake; Banoffee tower; Strudel cigars with vanilla ice-cream or chocolate mousse cake
Let our hosts do the shopping and all the preperation with our ‘Cook it yourself BBQ’ - 15€ per person
Picnics
If you're heading out for the day to enjoy some of the local sites, why not order a picnic to take with you. We have two picnic options available:
'Randonneur' Picnic - 7€ per person
Choice of in house filled baguette, Homemade ‘energy boost’ flapjack, Fresh fruit, Bottle of water.
Variations of sandwiches - Ham and Cheese / Tuna mayo / Chicken salad / Coronation Chicken salad / BLT / Egg salad / Brie, rocket, pesto & chutney.
‘A Day at the Lake’ Picnic – 20€ per person
Homemade selection of dips served with crudities and dried mixed seed baguette crostini. Pan roast summer spiced chicken breast, sliced and ready. Avocado, feta, toasted pine nuts and sherry marmalade salad. Quinoa, pepperonata, chickpea & baby gem salad. Selection of local cheeses with grapes, homemade pear chutney, market olives and crackers. Bottle of chilled Rose wine and water. Victoria sponge loaf, and chocolate dipped strawberries.
In the summer the Alps are a magnet for touring cyclists, bikers, classic car enthusiasts, walkers, climbers, adrenalin seekers and scenic tourists.
The ski lifts spread to every point of the compass and give effortless access to hundreds of kilometres of high mountain footpaths and mountain bike trails. The towns bustle with excitement, activities, weekly markets, festivals and celebrations. In addition to the many cafés and bars, shops, restaurants and boutiques.
The sporting facilities are impressive, from world renowned mountain biking, incredible road biking, swimming, tennis, golf, summer luge, horse riding, parapenting.... need we say more.
The Alps has something to offer every age and interest, and is the ideal destination for individuals, couples, families and groups. To name just a few of the activities on offer;
The interlinked lift systems in the Alps allows mountain bikers to cover an unimaginable variety of trails across all levels of riding, from steep and technical World-Cup level downhills to more gentle cross-country journeys.
The road biking in the French Alps will undoubtedly give you a holiday to remember and lungs and thighs of the highest order. Whether you're a recreational cyclist looking for some breath-taking scenery or a racer looking to test your performance envelope at altitude, there are loads of fabulous routes to choose from.
The mountain ranges in our resorts offer infinite possibilities from easy walks around the resort itself, to more testing walks up at altitude. Many of the lifts operate during the summer months to give you easy rapid access into the heart of the mountains.
Les Gets has a magnificent par 70, 18-hole course set at 1,500m of altitude. Many rate this as the most scenic course they have ever played with lush green fairways and the glorious backdrop of a snow clad Mont Blanc. There are several other golf courses in the area including Annecy, Megève, Chamonix, Flaine and of course, the Royal Club at Evian, renown venue on the European Ladies Tour, overlooking Lake Geneva and one of the finest courses in France. Green fees vary from £20-£50, clubs can be hired and pros are available for coaching.
Morzine boasts its own fabulous water park with open air Olympic-sized swimming pool, children's pool, flume, volleyball court, lawns, children's games area, and restaurant with terrace. Alpe d'Huez also has a heated outdoor swimming pool open every day. But for the more adventurous looking to embrace mountain life there are some spectacular mountain lakes ideal for swimming, as well as plunge pools and waterfalls to swim in and explore.
To read more details of the activities available in the summer in Morzine, Les Gets and Alpe d’Huez please click here
All our chalets have fully equipped kitchens but for those who prefer to eat out there are many restaurants open in the summer months, some of our favourites include;
La Flambe - everything from pizzas to moules frite - just a minutes walk from Alaska Lodge.
Le Grillon - over the road from Alaska Lodge, great takeaway pizza if you fancy a night in
Le Tyrolein - huge salads and a range of Savoyard food
Le C'lin doye - a ten minute walk from our chalets, the restaurant is next to Carrefour without a view but luckily the food is very nice to look at and eat!
Dotty's and Beanies - two very nice day time cafes - Dotty's does a fabulous milkshake.
Mama's - eat in or take away offers excellent fish and chips, perfect for when you've overdosed on all the French cheese! Supermarkets in Morzine
Supermarkets
On the high street you will find a small Spar shop and just opposite one of the best bakeries in town. Both can provide sandwiches for day time hikes and bike rides. Carrefour is a large supermarket, a five minute walk from our chalets where you can stock up on essentials more cheaply. There is a larger supermarket in St Jean d'alps a ten minute drive from our chalets.
Easy walking around the Morzine area
With the 2 euro a day lift pass you can get around the whole of the Morzine area and into Switzerland. But if you just want to walk to a nice picnic stop our favourite walks include...
Activities to keep the children happy...
There are a number of activities to keep children occupied during their summer holiday in Morzine, below are just a few activities on option;
Activities in Morzine for adults...
Summer in Alpe d’Huez provides a lot more than most people are aware of. There is more than enough to keep you busy on a week’s holiday, and there's is something for everyone. Below covers a snapshot of what the resort has to offer for an Alpine summer holiday in Alpe d'Huez....
Premium pass
For the summer season the resort offers an all inclusive pass that entitles the holder to use the Palais de Sports (everything from the gym, classes, indoor and outdoor swimming pool, mini golf, archery, jorky ball, table tennis, tennis, badminton, squash – just to name a few) and all of the lift systems (Nearly all of the gondolas are open providing access to the far sides of resort) allowing access to kilometres of mountain bike trails and lots of mountain walking without the uphill climb!
This is a really good option and most definitely the cheapest (a 6 day premium pass including lift access costs around €79) There is also the option to buy day passes that can include everything the premium pass offers, and also day passes for just the lifts.
Activities in Alpe d'Huez
As mentioned above the Palais de Sport offers many sports, inside the Palais there is also an indoor climbing wall and a high ropes course (In'vertigo) for children under 15 years. The gym is fantastically equipped – during June it is open on inter season hours but from July it is open all the time. There is always a trainer on hand if people want a programme for the week to follow – and their English is pretty good. This is a very pleasant place to work out ( a note for guests – clean indoor trainers and a towel must be presented before you go into the gym and they can be rather strict on this).
There is an indoor and outdoor pool – accessible using the premium pass, but also as a pay on entry fee. It is a 25m pool, with a shallow section as well for children. There is a life guard on duty at all times. Depending on what time of the season the opening hours do vary, but during peaking summer weeks it’s open all day. (men are required to wear speedos in the public swimming pools....believe it or not it is possible to hire a pair if you don't own any!). There is a restaurant and bar at the pool and many people do make a day of it. There are also saunas and jacuzzi’s available at the pool although you will have these facilities in the comfort of the chalet.
There is also a summer luge run included if you have a premium pass. Located at the bottom of town, on the Eclose hill.
The mountain bike routes are extensive. The resort is famous for the 'Mega Avalanche' a 30km downhill race. For really keen mountain bikers there is also the option of going to Deux Alpes.
Road cycling in this area is huge a lot of people cycle the 21 bends, the marmotte route and the numerous other hill climbs.
Alpine Walking - Alpe d'Huez is an absolutely massive area, particularly if gondolas are used to access areas that are not immediately walkable. Maps are available from the lift pass office which are very good and really simple to follow, especially as most routes are well sign posted. You don't necessarily need a compass and an OS map to navigate the walking routes. The church and library also offer walking and photography tours.
Climbing. There are 8 sportif routes available above the Lac Besson area – these are really for experienced climbers bringing their own kit. You cannot rent ropes locally due to health and safety. However, the 'Via Ferreta' makes climbing much more popular and accessible to everyone. It is a simple harness and double carribeana system, of which you follow a steel cable throughout the whole route – you are permanently attached and never have to rely on anyone else holding you or ropes. You can never get lost either! Alpe d’huez offers quite natural routes – some people will be familiar with routes that involve ladders, and tunnels and other man made obstacles. The ones in Alpe d'Huez you simply climb the rock face (don't worry where there isn't a natural foot hole they have put in a little metal rung to give you a helping hand). There are 4 or 5 routes in and around Alpe d'Huez all within walking distance of the chalets. There are also many more routes within a 30 min drive in nearly villages.
Horse Riding; There is an equestrian centre in Alpe d'Huez, the highest one in Europe. Many people bring their horses here to train at altitude. The centre also offers lessons for all levels plus full day and half day treks. There is a training ring and jumping paddock as well.
Along with the activities listed above a short drive or a 30 min walk from the chalets are the lakes which are simply beautiful. There is one fishing lake – you do have to have a license but daily, weekly, and seasonal ones are available. It is restocked weekly (you’re not allowed to fish on Fridays as the fish are really dopey from being dropped in by helicopter – you can literally pick them up with your hands!) They also breed white bait – the little fish you can get fish pedicures from in beauty salons...Alpe d’Huez offer them free of charge! Separate from the fishing lake is the swimming lake. Ideal to take a lilo and a good book and spend the day up there. By the end of august you could spend ages in the water quite comfortably! Probably the last thing to mention would be trail running. There are no official maps as such, but there is definitely plenty to keep the keen runner busy.
Activities further afield...
Summer Alpine Guiding
There are both hiking and mountain bike guides available in Alpe d'Huez, most are individual guides with licences. Mountain bike lessons are also available through the Alpe d’Huez bike school.
Shopping in Alpe d'Huez
Most of the shops in Alpe d'Huez are open year-round, although the opening hours in the summer months do vary and they don't always seem to follow regular hours. It's the charm of an Alpine resort to guess when the shops will be open!
The bakery is open regularly but for any self catering guests we advise shopping down in Bourg before heading up to resort. This option is much more cost effective but also gives a greater choice of produce too.
There is a weekly market on a Thursday which is a lovely way to spend a morning.
Restaurants and bars
The bars and restaurants in Alpe d'Huez in the summer months seem to have similar rules as the shops ... everything is open every now and then. During the popular events weeks there is more guarantee of all the bars and restaurants being open, but you will always find somewhere to grab a coffee, a beer or some food. Zoo Bar was a popular bar last summer. The two night clubs take turns in opening so there is always somewhere for the night owls to dance the night away!
Rental shops in Alpe d'Huez
Sarenne Sports is a shop very close to our chalets. It is owned by Francois and Brigitte who will look after you very well if you are looking to hire bikes (both road and mountain) or climbing harnesses. Last summer it was approximately €70 for a hardtail bike for the day including helmet and puncture kit. There was also the option to hire body armour for those who chose to hire the more expert double suspension bikes. We can also recommend Rocky Sports (mountain bikes) and Cycle Huez (road bikes) down in the old town.
Beauty treatments
If you're looking for a little pamper session we can recommend Chamois d’Or for beauty treatments etc. Located right next to the chalets so very convenient.
