Tomorrowland Winter
Winter edition of the Belgian electronic music festival, held every March in L'Alpe d'Huez since 2019. Over several days visitors experience more than a hundred top DJs against a snowy Alpine backdrop.
PlizioGo
A hearty mountain dish made with potatoes, reblochon cheese, and lardons. Available at most traditional alpine restaurants.
Melted cheese scraped over potatoes and charcuterie. Great for warming up after a day on the slopes in the resort center.
A traditional herbal liqueur from the Alps. Served as a digestif in almost every local bar.
Buy Reblochon, Beaufort, and Tomme de Savoie directly from local fromageries in the village.
The sports shops offer high-quality, specialized alpine gear, often with end-of-season sales in April.
A small, peaceful lake accessible by a short walk, offering great reflections of the surrounding peaks.
While busy at the cable car station, stepping a few minutes away on the snow has wide-open, silent views over the Alps.
Water temperature…
Winter edition of the Belgian electronic music festival, held every March in L'Alpe d'Huez since 2019. Over several days visitors experience more than a hundred top DJs against a snowy Alpine backdrop.
Annual film festival in January, dedicated to comedy since 1997 and held in the ski resort at 1,800 m. Over about five days roughly ten feature films compete for awards.
Perched at an altitude of 1,860 meters in the heart of the Grandes Rousses massif within the Isère department, Alpe d'Huez is a legendary alpine destination that commands international reverence. Most universally recognized as a mythical and defining stage of the Tour de France, its grueling 21 hairpin bends challenge the world's greatest cyclists and attract thousands of amateur riders eager to test their mettle on the iconic ascent. During the winter months, this sun-drenched plateau transforms into one of Europe's premier ski resorts, boasting a vast interconnected ski area that includes the formidable Sarenne, known as the longest black diamond ski run in the world, stretching an incredible 16 kilometers. Beyond its formidable sporting reputation, the resort gives an extraordinary 360-degree panorama from the Pic Blanc at 3,330 meters, from which on a clear day you can see one-fifth of the French territory, including the towering summit of Mont Blanc. The local architecture is a mix of modern ski infrastructure and the unique modern concrete church of Notre-Dame des Neiges, characterized by its striking tent-like shape and impressive pipe organ. Whether tackling the legendary mountain pass or carving through pristine powder snow, Alpe d'Huez provides an electrifying and unforgettable high-altitude adventure.
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -7 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 5 | -1 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 69 | 54 | 67 | 61 | 90 | 71 | 58 | 59 | 59 | 75 | 89 | 79 |
See what it looks like near L'Alpe d'Huez right now.
Huez: Le Signal, Piste · 1.3 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Notable places around
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
Start your day at the architecturally unique Church of Notre-Dame-des-Neiges before diving into the history of the Oisans region at the local museum. At noon, explore the sports complex and enjoy the alpine atmosphere. In the afternoon, walk to the Brandes archaeological site, where miners once lived at extreme altitudes. End the day with a view of the famous 21 bends that have made cycling history.
Morning shelter in the modern church from the mountain rain. At noon, we explore the Huez Museum while it pours outside. The afternoon is dedicated to indoor activities at the Palais des Sports. In the evening, we walk through the mystical mist above the famous 21 bends.
A snowy morning at the church, which looks like an ice crystal. At noon, we warm up in the museum with local history. In the afternoon, we enjoy the winter sun near the Palais des Sports. Evening falls early over the Brandes ruins, casting a blue light on the 21 bends.
For cycling enthusiasts, the day starts with the legendary 21 bends. After a brief visit to the mountain church, the route climbs to Lac Blanc, a crystal-clear mountain lake. Spend your lunch break by the lakeshore before descending through the impressive Sarenne Gorge. A short stop at the medieval site of Brandes rounds off your sporting tour through the Alps.
Rainy climb up the 21 bends, the asphalt is slippery. Short rest at the church to dry off. At noon, we push up to Lac Blanc where rain can turn into sleet. The afternoon in Sarenne Gorge is wet and wild. Evening return to base with plenty of mud on the bike.
Cold start at the 21 bends, fatbike recommended. A short stop at the church to warm up. At noon, the climb to Lac Blanc is a real challenge in the snow. Afternoon spent exploring the icy Sarenne Gorge. The day ends at sunset by the Brandes ruins.
By car, you can reach the most spectacular viewpoints. Start with the ascent to Pic Blanc at over 3300 meters for a 360-degree panorama. Right next to it awaits the magical ice cave inside the glacier. At noon, relax at Lac Blanc before embarking on the adventurous drive through the Sarenne Gorge. To end the day, visit the modern church in the heart of Alpe d'Huez.
Drive to Pic Blanc, often dense fog at the top. At noon, we visit the ice cave, offering shelter under the glacier. Later to Lac Blanc, views limited by clouds. Afternoon drive through the wet Sarenne Gorge. The day ends at the church in the village.
Climb to Pic Blanc, the view of the snowy Alps is massive. At noon, we explore the ice cave deep in the glacier. Then to Lac Blanc, which is completely frozen. Afternoon panoramic drive through Sarenne Gorge. The day ends at dusk at the illuminated church.
