Alpes d'Huez riding guide - World Snowboard Guide

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Freeriding

Freeriders can be forgiven for thinking that they are in heaven. Alpe d'Huez is a backcountry freeride gem with miles of off-piste powder, in areas such as Gorges de Sarenne and Glacier de Sarenne. Please note that, riding without a guide is total folly. For assistance seek out the services of a local guide through one of the ski schools, or via Planet Surf snowboard shop.

Freestylers

Freestylers are provided with 2 terrain parks located near the main area. At the beginner park at the base near the Troncon lift, you'll find a couple of kickers and some bumps . The advanced park's much more interesting with a number of big wedges and a good variety or rails - you'll find it near the Poutran lift. The park is not always kept in tip-top shape and serious freestylers might want to head to Deux Alps.

The lack of snow over the last couple of seasons has meant they haven't built a halfpipe for a while. Away from the park there are loads of natural air spots where you'll feel spoilt for choice.

Pistes

Riders are teased with so many well groomed trails, that picking one as a favourite is just not possible. Whilst the resort can be busy there are enough trails wide enough to take the load, some of the narrower ones get moguled by the end of the day, so carvers should get up early to make the best of it.

Beginners

Beginners have a huge area perfect for learning on, accessed by the Troncon cable-car from the base. It does get busy but the lower slopes are wide enough to handle it.

Resort Statistics

Resort Type: Alpine
Winter: Dec to April
Summer: Oct to Nov

Lifts

Total Lifts: 87
Cable cars: 6
Gondolas: 10
Chair lifts: 24
Drag lifts: 45
Other lifts: 2 Lifts
Max people per hour: 98,000
Board Leashes required: No

Mountain

Total pistes/trails: 117
Total ride area: 238km/10,000 ha
Longest run: 10 miles (16km)

Top lift: 3330m
Vertical drop: 2210m
First lift: 1120m

Piste suitability

Green runs: 34%
Red runs: 54%
Black runs: 12%

Lift Passes

	Low Season			High Season
	EUR	GBP	Average	EUR	GBP	Average
Day Pass	31.00	25.35	-18%	39.00	31.89	-6%
6-Day Pass	183.00	149.62	3%	203.00	165.97	0%
6-Day Linked area Pass	183.00	149.62	-2%	203.00	165.97	-7%

	EUR	GBP	Average
Season Pass:	859.00	702.32	46%

Lift Passes:
Half-day 27.3 euros
1 Day 36.20 euros
2 days 70.50 euros
6 days 187 euros
Lift times:8.30am to 4.30pm

Snowfall

Artificial snowmaking coverage: 20%

Facilities

	EUR	GBP
Days Rental of Board & Boots:	29.00	23.71
4hr Group Lesson (full day):	38.00	31.07

Snowboard Schools: ESF do a 2,1/2hr/day over 6days freestyle and freeride courses for 115 euros
Night Riding: : Tues & Thurs, Signal Slalom Stadium piste open. 950m and apparently the lighting is as powerful as that of the floodlights in the Stade de France. 8.5 euros or free is you have a 2 day pass or longer.