Alpe d’Huez is situated due east of Grenoble and is a large modern resort with excellent facilities. The sunny slopes of the Massif des Grandes Rousses can be divided into four distinct but connected sections, the largest being situated directly above Alpe d’Huez on the slopes of Pic Blanc. The famous Sarenne black run, the longest in the Alps, starts here and is popular with both experienced skiers and confident intermediates. The Vaujany-Oz sector is generally the quietest area with some pleasant blue and red runs and a black run to L’Enversin. Experienced skiers and boarders will find a huge amount of off-piste terrain to explore, ranging from relatively easy to seriously extreme whilst beginners have a large network of green runs just above the village with a limited lift pass.

The resort is fairly spread out with a shuttle bus service operating during the day. The Avenue des Jeux in the centre has an indoor-outdoor pool and ice rink (free with most lift passes) and a selection of shops, bars and restaurants. For meals out, there are plenty of places offering good value in the resort, as well as some recommended restaurants on the slopes. The wide-ranging bars, some with live music, are very popular at night, particularly with the younger crowd.

By contrast, Vaujany is a quiet, traditional village and is linked to the Alpe d’Huez ski area by cable car. An enclosed escalator leads from the village centre to the car free Galerie Marchande which is surrounded by apartment accommodation and has a small supermarket and a handful of bars and restaurants. There is also a sports centre here.

A six day lift pass also includes two days skiing in Les Deux Alpes and one day in either Serre Chevalier, Puy St Vincent or Italy’s Milky Way. Admission to the sports centre, ice rink and swimming pools is also free for holders of a 2 day or more lift pass.