Alpe d'Huez resort and après ski
Alpe d'Huez is a large resort with almost every possible winter activity you could wish to try available to you. From snow shoeing and ski joering through to ice-climbing and hiking, there are 30km or trails. There is also an ice driving school, if you would like to try your hand at it. The Visalp pass gives you discount and access to many other activities besides the ski area. You can use the pass at the swimming pool, ice rink and get into the Palais des Sports which provides facilities for 26 different sports ranging from table tennis, squash and indoor golf. You can also get into the weekly classical concerts at a discount as well the local museum. Also worth seeing is the Ice Cave carved out of the snow with Ice Sculptures in a light display. The cave was created in 1996 by two mountain guides and the sculptures are altered every year.
Due to the sprawling nature of the recent development in alpe d'Huez, there are a couple of satellite quarters with their own lifts, restaurants and nightlife. Les Bergess to the east, is a bit remote from the centre but convenient for skiing and L'Eliose is to the south. Huez down the hill is also lift linked.
Alpe d'Huez is one of the liveliest French resorts at night with more than 30 bars and restaurants and 4 nightclubs. Popular drinking holes are the Crowded House Bar which has an English feel, the Zoo Bar, the Underground which has live music and the ‘O' bar which also serves Italian food and Apres ski snacks and also has a Saturday morning breakfast club. Try Passe Montagne and La Pomme de Pin for traditional French food, pizzas at Pinnochio or Smithy's for some Mexican.