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Alpe d'Huez Activities - Families & Kids
| Families & Kids Activities in Alpe d'Huez |
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There is a wealth of activities to keep the whole family happy in Alpe d'Huez – from things that you can do together to activities where the children can be left to play with their new ‘holiday friends’. Your only problem might be fitting in everyone’s top choice! |
| Visalp Activity Pass |
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The Visalp Pass is a multi-activity card that gives you access to the summer and winter lift systems and discounts on a wide range of activities, sports and facilities. There are further discounts for families, please see here for summer Visalp prices and here for winter Visalp prices. |
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last updated 9-May-2008 |
| Canyoning |
A not-so-gentle but extremely refreshing summer activity is one way to describe canyoning! Plunge yourself into the mountain streams via a series of abseil descents, jumps and natural water slides – just make sure you choose a warm day! You will make your way along rivers and rapids, using the river bed as a natural obstacle course.
Not suitable for very young children, but anyone over the age of about 8 can take the (very cold) plunge and try canyoning. With the safety of a guide everyone can abseil down cascades, splash into pools and ride the river rapids. You can choose from short beginners’ routes or longer ones for the more adventurous.
Hydrospeed is an alternative to rafting where you shoot down the river on a kind of inflatable body-board. Half-in half-out of the water you are closer to the action and guaranteed a soaking!
Different companies will have their own policies on age limits but usually, unless they are booked onto a children's activity course, anyone under the age of about 14 years old will have to be accompanied by an adult. A basic level of swimming ability is required for safety reasons.
There are a number of local companies that offer guided descents down the waterways of Vercors and Chartreuse. |
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last updated 8-Apr-2008 |
| Children's Entertainments |
Alpe d’Huez offers a number of organized entertainment s for children throughout the summer. Highlights include: multi-activity athletic tournaments every Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday afternoon at the Sport Centre; ‘Sun Stages’ activity courses run on a weekly Monday to Friday basis for 6-18 year olds; ‘Mini Cats’ activity club for 3-6 year olds; themed workshop weeks featuring a variety of cultural and sporting activities, the themes are a range of diverse subjects such as the circus, pottery, meteorology, animals, orientation, history and more. Enquire at the Tourist Office for details or check our What’s On Calendar to see what is happening when.
There is also a play area with a climbing frame beside the ice rink rink on Avenue des Jeux in the centre of town. |
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Cinema |
Alpe d'Huez has 2 cinemas within easy reach. Cinéma le Signal has just 1 screen and Cinéma le Palais has 2; both showing a variety of films in both French and English.
VO stands for 'Version Originale', which means it will be shown in its original language - perhaps with French subtitles (sous titres). Watching a film with subtitles can be a great way to learn a few new French phrases - their usefulness will depend entirely on the kind of film you are watching though! |
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last updated 10-Jun-2008 |
| Fitness & Sports Centre |
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The Alpe d'Huez Palais des Sports et des Congrés has so much to do on a bad weather day you'll struggle to fit it all in: health & fitness suites, aerobic classes, indoor climbing, golf driving range, roller hockey, speed ball, futsal, basketball, squash, tennis, table tennis, badminton, archery, crossbow, martial arts, indoor pool, tightrope walking (suspended adventure trail with safety net) should keep you busy... If you need to wind down after all that exertion you can join in a yoga class!
Admission is free with a Visalp pass, although equipment hire is extra and you may need to pay a small supplement for some activities. |
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last updated 15-Aug-2008 |
| Folie Gliss |
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Each Friday between 10am and 4.45pm you will find an array of snowtoys waiting to be tried and tested by the Poutran ski lift; Airboard, Snake Gliss, Be One and Snow Trikke are all fun ways of getting down the piste without your skis! |
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last updated 22-Feb-2008 |
| Grotte de Glace (Ice Caves) |
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The Alpe d'Huez ice caves are a magical grotto of glistening sculptures and fairytale figures. Dug out many years ago by two local guides they have become an annual feature; each winter expert ice sculptors arrive to create a new exhibition based on a different theme every year. At 2700m the caves are accessible via the Grandes Rousses/DMC gondola, please click here for further details. |
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last updated 10-Jun-2008 |
| Horse Riding |
As well as being home to the world renowned Poutran International Equestrian Training Centre, Alpe d'Huez is also a great place to ride just for fun. The scenery is stunning and you can cover much more terrain on horseback than on your own two feet!
The Centre Equestre on Route du Col de Poutran offers a variety of lessons and weekly courses as well as horse and pony rides. Holders of a Visalp Pass can claim 10% off all hacks.
There is also the Les Nouvelles Ecuries des Centaure in nearby Reaumont. |
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Ice Rink |
The Patinoire Extérieure Municipale (public open air ice rink) is open daily from 10am-11pm, in both summer and winter, except when hosting events.
Entry is free with a Visalp pass (skate hire extra). It also has a curling rink (booking advised) and the possibility of booking lessons.
Regular ice hockey matches take place here, it is the home of Alpe d’Huez ice hockey team Les Yetis, which are usually a good night out!
Lessons – Alexandra Lemaître +33 (0) 688 166 075
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Miniature Golf |
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For some gentle exercise on a sunny day Alpe d'Huez has a mini-golf course open every day from 9am on Chemin de Brandes. |
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Paragliding ('Parapente') |
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From the heights of Alpe d’Huez one can glide down to the bottom of the valley on a tandem paraglider controlled by the instructor. He manoeuvres the parachute while the passenger enjoys the ride and fantastic views. Taking off is the only scary moment; once you have been equipped with a helmet and strapped to the instructor behind you in a rather intimate way, both of you simply point your skis (or board) downhill, and carry on getting faster and faster until the parachute lifts you into the air. An early intermediate skier can manage the take-off, but for boarders a good technical level is needed.
In summer one simply runs down a slope until you take off; no particular level of fitness is required, just the ability to sit back and enjoy the view! One then peacefully glides above the pistes for ten to twenty minutes, aiming to catch thermals to keep you up for longer. Landing is very gentle and no more of an impact than jumping off a step. ... see "Alpe d'Huez for Paragliding" for more |
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last updated 9-Jul-2008 |
| Piste Basher Excursion |
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Fancy a unique mode of transport while you’re in Alpe d’Huez? Sata Ski Lift Company operates two trips a week on Tuesdays and Thursdays at 10am and 2pm from in front of the Grandes Rousses/DMC gondola. Travelling over the snow on its enormous caterpillar tracks the piste basher will take you on one of two excursions; the Ronde des Lacs or the Crete du Signal. Along the way you will see ice waterfalls and frozen lakes while your guide fills you in on the history, anecdotes and tales of the area. |
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last updated 7-Jul-2008 |
| Quad Biking |
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Fancy being the next ‘Schumacher on snow’? For a high speed adrenaline rush, try testing your driving skills with Quadmania at L'Eclose race track. Open 7 days a week all year, you can race round an ice circuit in winter or take to the mountains in summer; children are able to ride as passengers. They also offer tuition for A and B quad bike licences. |
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last updated 7-Jul-2008 |
| Snowshoe Walking ('Raquette à Neige') |
Strap lightweight plastic snowshoes to your feet, and walk effortlessly through deep snow. Either set out on your own, or join a group led by a knowledgeable local guide and explore the hidden parts of the valley. On these half day group outings you will get off the beaten track to follow animal footprints, discover mountain flora and fauna and learn the history of the valley. Snowshoes and ski poles are usually provided. See Action, Fun & Sports for details of guiding companies.
Check the Tourist Office for their weekly schedule of guided snowshoe walks; they operate most days, weather permitting. You can also do moonlit excursions or weekend trips.
You can also hire snowshoes from most Sports Shops, grab a trail map and head off on your own adventure. Be sure to check the weather forecast before you go.
This is a perfect activity for bad weather conditions, or for non-skiers; walkers and nature lovers will love these outings. Don't forget to take energy bars and wear comfortable boots. |
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last updated 11-Jul-2008 |
| Summer Activity Club |
There are so many things for kids to do in Alpe d'Huez throughout the summer that sometimes the only way to make the most of it is to enrol them in a summer club!
‘Sun Stages’ activity courses run on a weekly Monday to Friday basis for 6-18 year olds from 2.30-6pm. Each day features a different activity such as rock climbing, golf, mountain biking, roller blading, mountain biking, canoeing, squash and more.
For younger children there is the ‘Mini Cats’ activity club for 3-6 year olds. Here your children can try their hands at mini-golf, trampoline, rock climbing, hiking, ice skating, circus skills and pony trekking amongst other things.
There are also themed workshop weeks on a range of diverse subjects such as the circus, pottery, meteorology, animals, orientation, history and more.
Both clubs meet outside the Sports and Convention Centre, pre-booking through the Tourist Office is advised. |
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last updated 24-Apr-2008 |
| Summer Sledging (Luge) |
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The fun sport of sledging (or ‘luge’) isn’t just confined to the snowy winter slopes. Alpe d'Huez has a summer toboggan run at the Piste de l'Eclose, which can be reached via the cablecar. Including the price of the cable car ride it costs 13.50€ for an adult and 7€ for a child. |
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Tennis & Squash |
Alpe d'Huez has 2 tennis clubs; the Tennis Club Alpe d'Huez and the Autexier Tennis Academy.
For those of you who like to build up a sweat you will find 4 squash courts at the Palais des Sports, along with 3 indoor tennis courts and table tennis. |
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last updated 10-Jun-2008 |
| Tobogganing |
The new sledding area opens daily under the Grandes Rousses/DMC gondola lift; groomed and equipped with banked turns, brakes and helmets are required but not provided (can be bought or hired from most sports shops). Unlimited access with ski and walking day passes, ski half-day passes and all Visalp passes. Cost without pass is €6.30 per gondola ascent.
You can also sled on the piste next to the Bergers shopping centre or go night sledding on the Butte de l’Eclose slope. The illuminated sledding area opens on Tuesday & Thursday evenings from 5.30-7.30pm. Again, brakes and helmets are required but not provided (can be bought or hired from most sports shops). Access is free with a Visalp pass. |
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last updated 10-Jul-2008 |
| Via Ferrata |
If climbing up sheer rock on the end of a piece of rope sounds a bit scary then Via Ferrata climbing offers an element of security that still allows beginners to enjoy the achievement of having scaled a mountain! This form of climbing was invented by Italian soldiers in the Dolomites who used it to enable them to scale vertiginous faces easily and quickly. These days it is a popular sport that makes the thrill of mountain climbing more accessible to children, beginners and those who want a bit more security when they climb.
Following marked routes through the mountains you are helped along by steps, bridges and ladders whilst being roped up for extra safety. Suitable for adults and children over the age of 8; guides can be arranged on request.
There are 2 Via Ferrata routes on the Grandes Rousses Massif; an elementary route that can be completed in around 2 hours and a more challenging route that takes about 2 ½ hours. |
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last updated 24-Apr-2008 |
| White Water Rafting |
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If you haven't experienced this before then this is a definite 'must try' on your list of activities to do! Alpe d'Huez has a number of trained guides who will let you experience some of the best white water rafting available in the Alps. From the middle of May until September, the mountain rivers flow furiously as they are fed from the melt waters running off the glaciers high above the town. There are various options available from a 3 hour adrenaline rush to a full days excursion - this activity is guaranteed not to disappoint. |
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last updated 25-Apr-2008 |
| Winter Walking Trails |
With so many hiking and walking trails on its doorstep, Alpe d’Huez is ideally located in the heart of the Oisans and Ecrins National Park region. There are hundreds of kilometres of marked trails, ranging from idyllic rambles to more challenging mountain hikes. The amazing alpine scenery takes in snowy mountain peaks, traditional alpine villages and crystal clear (and very cold!) lakes. Throughout the winter 30km of these trails are maintained and marked for hiking. There are trails along the Signal Ridge and the Bergerie, looped trails around Brandes and Poutran, the Sarenne Gorge trail, to name but a few. A map showing all the routes is available from the Tourist Office, don’t forget to check the weather forecast before you set out as conditions can change rapidly in the mountains.
You do not need any particular equipment, just a pair of sturdy boots and layers of warm clothing that you can take off or put on as necessary. A pair of walking poles will come in handy for extra balance on icy patches and for checking snow depth before you go striding forth! Top tip: buy ‘grippers’ for your walking boots to prevent slipping, all of this can be bought from most local Sport Shops.
Click here for prices of pedestrian lift passes. |
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last updated 11-Jul-2008 |
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