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Alpe d'Huez Activities - Summer
| Summer Activities in Alpe d'Huez |
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The majority of things to do in Alpe d'Huez relate to being outdoors and, whilst there are many organised activities, getting out there is mainly what it is about - at a leisurely pace or at warp speed, it's up to you. The list of activities available in the summer is endless and there is always something to suit everyone; whether it be families with small children, seasoned hikers, thrill-seekers or simply those who want to get away from it all and try something new. |
| 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 |
| Archery |
Practice your Robin of Sherwood skills in a tranquil alpine setting. Beginners can learn 'tir l'arc' from scratch and those with more experience can put their skills to the test with a variety of courses; there is a practice range up by the summer luge where you can hire the equipment and take the advice of an instructor.
The nearby Vaujany Tennis Club also has archery facilities, see here for details. |
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Aviation |
Altiport Henri Giraud offers a base for all sorts of aeronautical activities. You could enjoy a bird’s eye view of the Alps from a helicopter or light aircraft; details of companies that offer such excursions can be found here.
The Aéroclub du Dauphiné, based at Altiport Henri Giraud, offers flying courses, initiation (first flight) sessions and air excursions. Open all day, every day according to the weather – reservation necessary.
There is an array of airborne activities for the more adventurous including microlight, hang gliding and parapenting. See our listings for more details. |
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last updated 25-Jul-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 |
| Fishing |
There are a number of beautiful mountain lakes, rivers and streams where fishing is permitted in Alpe d'Huez. The lakes are Lac Besson, Lac des Bergers, Lac Blanc, Lac Noir, Lac de la Faucille and Lac de Milieu. You can also fish the waterways of the Sarenne, the Rif Nel and the Rif Brillant. You can expect to find rainbow trout (la truite arc en ciel), brown trout (la truite fario), brook trout (le saumon des fontaines) and arctic char (l'omble chevalier), amongst others.
Lac de Bergers is a designated children's fishing area; each August a competition is held here for all keen anglers up to the age of 13. Situated in resort, just in front of Les Bergers shopping mall, it is easily accessible and a popular summer relaxtion spot.
An Alpe d'Huez 'société de pêche' (fishing club) license is required for all sites and can be purchased from the Tourist Office for a day, a week, a month or a season. An AAPPMA fishing licence is also necessary for some sites, enquire locally for details. There are also varying regulations governing the number of fish you can catch, the size of the fish and hours of fishing permitted.
The Anglers Association of Alpe d'Huez Website
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Glacier Walking |
For a truly unique experience, clamp on your crampons and go hiking on Les Deux Alpes' Glacier 3200 or on one of the many glaciers in the Ecrins National Park. The breathtaking views and spectacular crevasses make this an incredible adventure and if you are quiet you can sometimes even hear the creaking noise of shifting ice! There are a number of glacial hikes, of varying difficulty, in this region of the Alps.
We strongly advise hiring a qualified guide for any activities on a glacier; most mountain guiding companies will run organised excursions to the most accessible.
To read more about glaciers and the environment please go to our Glacier Meltdown article. |
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last updated 2-Jul-2008 |
| Golf |
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Practice your swing overlooking some of the best views in the world! Golf de l'Alpe d'Huez is open every day from 9am to 7pm throughout the summer. The 9 hole golf course is accompanied by a large driving range, pro-shop and clubhouse serving snacks and drinks.
Players of all standards are welcomed, reduced fees are available with a Visalp pass. The club holds regular competitions; their regular Thursday 'friendly' competitions are free to members and just 9€ to non-members, the weekend competitions cost 10€ for members and 19€ for non-members. Lessons are available with resident coach Philippe Racloz. |
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last updated 15-Aug-2008 |
| Hiking & Walking |
Photo Credit: Mario Colonel
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Whether your idea of walking in the mountains is a gentle ramble or a three day hike, Alpe d'Huez has something for you. The valley has hundreds of kilometres of beautiful, marked walking trails and a booklet of recommended circuits is available from the Tourist Office, or is available to download here. To reach the higher trails you can buy a Pedestrian Lift Pass; from a higher elevation you can see the most spectacular views. For the more adventurous, try longer hikes into the Ecrins National Park, perhaps staying overnight in a refuge. The local Mountain Guides Office offer guided group walks, walks on a glacier, and private, longer trips.
Read more about the Ecrins National Park
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last updated 17-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 |
| Mountain Biking (MTB / VTT) |
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Alpe d’Huez and the Grandes Rousses are renowned for being an exceptional mountain biking area. Stunning scenery, miles and miles of dedicated MTB routes and summer access to the cable cars make this a fantastic place to put your bike (and you!) through its paces. The home of the Megavalanche MTB race, Alpe d’Huez hosts a number of smaller events and competitions throughout the summer season. Have a look at our What’s On Calendar to find out what’s happening when. (NB: In French, mountain biking is called VTT. (Vélo tout-terrain!)) ... see "Alpe d'Huez Mountain Biking" for more |
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last updated 25-Jul-2008 |
| Panoramic Helicopter Tours |
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Sit back and admire the mountains from even higher up! Daily panoramic helicopter flights are available (weather permitting) with a number of local flight companies or some mountain guide companies. Relax and enjoy the stunning views as you fly over the snowcapped mountain tops, glaciers and alpine forests of the Oisans. |
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last updated 22-Apr-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 |
| 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 |
| Rock Climbing |
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The Palais des Sports in Alpe d'Huez features an indoor climbing wall that you can either scale on your own or with an instructor. Shoes and equipment can be hired for a small fee at the reception desk. The wall covers an area of 180m² and features 14 climbing routes going from 5a to 6c; There is also a reclining boulder with a surface area of 3m x 5m. There is also a climbing wall with ascents of varying difficulty in the nearby town of Vaujany.
If you prefer to climb out in the fresh air you will find a multitude of climbing routes in and around Alpe d'Huez, to be tackled under your own steam or under the watchful eye of a guide. The south facing cliffs of Lac Besson (2200m) boast 150 climbing routes, split into 7 sectors. The rock faces range from 30 to 120m high and form a great playground for novice rock climbers as well as experts. They are equipped with inox facilties for optimal safety. The Oisans region boasts great climbing for those who wish to see more of the area. Le Vernis (750m) has 30 routes that are accessible all year round; Venosc (950m) has 51 routes and the climbing season runs from May to October; La Bérarde (1500-2000m) has a whopping 100 routes and is open throughout spring, summer and autumn; La Chalp (1000 m) has 37 routes and is also open throughout spring, summer and autumn.
The Ecrins National Park offers a range of climbing routes amongst them; the south face of La Barre des Ecrins, a massive 2000m wall with moderate 5c climbing; La Meije, a huge south face with more than 20 pitches of bolted 6b routes; the granite slabs at Ailefroide. Maps and guides for the various routes can be bought from one of the park information centres. |
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last updated 14-Aug-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 |
| Swimming |
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There are a number of pools in Alpe d'Huez - the indoor pool at the Palais des Sports et des Congrès is open every day from 10am to 8:30pm (except during swimming classes) and entry is free with a Visalp pass.
The outdoor pool on Avenue des Jeux is also free with your Visalp pass (€3 without) and is open from 10am to 8pm. An outdoor pool may not sound that tempting in the depths of winter but this is kept so toasty that it often has steam rising from it! There is also a sauna and jacuzzi (€2.50 for 30 minutes) for relaxing those achy legs. Swimming costumes must be worn in all areas of the pool and chaps of all ages have to wear Speedo-style trunks which, rather disturbingly, can also be rented!
If you are happy to brave the cold you can take a dip (unsupervised) in Lac Besson. You can also fish at the lake and there is a nearby mountain restaurant with a sunny terrace and deckchairs.
Some hotels in town also have private pool / spa facilities - if you are looking for somethng a bit more exclusive it may be worth enquiring as to whether they are also available to non-residents, click here for details. |
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last updated 15-Aug-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 |
| 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 |
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