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Alpe d'Huez Mountain Sports
| Mountain Sports in Alpe d'Huez |
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Alpe d'Huez is the destination of choice for many skiers and snowboarders during the winter season. However, it is not only these mountain sports that attract visitors to the area. Mountain biking, hiking and paragliding are also popular here, and in this section you can find in-depth articles, not only for enthusiasts, but for everyone who aspires to become at one with the mountain! For back country/off piste skiing articles, please see our guide in the Winter & Skiing section. |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| 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 |
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