Visit Alpe d'Huez this Easter 2018

With current snow depths in resort (1850m) of over 2m and in excess of 3 up at the top of the Pic Blanc (3300m) the conditions are sure to be great. The cover in resort is the best since modern records began some 37 years ago and such depths virtually ensure good skiing right through to the end of the season here in Alpe d’Huez. Couple that with an early Easter this year - Good Friday on 29th March and Easter Monday on 2nd April - and this should mean temperatures cold enough to keep the snow in good condition throughout the holiday period.

With Good Friday only being a holiday in the regions of Alsace and Moselle, it generally means that less “weekenders” come to resort for Easter. Take advantage of this, as the lift queues will be shorter. It is a 4-day long weekend off work in the UK however, so you can come skiing for that weekend. On top that, you wouldn't use up your holiday allowance.

After another huge infrastructure investment by local lift operator Sata Ski, over 60 state of the art snow cannons were installed this year, at a cost of over €50,000 each. Meaning the already impressive natural snow cover can be complemented nightly if needed.

The French schools follow a similar holiday pattern to the USA and have a series of semesters, rather than the traditional holiday pattern of UK schools. French schools adopt a “spring-break” rather than a traditional Easter holiday. This year the French schools “spring-break” runs from Saturday 7th April through to Sunday 6th May (Zone A: 7th to 22nd April, Zone B: 21st April to 6th May and Zone C: 14th to 29th April). No French schools will actually be on holiday for the weekend on which Easter actually falls, so this should mean fewer French families in resort and quieter slopes.

Easter Sunday will see almost 13 hours of daylight, with sunrise at 07:16 and sunset at 20:02. This means plenty of time for activities after skiing. There’s always a full entertainments and events programme here in resort, and never more so than at Easter. As April approaches the sun gets stronger so there’s no better place to grab a deck chair in the sun than in the “llle du Soleil” - Island in the sun - that is Alpe d’Huez.

With the French holidays starting the week after Easter, this should ensure that accommodation prices aren’t as high as they would be if the school holidays ran simultaneously with those of the UK. So you should be able to find a good deal.

As the days get longer so do the parties. The spring sunshine always helps get the party underway up on the slopes and, every afternoon the apres starts at 14:00 up at the legendary La Folie Douce. With resident DJs, entertainers and dancing on the tables, this place has it all. And the party continues in resort with live music, karaoke and nightclubs until 05:00, there is something for everyone!