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What's new in Alpe d'Huez Winter 2016-17

New ski lifts, pistes & features for this winter and beyond

featured in News & reviews Author Ellie Mahoney, Alpe d'Huez Editor Updated

There are plenty of developments taking place to the Alpe d'Huez this winter, from the ski area to the resort villages and accommodation. 

Here's a quick run down of what's happening this year and also what's on the cards for developments over the next few years..


Ski Area & Lifts

For the coming ski season 2016/2017, major work has been carried out in Alpe d'Huez around the Signal sector. This is the last resort-side area of Alpe d'Huez to be modernised and 2016 sees a total overhaul of the Signal / Grande Sure sector.

At the bottom of Signal, instead of the existing lifts which will be dismantled, a high-capacity aerial ropeway will be installed called simply “Signal”. Associated with this new lift, a new green piste is being prepared, fully equipped with snow-guns and a fun theme along its length, starting from the top of Signal, passing via the top of Sarazins, and leading down to the Grenouilles beginners’ area.

Snow cover will also be guaranteed by equipping the “Signal bis” slope with snow-guns. The second means of access to Signal, the Grande Sure chairlift, will be replaced by a fixed clamp 4-seat chairlift, also called Grande Sure, doubling the capacity from the “Vieil Alpe” area, ensuring reliability in this area with a modern, comfortable lift. See the interactive piste map for the Signal area and lifts.

You can also see the transformation of the Signal area this summer in the video in the main image player above. 

view from the signal


Snowpark

In addition to all of this work, the snowpark is also going to be upgraded to 'Premium' with better features and more things to try. As to exactly what they're going to build, we'll let you know once all the details have been confirmed. Also don't forget to try out the Boardercross zone just to the right of the bottom section of the DMC lift. Access is included with your ski pass. 

alpedhuez snowpark


New Ski Pass Office

A new building is going to be built in the 1800 sector of resort, which will have a ski pass sales desk and a customer reception area that is more visible and easier to get to. 


La Folie Douce Webcam

We've installed a new webcam at La Folie Douce. Once the season has started you can check in on all the party action in full HD with live updates every 15 minutes from 2300m. Their opening party is on 3rd December 2016. 

folie adh


Accommodation & Resort

Alpe d'Huez's development programme includes adding more accommodation (of 4 star and 5 star standard as well as increasing the overall number of beds) and a better green/carbon footprint. The growth in number of places for people to sleep will see the resort's capacity increasing by around 33%, with most of the building set to take place in Les Bergers and l'Eclose parts of town. More parking areas and spa facilities will also be added, as well as improvements to pedestrianised areas. Hotel Les Grandes Rousses has had a major renovation this year and over in Oz a new hostel called Moontain is set to open this winter. They will be offering a “budget airline” concept of a minimum price supplemented by extras, plus a cashless concept of using a card or iphone to fund your stay.


Snow

The great news is that it's already been snowing in Alpe d'Huez, setting down a good base on the higher slopes for the coming season. The ski area is set to open on 3rd December 2016 and once our reporters are back they will be updating you with Snow Reports two to three times per week. Don't forget you can also sign up for our Dump Alerts - be in the know for the snow!

snow!


Future Developments

The infamous 'eggs' of the Televillage gondola will be replaced with a more environmentally friendly lift which will take place in two stages in 2017 and 2018. More ski lifts will be replaced with faster versions of themselves over the next few years, helping transport people around the resort more quickly.

A 4-season toboggan run will also be built for the 2017-18 season and new snow making equipment will also be installed. 

In addition to all of this is the new liaison with neighbouring Les 2 Alpes, which was announced earlier this year.

artists impression of a new ski lift

Find out the best way to get to Alpe d'Huez and read more in our transfers guide. Ski pass are on sale for the coming winter in the next few months, so take a look at our Ski Pass Prices page or find out more about the different types of pass in our Ski Pass Guide