Christmas & New Year 2019/20 in Alpe d'Huez - What weather to expect & what to do

After a very snowy November and an incredibly snowy start to December, with over a metre of snow in resort since the beginning of the month, Alpe d’Huez looks like a Christmas card at the moment. Early season conditions on the slopes are as good as I have seen them in my 15 years here, which is perfect for what is sure to be a busy holiday period in resort with more pistes and lifts opening on a daily basis as we approach Christmas. Snow has fallen all the way down to around 800 metres, so even the very lowest of pistes in the domain have at least a metre of snow cover on them.

The forecast leading up to Christmas is fairly unsettled, thanks in the main to a constantly shifting jetstream, meaning it is very likely that we will see plenty more snow in the lead up the holiday period. December can obviously be a cold month but, with temperatures at resort level likely to get up to around 5ºC most days, it shouldn't feel chilly and there is snow in the forecast right up until New Year.

Here in Alpe d’Huez, Santa has his very own post box – no messing about with Royal Mail, this is straight to the big man himself. So get your letter written, bring it with you and post it into the very important “Pere Noel” post box situated outside the leisure centre. Remember, he will know if you have been naughty or nice!

The magical parade of fairies, 'La Cour des Fées', takes place on Christmas Eve and sees a contemporary, poetic and magical trip through a world of giants and fairies – a real treat for young and old. There are two displays during the day, at 11:00 at the foot of the slopes and at 17:00 in front of the ice rink in the centre of town.

Without a doubt, one of the highlights of the year in Alpe d’Huez are the stunning torchlight descents that will take place on Christmas Eve and New Year's Eve at 17:30 on the floodlit Signal slope. Hundreds of ESF ski instructors will weave their way down the slope to a crescendo of music and light and a wonderful firework display will follow – not to be missed!

Fancy dress is almost obligatory on Christmas Day, so bring your Santa hat with you. Ski instructors, pisteurs and lift operators will all adorn some form of costume so don’t be left out – the fancier the better. Most restaurants in town will also be serving special Christmas menus, remember to book in advance!

No festive period in Alpe d’Huez would be complete without its fair share of partying. Christmas Eve is always a big family event here, although the party will go well into the early hours, and the same can be said for New Year's Eve. Younger revellers will hit the resort's bars and clubs after the family events have finished as many venues hold themed New Year's Eve parties – you may well need to get tickets in advance. The fun will be full gas in bars like FreeRide, O’Sharkeys, Underground Bar (where the party often goes all the way until 09:00) and Smithy's Tavern while L'Igloo and Les Caves de l'Alpe nightclubs will see the action carry on until 06:00.

The leisure centre always has a whole host of events planned whatever the weather and it also offers indoor swimming, a climbing wall, table tennis, squash, indoor tennis, crazy golf, fitness classes, a great gym and even four Playstation consoles which are free to use. Meanwhile, the ice rink offers ice hockey matches, curling sessions and open skating. Husky sleigh rides are available from the DMC every afternoon at 14:00 and the local church organises weekly classical music concerts that get underway on Boxing Day. The first concert sees David Cassan play the organ with music from Bartok, Mozart and Vivaldi – starting at 18:15, tickets cost €10 (€5 concessions).