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Alpe d'Huez Activity Review: 23rd August 2009

featured in Activity reviews Author Vickie Allen, Updated

I guess it had to happen eventually… a break in the recent heatwave. Friday dawned chilly and I think the whole town sighed in relief, grateful for a respite from the 34°C heat of the past week. That being said, once the day fully kicked-in it was hardly cold, just a little overcast and cooler at around 25°C. I took the opportunity to race around Alpe d’Huez and do some of the town-based activities that have eluded me so far this summer.

The first port of call was the ice rink. Having spent most of last week glued to the International Ice Hockey Tournament, it was great to get on the ice myself and stumble around for a while. The setting here really is beautiful, with great views of Pic Blanc rising over the town. Skating, as with many other activities in resort, is free in the mornings if you have a VisAlpe pass, which costs 38€ three days.

Next stop was the Luge. The chariots are – once again – free in the mornings with a VisAlpe pass or 3€ per ride. It’s also possible to buy a ticket for multiple rides. You access the course via the free chairlift opposite the bridge that crosses town. There are two routes, fast and slow. As it was my first time – and I had the video camera with me! – I took the slow option and was relieved to find that the brakes remain engaged even when you don’t touch them, so you can monitor your speed easily. The brake handle can also be released to allow acceleration and pulled back to bring you to a standstill. The course has lots of turns, with gently sloping banks and there’s a little jump on the faster course. It’s great fun and I’m seriously considering heading back today to try the fast route.

Friday is Market Day in Alpe d’Huez and local producers sell everything from homemade cheese, saucisson and paella, to silicone chocolate moulds, jewellery and quilts. It’s a great place to taste some of the local specialities and meet the craftspeople. Fruit, veg, bread and meat is also available and there are stalls selling clothes, hats, shoes and sculptures. It’s a real mish-mash of art and necessity, mountain specialities and the tat you find at any other European market. After a quick browse and purchase – bartering with the stall-tender for muffin trays – we moved up the hill to the crazy golf course.

Once again, it’s free with the VisAlpe pass, or 3,50€ per go. Some of the obstacles have seen better days, but it’s a fun way to spend half an hour to an hour, depending on how competitive you are. Despite some jibes about my lack of technique early in the game, The Boyfriend beat me by just one point, with over-confidence affecting his ability on the simplest of shots. I’ve not played since I was about 11, retiring early from the game after successive annual trouncings by my younger brother at the Valley Gardens course in Harrogate. But now I’m feeling a little more confident and ready for a re-match before the end of the season.

Having worked-up quite an appetite, we made our way to the Piscine, not to swim but to eat. The Agua café has a great lunchtime menu with huge salads and sandwiches, an extensive ice cream cabinet and friendly service from owner Remy. The Boyfriend has been coming here for years and it’s very popular with the French, especially those holidaying from Marseille.

As it was overcast, it was pretty quiet at the pool and we were joined for a drink by Heather and Scot, both Deux Alpes residents taking the day to ride some of Alpe d’Huez’s mountain bike trails. The pistes here are well marked and challenging, with the route for the afternoon taking them along the paths towards Villard Reculas and Allemont. As for me, I’ve knocked mountain biking on the head for this season and will find a flat trail to build my confidence before heading up the mountain again!