The Island in the Sun and Its Famous Hairpins
Alpe d'Huez is a ski and cycling resort in the Oisans area of the Isère department in the French Alps, known for its sunny south-facing plateau and its legendary 21 hairpin bends climbed by the Tour de France. Perched at about 1,860 metres above the valley of the Romanche, it earned the nickname Island in the Sun for the hours of daylight its open slopes receive. The village sits on a broad shelf of mountainside, with pistes dropping directly from its centre in several directions.
The climb is the stuff of cycling legend. The road rises through 21 numbered bends, each marked with the name of a past stage winner, and the Tour de France has finished here many times since the 1950s. Corner seven is known as the Dutch Corner, where supporters traditionally gather in orange. For skiers, the resort offers a different thrill, with wide sunny slopes and a high glacier at Pic Blanc, at over 3,300 metres. Nearby, Chamonix and Les Arcs give alternative Alpine moods within a day's reach.
Sarenne, Pic Blanc and a Sunlit Ski Area
The ski area, linked with neighbouring villages in the Grand Domaine, is known for its long runs and sunshine. The Sarenne, one of the longest black runs in Europe at around 16 kilometres, drops from the glacier at Pic Blanc through open Alpine terrain, with the Écrins massif spread beyond. Easier slopes serve families and beginners, and the resort's snow park and cross-country trails broaden the appeal. Snow cover is helped by the altitude and a strong snowmaking network, and the season is long.
Off the slopes, Alpe d'Huez has an energetic mix of terraces, restaurants and spa-led hotels, with Oisans specialities such as gratin dauphinois and local blue cheeses on many menus. In summer, the climb becomes a pilgrimage for road cyclists, and mountain bikers, walkers and paragliders take over the high pastures. For a tourist board, the combination of sunny slopes, cycling fame and spa-friendly stays creates a story with real year-round appeal, and Val d'Isère provides a high-Alpine contrast for visitors extending their trip.
Read the full Alpe d'Huez guide on Visit Travel Group, or see VisitAlpeDHuez.co.uk on Visit Travel Group.