 Poster: A snowHead
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Hi. I'm going to Alpe'Huez over xmas and never been there before so not sure where to start skiing from. Our rental apartment is on Avenue de l'Eclose (https://maps.app.goo.gl/jecCevoJyqVRhri69) just below the Tourism Information office. We are all confident skiers and don't like lugging equipment around if we can avoid it. I'm wondering which is the best way to get on the slopes. It looks like we could walk to the Tourism office and get the bucket lift from there to DMC1, but some people are saying it's quicker to walk. Also, it looks like we could cross the road and drop over the edge and ski down to Huez Bas if there's enough snow (unlikely at xmas?). Alternatively, there seems to be a lift called Grand Sure, just at the end of our road. I haven't booked ski hire yet, and I'm thinking it might be a good idea to choose the ski hire shop based on proximity to the lift, then we could potentially leave our skis at the foot of the slopes each day. However, if it is possible to ski in and out of our apartment, obviously that would be even better. I've read that Bergers is also a good option, but that looks quite a long way from our apartment. Any advice on the best options would be much appreciated. Thanks. Mark
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Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
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@Archiopterix, welcome to SH's.
Maybe worth asking on this thread too:
https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=170471
Here is what I know (stayed in ADH a couple of times years ago and many times in Oz):
Most of the time you will be wanting to get to the DMC or Bergers base and their lifts to start your day. I've not used either but I think the "bucket lift" or Alpe Express respectively. I don't think skiing down to Huez express would be good use of time or effort. Neither Grand Sure unless you specifically wanted to dabble in the little section of the domain.
Google suggests a 15 minute walk to the DMC rather than the bucket. I am not sure why anyone would do that. Surely the bucket is at least as quick.
If conditions are good it looks like you may be able ski through town towards the vicinity of your apartments.
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Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
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1) looks like we could cross the road and drop over the edge and ski down to Huez Bas if there's enough snow (unlikely at xmas?) - This would work if there is enough snow. Have done it multiple times.
2) Easiest would be to walk to the bottom of the Alpe express station of the new Gondola system that goes through town. 5 mins walk max.
https://www.alpedhuez.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/alpedhuez-plan-station-hiver-2024-2025.pdf
You can ski down to the tourism office at the end of the day. And then it would be a simple walk downhill.
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You need to Login to know who's really who.
You need to Login to know who's really who.
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Thanks for the quick and helpful response. I definitely don't fancy 15 mins walk uphill with skis! What do you think of the option of a ski locker near the DMC?
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Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
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@Archiopterix, honestly never done it (or rather needed to do it) but I've others talk about doing it (in various places) and say it works well. For me, I always wondered how quick and easy it would be given these places don't have loads of staff and they have to find it in the racks. But as I say not something I've done.
The Alpe Express does seem a good option too, so personally I would just hire locally and use the system.
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You'll need to Register first of course.
You'll need to Register first of course.
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@sandviper, That's super helpful, thanks.
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| Layne wrote: |
@Archiopterix, honestly never done it (or rather needed to do it) but I've others talk about doing it (in various places) and say it works well. For me, I always wondered how quick and easy it would be given these places don't have loads of staff and they have to find it in the racks. But as I say not something I've done.
The Alpe Express does seem a good option too, so personally I would just hire locally and use the system. |
Thanks. It looks like I have a few options of where to start the day and also the possibility of almost skiing back to the apartment, so probably not worth using ski lockers.
Looking at the Grand Sure on the piste map, it looks like a quick red run would take you to the bottom of the Pic Blanc. Wouldn't that be quicker (or at least more fun) than the bucket lift?
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@Archiopterix, It would be more fun for sure but I guess the bucket and Alpe Express may open earlier and/or be closer to walk to. If it was me I would have a walk around on arrival to get my bearings, see how far the different lifts are.
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You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
You'll get to see more forums and be part of the best ski club on the net.
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Grand Sure does indeed take you to the top of Signal and a run back down to DMC either on the red or the green that runs round the side (Marcels Farm)
If coming down Signal you might have a quick push through a busy slightly uphill point to get to DMC. You avoid this on Marcels Farm.
If your using Alpe Express, then it's an easy few meters to either Romains or Rif Neil to get over to DMC or Marmottes to get straight up.
Looking at where you are I would suggest Alpe Express is your best option.
Have fun 
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snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
snowHeads are a friendly bunch.
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And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
And love to help out and answer questions and of course, read each other's snow reports.
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We went last year and stayed in an apartment just above the Tourist office on the right Chem. des Bergers. Lucky for us it was ski in/out .
The bucket lifts weren't always that reliable to ended up on the Alpe Express quite a lot .
If you can leave your skis at the hire shop by the bucket lifts/Tourism Information office i would do that , then you have the option of Bucket lift or ski down 100m to the Alpe Express
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getting to the Grand Sure would be fairly easy from yours, just a walk up a few streets, be warned it can be slow to start sometimes so if you have any lessons to get to then you might want to avoid it. We stayed just above it a few years ago and used it a couple times but after having issues starting on the second we the kids almost missed their lesson. Another alternative is the bus. We sometimes just used the bus rather than a walk down to the crab pots, both worked well to be honest although I think if I had a choice it would be bus in the morning crab pods in the afternoon when its warmed up a bit as the crap pot lift is very slow moving so if its cold it can be very cold because you won't get a chance to get warm first
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You know it makes sense.
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Thanks for all the helpful advice 
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