Alpe d'Huez at Easter?

A snowHead

Hi all,

Just come back from first ski holiday at Easter with the little ones learning to ski (4&6) in Val d'Isere as a real treat for my 40th. Have been skiing across some of France and done Tignes, Les Arcs, La Plagne, La Ros, 3 valleys and a little in Italy in Sestriere.

We're a part of 12 going to a self catered chalet next Easter and will be driving down. We've been given some decent priced options in Alpe d'Huez and Les Menuires. Not been to either before, so looking for any guidance on whether the snow is strong in late March.

Any info on those two places or other personal suggestions/chalet recommendations would be gratefully received.

Thanks in advance!

A snowHead

been there but only in Dec - Jan.
Honestly, i liked Alpe d'Huez more than Les Menuires, however in April i think Les M. in combination with Val Thorens will be a better option.
Alpe d'Huez has many south oriented slope = slushy snow , especially in the beginner area.

Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

Did ADH last Easter (which was the last week of March) and loved it. It was my kid's first ski holiday, they'd only done Tamworth lessons prior to that, and the area was perfect for them. Its big enough for anyone who is experienced to cover some miles but for total beginners who won't be munching up the miles, there are tons of blue and green runs spread over the whole domain.

We stayed in Oz, which is nicely connected to the main ADH area and also to the Montfrais sector above Vaujany, which is quite nice for learners, as it's flowing and there are loads of beginnery areas.

Oz is great and it's very easy to drive to. Much easier to get to than the main ADH sector or Auris by road, as it's before Bourg D'Oisans. Have a look on Sunweb so you get lift passes thrown in - we stayed in Chalet Des Nieges, and there are multiple options for bigger groups (we went as a party of 8 ) - although across Oz and Vaujany there seem to be a plethora of good chalets so I doubt you'll be short on choice.

Snow-wise you can never guarantee but we had plenty when we were there; snow the first night then two days of on-off dumping that set us up for the whole week. Obvs Oz being at 1350m may get slushy quicker than other areas but the beginner slope and the main runs back down were open throughout the week, even when the sun got hot. Up at Montfrais there was no issue with snow, are higher up the mountain.

If you're driving down then there are multiple shopping options around Grenoble and Vizelle; the shops in Oz were handy but the usual expensive ski resort produces for essentials. We just did a big shop down in the valley and it pretty much lasted the whole week (apart from we seriously underestimated beer consumption Very Happy

). And parking in Oz is free, although you do need to navigate some steps to get to chalets.

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We've been to ADH at Easter in 2010 and 2017, and at Christmas in 2010 and 2013.

url=https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=3033412]Last trip TR here.[/url]

Totally agree with Specialman on Oz and about the skiing.

As you will see from full list of TR's our allegiance has switched to Les Menuires in recent years. But I wouldn't put you off either.

Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Thank you for this information team!

The chalets in ADH are in the 'altiport' area, so will also check out Oz. I was worried about the lower altitude there and Easter slopes in the afternoon in all honesty.

The other temptation is to head back to my old stomping ground in Vallandry (Les Arcs) but again south facing slopes can be rather quick to lose their snow later in the season. When we drove past this year it was clear that 3 or 4 of the main pistes down through the trees had already gone.

Thanks!

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@VallandrySeasonnaire, you can see where Altiport area is on this map (top right)

https://www.alpedhuez.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/12/alpedhuez-plan-station-hiver-2024-2025.pdf

I have stayed in ADH itself once (before I had children). It's quite a big station and IMO Oz is much better for a family group. Easy access to two cable cars out of town, good access to beginner slopes, it has a sledging slope, etc.

Then you can post your own questions or snow reports...

@VallandrySeasonnaire, I've also skied Paradiski a lot (out of Les Coches) usually. I would give Oz/ADH a go tbh. Would be a nice change for you.

After all it is free

@VallandrySeasonnaire, I think from memory, the gondola from Oz to the Alpette area is about 8 mins and the one up tot Poutran (the main access to the big ADH bowl) is probably 10 mins, so very accessible. I believe the big cable car from Vaujany up to Alpette is also really swift and there's a second chairlift that takes you up to Montfrais. So if snow isn't great down in resort then it's a very short hop to get to it.

in April probably Vaujany will have no snow at al in the Village, but for families i find it better als Oz.
Didnt stay in Oz, but we were in Decembe in Vaujany and i loved it.
They have a huge ice ring, and a nice swimming pool , and they make also a programm everyday with the two masquots, mini concerts etc. ITs really family friendly resort. Is a littlbe bit stragne with the going up and down to the village with the rolling stairs, but finally it was not a problem at all. We habe booked a big ski locker at the ESF meeting point, and was not a problem at all...practically ski in ski out

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@VallandrySeasonnaire, this map shows the meeting places for ski schools (1, 2, 3 - red, blue, green circles...

https://static.lesmenuires.com/files/plan-Menuires-hiver.pdf

Not that I've used them.

We've stayed in apartment blocks Adonis (Bruyerre), Lac de Lou and Lauzes (Croisette), Le Jettay (Fontanettes) previously.

snow reports

Apologies for threadjack but this may be of interest re. Easter 2026 ski hol:

The UK School Easter Hols 2026 start a week earlier than France which presents a rare opportunity to ski a little earlier on quieter slows with possibly cheaper accom and better snow (no guarantees!)

An Unofficial Spring Family Bash 2026 has been proposed (by me) here: [url=]https://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=5435558#5435558[/url]

Proposing Val Thorens (to retain possibility of upgrade to official Bash if there is sufficient interest) but open to other resorts.

Thanks all. We have decided on Les Menuires. Appreciate all the information and knowledge. Cheers!

You know it makes sense.

@Layne, that looks to be a Portes du Soleil map. Is that what you meant to post?

Otherwise you'll just go on seeing the one name:

@sugarmoma666, err, no lol. Will correct in case anyone refers back to the thread.

A snowHead

Been to ADH in both Jan and mid-March. The latter was getting v slushy by 2pm on the runs into town as there are a lot of south facing runs. I wont go in March again for that reason.

Help!!

Alpe d'Huez at Easter?

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