I am 23 years old a graduate of Bangor University, Wales. Where I have a degree in Marine Biology an...
I am 23 years old a graduate of Bangor University, Wales. Where I have a degree in Marine Biology and Oceanography. I love scuba diving, going out with my friends and just having a good time over all :)
Member since:30.01.2001
Reviews:30
Members who trust:15
Alpe d'Huez is where I have spent the last 4 seasons skiing, and I have to say I want to live there. This resort is one of the best resorts I have ever been to, with slopes for all types of people to Beginner’s (which is what I was when I first went there) to expert. This resort has the longest black ski run in the world it is massive and I have to say personally very scary and I refuse to even look down it otherwise ski down it.
The slopes on Alpe d’Huez has great skiing for all age groups also, many youngsters are there going down the slopes at a hundred miles per hour with no fear in the world. The Ski School there are also excellent, all of the instructors can speak perfect English and you are not mixed with other tourists from other countries so you do not feel left out, at al. All the stages in Ski School are specific and it is almost impossible to get into the wrong class. I have attended the Ski School there for three years and have found it one of the best I have been to, with them so friendly and encouraging you all the way to make sure you can do your best.
The Runs: The village is set at the bottom of a huge bowl high in the French alps. From the bowl you can ski into the surrounding valleys, on the glacier at the top and even down the backside of the huge ridge. There are a number of challenging courses down the front of the ridge, some interesting tree skiing below the main bowl, and excellent access to the main slopes. There is even a tunnel you can ski through the ridge from the glacier at the back to a superb bowl at the front. The black runs down the back of the mountain are the longest I have ever seen and challenging more for endurance than outright difficulty.
The resort has a huge number of runs and covers a massive area, with links to several other resorts. You can get a variety of different lift passes covering different combinations of ski areas. You can easily ski from anywhere to anywhere and back home again without having to take a bus or make any walking traverses. You can ski into and out of several chalets and there is a run right through the centre of the village. Beware, it is narrow and crowded at the end of the day, but lots of fun.
For the beginners out there, there are a number of gentle slops one called Snow Board Hill which is a very gentle hill which has a button lift going across it, this is good to practice on until you get your confidence up and go on some more challenging routes. After Snow Board Hill you can progress to the Bunny Slopes which are very easy greens, and has a lift which can take you to different parts, so you can go as high as you confidence will let you.
As for the expert skiers out there, there are a number of course for you. The longest black run course, which is through a tunnel with a very steep drop on the other side, if that is not quite for you, then there are some lower down slopes which are either easy red or blue. They consist of long but quite easy slopes with beautiful scenery and chances to go off course so you really never go the same way twice.
The snow there is excellent with snow even in Early December for skiing. I have always preferred to go in the off season at the beginning of December and have found that there is plenty of snow and great sunshine.
There are a number of things to do besides skiing, the bars and clubs there are amazing although the prices are a bit expensive, however the discounts that you can get from the Hotels help you out. There a number of bars and clubs to go to, most of the run by English people, Sharky’s having to be one of my favourites.
There is also an out-door swimming pool which is truly amazing, swimming in warm water while it is snowing around you is something else. There is also a local gym where you get free passage into with your ski lift, and this is the same for the swimming pool.
There are a number of local restaurants all around however all shops shut at 12-2 o'clock, so get your shopping done before or after that time, there is also a local arcade place for the younger children which has a miniature ten pin bowling and a bar for the adults.
The price of beer and sprits are quite expensive around £3 for a glass of beer although it is not a proper pint, I advise buying from the local supermarket where there are two, where the beer is a lot cheaper.
The Hotels there are all very nice and cheap with the Hotel Reps very friendly and always organizing something to do. You can go on Bar Crawls, Go-Carting and other excretions that the Hotel Provide
Over all this is the best holiday/skiing place I feel that you go for teenagers and if you want to have some great skiing with a great night life then this is the place to go.
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Advantages:
Good for beginners, good nightlife, sunny, access to La Grave, free swimming/skating Disadvantages: Limited skiing, not ideal resort layout, frustrating slope and lift layout at hometime
tomstainer 28.06.2006 ·
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Review of
Les Deux Alpes
Jan 30th, 2001
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