The French ski resort of Alpe d’Huez has announced a new investment of 350 million Euros to make the resort more attractive to the international market.
The proposed work includes the renovation of existing accommodation and the building of new high-quality properties and, most interestingly, work to create one of the largest ski areas in Europe.
Famous in summer, but busy in winter
Alpe d’Huez is world famous for the 21 bends that take you up to the resort and that regularly feature in the Tour de France.
However, according to the Isère resort Tourist Office, 80% of the resort’s revenues are generated during winter.
New 5-Star Accommodation
The resort intends to use this summer to strengthen its reputation for winter activity.
According to François Badjily, head of the tourist office, a plan that has taken ten years to develop will now lead to 4600 new beds in four 5-star residences, as well as two 5-star hotels.
Surprisingly, the resort doesn’t currently have any 5-star hotels. These new developments are part of the resort’s plan to target the international market, which represents 52% of all winter visitors to Alpe d’Huez.
New Club Med
Club Med are a key partner in these changes, and they will completely renovate their La Sarenne property.
More environmentally friendly
Another part of the plan to attract international customers is to reduce the visibility of cars in resort.
A new lift will connect the village of Huez and both ends of the station, to encourage customers to abandon the car and make travel across the village itself easier.
Private owners will also be encouraged to improve their properties and to make them more energy efficient.
A new super-large ski area
Alpe d’Huez is also investing in the ski area.
International guests from countries like the UK tend to favour the larger ski areas, and after many years of discussion, Alpe d’Huez is now moving forward with the plan to connect the ski area with the neighbouring Les 2 Alpes.
This will require the construction of a new gondola costing €60 million and will take just 18 minutes to travel between the two resorts.
“The full ski area will eventually reach 800 km of pistes,” according to Badjily. “It will be one of the great European ski areas.”
Starting next winter, a Télémix (a mixed-use chair lift with a gondola cabin every four chairs) will replace two lifts and a chairlift.
This also answers the problem of helping young children use lifts, who are currently unable to use a chairlift unless accompanied by an adult.
Catered Chalets in Alpe d’Huez
If you would like to try out Alpe d’Huez and all the new features that are being introduced, then contact our team for details of the best catered chalets in Alpe d’Huez.
Our team can help you find the right chalet for you, your family or your group. Simply give us a call on 01822 617761 or contact us online and we’ll be delighted to help.
Article by Iain Martin