Today, plaques read the names of Coppi, Armstrong and other participants who have finished first here. The French and other ski enthusiasts know Alpe d'Huez today for more than a finish line, however. Based in the Central French Alps in Huez, Alpe d'Huez sits right at 1860 meters with a flat-topped crest and boast some of the coolest ski runs around.
In the later 1960s, Alpe d'Huez competed against other highbrow resorts, such as Courchevel, in the bid for France's best purpose built ski resort. In 1968, the Winter Olympics competed in the bobsled race here, too. However, the direct sunlight often caused hazardous thawing of the track. Everything from a more powerful cooling system to liquid nitrogen and walls built for shade were essential to make sure the games could go on. The track was later shut down four years later because of risk and operating costs. Supposedly the track still stands in Alpe d'Huez as a token (and perhaps scar) of its Olympic heyday.
The Alpe d'Huez ski resort sits proudly in the Grandes Rousses and is sometimes nicknamed "L'ile au Soleil," or Island in the Sun for its 300 or more days of sun per year. If you compare all the ski resorts in France up against the possible skiing area they provide, Alpe d'Huez would rank fifth as a bridge to Oz, Villard-Reculas, Aurls-en-Olsans and Vaujany villages with well over 200 km (236 km and counting) of runs and pistes to try over 10,000 hectares. When you get up to the 3,330 meter Pic Blanc (mountain), you can see the Meije, Mont Cervin and the unrivaled Mont Blanc.
If you've heard that certain resorts offer something for every level of skier, then this won't be new to you. Alpe d'Huez truly offers something for everyone?whether you need to join a beginner school or find the best black runs this side of the Alps, they've got it. If you're still not a believer, just read the breakdown of the type of skiing you'll find in Alpe d'Huez:
Though stats rarely agree, most suggest that there are 123 total ski runs in Alpe d'Huez alone. These are broken down to 36 beginner runs, 70 intermediate runs and 17 advanced runs?surely enough to keep the family all flying downhill faster than ever. Plus, you'll be able to coast down 16km from the highest 3,330 meter Pit Blanc. This ski resort can easily handle 95,000 skiers per hour up the 84 lifts. And, during the high season, you can rest assured that they do handle this many skiers, though you shouldn't have to wait in queue too long to get up to some of the best runs.
If you're into freeskiing, this is one of the central places to get up to altitude to do it. The snow making machines and cannons keep the south-facing slopes covered in cool powder that would usually melt and turn to ice come nightfall. With a 2,230-meter vertical drop and the long La Sarenne (one of Europe's longest black runs) to impress even the higher-level skiers, it's no wonder that all levels come to Alpe d'Huez to try their luck (and their lives!) at such fun in the sun and snow. You can reach most of these from the local accommodation.
You can buy a one-day or one-week (or more if necessary) ski pass that will connect you to all or some of the ski areas surrounding . If you're wondering how to get here, it's a simple one to two hour drive by car or two hour bus ride from Grenoble; from Lyon, it may take about three hours by bus and only two by car; from Chambery, you can get here in less than two hours by car. Such accessibility assures that no matter where you book your flight, you'll have no excuse to try your hand at one of France's largest ski resort areas.
The resort area of Alpe d'Huez is used to seeing a fair number of tourist. As such, you can find hotels, chalets, cabins, apartments, houses and all sorts of other accommodation here. If you wait until high season, though, you'll be lucky to find anything within a budget price. The main quarters of Alpe d'Huez is Quartier des Jeux, Vieil Alpe and Bergers. Quartier des Jeux is where you'll find most of the hotels, shops, restaurants and nightlife. Quartier Bergers gives you a nice fifteen-minute walk to the center. If you're looking for self-catering accommodation, then
Not far from Lucerne and Zurich, Engelberg used to be recognized for spa treatments. When skiing became popular, however, people who had the leisure time and the money came to ski. Though the secret of skiing here is in the open, it's still feasible to experience nature for yourself and breathe clean, crisp mountain air. Because of the altitude, the ski season is about as long as is possible in Europe. Located in the Urner Alps, the ski season starts as early as October and finishes as late as May.
Engelberg Switzerland, though small in population, has always had an open mind for change and advancement. In fact, the first Swiss Confederation took shape here. There is still an existing and functioning monastery that used to be a renowned school; today it houses several important pieces of history. Additionally, the town was the first in Switzerland to install an electric rail line. Moreover, there is a 'Rotair' cable car (like a tram) that goes 3020 meters to the Titlis Glacier skiing. Often the ski area is referred to as the Engelberg Titlis Ski resort. At the top of the Titlis glacier, there is a tunnel that goes through the glacier. If you walk from one side to the other, you'll be in a whole other canton (a Swiss state).
The Alpine-esque design of Engelberg fits the classic Swiss style but caters to the throngs of visitors who need a place to stay. Though thousands of people can visit here at any one time-especially during the high ski season-the architecture gives the touches of a remote alpine village and not a bustling ski resort. The alpine backdrop sort of frames a picture perfect ski area and forges a bond between nature and man. As you might find elsewhere in Switzerland, Engelberg Titlis creates an aura of something simpler and woody with the best skiing and technology for transporting skiers and accommodation in all of Europe. It's easy to be swallowed by the alpine feel as the trees encompass you up to 2000 meters.
The terrain at Engelberg Titlis ski resort can be broken down by percentage or by the number of runs. Beginners and Advanced/Expert skiers will share the same percentage with 20% each. Engelberg is really created for the intermediate skier, and they'll get the most with 60% of the runs dedicated to blue. If you're into cross-country skiing, then Engelberg is the place to be. There are an astounding 41 km of trails for you to get your skis waxed up and ready to go. If cross-country skiing isn't your thing, then the 82 kilometers of downhill pistes will keep you and your family busy for days on end. You can ride for 12 km and lose 2000 meters of altitude up from the Titlis glacier and down to Engelberg-one of the longest in Europe! If you like oxygen deprivation and long ski runs, the highest of the 26 ski lifts will take you up to 3020 meters. The lowest pistes reside at 1050 meters with the resort right below that at 1000 meters. There's a terrain park for snowboarders and even they are welcome on any of the runs in Engelberg.
Engelberg is ready to serve you with a smile. The locals actually depend on it as 75% of the jobs here are in the service industry. The workers are here to make sure you have a good vacation on some of the best slopes in Europe. The monks that started the collegiate church so long ago have been helping people for years. The journey here is worth the niceties you'll experience. After you explore the monastery and some of the town, you can find more than skiing at Engelberg and on the Titlis glacier.
There is a glacier grotto, ice walking excursions and a freestyle park all housed here. Families or partners with children will love to come here, as there is an array of activities for children (from lama petting in the summer and horse drawn tobogganing in the winter). Try the Brunni Trail with information plaques on life and nature or the Four Lake Tour (Lake Trub, Engstlen, Lake Tannen to Lake Melch) gives families a fun exploration journey.
Getting to and staying at Engelberg Titlis Switzerland is both effortless and economical. If you're coming from an international location, it might be best to fly to Zurich and then hire a car for the one hour drive; you can do the same from Basel, but it will take you around one and a half hours. Or, there is a train from Zurich to Luzerne that takes less than 50 minutes. From Luzerne, you can take one of the hourly trains to Engelberg. Ski weekends are always doable. The prices for individuals and families aren't sky high either. One adult will pay around 230 CHF for a five-day ski pass. Buying a one-day ski pass won't save you any money, as it will cost you about 55 CHF. Family and group ski passes are available, but be prepared to factor in your accommodation price and costs of food-up this high in the mountains of Europe, nothing is cheap.
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