Family skiing in Alpe d’Huez – The trip that made me fall in love with skiing again

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Travel with kids

Published on Wednesday, 13 March 2019 12:10

Last Updated on 13 March 2019

Monica Costa

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Like its gorgeous slopes, Alpe d’Huez in France has something for everyone, as I recently found out. 

My first exciting trip of 2019 was to the mountains surrounding Lyon in Southern France. Ski aficionados will tell you that the slopes in Auris-en-Oisans (www.auris-en-oisans.fr/en) and Oz-en-Oisans (www.oz-en-oisans.com/en) have something to offer to all levels of expertise. 

Alpe d’Huez resorts are great for family trips because of the varied offering available including an excellent ski school, affordable accommodation, healthy nutritious food suitable for every palate, friendly and charming people as well as cutting-edge skiing gear and lifts. As an Italian used to the beautiful Dolomites mountains, Alpe d’Huez Grand Domaine Ski resorts have been a very pleasant discovery. 

Skiing 

This special trip has made me fall in love with skiing again after 30 years. Last time I went skiing I was a teenager. An instructor made me hate the sport and I decided then to hang my ski boots for good. But my 12-year old son’s passion for snow sports has forced me to revisit the experience. 

My French skiing instructors of the ESF ski school at Alpe d’Huez, Mathieu and Clement, were charming, patient and key to my change of heart. I managed to advance from the ‘green’ slopes to more ambitious terrains within hours. I was still a bit cautious on the ‘red’ slopes but also surprised to find spacious areas for me to practice and improve even in a short period of time. It’s been a priceless experience that helped boost my confidence.

Ski school:  
Ski lessons can be booked with ESF. For a full price list check www.aurisesf.com/

One half day ski tuition costs from 40€, and six half day ski tuition costs from 136€. 

Lift passes: 
A six-day adult lift pass for Alpe d’Huez Grande Domaine Ski costs from 272€ / £245.  
A full price list for lift passes can be found at www.skipass.alpedhuez.com

Nordic Walk and Wellness

Failing the skiing challenge, there are Nordic walking excursions to be had featuring staggering panoramic views.

Quite frankly, I could have sat and just admired the peaks for a week and gone home a happier and better person. The Nordic walk was very brisk and energising. It can be done in combination with skiing. Packages are available for more than one session and/or with wellness packages. 5 sessions + 1 pool/sauna ticket 120€, 3 sessions 75€, 1 session 28€. www.esf-ozenoisans.com

Contact : +33 (0)4 76 79 85 29

Accommodation

HÔTEL RESTAURANT Le Beau Site
Price per night from 89 € / £80 for a double room
www.hotel-lebeausite-auris.fr

Hôtel Eterlou
Price per night from 88 € / £79 for a double room
www.chaletsoz.com

Dog sledding 

The Nordic Quest sledding ride is truly fascinating, an unmissable activity for kids and Huskies’ lovers. ‘Wolf Pack’ leader Ludovic explains everything about his dogs – their personalities and roles within the pack – before the dogs take you for a ride – puppy cuddles are included. www.facebook.com/NordicQuest/

 

La Folie Douce Alpe d’Huez

If you love grooving, this is a fantastic outdoor disco at the top of the slopes in Oz-en-Oisans for après-ski. www.lafoliedouce.com

Restaurants and bars 

Auberge de la Foret is a cosy French family restaurant with the best homemade food I’ve had outside of Italy in a long time and lovely hosts who made our dinner memorable. www.aubergedelaforet-oisans.com +33(0)4 76 80 06 01

La PotéeOz, Oz-en-Oisans

For those missing home, there is a lovely ‘pub’ called La PotéeOzin Oz-en-Oisans where the locals and the skiers gather for drinks and food at the end of the day. I drunk the best mulled wine in Oz and had a delicious Montagnarde, which is Raclette cheese with a fried egg on top. +33 4 76 11 09 24 / Website

Traiteurs Monts & Merveilles

Monts & Merveilles deliver dinners to your holiday home in Oz, Vaujany, Villard Reculas so you don’t need to cook after skiing. The menu I sampled was sophisticated and nutritious. It included Salmon tartar with avocado and herbs, Poulet Crevis (chicken crayfish and ravioli and mushroom gratin) and Sheep yoghurt panna cotta with marinated prunes and granola. For 125 euros per person you get 5 homemade meals per week. Children get 50% discount. www.oztraiteur.fr +33 (0)6 26 55 75 00   

 

Le Bar Bichette, Auris-en-Oisans+33 (0)4 76 79 85 04 

La Bûcherie, Auris-en-Oisans+33 6 07 05 77 87

L’Alpette – Chez Passoud +33 (0)04 76 80 70 00 / Website 

Flights

The direct flights from Heathrow airport to Lyon with BA or from London Gatwick to Grenoble with easyJet (from £55)make it easy to travel with kids from London. 

Return direct flights from London Gatwick to Grenoble cost from £55 with easyJet 
Return direct flights from Leeds Bradford to Grenoble cost from £82 with Jet2  
Return direct flights from Edinburgh to Grenoble cost from £55 with easyJet 

Transfers: 
Transfers to Auris-en-Oisans can be booked with Intervallées Transport. For more information please visit https://transport-auris.fr 

Transfers to Oz-en-Oisans can be booked with Taxi d’Oz http://taxi-oisans.fr +33 6 87 41 99 96 

 

Read the full feature in the London Mums magazine Spring 2019 London Mums magazine Spring 2019