This sleepy alpine town of small shops and friendly cafés lies nestled against one of Europe’s biggest winter sports resorts.
Settle into a slower pace of life and enjoy your breathtaking mountain surroundings in Huez. Put your skis on and head for the top of the mountain or snowplow your way gently down the beginner slopes.
Begin exploring the vast Southern Alps with a tour of this small town farther removed from the tourist trail than the busy resorts nearby. Sip on a coffee or hot chocolate and admire the rolling scenery around you or enjoy the town’s excellent shopping. Several stores sell fashionable mountain gear. Cyclists and skiers will be pleased to find plenty of sporting goods shops.
When you’re ready for action, take the short journey north to the white slopes that disappear high up and into the clouds. Rent skis and snowboards from the ski centers or book lessons with experienced instructors.
Beginners will be pleased to find gentle conditions at Rif Nel and Les Jeux, a fine selection of green-graded slopes reached by surface lifts while the tracks at the western bowl cater to intermediates. For a pleasant daytrip, ski north to the villages of Oz and Vaujany that are linked by trails.
Jump into the larger gondolas that will whisk you toward Pic Blanc 10,925 feet (3,330 metres) above sea level. Gaze for miles in every direction before you take hold of your poles and begin the descent. At 10 miles (16 kilometres) long, the Sarenne run is one of the longest black routes in the Alps. Shorter but steeper is Le Tunnel.
Huez itself has several hotels and small restaurants. Find more options a short drive north at the resort of Alpe d'Huez, a frequent stage on the cycling Tour de France. Huez is a 2-hour drive southeast of Lyon and 6 hours southeast of Paris.
Find peace and tranquility minutes from one of Europe’s premier winter resorts at Huez.
