Alpe d'Huez
Also known as: Bike Park Alpe d'Huez
Pic Blanc glacier, Ecrins and Grandes Rousses panoramas, and the legendary Megavalanche descent through varied alpine zones.
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at Alpe d'Huez - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
Green/blue/red/black graded itineraries plus enduro and discovery routes; Megavalanche-standard high-alpine lines at the top.
Beginners use discovery/green routes near the resort; advanced riders take DMC/Pic Blanc lifts for descent-only high-alpine lines and Megavalanche-style descents to Allemond. Lifts let a group split by grade and meet at resort or valley bases.
Broad appeal with family discovery routes plus expert DH/enduro; big vertical suits confident groups. Iconic race-host status draws advanced riders.
The riding
Snowfields and rock up high, then scree, alpine pasture and forested lines to the valley; mix of natural and built DH.
Wide range from flow to steep technical; the Megavalanche/high-alpine lines cross snowfields, rock and scree with significant exposure at altitude.
Signposted, colour-graded itineraries; Trailforks widely used. Pic Blanc high-alpine terrain benefits from GPS.
Busy in summer, peaking hugely around the Megavalanche; quieter on peripheral enduro routes.
Season & conditions
Summer lifts typically ~late Jun to late Aug/early Sep (2026 dates confirmed nearer season); Pic Blanc glacier terrain snow-dependent.
Late June to end of August.
Hosts La Megavalanche (2026 ~10-12 Jul), the world's longest mass-start DH; high-alpine snow descents early season.
High-altitude cold, storms and snow at Pic Blanc; afternoon thunderstorms lower down.
Getting there & gear
MTB lift pass required (day/multi-day; ~EUR2 card fee); no lottery. Megavalanche requires separate race entry.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Alpe d'Huez resort center; lift network from village and Allemond. ~1 hr+ from Grenoble.
DMC/Marmottes/Pic Blanc lifts plus Signal and valley lifts carry bikes; regional buses from Grenoble. Grenoble/Lyon nearest airports.
DH/enduro bike and full protection essential; warm layers for Pic Blanc; carry water. Mobile coverage good in resort, patchy high up.
Bike shops, rentals, washes, cafes and medical services in the resort; restaurants/toilets at lift stations.
Alpe d'Huez bike school and rental shops; UCC Sport Event (Megavalanche organizer); nearby Les 2 Alpes hub.
Hazards & rescue
Snow/scree hazards up high, big vertical and speed, altitude and weather change; Megavalanche crowds. Pic Blanc lines snow-dependent.
Not required for the park; self-guided normal. High-alpine lines best with guiding/local knowledge; Megavalanche is an organized event.
Lift-served with exits to resort/valley; bike patrol; French mountain rescue via 112. High-alpine sections lengthen rescue times.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.