I recently visited Club Med Alpe d’Huez on a fam trip in the last week of April and, honestly, I know everyone thinks travel agents are just out here living their best lives but, we genuinely need to experience these places properly to be able to sell them well.
This was not my first Club Med experience, but it was definitely my favorite.
Going that late in the season, my expectations for snow were fairly low, but I was so pleasantly surprised. I completely overpacked warm clothes and ended up skiing most days in a t-shirt and ski jacket. The snow in the mornings was a little icy, the afternoons a little slushy, but right in the middle of the day it was absolutely perfect and I had the biggest smile on my face every single run.
Nicknamed “l’Isle au Soleil” (Island in the Sun), Alpe d’Huez is famous for its sunny position high on the plateau, with around 300 days of sunshine a year. Club Med really embraces this from the huge panoramic terrace to the beautiful 18-metre pool overlooking the Oisans mountains. Afternoon sunshine, snowy peaks and an Aperol Spritz in hand… perfection.
The resort itself is large, modern and incredibly comfortable, with 441 rooms and beautiful alpine-inspired décor throughout the communal spaces. My room had a lovely balcony overlooking the ski runs, and the views were so perfect they looked like they had been AI-generated.
The ski-in/ski-out convenience here is a game changer. No trudging through snow in your boots to get to your ski lockers. You literally walk down from breakfast in your trainers and voilà, you’re ready to ski. But not before a little shot of hot Génépi on the way to ski school to warm the cockles.
The food was exactly what you would expect from Club Med with endless choice and proper comfort food after a long day on the slopes. The buffet had everything from yummy soups and stews to burgers, chips and always pizza, alongside healthy salads, endless cheese and artisanal fresh breads. For those with a sweet tooth, there were pastries as far as the eye could see, chocolate fountains, and creamy delicious ice cream with multiple flavours every night for dessert.
I have skied a few times before, so I honestly did not think I “needed” ski school. But after hearing there were different levels, I happily signed up and it actually ended up being one of the most impressive parts of the trip for me.
Club Med assesses your skiing ability and places you into groups with people at a similar level from all over the world. I ended up in a group that suited me perfectly, which meant I could explore so much more of the mountain safely with an instructor and guide. It was also incredibly helpful having someone point out little bad habits I had picked up from skiing alone over the years and give me tips on how to improve.
You also spend quite a bit of time together on chair lifts during the day, so having a fun group really adds to the whole experience. Great skiing, good conversation and shared laughs along the way made the days even better.
Located in one of the largest ski areas in Europe, Alpe d’Huez has so much more to offer than just great skiing. There is a lively mountain town right on your doorstep with lots of shops, restaurants and bars to explore when you’re not on the slopes.
When it comes to après-ski, Club Med really gets it right, with music, sunshine, drinks on the terrace and that wonderful feeling that comes from spending a day in the mountains. If you’re after something a little more energetic, La Folie Douce is also nearby and easy to get to.
For thrill seekers, there’s even the famous “Rolla Coaster” alpine coaster near Les Bergers which is a 1km downhill ride reaching speeds of up to 40km/h through the mountain scenery.
And for serious skiers? This area is home to the legendary Sarenne which is the longest black run in Europe at 16km long. (Naturally, my fridge is now proudly displaying the magnet).
The resort is especially popular with families too. The kids and teen programmes looked fantastic, and at the end of the week the children performed in a concert for their proud parents which is such a lovely Club Med touch.
My days were filled with skiing, good food, fresh mountain air and great conversation. It felt like time had slowed down completely.
Friends were made, memories were created, and I remembered again why ski holidays are truly the best holidays.
