Dec 07, 2018 / FRANCE

Alpe d'Huez Property Investment Guide

The resort at Alpe d’Huez is built above the valley town of Bourg d’Oisans. Perched atop the mountain it provides a wonderfully sunny experience, mirrored in the sunny disposition of the area’s population of 1,400. The journey to the resort provides wonderful scenery looking over the Alps as you meander through 21 bends to reach the top.

Nearby, Grenoble hosted the 10th Winter Olympics in 1968 providing infrastructure investment into the area. It is also regularly part of the route of the Tour de France. The weather report for Alpe d’Huez is enticing, April to September provide the best weather, with pleasant average temperatures. April is the driest month and August the wettest. The snow report for Alpe d’Huez suggests that March normally sees the heaviest snowfall, with an average of 250cm on the upper slopes. Find out more about the historic snow and weather reports here.

Living in Alpe d’Huez and things to do

The ski resort is the fifth largest ski area in France, encompassing the slopes of outlying villages of Auris, Villard Reculas, Oz en Oisans and Vaujany. These five neighbouring resorts are linked together, though the others are quieter, and their slopes lower in altitude. The wide range of slopes at Alp d'Huez and its variable terrain makes this an excellent spot for beginners, intermediates, and experts alike. There are 63 lifts making getting around the site easier than at many similar resorts. The wide variety of slopes provide, wide runs, enjoyment runs, speedy runs, beginners runs, and valley runs, truly something for everyone. The length of the slopes in total is 250km and the longest, La Sarenne, is 16km. More details can be found in our Alpe d’Huez resort guide.

Skiing and snowboarding aside there are lots of things to do in Alpe d’Huez. The shopping options are fantastic, offering a selection of high-end boutiques and casual clothing stores. The leisure centre offers a variety of different sports and activities and hosts its own cinema. There is a 700m Alpine Coaster that goes up to 40kph. You can also take a tour of the area in a sled pulled by huskies. For those who want a slightly more relaxing experience several high-end spas have recently opened, giving you the opportunity to rest and replenish.

Culture in Alpe d’Huez

If you want to soak up some culture while you’re here, then the local museum should be your first port of call. It hosts a variety of exhibitions that have a focus on local history and geography. The area has been inhabited since the middle ages when it hosted a small castle and several silver mines.

The local church is designed in a style that resembles a silhouette of the Virgin Mary. Its pipe organ is unique and takes the form of a hand drawn up towards the sky. Every Thursday the church holds a classical music night, which all are welcome to attend. Visiting or living in Alpe d’Huez you quickly realise what an intriguing place it is. Having had constant investment over the years, its architecture is an eclectic mix of different styles.

Investment opportunities in Alpe d’Huez

Buying a property in Alpe d’Huez is an excellent investment as the area has fantastic infrastructure and facilities while continuing to grow and expand. There are opportunities to invest in a range of different properties as the resort caters to a diverse range of visitors. Small lodgings and chalets are in high demand, especially during the winter months. Top of the range 5-star hotels are a new addition to the area, making now an excellent time to get in on the bottom floor. There are also opportunities in retail and dining establishments.

In 2017 they announced a €350 million investment scheme for the area. This will allow the resort to make use of its natural advantages and to develop into one of France’s premier ski destinations. This should drastically raise the number of people visiting and the number of investments opportunities. The new developments will also create 500 jobs for residents increasing local spending power and meaning more chance for good returns during the off-season.

Transport to Alpe d’Huez

The closest airport is at Grenoble (106km) and the drive from there takes 90 minutes. If you are not driving yourself, you can take private transfer via either a taxi or minibus. Grenoble airport is about 45 minutes away from the bus station. There you can get a bus directly to the resort. There is no extra charge for bringing equipment on the bus, but if you’re not there early enough, there may not be space. If arriving in Paris by either train or plane, there are direct fast TGV trains to Grenoble that take 3 hours.

An alternative option is to fly into Geneva where there are far more flight paths and the airfare is often cheaper. However, this is double the distance to the resort at 200km.

Investments in Alpe d'Huez remain highly desirable, due to the excellent transport links, continuing development of their superb facilities and the wide range of opportunities available.