3 Days in Alpe d’Huez With Kids: Our Family Itinerary

We had never considered visiting a ski resort during the summer, but Alpe d’Huez turned out to be an excellent destination for an active family break.

Surrounded by spectacular mountain scenery, the resort offers plenty to do beyond hiking, including a rail luge, tubing, swimming and family-friendly mountain lifts. We spent three days in Alpe d’Huez as part of our summer road trip to Italy and found more than enough to keep our three children entertained.

Alpe d’Huez at a glance

Duration: Three days
Who we travelled with: Two adults and three children
Best for: Active families, mountain views and outdoor activities
Budget: €€
Getting around: Walking, free local buses and mountain lifts

Our three-day Alpe d’Huez itinerary

Day 1: Arrive → Explore Alpe d’Huez → Play pétanque → Pizza
Day 2: Rail luge → Tubing and airbag activities → Outdoor swimming pool → Fondue
Day 3: Visit Pic Blanc → Walk to Lac Besson → Picnic and playground → Rail luge → Burgers

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Day 1: Arriving and exploring Alpe d’Huez

We arrived in Alpe d’Huez during the afternoon and checked into our Airbnb before taking a walk around the resort.

This was our first visit to a mountain resort in summer, so we used the afternoon to get our bearings and find the main lifts, restaurants and activity areas.

Our family-friendly Airbnb (more further down and link)

Our Airbnb was an excellent size for a family of five, with two double beds and two single bunk beds. It could accommodate up to six people.

Playing pétanque in Alpe d’Huez

Dinner in Alpe d’Huez

For our first evening, we ate pizza at Allo Papapizza. The pizza was really tasty, reasonably priced (52 euros for 3 pizzas and a beer) and served quickly, which was exactly what we needed after a day of travelling.

Drinks could be ordered from the wine bar next door (La Babouche), giving us an easy dinner for the children without missing out on a decent glass of wine.

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Day 2: Rail luge, tubing and swimming

Our second day was dedicated to some of the resort’s most popular family activities.

Taking the free gondola to Bergers

We began by taking the free local gondola across the resort to the Bergers area. Walking may have been just as quick, but this was our children’s first gondola ride and made the journey part of the experience.

The Bergers area is home to the rail luge, tubing slopes and airbag activities, making it an easy place to spend several hours.

Alpe d’Huez rail luge

The rail luge is similar to a toboggan fixed to a track. Riders control their own speed using a brake as they travel around bends, through tunnels and over bumps.

Children under three cannot ride. Children who are under 1.35 metres tall and under eight years old must ride with an adult. Each luge can carry up to two people, subject to a combined maximum weight of 150kg.

We bought six rides for €30. The tickets were charged per luge rather than per person, so two people could ride together using one ticket.

Matilda and Wilf shared a luge, while I travelled with Toby. This allowed the kids to have more turns from the bundle we had purchased. We completed the course without using the brake very much and found it fast and exciting, but still felt completely safe.

The rail luge was one of our favourite activities in Alpe d’Huez and we enjoyed it so much that we returned the following day.

Tubing and airbag activities

Next, we tried the tubing and airbag activities. We paid €30 for 12 rides across the different attractions.

The airbag jump involved jumping from a platform onto a large inflatable landing area. It initially looked intimidating, but after watching for a few minutes, Matilda and Wilf both decided to try it.

There were also tubing tracks where children could ride down the slope in large inflatable rings. Toby was four at the time and could use the main tubing slope, although the airbag activity had a higher minimum age.

Age, height and opening restrictions can change, so check the current rules before visiting.

Golf in Alpe d’Huez

While we were at the Bergers activities, James played golf at the resort’s nine-hole par three course.

The course was within walking distance of our apartment and cost €24, with impressive mountain views included. If one parent enjoys golf, this is an easy activity to combine with a morning at Bergers for the rest of the family.

Lunch at our apartment

We returned to our apartment for a simple pasta pesto lunch using food we had brought from home.

The supermarkets in the resort were relatively expensive, so bringing breakfast and lunch ingredients helped us reduce our food costs. Having a kitchen also made it easier to balance restaurant meals with inexpensive food at the apartment.

Alpe d’Huez outdoor swimming pool

In the afternoon, we visited the heated outdoor swimming pool in the centre of Alpe d’Huez.

The family ticket cost €18 for up to five people, and children under five were free. The pool was heated and had uninterrupted views across the mountains, making it one of the most memorable swimming locations we have visited.

There was no set time limit, so families could easily spend several hours here. Picnic benches were available and visitors could bring food and snacks.

One important point to know is that fitted swimming trunks are compulsory for boys and men. Loose swimming shorts are not permitted, although suitable trunks can be purchased at the pool.

Fondue

For dinner, we ate at La Authentique and ordered two fondues for the adults and three children’s raclettes.

Our children all love cheese, so the meal was a success and the fondue made dinner feel like an activity in itself. The children’s portions were generous and, in hindsight, our youngest probably did not need a separate meal. There was plenty of bread, ham and cheese for everyone to share.

The meal cost approximately €98, excluding wine.

Restaurant: La Authentique
Best for: Fondue, raclette and a traditional mountain meal
Tip: Consider sharing if you have younger children, as the portions were generous

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Day 3: Pic Blanc and Lac Besson

Our final day combined a trip to the top of Pic Blanc with an easy family walk and another visit to the rail luge.

Visiting Pic Blanc

We used the mountain lifts to travel to the summit of Pic Blanc, which sits at an altitude of 3,330 metres.

The journey took approximately 30 minutes and involved several stages. The views from the summit were spectacular and this was one of the highlights of our stay.

Even during the summer, it was noticeably colder at the top. Take extra layers for everyone, even if the weather is warm in the resort.

We bought a one-day Fun Pass, which cost approximately €22 per person for our family and included lift access and one rail-luge ride per ticket. Kids under 5 are free.

Different pedestrian and mountain-biking passes are available, including multi-day options. We would consider trying mountain biking on a future visit when our children are older.

Walking from the mountain lifts to Lac Besson

After visiting Pic Blanc, we returned to the middle lift station and followed walking route 19 towards Lac Besson.

The walk took us approximately 40 minutes each way and was manageable with our three children. There were streams to cross, insects to spot and plenty of mountain views along the route, which helped keep the children interested.

A free bus also serves Lac Besson, providing the option to walk in one direction and take the bus back. We chose to walk both ways.

Picnic and playground at Lac Besson

Lac Besson is a particularly good stopping point for families. There are picnic benches, places to sit and a small children’s playground overlooking the surrounding mountains.

We brought a packed lunch and ate beside the lake before beginning the return walk.

Check the lift information carefully

On our way back, we accidentally took the wrong lift down. The summer piste map showed that this lift was closed when it was actually operating, which caused some confusion.

Next time, I would download the official resort app and use the live lift information rather than relying solely on the printed map. It is also worth checking the name of your return lift with a member of staff before boarding.

One final ride on the rail luge

Once we returned to the resort, we used the rail-luge rides included with our passes. As this had been the children’s favourite activity, it was a fitting way to end our final afternoon.

Dinner at Le Trappeur

For our last evening, we ate burgers at Le Trappeur (€94.50 euros)

The food was tasty and the children’s portions were very large. Our two younger children could easily have shared one meal, so it is worth checking the portion sizes before ordering.

Restaurant: Le Trappeur
Best for: Burgers and an informal family meal
Tip: Younger children may be able to share a portion

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Where to stay in Alpe d’Huez with children

We stayed in a centrally located Airbnb close to the outdoor swimming pool. Our Airbnb was an excellent size for a family of five, with two double beds and two single bunk beds. It could accommodate up to six people.

The apartment had a traditional Alpine feel, with plenty of wood panelling, alongside a modern kitchen and bathroom. Its location was particularly convenient, just a short walk from the outdoor swimming pool. Its kitchen allowed us to prepare breakfasts and lunches, which helped to offset the cost of eating in the resort.

There was free parking available, we left our car outside as we had a roof box, but there was also indoor parking with a 1.90m height restriction.

Bed linen was not included in the standard price, so we took our own. This was fine as we were travelling by car (and we needed it for our campsite later too), but it is worth checking the additional linen charge before booking.

View the apartment on Airbnb.

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What our three days in Alpe d’Huez cost

Expense	Cost for a family of five
Accommodation	£397
Rail luge	€30
Tubing and airbag activities	€30
Outdoor swimming pool	€18
Fun Passes	€88
Golf	€24
Restaurants meals	€244
Total	£769

Approximate cost per person: £153

Prices were correct at the time of our visit (Aug 26) and may change. Check current prices and opening times/dates before travelling.

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Our favourite things to do in Alpe d’Huez with kids

1. Ride the rail luge

This was our children’s favourite activity. It was fast, but you can slow the speed but using the brake.

2. Swim with a mountain view

The heated outdoor pool was good value, warm and had great views!

3. Visit the summit of Pic Blanc

The journey to 3,330 metres was an experience in itself, and the views from the top were exceptional.

4. Tubing

The standard tubing slope was suitable for our youngest child, while the older children could also try the more adventurous activities.

5. Walk to Lac Besson

This was an achievable family walk with streams, wildlife, a picnic area and a playground at the end.

6. Play pétanque

The free pétanque court beside L’Atelier was an easy activity for our arrival afternoon. The children could play while we enjoyed a drink nearby, making it a relaxing and inexpensive start to our stay.

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Things to know before visiting Alpe d’Huez in summer

• Some local lifts and buses are free, while the higher mountain lifts require a pass.
• Children under five can receive a free lift pass, although proof of age may be required and there may be a small charge for the reusable lift card.
• Check which lifts are operating, as summer opening schedules can change.
• Download the official resort app for the latest lift information.
• Mountain weather can change quickly, so carry layers and waterproof clothing.
• Take fitted swimming trunks for boys and men if you plan to use the outdoor pool.
• Check age and height restrictions for activities before promising them to younger children.
• Bringing some food from home can reduce costs, particularly if your accommodation has a kitchen.

Is Alpe d’Huez worth visiting with kids?

For us, absolutely.

Three days gave us enough time to enjoy the main family activities without making the itinerary feel rushed. The combination of mountain walks, exciting activities, swimming and accessible lifts made Alpe d’Huez much more family-friendly than we had expected.

We could easily have stayed for longer, particularly if we had wanted to explore more walking routes or try mountain biking. However, three days worked well as part of our longer European road trip and gave us an excellent introduction to a summer holiday in the mountains.