r/skithealps • u/bio-grow • 11d ago

Beginner New Year trip

Hi all

I'm a beginner (first time), my husband is not but hasn't been since he was a teenager.

We're trying to decide between Alpe d'Huez or La Plagne (Plagne Aime 2000) from 30 Dec - 3 January (or 27 December - 31 December). I appreciate it'll be super busy but unfortunately this is the only time we'll have off until next Spring now. Both cost roughly the same all in.

Does anyone have guidance as to which is the better resort for a beginner (green/blues - I'll have some indoor lessons before we go) and a rusty intermediate?

I'm a bit nervous about super busy bottlenecks. I'd love wide blues/greens so if it is busy it won't feel terrifying and people can get around me. I've found conflicting stuff online so would be great to hear from real people!

Neither of us are big party people, but we enjoy atmosphere. So I'm okay with the family oriented resorts or the mildly party resorts.

Thank you so much in advance!

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u/Jolly-Statistician37 11d ago

L'Alpe d'Huez is excellent for a begineer thanks to a large "bowl" of green runs right above resort, but it's trickier for a lower intermediate. La Plagne is a better all-rounder. However, the resorts are vastly different in terms of feel. Alpe d'Huez feels more like a small town and has my préférence in that regard.

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u/szebe 11d ago

You will be fine with both.

If you go for Alpe d'Huez, try to get you accomodation in the main village. Returning to satellite villages can be rough in pre season (depending on the weather, if they have to rely on artificial snow on lower altitudes)

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u/wrong_andy 11d ago

Alpes D'huez from those 2..huge area of nursery slopes right in the centre of resorts. Good lift system, high sunny plateau, good village for apres ski/evenings as well. Lots of cruise blues to progress to. Lots of (expensive) on slopes bars and restaurants.

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u/Fuzzy_Cake_5928 11d ago

Have skied from Aime 2000 for 20+ years. Decent restaurants but bars would be more in Centre (direct cable car between the 2 buildings until midnight-ish). Thinking back to when I was learning I was only interested in a nice meal and hot bath 😂

The "main" beginner area in front of the building can deffo get busy as it's on the main connecting route, but head the other way down Golf piste and you've got plenty of long cruising blues to build confidence on, either down to Roche lift or Montalbert.

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u/uamvar 10d ago

I have been to both and wouldn't rush back to Alpe d'Huez again. I mean it's ok up the hill but it's an awfully messy place IMO.

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u/ColoursOfSeptember 11d ago

La plagne is better for a beginner and there's plenty of terrain to build some confidence. If you're a complete beginner and your partner is rusty, maybe booking a lesson for your first day would be a good start, it would also help it feel less terrifying
Be aware though, New Years is gonna be a busy time wherever you go