Alpe d’Huez Ski Special with Nicola Moss of Peak Retreats

Many ski resorts are reporting their first snow falls, so I’m delighted to bring you my first Ski Special of the 2026/27 season.

Last April, I travelled to Alpe d’Huez in the French Alps with my family. It’s a resort with more than 250 kilometres of pistes and a summit at 3,330. But what struck me most was how well it works for everyone, from first-timers to experienced skiers, all in the one place.

To tell me more, I’m joined by Nicola Moss, Marketing Director of Peak Retreats. Peak Retreats, a ski tour operator specialising in the French Alps, and the current holder of the Telegraph Travel Award for Best Ski Operator.

Nicola has skied Alpe d’Huez herself, so we compare notes on what makes it so special. We talk about why Alpe d’Huez works so well for beginners, families and experienced skiers, how its altitude helps at either end of the season, and when to book to get the best value.

Nicola also shares her advice for first-time skiers and for anyone taking children skiing for the first time.

Alpe d’Huez Fact Box Where: Grandes Rousses massif, Isère, French Alps. The ski area runs from around 1,250m up to Pic Blanc at 3,330m. Getting there: Aer Lingus fly to Lyon from Dublin and Cork and the transfer is 2 hours - https://www.aerlingus.com Skiing: More than 250km of pistes and 135 runs, including La Sarenne, a 16km black run. Beginners: 36 green and 29 blue runs, with lifts directly accessible from the resort. Accommodation: Fergal and his family stayed at Le Cristal de l’Alpe with Peak Retreats. Book at www.peakretreats.co.uk Ski hire: Intersport Rent (Odalys-L’Eclose), with an average of €8 per day including skis, helmet, poles and boots. Book at www.intersportrent.com. Ski school: ESF Alpe d’Huez. More information: www.alpedhuez.com

Fergal O’Keeffe is the host of Ireland’s No.1 award winning travel podcast Travel Tales with Fergal listened to in 140 countries worldwide. The podcast aims to share soul-lifting travel stories about daydream worthy destinations.

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