Alpe d’Huez: 90 Years of an Ascent Toward Eternity (1936–2026)

90 years ago, Alpe d’Huez was nothing more than a mountain pasture reaching toward the sky. Today, it is a name that resonates across the globe. From the invention of the first ski lift to the spotlight of the world stage, this is the story of a resort that has never stopped looking upward.

1936: The Spark of the Pioneers

It all began with a bold gamble. In 1936, as France was discovering its first paid holidays, Jean Pomagalski installed the world’s very first ski lift on the slopes of l’Éclose. A technical revolution born from a visionary spirit that propelled the Oisans region into modernity. The resort was born, driven by one conviction: the mountains are a realm of freedom to be conquered.

In short, Alpe d’Huez: 90 Years of an Ascent Toward Eternity (1936–2026) is the story of a challenge that became part of history.

1952: The Coronation of the 21 Hairpin Bends

While skiing laid its foundations, cycling gave Alpe d’Huez its universal identity. On July 4, 1952, Fausto Coppi became the first rider to conquer the legendary climb. By crossing the finish line, he did more than add his name to the record books: he christened a road that would become the most famous “mountain stadium” on the planet.

Since then, these 21 numbered hairpin bends have become a global pilgrimage site — a ribbon of asphalt where some of the greatest tragedies and triumphs in sport have been written.

From 1936 to 2026, Alpe d’Huez has continued to offer an unforgettable ascent and a journey toward eternity.

1964: The Conquest of High Altitude

The history of the resort is also a challenge against the mountain’s rugged terrain. In 1964, the opening of the Pic Blanc tunnel — 192 meters long — made it possible to reach a slope that had previously been inaccessible.

Then, in 1977, the creation of the Sarenne run, with its breathtaking 16-kilometer descent from the 3,330-meter summit, gave Alpe d’Huez a true icon. With spectacular views over Mont Blanc and the Écrins massif, it offers skiers one of the purest alpine experiences imaginable.

In this way, Alpe d’Huez celebrates 90 years of an ascent toward eternity, from 1936 to 2026.

Alpe d’Huez : 90 ans d’une ascension vers l’éternité

1968: The Olympic Spotlight

The year 1968 marked a turning point. During the Grenoble Winter Olympics, Alpe d’Huez hosted the bobsleigh events. The resort transformed itself, expanded its facilities, and asserted its identity on the international stage.

It was also an era of bold architecture, with iconic structures such as the Notre-Dame des Neiges church, whose silhouette resembles a tent standing proudly against the mountain peaks.

Indeed, speaking of Alpe d’Huez means evoking 90 years of a legendary ascent toward eternity, from 1936 to 2026.

2026: 90 Years and a Future to Share

Today, the resort known as the “Island in the Sun” is far from resting on its laurels. Having become a world-renowned destination, Alpe d’Huez thrives through major events ranging from the Alpe d’Huez Festival to Tomorrowland Winter, as well as the Triathlon and the legendary Mégavalanche. As it celebrates its 90th anniversary in 2026, Alpe d’Huez stands as the embodiment of an ascent toward eternity.

Over 90 years, the spirit has remained unchanged: that of passionate women and men who continue to shape the legend. Because here, more than anywhere else, “the mountain is meant to be shared.”

Through nine decades of ascent, Alpe d’Huez has built its path toward eternity, from 1936 to 2026.

⬇️Alpe d’Huez: 90 Years of an Ascent Toward Eternity (1936–2026)⬇️