Alp d'Huez Christmas / New Year '09 / '10

Hi, I'm going to Alp d'Huez December 26 with a group of friends. Have been there twice before but usually in mid-January. Whats the atmosphere like at that time of year? Any info would be greatly appreciated.....Can't wait.....

Whats the skiing like there in Jan usually?

Last time we went to AdH for New Year, there was a torchlit descent by the ESF instructors in the early evening followed by fireworks at midnight. As we were staying in a Crystal hotel, both the French and English midnights were celebrated in the hotel. I seem to remember my son and daughter who were then teenagers, going on a bar crawl with the tour reps and having such a good time that neither of them made it on to the slopes with us oldies the next day ) Out on the slopes on New Year's Day, there was a really good atmosphere and lots of VERY silly hats. The queues were where you would expect them to be really - main DMC and chairs out of Bergers.

Thats exactly why I dont go at new year.