If you have a smart trainer, resistance is altered based on the slope. With the Alpe, the climb is actually the same as the alpe d'huez, but with zwift scenery. If it's a downhill, the resistance is pretty much let off depending again on the slope and you fly down the hills.
Also it takes into account your ftp and can adjust group workouts based on percentages of your actual ftp if you are in erg mode. So in the chasing Cancellera workout we all road as a big group, and while some people were hitting 600 watts, I was hitting 290 watts because that's what the program was basing it on a percentage of ftp. If you have your ftp setup incorrectly though, like too high, you wouldn't hit your required ftp and drop back.
It works really well, and it's a lot more engaging than just spinning I find. It's somewhat accurate to what I can do outside, except for the downhills. You don't have to hit the brakes in zwift.
Also, you don't need a smart trainer, but you do need speed and cadence. it wouldn't as well, but it's doable.
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