Les Deux Alpes
Why Les Deux Alpes Ski Resort?
- High-altitude skiing and excellent snow record
- Les Deux Alpes has one of the largest glaciers in the Alps and one of Europe’s largest summer skiing areas
- It has above-average sunshine conditions
- 'Famille Plus' resort - good children’s facilities and great for families
- It’s excellent for all standards of skiing, with massive off-piste potential
- There’s very good après ski with plenty of bars, restaurants, and nightclubs
- Winner European Resort of the Year - World Snow Awards 2015
Les Deux Alpes Information
The impressive selection of bars, restaurants, and shops is also spread over the mile-long narrow stretch of the bustling resort.
Les Deux Alpes - a mere one-hour drive from Grenoble (75km) - has a varied après-ski scene that caters for all ages with various inviting bars and clubs. On the mountain, there are great views from the glacier to the rugged Ecrins peaks and across to the Briançon valley. In addition to a heated outdoor swimming pool, outdoor ice rink, and sports centre, Les Deux Alpes has a “tanking centre” with flotarium, sauna and Turkish baths to help relax any aching limbs at the end of a hard day of activity. What else could possibly make Les Deux Alpes skiing holidays better? Well worth a visit is the charming little village of Venosc with a direct gondola link (eight minutes) from Les Deux Alpes. But don’t whatever you do try to ski down to it!
LES DEUX ALPES SKI AREA
Les Deux Alpes was chosen for its high altitude ski area - one of the highest in Europe. It boasts an excellent snow record and an amazing 225km of snowsure ski slopes. The above average sunshine conditions, excellent skiing for all standards and massive off-piste potential makes Les Deux Alpes a perfect ski resort choice for everyone.
Les Deux Alpes has a huge variety of terrain to keep skiers of all abilities busy. One of the things that differentiate Les Deux Alpes from many of the other ski areas is that the beginner areas are not confined to village level; this has the bonus of meaning that beginners needn't miss out on the spectacular views and the experience of skiing high up amongst the peaks!
Les Deux Alpes ski area is well suited to all skiing and snowboarding abilities. The main slopes in Les Deux Alpes are all above the tree line. The pistes are split into 3 areas: Pied-Moutet, Mont de Lans village and the high summits (3,600m glacier). There are also 2 sides to Les Deux Alpes ski area. On one side is the glacier and the majority of the pistes, and on the Vallée Blanche side are a number of blue and red pistes.
One significant feature of Les Deux Alpes is that many of the easier pistes are higher up but that is not to say there aren't some fantastic opportunities for experts too. The split is considered to be around 60% of the pistes for beginners and intermediates and 40% for experts. As well as 225km of pistes, there is also 1,400ha of off-piste including the famous link to La Grave.
In December 2015, a blue run called Jandri 1 was opened to create an easy resort return route.
Les Deux Alpes has a glacier which means the top section guarantees good snow throughout the season. Due to its unique location, visitors to the summit (3,400m) can experience the stunning 360° panorama of the French and Italian Alps. The breath-taking scenery includes views of Mont Blanc, Mont Ventoux, La Meije and the Les Ecrins mountain range.
You can go from the top down to Mont de Lans (a descent of 2270m vertical, possibly the world’s biggest on-piste vertical). For the more adventurous, an outing to the slopes of La Grave is a must (guide essential) La Grave is reached by snowcat from the top of the ski area to the 3568m Dome de la Lauze or a short walk.
LES DEUX ALPES SKI AREA
LES DEUX ALPES BEGINNERS
Beginners are spoilt for choice in Les Deux Alpes, with wide easy runs at altitude at the top of the glacier where magnificent views can be enjoyed or the nursery slopes at resort level beside the village. There are 5 lifts free for all on the lower slopes of Les Deux Alpes.
Later stage beginners (i.e. those that have had a few days of practice) may be able to ski the 8km down from the top of the glacier down to the resort level on greens and easy blues.
LES DEUX ALPES INTERMEDIATES
Intermediates are well catered for with a good array of blues and reds.
LES DEUX ALPES EXPERTS
There are plenty of black runs and off-piste to keep expert skiers entertained. For the more adventurous, an outing to the slopes of La Grave is a must (guide essential). La Grave is reached by snowcat from the top of the ski area to the 3568m Dome de la Lauze or a short walk.
LES DEUX ALPES SNOWBOARDING
Les 2 Alpes ranks amongst France’s best for snowboarding. In fact, about 25% of the clientele are snowboarders here. At mid-mountain, there are two boarder-cross courses and a big terrain-park including half-pipe and higher up there are several innovative terrain features such as ledges, gullies, canyons, all of competition standard.
LES DEUX ALPES OFF-PISTE
The extensive off-piste terrain is huge (5 different domains) and challenging. There is a good selection of serious routes.
LES DEUX ALPES FREESTYLE
Slide zones – between 2600m and 3200m: canyons, cornices, cascades…also a snow park shaped by pros: half-pipe, axe-pipe, big air, slopestyle, handrail, 3 “Park Bullies”, 1 free cross and 2 boardercross.
The terrain park is located on the Toura run and is easily one of the top parks in Europe. And it’s not just for experts. Beginners have areas to try their skills on. The park is 800m long and has an impressive super-pipe. DJs regularly play music and there is a BBQ & chill out area.
LES DEUX ALPES CROSS COUNTRY
There are 2 marked tracks through the woods. Linked to Les Deux Alpes by gondola, the Valley of Veneon (Venosc) is an untouched natural area with 3 marked tracks from 3km to 24km.
