Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes Ski Resort

Les Deux Alpes is a high-altitude resort in France that lays claim to a number of records, including the largest skiable glacier in Europe, as well as the longest fully on-piste vertical available in the world – 2200m.

Beyond these achievements, it's snowsure reputation and impressive off piste terrain make it a firm favourite for British visitors. The resort boasts 200km of on piste terrain, beginners are well catered for, expert skiers can head over to La Grave and the resort is also home to one of the best snowparks in Europe.

The long-rumoured link to Alpe d’Huez appears to finally be coming to fruition and by 2022, the two should be linked by a huge 3S gondola. Numerous other upgrades are expected between now and then with more than €500 million due to be spent on facilities, including two major new chairlifts and a massive upgrade to the Jandri Express.

There is a vast range of accommodation available in the village that stretches for almost 2km along a wide, sunny valley. Off the slopes there is a huge amount to do, including on the après front – this is it is one of the liveliest resorts in France.

For the best way to explore the resort’s slopes, book on to one of the six Ski Club Freshtracks Holidays heading out to the resort – all of which are also available as course-only options if you’d prefer to book your own accommodation.

Alternatively, to make the most of your stay in Les Deux Alpes, book on to one of the excellent Instructor-led Guiding sessions with Alex Chapman – available this season between 22nd December and 13th April.

The Ski Club also has an active community on the Ski Club Les Deux Alpes Facebook Page – join now for the latest updates from the resort.

What's New for 2019/20?

Les Deux Alpes is in the middle of a long-term development project which will see more than €500 million invested in the resort by 2023. This summer saw work to install three major new lifts carried out. The most major works were on the new Pierre Grosse cable car which will link the Toura/La Fée area at 2,100m to the glacier. The second new lift is a new 8-seat chairlift that will replace the 4-seat Crêtes chair. The current Crêtes chair will be moved to Le Thuit, giving a more efficient route back from La Fée. Finally the Super Venosc chairlift, built in 1987, will be replaced with a shorter and faster chairlift reusing the old Toura chairlift. Recyling of lifts is very much in fashion in Les Deux Alpes!

Our Les Deux Alpes Resort Ratings

• Beginner ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Intermediate ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Advanced ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Snow Reliability ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Fast Lifts ★ ★ ★ ☆ ☆
• Resort Activities ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Après ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆
• Value ★ ★ ★ ★ ☆

Les Deux Alpes Skiing and Snowboarding

The main slopes are located above the treeline but their altitude makes them amongst the most snowsure in the Alps. A huge amount of money has been spent on improving the pistes back down into the resort – there are now green and blue options back to town. Intermediates will be kept happy by the varied terrain beyond the Crêtes ridge and more advanced skiers have some great off piste to look forward to, especially if you head to La Grave.

• Total Pistes: 200 km
• Green: 17%
• Blue: 47%
• Red: 23%
• Black: 13%
• Lifts: 49
• Altitude: 1280m – 3523m

For Beginners

The gentle slopes at the base of the hill are ideal for beginners, especially as their sunny aspect keeps the cold at bay and several of the lifts are free. From here, progression to longer greens on the Crêtes ridge and down the long, winding Demoiselles piste is good – just steer clear of these areas at the end of the day to avoid the crowds returning home. On a sunny day, the gentle blues on the glacier are a good option, just make sure you’re competent on draglifts.

For Intermediates

Intermediate skiers and boarders will enjoy the snow quality and the gentle runs at the top of the mountain, although some of the main routes can get busy and there is not a huge amount of groomed terrain to explore. The under-utilised Vallée Blanche sector on the other side of town has some good runs but you will need to ride slow, old chairlifts.

For Advanced/Expert & Off Piste

On piste there are some genuine blacks, including the Bellecombes 6 and in good snow both Diable 1 and Diable 2. The main attraction however is the off piste, much of which centres on the La Fée sector and the Chalance off piste route. Expert skiers should make sure they catch the snowcat connection to La Grave, where some of the world’s best and gnarliest off piste terrain can be found. Make the most of the area’s potential by utilising the Ski Club’s ILG Service.

Les Deux Alpes Piste Map

The Les Deux Alpes piste map can be downloaded here.

Les Deux Alpes Ski Pass Prices

Cheaper ski passes are available before 22nd December and those under 5 or over 72 can benefit from free ski passes. Season passes start at €699 if bought before 18th October, before rising to €799 up to 22nd November and €999 thereafter – these also include 10 days free at Alpe d’Huez. Note that these prices may change, so check with the resort's website for the latest or give the Ski Club’s expert info & advice team a call on 020 8410 2009.

Les Deux Alpes Season Dates

• Winter Season: 1st December 2019 – 27th April 2020
• Summer Season: Late June – Early September

For full details see the resort's website and note that these dates are subject to change. The Ski Club’s expert info & advice team are also on hand to help – call 020 8410 2009.

Les Deux Alpes Resort

The village is a long, sprawling collection of apartments, hotels, bars and shops, most of which line the two streets that form the one-way traffic system. Much of the accommodation is very good value, certainly compared to some of the other big French resorts. Off the slopes there is loads to do and you could quite happily come here and not even head up the mountain, see the resort’s website for more details.

For Families

There is an amazing range of childcare options available and lots of choice when it comes to UK tour operators that specialise in family chalet holidays. Add this to the sunny beginner slopes on the edge of the village, great ski schools and a wide range of things to do away from the slopes and this is an ideal choice for a family holiday.

For Après

Although it is great for families, Les Deux Alpes is also home to some of France’s best après and is always very lively – none more so than during Rise Festival. Table dancing at après is a common feature at Pano Bar by Toura and then when back in the village there is a great range of bars to choose from – including Smithy’s Tavern, O’Brians, Polar Bear Pub and Pub le Windsor.

How to get to Les Deux Alpes

Located in the southern French Alps, Geneva is not a good option for getting to Les Deux Alpes – it takes around three hours. Grenoble is your best bet and the airport is around an hour and a half away. Chambéry and Lyon both are good options half an hour further away – the drive or transfer will take around two hours.

• Grenoble airport: 1.5 hours
• Lyon airport: 2 hours
• Chambéry airport: 2 hours
• Geneva airport: 3 hours
• Calais: approximately 11 hours driving (579 miles)

Les Deux Alpes Contact Details

• Website: www.les2alpes.com
• Email: info@les2alpes.com
• Telephone: +33 04 76 79 22 00
• Facebook: @2alpes
• Instagram: @2alpes
• Twitter: @2ALPES