Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux-Alpes is a long, narrow village sitting on a high col. It is modern, but gives the impression that its development has been unplanned. Four sectors can be identified. As you enter from the north you pass through an area centred on the tourist office; from here, roads go off left up to Les 2 Alpes 1800; go straight on instead, and you come to the effective centre, with the major gondola stations, outdoor ice rink and lots of shops and restaurants; at this point you enter a long one-way system, and finally come to Alpe de Venosc. The six-day pass gives two days in Alpe-d'Huez, one day in Serre-Chevalier (an hour away) and other resorts and a reduced rate for La Grave. A car would be handy to make the most of these options. There are day-trip buses twice a week to Alpe-d'Huez, but a better plan is to splash out 70 euros on the splendid helicopter day trip (available three days a week). There are plans for a cross-valley lift (which, subject to permissions being granted, they hope to open by 2020).