Les Deux Alpes - France
Les Deux Alpes (Lay duh-zalp) sits at 1650m in the Dauphine region of Isere. Although the resort could once have been described as a concrete monstrosity, many of the buildings that line the main thoroughfare have recently had face-lifts, with many of them now looking like authentic alpine chalets. When you add to the improved aesthetics the wide choice of slopeside accommodation, reliable wide open glacial pistes, cutting edge snowpark and boardercross zone, and a brilliant apres ski scene it is hard to imagine anyone not enjoying Les Deux Alpes.
The ski area itself covers 220km and the lift system is modern and fast, and copes well with all but the biggest of school holiday crowds. It has undergone many improvements in recent years and there is currently talk of building an ambitious lift link to connect Les Deux Alpes to Alpe D’huez by 2013. A 6 day lift pass allows for one day skiing here but a one hour bus journey is currently the only link.
At a glance
| Resort altitude | 1650m - 1650m |
|---|---|
| Highest lift | 3600m |
| Lowest lift | 1300m |
| kms of piste | 220km² |
| Black pistes | 16% |
| Red pistes | 24% |
| Blue pistes | 40% |
| Green pistes | 20% |
| Snow parks | 0 |
| Glacier | Yes |
| Snowmaking | Yes |
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Five to try
- Snowcat tours across the glacier provide wonderful views
- Take a scenic helicopter flight to Alpe d’Huez
- Visit the pretty village of Venosc by gondola
- Chill out at the Tanking Centre with a massage and sauna
- Try your hand at night skidooing
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Planning your trip
Grenoble airport is by far the best airport to get to Les Deux-Alpes, as by road it is nearby and fairly small, so you could be off the plane and out of the arrivals lounge in twenty minutes. Lyon and Geneva airports are both close enough to get to the resort but if you can fly into Grenoble it will cut your transfer more...
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Where to stay
The majority of accommodation in Les Deux Alpes is in apartments, so if you're keeping to a budget, then there is plenty to choose from here. Be aware though, that you get what you pay for - most apartments are tiny, with fold-down bunk beds in corridors and sofas that double as beds. The good thing more...
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Food and drink
If you are an apres-ski aficionado then bring your dancing shoes, because this is a party town, and the fun continues well into the small hours. Les Deux Alpes has, without question, one of the most vibrant apres-ski scenes in the French Alps, with bars catering for almost every taste. Smithy’s Tavern is probably more...
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Things to do
Off the pistes, there are plenty of activities to keep the non-skier happy. Shopping in the village is quite extensive, especially for sports clothing, and there are plenty of large supermarkets to keep the self-caterers happy. The local cinema can be found at the Venosc end of town on the rue des Vikings or more...
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On the piste
This resort is a paradise for beginners with free nursery lifts and mile after mile of gentle glacial terrain on which to build confidence. Intermediates will enjoy the Gours valley and can get up some speed on the wide open steep red of La Fee. Experts should try taking the Super Diable from the top of Tete Moute and more...
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MadDogView
Good destination for groups looking for a cheap and cheerful week away. Best for beginner and intermediate skiers (but slopes do get crowded), though experts may prefer the off-piste areas towards the extreme skiing territory of La Grave.
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Map
- Download piste map
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Our favourites
Ice Grotto
On the glacier you can take a visit to the Ice Grotto with its dinosaur sculptures, followed by a trip around the glacier (the Croisiere Blanche). You can buy tickets in advance in the office in Places des Deux Alpes, where you buy the lift passes. -
Useful stuff
