Standing high in the Alps, the village of Les Deux-Alpes is a ribbon development of an eclectic mix of architectural styles spreading along the main road to Switzerland. It is a lively place with a large range of different grades and types of accommodation and an extensive variety of shops, bars, clubs and restaurants. It is very convenient for the slopes and there are lift stations scattered at points throughout the village. It is also close to the resorts of Alpe-d’Huez and Serre Chevalier and in fact the local six day lift pass allows a days skiing in each of them. It is a very popular resort with the younger set and as a result does tend to become crowded — especially at weekends and long queues for the lifts are the norm.
Les Deux-Alpes stands at 1650 m. There are 220 km of pisted slopes that are served by 54 lifts. It has an excellent record for snow, particularly on its higher slopes, and has plenty of snow making facilities covering the lower slopes just in case! Ironically, one of the main problems with Les Deux-Alpes are the frequent storms that force the closure of the higher lift systems and the extreme cold on the upper slopes. Expert skiers and snowboarders will find plenty to do here both on and off piste. Intermediates are less fortunate.
The very advanced and the super confident will be fine, but lesser mortals will either find the going too tough or insultingly easy. Those skiers will probably benefit the most from the days at Alpe-d’Huez and Serre Chevalier. Snowboarders are encouraged to come to Les Deux-Alpes which has a first class terrain park and a huge area of off piste for free riders to play in. Beginners have the benefit of a number of specialised schools to teach them the required techniques. Novice skiers will enjoy the large and gentle nursery slopes and will also find plenty of slopes on which they can progress. Cross country skiers are perhaps not so lucky with only 25 km of trails that are spread over three widely separated areas. The schools for both skiers and snowboarders have good reputations and child care facilities are excellent.
Surprising, the slopes of this incredibly popular resort are not the greatest. Many of the pistes are long, but inclined to be very narrow and somewhat fragmented. Experts should go for the steep long black below the Diable lift and explore the off piste areas around La Grave and in the Combe de Thuit. Intermediates will be best off on the upper mountain slopes that are generally wider and more suited to fast, uncomplicated cruises. There are plenty of mountain restaurants here, but they do have mixed reviews and you need to visit a few to find the good ones.
Les Deux-Alpes is just one big party so don’t rely on too much sleep.
Resort Height | 1625m | |
Top Station | 3568m | |
Bottom Station | 1270m | |
Vertical Descent | 2298m | |
Drag Lifts | 33 | |
Chair Lifts | 24 | |
High Capacity | 7 | |
Opening Dates | Dec - May | |
Rating Expert | 5 | |
Rating Intermediate | 7 | |
Rating Beginner | 7 | |
Apres Ski Rating | 7 | |
Snow Reliability | 7 |