Worldwide Ski ResortsFranceLes Deux Alpes

Skiing insurance for winter sports enthusiasts in France

Overview

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.

Profile

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.

Mountain Information

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.

Apres Ski

Les Deux-Alpes is just one big party so don’t rely on too much sleep.

French Resort Guide

Resort Information • Les Deux Alpes

Resort Height Resort Height 1625m
Top Station Top Station 3568m
Bottom Station Bottom Station 1270m
Vertical Descent Vertical Descent 2298m
Drag Lifts Drag Lifts 33
Chair Lifts Chair Lifts 24
High Capacity High Capacity 7
Opening Dates Opening Dates Dec - May
Rating Expert Rating Expert 5
Rating Intermediate Rating Intermediate 7
Rating Beginner Rating Beginner 7
Apres Ski Rating Apres Ski Rating 7
Snow Reliability Snow Reliability 7

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