Les Deux Alpes

Glacier skiing at over 3,500m, mighty off-piste and the largest snow park in Europe: Les Deux Alps comes up with the goods for serious skiers and boarders.

Our Rating:

Advanced		****
Intermediate		**
Beginner		***

High up in a narrow valley above the Lac Du Chambon sits the sprawling town of Les Deux Alpes. The resort seems to stretch indefinitely at first glance but in reality the main road is about 2km long, with 17 restaurants and a startling 30 bars. Needless to say, the nightlife is pretty hectic. The ski area also seems to stretch ever upwards. The resort base is 1,650m: 5 lifts, 2,300 vertical metres and three valleys later you are at the top of the highest skiable glacier in France, the Dôme de la Lauze (3,568m).

The skiing doesn't end there: you can catch a ride behind a snowcat, waterski-style over the Glacier de la Girose to the Vallons de la Meije, and the hallowed couloirs above La Grave. Along the way, Les Deux Alpes has some mighty off-piste, the largest - and very impressive - snow park in Europe, reliable snow on the upper mountain, stunning high-mountain views and an ever-improving lift network.

There is as much off-piste as marked runs, making it great for strong skiers though the terrain is a mixed bag for intermediates. The top half of the resort is very narrow, many of the runs are quite steep and paths link the connecting valleys so disciples of the mega-resorts may find the 200km of pistes run out relatively quickly. This funnelling of the main ski traffic is a major criticism of the resort. But expansive opportunitites exist with a six-day ski pass which gives you a day?s skiing in both Alpe d'Huez and Serre Chevalier. The incredibly well priced 40 Euro helicopter transfer to Alpe d'Huez is money well spent and the beautiful drive to Serre Chevalier would be worth doing even without the reward of extensive pistes and some of the finest tree skiing in the Alps.

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Les Deux Alpes at a glance

On the mountain

Ski area

Les Deux Alps has the highest glacier skiing in France and great off-piste; and don't forget less crowded Pied Moutet behind the village.
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Lift system

New lifts have eased congestion on the second stage of the Jandri Express, as well as on the Pied Moutet flank.
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Ski schools & guiding

The ESF has a good reputation in Les Deux Alps, but there are also smaller schools. more...

Advanced

Les Deux Alps has much to offer advanced skiers: steep runs, natural canyons, plenty of couloirs and classic off-piste itineraries.
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Intermediate

The glacier is the natural playground of intermediates at Les Deux Alps, but the choice of runs is relatively modest.
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Beginner

High tuition levels and a whole flank of green nursery slopes at the foot of the resort make Les Deux Alps a good choice for beginners.
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Boarding & freestyle

Les Deux Alpes is without question the freestyle capital of Europe, with Europe's largest snow park and year-round action. more...

Mountain restaurants

Most of the mountain restaurants are of the self-service variety, but gourmands can take refuge in the new restaurant at the top of the Diable chair. more...

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Les Deux Alpes facts

Ski Area

Base	4,167 ft 1,270 m
Summit	11,706 ft 3,568 m
Elevation	7,539 ft 2,298 m
Area size	1,230 a 500 ha

Trails/runs

Number of trails	102
Advanced	13 %
Intermediate	17 %
Beginner	71 %

Lifts

Gondolas/Cable cars	6
Chairs	23
Surface lifts	19

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