Les Deux Alpes (also Les 2 Alpes or Les 2 Alpes 3600) is a ski resort in the French Isère region.
The village sits at 1,650 m and lifts run to 3,600 m. It has the largest skiable glacier in Europe and is France's second oldest ski resort behind Chamonix, where the largest mountain in western Europe is located, Mont Blanc. High up in a narrow valley above the Lac Du Chambon sits the sprawling town of Les Deux Alpes.
Les 2 Alpes ski area
Les Deux Alpes is a large ski area with 60 lifts giving access to 220km of piste with an excellent selection of pistes at every grade. The pistes are separated into three areas: Pied-Moutet, Mont de Lans village and the high summits (on the glacier at 3,600m). There are two sides to the Deux Alpes ski area: the main sector with the glacier and majority of pistes, and the Vallée Blanche side opposite, with blue and red runs.
Les Deux Alpes is often described as an ‘upside down’ resort with steeper slopes lower down and more gentle slopes up on the glacier which makes Les Deux Alpes a great place for beginners to learn. Unlike many resorts where the beginner slopes are low down and quickly become slushy and chopped up the slopes here are snowsure and remain in good condition for much longer. There are many great slopes for beginners and intermediates and as an added bonus beginners can ski on the high and scenic terrain which is usually the reserve of the experts.
There are also plenty of harder runs to keep the advanced skiers happy. Les Deux Alpes has just as many black runs as it does red runs offering plenty of varied and challenging terrain from steep chutes to natural canyons. Because of the ‘upside down’ effect of the resort a lot of the harder runs are lower down including a number of the home runs, complete beginners or nervous skiers may prefer to take the gondola down.
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 extensive off-piste terrain is huge (with five different areas) and challenging. There is a good selection of serious routes with impressive vertical drops. Les Deux Alpes has a huge amount of off-piste to offer with access to over 1400ha of skiable terrain from the lift with vertical drops of up to 2000m. It is possible to access the infamous La Grave area from Les Deux Alpes which offers outstanding but also serious off piste (the top section is highly crevassed and has the highest death rate in Europe). Even experienced skiers/boarders should consider a guide or better still one of our great off piste courses.
Les 2 Alpes snowpark
Les Deux Alpes is also known for its great freestyle opportunities and friendly with snowboarders. Hit up the Freestyle Land which is one of the best in Europe and the snowpark team are one of the most experienced in Europe so they can create a world-class snowpark during both the winter and summer months. The Freestyle Land includes:
Easypark - an area dedicated to beginners with a selection of features including boxes, a half pipe and small tables. Slopestyle and Big Air area, Half Pipe - 22 foot half pipe with a dedicated lift Park de l'Envers - full of features for all abilities. Boardercross. Cool Zone.
Les 2 Alpes apres ski
Les Deux Alpes is known for its lively party atmosphere with après skiers partying from afternoon to late in to the night. Apres-ski fun starts on the mountains after a day of skiing with various bars and restaurants to choose from some with live music and seating outside. Enjoy outstanding panoramic views of the surrounding snowy peaks with a cold beer - the best bars are Pano Bar, Umbrella Bar, Yeti Bar and Red Frog Bar.
Les 2 Alpes village
The resort seems to stretch indefinitely at first glance but in reality the main road is about 2km long, with 17 restaurants, 3 nightclubs, and a startling 30 bars. Needless to say, the nightlife is pretty hectic.