Skiing in Les Deux Alpes
It is the largest resort in the Oisans area and is home to one Europes largest skiable glaciers, Glacier du Mont de Lans. Its name, which translates as “The Two Alps” is derived from the two high pastures that belong to two Alpine villages that flank it on either side; Venosc and Mont de Lans.
Les Deux Alps forms part of the Grande Galaxie ski area together with Alpe d’Huez, Puy Saint Vincent and Vaujany. The area has a combined 220 km of pistes spread across a snow range of up 3,568m. Les Deux Alpes lofty altitudes also guarantees it excellent snow conditions all season round; with the glacier staying open for skiing all year round.
A unique and interesting detail that differentiates Les Deux Alpes from other ski resorts is that while the pistes in other resorts get more difficult the higher you go up the mountain, Les Deux Alpes has some of its easiest runs located at high altitudes. Beginners and intermediate-level skiers can head up to the Glacier du Mont de Lans for some wide-open easy blue runs. The modern ski lifts and well-groomed slopes facilitate seamless access to the mountain, while ski schools and equipment rental shops cater to beginners and seasoned skiers alike.
A unique and interesting detail that differentiates Les Deux Alpes from other ski resorts is that while the pistes in other resorts get more difficult the higher you go up the mountain, Les Deux Alpes has some of its easiest runs located at high altitudes. Beginners and intermediate-level skiers can head up to the Glacier du Mont de Lans for some wide-open easy blue runs. The modern ski lifts and well-groomed slopes facilitate seamless access to the mountain, while ski schools and equipment rental shops cater to beginners and seasoned skiers alike.
The resort is a lovely ski destination, perfect for families, groups of friends and even couples looking for a romantic getaway. It has a great selection of accommodation; offering anything from traditional holiday apartments to good value half board hotels. Holidays makers are also spoiled for choice with the amount of good restaurants available at Les Deux Alpes serving everything from local cuisine to international fast food options.
Its great for the kids too, with a wide selection of of non ski activities abound, from skating rinks, cinemas and a splash at one of the many swimming pools at the resort. The kids arent the only ones having fun here though, Les Deux Alpes has an awesome apres ski scene made up of up to 50 bars, pubs and clubs. Read on for further information.
The village of Les Deux Alpes sits at 1,650 metres and is located in between the two ski areas of Mont de Lans and Venosc. Mont de Lans is perched at the foot of the glacier which bears its name at 1,300 metres. The resort is also known to have long hours of sunny slopes thanks to the pistes on the Vallee Blanche on the Venosc side of the ski area. The highest peak of the ski area is located at the top of the glacier at 3,600 metres, which has a vertical drop of 2,300 metres.
Les 2 Alpes sits at 1650m and goes up over 3600m where you can find the largest skiable glacier in Europe, making it pretty snowsure! It boasts around 50 modern and fast lifts servicing over 220km of marked pistes.
Les 2 Alpes is world renowned for its freestyle playground and freeride areas. Even if you aren’t a seasoned park rat, you can still have a great time here and it’s a fantastic place to learn something new!
There are two great après venues in Les 2 Alpes; Umbrella bar down in resort or Pano bar on the mountain. Pano is great for incredible Panoramic views of the area but Umbrella bar gets wild until about 7pm so is definitely a firm NUCO favourite!
The nightlife here will leave you facing the difficult decision between first lifts and another tequila-fuelled attempt at embarrassing yourself on Avalanche’s dance pole. With plenty of bars and clubs to explore, the choice isn’t always easy and the night will always be a little blurry.
There are so many accommodation options in Les 2 Alpes so there is definitely something for you! The important thing to consider here is that the resort is quite spread out so you want to choose your accommodation based on what is most important to you!
If your priority is skiing then you probably want to stay as close to the Jandri cable car or Diable chairlift as possible. If nightlife is your priority and prefer a short walk home at night and a slightly longer walk to the slopes then staying near Smithy’s and Avalanche is probably better for you.
Les 2 Alpes also has a satellite village at 1800m, which is fine for groups looking for a quiet week. If you are after some big nights out then this place is probably a bit out of the way for you!
Follow the fairy!
If you want to forget about the world and truly breathe again then you need to spend some time in la Fée part of the area. French for the fairy, la Fée has great runs for all abilities with huge wide open spaces. Perfect if you are after some peace and quiet! You can access la Fée from the Toura and Glacier sectors.
Only the Grave
If you consider yourself a true powder hound then no trip to Les 2 Alpes would be complete without a visit to la Grave. Ski bums from all over camp out on that side of the mountain all season long. Attracted by the endless powder fields, couloirs and generally gnarly terrain. The whole area is completely un-pisted so avalanche safety equipment and excellent understanding of high altitude environments is a must. We recommend booking a guide to make the most of it!
La Grave is a 30 minute drive from Les 2 Alpes so you should either rent a car from the airport and use that as your transport if you are planning on doing a few trips (you could pop over to Alpe d’Huez for a day as well) or booking a taxi.
Guiding companies will also arrange transport over for you if you do decide a guide is the right way to do it!
Apès ski is incredible here! One of the best bits of les 2 Alpes is being able to do the après double; Pano Bar until closing, ski down to resort and head to Umbrella to finish it off!
Pano Bar
At 2600m, this is one of the highest bars in the Alps! Go and check out the après ski set from 3-5pm every day and let yourself get taken on a journey by the sounds and sights!
Umbrella Bar
Come in straight off the slopes and stumble home after a few beers in this awesome après ski venue that has taken lessons from it's Austrian cousins on set up. Party till 7pm...then crash hard!
The Spot
A friendly bar and restaurant in the centre of Les 2 Alpes. With tasty food and some familiar beers, this is a haven for holiday makers!
Le Trappeur
Another restaurant serving traditional Savoyard dishes. This one is rated 4.5/5 on Trip Advisor.
Le P’tit Polyte at Chalet Mounier
This is the highest altitude Michelin-starred restaurant in the Isère region.
La Porte d’à Côté
This rustic restaurant serves up delicious traditional Savoyard food. All made from local ingredients.
The Secret Bar
It's in the name...this is not the usual tourist haunt so if you fancy hiding out for a bit then this is the place for you. Prices are better than most of the other bars as well.
Red Frog
A great place for a bacon butty or a full English. Serving some great Belgian and Irish beers as well!
Avalanche
What a place! You will be kept going until the early hours and likely have one too many goes on the dance pole.
