Les 2 Alpes

The Resort

Les 2 Alpes is a world class resort with one of the largest ski areas, summer ski areas and maximum vertical drops to be found anywhere.

Add to this a huge range of apres-ski options and the now lift-linked descent to La Grave – a legend which attracts all advanced skiers, although a local guide is essential for these unmarked trails. It is easy to reach the main slopes from most points in the resort. There is also a free ski bus.

Les Deux Alpes has the largest skiable glacier in Europe, culminating at an altitude of 3,600 metres. Whether there’s good snowfall in winter or not, there’s always skiing in Les 2 Alpes! As proof, you can also ski here in the summer, and professional skiers come from all over the world to do just that! Winter also provides the opportunity to ski non-stop from 3,600 metres to 1,300 metres, to the village of Mont de Lans: a world class vertical drop of 2,300 metres, and 16 kilometres of runs over the region’s highest summits.

Les Deux Alpes’ snowpark goes beyond the scope of a simple snowpark, Les 2 Alpes has built Freestyle Land. A whole sector of slopes (mainly in La Toura sector) dedicated to freestyle, arranged by ability level and discipline.

If you’re looking for winter sun, Les 2 Alpes has more sunshine than Marseille or Perpignan (but beware, not the same temperatures!).

Do you love partying and never want a night out to end? In Les 2 Alpes, you can start the party on the slopes from 3pm until the runs close. The PanoBar awaits you at an altitude of 2,600 metres, at the top of the Jandri ski lift: let the music take you over, the DJs are pumping up the volume!

The resort of Les 2 Alpes is ideal for pedestrians. Once you arrive, you can park your car and not use it again until you leave. Built on a 2-kilometre long plateau (therefore flat), ski lift departure stations are dotted roughly every 200 metres along at the bottom of the slopes. That means there’s always a ski lift nearby! There are also free shuttlebuses running throughout the whole resort.

Les Deux Alpes Resort Review

24 Ski Resorts in 2024

If you are looking for a ski holiday that combines high-altitude skiing, lively après-ski, and charming villages, you might want to check out Les Deux Alpes, one of the most popular and renowned ski resorts in France. We @clauandben_skitravels, spent two days in this amazing resort, and here is what we enjoyed about it.

The Skiing

Les Deux Alpes has a very varied ski area, with 7 different sectors and 80 runs, catering for all levels and tastes. You can find 13 green, 43 blue, 15 red, and 9 black runs, as well as a snowpark, a boardercross, and a halfpipe. Whether you are a beginner, an intermediate, or an expert, you will find something to suit your style and challenge yourself.

One of the main attractions of Les Deux Alpes is its glacier, which allows you to ski from 3,600m, the highest skiable point in Europe. The glacier also guarantees snow all year round, so you can ski in any season. The views from the top are breathtaking, and the snow quality is superb.

Our favourite run was the blue glacier run Jandri 5, which was a long and wide piste, perfect for letting our skis fly. The snow was perfectly groomed, and the scenery was stunning. We felt like we were on top of the world.

For Winter 2024, a new gondola is under construction that will reduce the arrival time to the glacier from resort level from 40 minutes to 17 minutes. This will make the glacier even more accessible and enjoyable for skiers.

The Restaurants and Mountain Cafes

Les Deux Alpes has a great selection of restaurants and cafes, both in the villages and on the mountain. You can find a variety of cuisines, from traditional French to international, and from fine dining to fast food. Here are some of the places we tried and loved:

• Le Grain De Sel: This was a typical French restaurant, serving exquisite food at reasonable prices, set with rustic decor. The service was friendly and attentive, and the portions were generous. We recommend the duck, which was tender and juicy, and the crème brûlée, which was creamy and crunchy.
• Crepes a Gogo: This was a famous creperie, that has been around since the 60s. It served delicious crepes, both sweet and savoury, as well as salads, soups, and omelettes. The prices were affordable, and the atmosphere was cozy and lively. We loved watching the chefs cook the crepes in front of us, as the kitchen was in the restaurant.
• Le Chalet Mounier: This was a mountain restaurant, located at the bottom of the Vallée Blanche sector. It offered a stunning view of the valley, and a sunny terrace. It served traditional mountain food, such as raclette, fondue, and tartiflette, as well as burgers, pizzas, and salads. The food was hearty and tasty, and the service was quick and efficient.

The Après Vibes

Known for its lively and fun après-ski scene, with a lot of bars, pubs, and clubs to choose from. You can find a place to suit your mood, whether you want to chill out, party hard, or somewhere in between. Here are some of the places we checked out and enjoyed:

• Pano Bar: This was the iconic après bar in the resort, situated at 2,600m opposite the Jandri Express mid station lift. It had an enormous outdoor terrace, and was lively from 2-2:30pm with live DJs. The music was upbeat and catchy, and the crowd was energetic and friendly. We had a blast dancing and drinking on the snow, with a panoramic view of the mountains.
• Umbrella Bar: This was another great après spot, located at the bottom of the mountain, near the Diable lift. It was open till 7/7.30pm, and was always busy and buzzing. It had a large bar, a dance floor, and a heated terrace. The music was varied and fun, and the drinks were cheap and cheerful. We headed here straight from Pano Bar, and continued the party until the evening.
• Smithy’s: This was a more traditional pub, with an alpine twist. It felt like an English pub, with wooden beams, leather sofas, and a fireplace, but with a touch of mountain charm. It had a good selection of beers, wines, and spirits, and a reasonable price. It also had live music, quizzes, and sports on TV, which created a fun and festive atmosphere. We enjoyed a pint of beer and a game of darts, while listening to some rock and pop classics.

Opinion

We had a fantastic time in Les Deux Alpes, and we would definitely recommend it to anyone looking for a ski holiday in France. The resort has something for everyone, from the skiing to the après-ski, and from the villages to the glacier. It is a modern and dynamic resort, with a lot of character and charm. We can’t wait to go back and discover more of this amazing resort.

 

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