A guide to Les Deux Alpes
High altitude skiing in a snow-sure resort and extensive off-piste have made Les Deux Alpes a popular destination for a ski holiday. It has the largest and highest skiable glacier in Europe, including summer skiing, and is France's second oldest ski resort behind Chamonix. The village has a lively atmosphere, with good facilities including a large ice rink, a big outdoor pool and the Acqua Centre, toboggan runs, bowling, and dog sledding. A good choice of seven ski schools is available; the resort caters very well for families, beginners, and keen skiers. The off-piste terrain is a big attraction. There’s a great selection of bars and restaurants on and off the slopes.
Ski chalets and apartments for sale in Les Deux Alpes
Known for a wide choice of accommodation, Les Deux Alpes has an abundance of good value hotels, apartments to rent and chalets which can be rented with catered options. The prospects of good rental income with a long ski season and its popularity in the summer are compelling reasons to buy property in Les Deux Alpes. The most modern developments benefit from direct access to the slopes, indoor swimming pools and underground parking. Property hunters in Les deux Alpes will find authentic mountain chalets, renovated farmhouse properties, and ski-in/ski-out high quality new developments.
Les Deux Alpes ski area
The ski area of Les Deux Alpes is divided in two parts on each side of the resort. You can explore 220km (410 hectares) of pistes, from 3,600m all the way down to Mont de Lans village at 1,300 metres, complete with incredible views from the slopes. The mix is ideal with 110km of easy slopes, 56km of intermediate runs and 34km of difficult terrain, most of the slopes are above treeline. It is said the resort is ‘upside down’ because some of the easier runs and beginner areas are found higher up the mountain. As a result some of the steepest and toughest slopes run into the resort, but it is always possible to take the lift down. Famous runs here include the ‘Sarenne’ or Döme de la Lauze-Mont de Lans which is a black-rated piste 16 km long - making it the longest of its kind in the world. The glacier enables year-round skiing (the lifts usually open from mid-June to the end of August) in Summer on 11 slopes, from green to red.
Les Deux Alpes also boasts one of the most extensive and renowned snowparks in Europe, with a halfpipe, multiple kickers, two boardercross courses and many grinding rails. The snowpark is re-modelled with new features added each season. Zones are themed and labelled by ability level, with layouts offering a unique freestyle snowboarding and skiing experience. The winter snowpark is considered one of the best in France, and the summer snowpark is a rare benefit for fun and practice out of season.
A totally unique experience at is after dark on a blue run accessible to all and lit by huge projectors. It starts at the Lutins run, open usually during the winter school holidays.
For the most adventurous, tempt yourself to the connection between the Les Deux Alpes and La Grave glaciers. A snow-cat will tow you from the summit of the Lauze draglift in Les Deux Alpes to the Girose lift in La Grave. To get back to Les Deux Alpes. it's a short walk from the top of the Girose lift allowing the return journey by ski.
Après ski in Les Deux Alpes
When the slopes close for the day, the resort of Les Deux Alpes comes to life with a lively après ski atmosphere along the main street. You have over 40 bars, restaurants, pubs and clubs to choose from, including friendly pubs, sports bars, clubs and a couple of quiet, more traditional venues. There are also plenty of restaurants to satisfy your appetite, including some simple bar food and crêperies, and a good few serving traditional Savoyard cuisine.
Smithy's Tavern resembles a traditional alpine chalet but on the inside you find a modern, spacious bar in the centre of resort with live music from 5pm and 7pm. The Polar Bear Club with a statue on the roof is not hard to find and offers a crackling fireplace or popular terrace. Juke Box serves excellent cocktails and great music. The Secret Bar is cosy, friendly and has a good value menu. Umbrella Bar is slopside, you won’t miss its giant parasols and dance music.
Summer in Les Deux Alpes
Summer here is not only for skiers, it us a hugely popular venue for downhill and freeride mountain biking. The Les Deux Alpes Bike Park offers 98 km of slopes between 3200m and 700m of altitude, 22 all level downhill trails, 3 cross country tracks, 7 lifts adapted to MTB. The fast, high-altitude downhill trails, technical single tracked enduro-type routes and fun modules are suitable for all levels. Road cyclists also gather in Les Deux Alpes in the summer as it has featured in several Tour De France stages. With so many famous ‘Cols’; The Glandon, Croix de la Fer, Lauteret, Galibier and Alpe d’Huez itself within a day’s ride. When the snow melts Les Deux Alpes becomes a cycling Mecca.
For hikers and mountain walks the Ecrins National Park is a majestic setting with pristine mountain peaks, crystal-clear streams and flower-filled meadows. There are marked trails for hikers and walkers, lower down the mountain visits to the charming little villages of Venosc and Mont de Lans are recommended. At higher altitude wildlife such as golden eagles, ibex and chamois can be spotted.
Other French Alps Destinations
Alpe d'Huez Chamonix Courchevel Courchevel La Tania Courchevel Le Praz Courchevel Moriond Courchevel Village La Toussuire Les Gets Les Menuires Megève Méribel Méribel Les Allues Méribel Village Méribel-Mottaret Morzine Paradiski Pays du Mont Blanc Pralognan-la-Vanoise Sainte-Foy-Tarentaise St. Martin de Belleville Tignes Val d'Isère Val Thorens