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Les Deux Alpes, a beautiful ski area with many off-piste possibilities. Les Deux Alpes is a large and popular ski area in the east of France. You will find several simple and challenging slopes. The snow security is high and on the glacier you can even ski or snowboard until early summer. The après-ski is also very cozy in Les Deux Alpes. The simple blue slopes are a bit higher on the mountain and the valley slopes are quite tough. In the past, the area was therefore mainly aimed at advanced skiers. With the arrival of a new blue downhill run 2015, Les Deux Alpes has suddenly become a lot more attractive for beginners.
Foremost freeriders can enjoy their luck at Les Deux Alpes. There are beautiful off-piste possibilities. Especially if you take the pistebully across to La Grave - La Meije: a true paradise for freeriders. Also freestyling is excellent in Les Deux Alpes. Les Deux Alpes is further booked as a cheap ski area. Especially the accommodations are often cheaper than in many other winter sports areas in France.
The skiing area Les Deux Alpes is located around the village of the same name: Les Deux Alpes. It is one of the largest ski areas in France with 200 kilometres of pistes. Although the area is mainly aimed at advanced skiers, there is also plenty to do for beginners. With the ski pass you have access to all these 200 kilometres of pistes. You can also visit the ski area of La Grave - La Meije with 2 blue slopes. You read it well, only 2 blue slopes. You don't have to be in La Grave - La Meije for the pistes. It is an off-piste walhalla for the professional freerider.
The characteristics of Les Deux Alpes are listed in the table below. Here you will also find the price for the ski pass and the piste map of the skiing region Les Deux Alpes. In low season the ski pass for Les Deux Alpes is cheaper. Also for families, students and seniors there are reduced rates for the Les Deux Alpes ski pass. Children up to 4 years of age ski for free. Just like seniors over 72 years.
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Characteristics ski area Les Deux Alpes |
|
| Highest point | 3560 metres |
| Lowest point | 1300 metres |
| Total kilometres of pistes | 200 |
| Green slopes | 30 kilometers |
| Blue slopes | 80 kilometers |
| Red slopes | 56 kilometres |
| Black slopes | 34 kilometers |
| Villages | Les Deux Alpes, Vénosc,
Mont de Lance |
| Snow security | Very high |
| Après-ski possibilities Les Deux Alpes | Very good |
| Child-Friendliness | Moderate |
| Oportunities for beginners | Moderate |
| advanced options | Good |
| Post ski pass (6 days) in 2020 | € 265 |
| Ski lesson costs (4 days x 4 hours) | € 150 - € 220 |
| Cost lunch on the slopes | € 5 - € 25 |
| Best travel period | December to March |
| Travel time from Grenoble airport | 1 hour and 30 minutes |
| Distance to Utrecht | Only 1070 kilometres |
| Pistecards | Pistecard Les Deux Alpes |
By far the most important and largest village of the skiing area is Les Deux Alpes. Two other small villages are Vénosc and Mont de Lans. Les Deux Alpes forms the base of the skiing area at an altitude of about 1650 meters. The ski area runs in approximately one line from the village to the highest peak at 3560 meters. In between are all the slopes. There are several lifts that take you into the ski area. Via one of the downhill runs you come down again at the end of the day.
Les Deux Alpes is clearly a winter sports village. A fairly busy main road, lots of parking spaces, large apartment complexes and hotels. The village is not really authentic. But the après-ski in Les Deux Alpes is very cozy. Vénosc and Mont de Lans are a lot more authentic and atmospheric. And wonderfully quiet. Both are typical mountain villages with a nice sunny location. With a lift you reach the ski area from the villages. Via a red valley descent you come back to Mont de Lans. There is no downhill run to Vénosc.
| Village | Height (m) | Downhill | Lift | Snow | Price | Authentic village | Après-ski | Kid | Achievable |
| Les Deux Alpes | 1650 | + | + | ++ | + | +/- | ++ | +/- | - |
| Vénosc | 1000 | - | + | + | + | + | +/- | - | +/- |
| Mont de Lance | 1250 | + | + | + | + | + | - | - | +/- |
Les Deux Alpes is a compact ski area with quite a few kilometres of pistes. The area meanders around a number of high mountain peaks. At the highest point, the Dôme de la Lauze, you will find a glacier. Here the snow is very good throughout the winter sports season. Les Deux Alpes is one of the areas in France suitable for summer skiing. The ski area is not ideal for beginners. Most easy slopes are located high on the mountain. The Signal 1 on the glacier, for example, is a beautiful blue slope. Directly above the village you will find especially tough slopes. The higher slopes see more sun than the lower slopes.
In the past you could even descend to the village of Les Deux Alpes on a flat green path or a steep icy black slope. Fortunately, since 2015 there is an easy blue downhill run. This makes the ski area suddenly a lot friendlier for beginners. The connecting paths are a point of interest if you are skiing or snowboarding from top to bottom. These paths are sometimes quite flat. So it is wise to make as much speed as possible towards such a path.
In the skiing area Les Deux Alpes is a great place for advanced skiers. A nice difference in altitude and several steep slopes. The most beautiful slopes can be found just above the village. The Bellecombes is a black slope that you as an advanced skier really have to look up. Especially when fresh snow has fallen. Because of the slope percentage, it is wise to be careful with prolonged heavy snowfall. Stay away from the piste when it is closed due to avalanche risk.
The Bellecombes is a must-do for any advanced skier or snowboarder
Les Deux Alpes is a beautiful off-piste and freeride area. In this ski area you will find several beautiful off-piste slopes. On the Dôme de la Lauze you can cross to the ski area La Grave - La Meije with a pistebully. This is a true off-piste paradise for every freerider. Please note that you only make the crossing if you have extensive experience with off-piste skiing. Otherwise the area can be very dangerous. Do you really want an adventure in La Grave - La Meije? Then make sure you have an experienced guide.
The skiing area of Les Deux Alpes is not particularly suitable for long trips and lots of variation. This has to do with the line shape of the area. The ski area runs roughly in one line from Les Deux Alpes to the glacier. Les Deux Alpes is a concept in the field of freestyling. The freestyle parks and boardercross courses are famous. When there is a lot of snowfall you can go on the lower slopes. In low snowfall you will find the freestyle facilities on the glacier.
In addition to skiing and snowboarding, the ski area also offers ice climbing, winter hiking, cross-country skiing and tobogganing. Tip: Go night skiing on the floodlit piste or visit La Grotte de Glace!
Les Deux Alpes is not one of the most child-friendly ski areas in France. However, there are facilities for the little ones. Young children are welcome on the slopes just above the village of Les Deux Alpes. Here you will find a children's area, a children's and baby care centre, a snow playground and various ski schools. Are your children a bit older and do they have more experience? Then many downhill runs are quite a challenge. Independently on an adventure is not really a good idea either. In addition, the busy road in the village is not pleasant when you are on holiday with children.
Vénosc is a nice and small family village. Nevertheless, it is not ideal to go on winter sports here with children. The village is located outside the ski area, so you must first take the car or ski bus to Les Deux Alpes. In Mont de Lans you will not find a children's slope or children's land. In addition, the red valley slope is quite spicy. In short, this village is not a good choice for a winter sports holiday with the children so.
The ski area is quite high and is therefore very snow sure. The lowest point in Les Deux Alpes is still at a decent altitude of 1300 meters. On lower slopes, snow cannons are used if necessary. The villages of Les Deux Alpes, Vénosc and Mont de Lans are also at considerable altitude. A snow blanket is therefore often found here. The snow conditions and snow quality are optimal between mid-December and mid-March. Also in April you can still excellent skiing or snowboarding in Les Deux Alpes. On the glacier of Les Deux Alpes you can even enjoy summer skiing until the beginning of the summer.
Les Deux Alpes is a great destination if you like après-ski. On cozy evenings here almost looks like Austria. You will meet a lot of Dutch and British here. The après-ski is very festive in various tents and is often accompanied by a large amount of alcoholic drinks and a hopping crowd. On the mountain is the Panobar a real après-ski tip. You can go here from 15.30 for the fun. Dj's provide atmosphere and you have a magnificent view over the ski area. And in the valley the Umbrella Bar is a must.
The Panobar is a concept in Les Deux Alpes. Especially on New Year's Day!
There are also nice wine bars and pubs in Les Deux Alpes where you can have a drink and where things are a bit quieter. Vénosc is located outside the ski area and is a lot smaller than Les Deux Alpes. You will not find exuberant après-ski here. Cozy somewhere to drink can be fine. In Mont de Lans is no après-ski to find.
In Les Deux Alpes you will find several ski schools where you can book ski or snowboard lessons. Group lessons or private lessons. Prices vary per ski school. Moreover, you pay more in high season than in low season. Often you can book an advantage package including ski lessons through a travel agency. Normally the costs for a group course for adults or children are between € 150 and € 220 for 4 lesson days of 4 hours. Of course you can also opt for 2.5 hours of lessons per day. Then you are cheaper out.
Calculate for a private lesson at more than 200 euros per 4 hours. For example, a private instructor is a good option if you go winter sports with a group of the same level. The ski schools are also often the right place to go if you are looking for a guide for a freeride tour.
In Les Deux Alpes you can eat well on the slopes. The restaurants are not traditional, but quite cosy. There are various dishes on the menus. A large steak with chips for example, a well filled salad, crepes, cheese fondue or tartiflette. When it comes to costs you can make it as crazy as you want. Count on an amount between 5 and 25 euros for a lunch on the slopes. Prices vary per restaurant. Recommended are restaurant La Fee and restaurant Smitty's Tavern. At Smitty's you can not only eat fine, but also excellent après-ski.
Les Deux Alpes is known as a cheap winter sports destination. Shops and restaurants have normal prices compared to other French winter sports areas. Often the prices are even a bit lower than normal. Cheap accommodations are plentiful. Luxury and more expensive options are also available, but for this you have to search. The village of Les Deux Alpes is known for the cheap package deals of various travel agencies. You can stay in Les Deux Alpes in a chalet, apartment, hotel or guesthouse.
The price of the ski pass is normal in the Les Deux Alpes ski area by French standards. For 260 euros you can ski for 6 days. Vénosc is just as cheap and even slightly cheaper than Les Deux Alpes. The package deals are not taken into account. The accommodations are excellent and the village is a lot more authentic and charming than Les Deux Alpes. The location is a bit less on the edge of the ski area. There is also no downhill run, so you always have to take the lift back.
The skiing area Les Deux Alpes can be reached from the Netherlands by following the motorway to Grenoble. Then you drive through roads to the villages. Especially on changeover days and when there is heavy snowfall it can be very busy on the road. The last stretch to Les Deux Alpes is winding and goes up quite a bit. Also to Vénosc you have to climb a piece on a winding shortcut. The mountain road to Vénosc is not the same as the one to Les Deux Alpes. That's why it's often a lot less crowded in the direction of Vénosc. Mont de Lans is situated on a D-road and is a bit easier to reach.
Winter tyres and snow chains are a must if you drive to Les Deux Alpes during the winter months. In the event of heavy snowfall, you will not reach your destination without snow chains. Taking the train to Les Deux Alpes is also a possibility. The nearest train station is Grenoble. In this city you will also find the nearest airport in case you want to go on holiday by plane. From Grenoble is about an hour and a half on the way to the ski resort.
There are several organizations that offer bus trips to Les Deux Alpes, such as Interbus. You get on somewhere in the Netherlands and you get off at your accommodation in France.
Les Deux Alpes is a great ski area for an unforgettable holiday in the snow. Lots of conviviality, beautiful views, high snow conditions and amazing off-piste possibilities.
