Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes ski area

Les 2 Alpes is an internationally renowned resort with a high-altitude ski area. It boasts an excellent snow record, well above-average sunshine conditions and an amazing 200km of snow-sure ski slopes (75% above 2,000m).

The ski area is well suited to all standards of skiers/boarders and most runs are above the treeline. 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 mostly blue and red runs. The main slopes are all above the tree line, with runs suitable for all levels, from beginners to experts. One of the boasts of Les 2 Alpes is that ‘the higher the altitude, the easier the pistes’.

A departure and return to the resort on skis or via the ski lifts (Hybrid-lift of Belle Étoile, Jandri 3S, hybrid-lift of Le Diable). There are 14 km of blue runs between 3,600m and 1,650m (resort).

Above 2,200m, most of the runs are north-facing and the top glacier section guarantees good snow. You also have a 2,300m negative ascent without taking a single lift.

There are 7 sectors:

• High altitude area (3600),
• Toura (2600),
• Diable (2400),
• Fée (2200),
• Crêtes (2100),
• Vallée Blanche (2100),
• Station (1650).

Les Deux Alpes skiing info

Beginners
Beginners will enjoy the magnificent views from the top of the glacier (at high altitude) with wide, easy runs - or the nursery slopes at resort level beside the village. The higher you go in Les 2 Alpes, the more accessible the slopes become. Beginner skiers who start at a low altitude can ski to over 3000 m by the end of their stay and come back down via the Jandri 3S!

A snow front equipped and adapted for beginners, including 3 free ski lifts. 

The Vallée Blanche sector is accessible to all thanks to a beautiful green slope and easy-to-access ski lifts (cable car and hybrid lift).

Intermediates
Intermediates are well catered for with a good array of blue and red runs. The top Glacier du Mont de Lans area has some easy slopes with superb views. You can ski all the way from the top down to Mont de Lans (a descent of 2,270m vertical, possibly the world’s biggest on-piste vertical).

Advanced, off-piste & ski touring
There are plenty of black runs and off-piste descents to keep the expert skier busy. For the more adventurous, an outing to the slopes of La Grave is recommended but a guide is necessary.

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 2 Alpes has created several trails where visitors can try ski touring. One purposely designed route is reserved exclusively for ski tourers. The Parcours des Vallons is well marked and features an 800m altitude difference. Two others are located in the Vallée Blanche area. Ski touring blends downhill skiing and hiking.

Les Deux Alpes mountain fun zones

Snowpark at 2,600m in La Toura sector (one of the top 5 parks!) - themed zones all categorised by ability level:

• Easy Park,
• Slopestyle and Big Air,
• Park de l’Envers,
• Boardercross,
• Cool zone.

Test your skill at negotiating turns and moguls on La Toura’s mini boardercross and the whoops on the Jandri 4 run. Accessible to all ages.

Les Deux Alpes nordic area

The best cross-country skiing in the area is about a 30 mins away in Villar d’Arène. Situated on the edge of the national park you can find a variety of well-maintained tracks. There is a 3km, 7km and 10km loop to explore.

Back in Les Deux Alpes, you can access the tracks at the bottom of the Vallée Blanche chairlift; they are only suitable for skating style as they are shared with walkers. They are free but not really ideal for complete beginners.

Les Deux Alpes ski hire & lift passes (pre-bookable)

Pre-book your 6 day+ Les Deux Alpes ski hire and/or Les Deux Alpes lift pass with Peak Retreats.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Other lift passes are available to buy in the resort such as half or full-day passes (for those who only wish to ski the odd day) or one-use lift passes for pedestrians. Some resorts also offer specific beginner area passes and cross country passes.

There are 3 free lifts at the bottom of the slopes. A beginner's pass in available to buy in resort.

Les Deux Alpes group ski school (pre-bookable)

Ski school for children is available to book from 3 years to 12 years in Les Deux Alpes with Peak Retreats. Children can learn to snowboard from 8 years+. We can also book private lessons.

First skiing experience for the little ones from 1 to 3 years old! Before going to kindergarten, little ones from 1 to 3 years old can discover the joys of skiing with the 'Babysnow' lessons under the supervision of professional instructors. The 'babysnow' is skiing equipment with a surfboard, a fixed handlebar at the front, a saddle and a handle controlled by the instructor. The sessions are only available for private lessons with qualified ESF instructors and will allow parents to become familiar with the 'Babysnow'. This activity is offered as part of the "Famille Plus" label in the resort of Les 2 Alpes. Book direct.

To download the ski extras form see 'Helpful links' further down the page. Please note that prices are for indication only. They will fluctuate based on Euro/£ exchange rate. Please call us for the latest prices.

Les Deux Alpes private lessons (pre-bookable)

Private lessons can now be booked through Peak Retreats. Please call us for prices.

Les Deux Alpes childcare (not pre-bookable)

Childcare from 6 months-5 years (non-skiers)

Les Deux Alpes has acquired the Famille Plus label for its childcare facilities. Please view here for more information on the Famille Plus label.

Top snow activities to experience in Les Deux Alpes

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.

Night skiing
Every Wednesday evening, from the Christmas holidays until the end of the February holidays, skiers will be able to enjoy moonlit ski descents in the Vallée Blanche sector (blue and red runs). You can enjoy an aperitif or a mountain dinner at the Kanata or Troïka restaurant also.

Kuma & Co
During the winter season, go with the flow and let the Nordic dogs set the pace as you enjoy a ride through an unspoilt and preserved natural environment, admiring snowy landscapes. Discover kind-hearted dogs and the world of our mushers, who will be happy to share their passion with you. Husky rides and beginner’s sledge-drive sessions every day on prior booking.

Baby snow with the ESF
The baby snow is a snow sports device comprising a snowboard with handlebars attached to the front, a saddle, and a handle for the adult to hold onto. The baby snow was created for parents to be able to share a wonderful experience with their child. It was designed for children between the ages of 1 year (when they are able to stand upright) up to the age of 4 years.

Sledge runs
3 sledging runs at the foot of the slopes reserved for children (including one dedicated to children from 2 to 6). Free access. Secured but unsupervised area. Depending on snow conditions.

Snake gliss
Every day late afternoon, a fun and original activity to share with family and friends. Several sledges are assembled to form a sledge snake, guided by a professional instructor. This activity is open to everyone aged 7 years + The further back you are in the snake, the more exciting the descent!

Snowmobile
Discover unforgettable thrills behind the handlebars of a one or two-seater snowmobile; every evening our official 15km long track located in the upper part of the Les 2 Alpes resort welcomes you to enjoy exceptional views of the resort at night.

Grotte de Glace 3200m D’Altitude
In Winer season the ice cave is open. Make the most of your trip to the summits to delve into the magical world of the ice cave situated at an altitude of 3,400 metres, at the top of the Jandri Express.

Les Coulisses du Domaine Skiable
Find out more about the snow factory as well as the machinery behind the glaciers funicular and meet people passionate about their work! A fantastic opportunity to take a look behind the scenes of a ski resort and discover the different aspects of working with ski lifts.

Ski Premiere Trace
Every Wednesday morning, meet the ski patrol team at the foot of the Jandri Express; join them to opening the slopes before everyone else arrives and enjoy around 2 hours of skiing and learning about the job of a patroller. Bring your ski pass. 3-star skiing ability required. Information and bookings are available from the main ski pass office.

Snowshoeing hike
Daily hikes for all ability levels to explore the Oisans region (snowshoes, poles and minibus transport provided).

Les 2 Alpes guide office invites you to discover chamois in their winter habitat on a snowshoe hike. For 2.5 hours, you'll hike along an easy trail with a 100m vertical drop, an opportunity to learn more about this iconic mountain animal. From ages 7+ and over, this "Esprit Parc National" stamped outing promises an enriching experience full of fun for all the family.

Ice climbing
From beginner’s sessions, open to everyone with a general level of fitness, to the most beautiful routes in the Oisans region(equipment provided).

Usually offered in the summer months by Les 2 Alpes mountain guides office, the glacier hike is now available in March. This is a supervised outing between 3400m and 3600m offering the opportunity to climb a summit in crampons (the 2 Alpes summit), roped up and supervised by a mountain guide. With just 200m of ascent, the hike is accessible to people aged 10 years+, making it a risk-free introduction to mountaineering, offering thrills and incredible scenery.

Snow groomer afternoon
At 3200m, riding in a snow groomer is a dream for many skiers and is a great way to see what it's like to work in the snow. Sharing an afternoon with them is a chance to enter their world. 30-minute immersion, offered every Wednesday (+ Thursdays during school holidays). Such initiatives offer holidaymakers a rare opportunity to understand the challenges and beauty of these jobs, which are essential to the smooth running of the Les 2 Alpes ski area.

DVA zone
Give the D.V.A zone a go and learn how to search for avalanche victims on the Bellecombe sector. The ski patrol will explain what you need to do. Free access at the top of the Bellecombe chairlift.

Top activities to experience in Les Deux Alpes

Please note Peak Retreats do not book any activities and most activities are payable therefore the below is just for information. More detailed information and how to book can be found on the tourist office website.

Swimming pool
In winter season open from Sunday to Friday. Whirlpool bath with access to the swimming pool 8-seat Jacuzzi.

Paragliding
In winter the snow covers the mountains and forests in a blanket of white. It’s a unique spectacle! Winter is also the ideal season to discover paragliding accompanied by an instructor.

Belvedere des Ecrins 3400 m d’altitude
A suspended aerial footbridge will give you an unforgettable experience, with a view of the Ecrins mountain range! Accessible from 4yrs old due to altitude (including pedestrians), the bridge is a 10-minute walk from the funicular station (3,400m), and can also be reached by ski from the summit of the Puy Salie ski lift.

Airbag park
Alone or in duo, take on the springboard! Send yourself up in the air on a donut and land on the airbag. From 7 years old.

Croisette ice rink
1,800m² open-air ice rink. Open mid December-Mid March. Located on the snow front at the start of the Alpette ski lift.

Gourmet evenings on the slopes for non-skiers
Every week, the high-altitude restaurants Diable au Coeur (2400m) and Troïka (2100m) offer holidaymakers (non-skiing) a gourmet evening on the summits. The Diable and Vallée Blanche cable cars take you to these restaurants in less than 7 minutes for an unforgettable evening.

Venosc cable car late opening
Every Thursday (during the French school holidays), the Venosc cable car, which links the village of Venosc to the resort of Les 2 Alpes, runs until 10.30pm. Guests from Venosc enjoy the evening in Les 2 Alpes, while those from Les 2 Alpes visit the charming, traditional village of Venosc. It's a great opportunity to meet the local craftspeople and taste the delicious food in the village!

Yoga
If you're looking for some time to yourself, then a 'yoga & breakfast' morning at Chalet Mounier is a must, every Sunday AM. Sessions are hosted in the open air, facing the mythical Muzelle and Pic de Venosc mountains in the Écrins National Park and rewarded after with a brunch lunch.

Genepi making guide
The 'Génépi des Sommets boutique' is home to the secrets of making Génépi liqueur, a recipe handed down from generation to generation. The nectar is made on-site using traditional methods. Each day, the team tehre tells customers about the history of Genepi, how the elixir is made, how it is bottled and how to taste the finished product.

Bowling
6-lane Bowling alley (Le Strike) with arcade games, billiards, table football and bar.

Helicopter flight
Fly over the snow-capped peaks of Les 2 Alpes, the Oisans and Ecrins massifs!
Les 2 Alpes or Alpe d'Huez: 8 minutes
The Grandes Rousses massif: 12 minutes
L'Oisans and les Ecrins: 16 minutes

Les 2 Alpes news

What's new for the 24/25 season:

• Les 2 Alpes ski area is going from strength to strength with an incredible expansion of its slopes and lifts, including the Jandri 3S at the start of the 2024/2025 winter season,
• Join the Ski Patrol for the day at Les 2 Alpes and learn what it takes to get the slopes ready. Discover how the slopes are secured, learn how emergency equipment is prepared, understand the role of the dog handlers and much more as you join the ski patrollers in the opening of the slopes. Once the hard work is done, you can enjoy a gourmet breakfast at 2,600m. You will need an intermediate level of skiing to participate. Pedestrians can participate in the first part of the activity.

Historic news 23/24:

• New Super Venosc gondola lift
• Creation of the first green slope on the Vallée Blanche slope
• The Diable chairlift becomes the Diable telemix
• The new Pierre Grosse gondola lift 
• New Coolidge magic carpet

Les 2 Alpes events

Events taking place in the 2024/25 season:

• Avalanche rescue dog handler training 19th Edition 2nd-13th December 2024: around twenty pairs will take 88 hours of practical and theoretical lessons over 11 days
• Rise Festival 7th-14th December 2024: 10th Edition of 8,000 British people gather in Les 2 Alpes for a festival of electro music and mountain fun
• Les Lumieres de la Muzelle 11 January 2025: 12th Edition, every year, the Les 2 Alpes Trail association, with the support of the Tourist Office, the municipality and the SATA ski area company, organises a unique white trail. The event takes place in the snow, on groomed slopes and trails, when the ski lifts are closed, and especially at night, starting from the Vallée Blanche sector at 2100 m. From there, participants can choose between a 10km, a 21km, a 42km (Maratrail) and, new for 2025, an 8km. Anyone can take part and experience a trail on snow!
• Tout Schuss Cup 11th-12th January 2025: 9th Edition, Speed skiing competitions for kids (<12 years) organised by the Ski Club des 2 Alpe
• New lift celebrations 17th January 2025: to celebrate the new ski lift at Les 2 Alpes: Jandri 3S, ski area operator SATA Group-AEON is organising festivities including an official ceremony at the end of the morning at the foot of station 1 (resort) and a drone show at the bottom of the slopes at night
• Choucas Kids Trophy 22nd March 2025: the Les 2 Alpes ski club is organising an FFS-rated competition for children aged 6 to 10 (U8-U10)
• 8th Edition Micro Kids 11th-13th April 2025: this is the ONLY and BIGGEST SNOWBOARD competition in France dedicated to "micro riders", children aged between 5 and 11 (super microbes, microbes and chicks)! A show at 2600 m in the Les 2 Alpes snowpark! The future champions are sure to be there...
• Black Garden Party 12th-13th April 2025: (mountain biking)
  it's a tradition in mid-April for mountain bikers to preview the downhill slopes of Les 2 Alpes, including the legendary red Venosc slope and the brand new Black Garden, an elite double-black slope. It's a time of celebration, reunion and a return to downhill mountain biking
• La Patrolette 19th April 2025: the first-aid trackers (L'association des pisteurs de l'Oisans/APSO) will be showcasing their profession and challenging everyone to a vertical drop race, a DVA (avalanche transceiver) time trial and a boarder sled
• Beef Roast Rail Jam 26th April 2025: 6th Edition, friendly freestyle contest in which English and French riders compete in a Jam session, in teams of 3, in the 2 Alpes snowpark (Toura - 2600m).

Les 2 Alpes snow weeks:

• Powderweek 30th November-7th December 2024 (D)
• Royal Navy Winter Sports Association Alpine Championships 11th-25th January 2025 (GB)
• SnowAttack 25th January-1st February 2025
• Vindicat Lustrum 8th-15th March 2025 (NL)
• SnowZone 8th-15th March 2025 (D)
• Studio Brussel SnowCase 8th-15th March 2025
• UniChamp 15th-22nd March 2025 (D)
• SnowFest 22nd-29th March 2025 (RO)
• Easter Big Week 12th-18th April 2025 (GB)

Les Deux Alpes après-ski, bars & restaurants

Over 60 restaurants to choose from including takeaway pizza and burgers, gourmet restaurants, typical French restaurants and international cuisine. 7 mountain restaurants and 5 bars on the slopes.

4 of Les 2 Alpes restaurants have been awarded the Maître Restaurateur label as of 2024: Le Chalet Mounier, Crêpes à gogo, Le Diable au Coeur and Douces Gourmandises (Venosc).

Les Deux Alpes nightlife – over 30 bars (usually opening until 2am) & 3 nightclubs in Les Deux Alps (opening until 5am).

Why not try:

• The 'Yonder Café' restaurant which produces the only coffee 'made in Les 2 Alpes', roasted at an altitude of 1,650m, in beans or ground, from Guatemala to Ethiopia, via Indonesia and Peru,
• 'Les Petits Caprices d'Émilie Paris' is the renowned chocolate and patisserie of Les 2 Alpes. Emilie's world is bubbling with creativity - Gourmandise is an art she shares!
• Beer, and its success, has led some people to concoct their own creations. Ugo Mounier, manager of the high-altitude restaurant Le Diable au Coeur, concocts his own beer recipe, the "bière des Glaciers", creating a new recipe every year!

Amenities

Les Deux Alpes is served by a range of amenities including open-air heated swimming pool (with 3 baths, incl a paddling pool), an Olympic-sized ice rink, two sports centres with indoor pool, squash court, gym…), bowling, cinema. Cash points, doctors, pharmacies, physiotherapists, several shops, bakeries… Les 2 Alpes has all the facilities and services that you would find in a large ski resort. There are various mini supermarkets dotted around the resort (Carrefour, Spa, Sherpas etc). All open until 8pm. Various shops, bakeries, boulangeries, laundrettes, souvenir shops, sports shops, clothes shops...

Petrol Station
STATION SERVICE DES CIMES A G6
8 avenue de la Muzelle - BP 28

Getting to Les Deux Alpes, France

By road:
Driving distance from Calais to Les Deux Alpes is approx. 587 miles (944km, approx. 8hrs 25). From Calais, take A26 Motorway towards Reims and Troyes, then Dijon, Lyon, A480 Motorway to Grenoble. Exit at no. 8 (Vizelle, Stations de l’Oisans), then take the RN91 via Le Bourg d’Oisans. As you come out of the tunnel at the Le Chambon dam, turn right onto the D213.

By rail & air:
Take the Eurostar from London St Pancras. See our train services page for more information as we can pre-book the trains for you. The nearest train station to Les Deux Alpes is roughly 40 miles away (65km) in Grenoble (approx. 1hrs 15).

4 international airports nearby, and a heliport at the foot of the slopes. See our flying page for information on airlines (however we don't book flights).

Chambery Savoie Mont Blanc Airport to Les Deux Alpes is roughly 86 miles (138km), approx. 1hr 45
Lyon-Saint Exupery Airport to Les Deux Alpes is roughly 99 miles (159km), approx. 2hrs
Geneva Airport to Les Deux Alpes is roughly 136 miles (218 km), approx. 2hrs 30
Grenoble Alpes Isere Airport to Les Deux Alpes is roughly 73 miles (117km), approx. 1hr 15 mins

Private taxi transfers:
Private taxi transfers from airports and train stations are pre-bookable with Peak Retreats. See our airport & station transfers page for more information.

Bus transfers:
Altibus/Bens Bus/Snow bus (and the likes of) offer shared bus lines from French/Swiss airports and some SNCF train stations to ski resorts. We don't book these (or have any affiliation with), we invite you to do your own research.

Les Deux Alpes opening dates

See resort opening information