Les Deux Alpes boasts one of Europe's most significant skiable glaciers. This renowned resort, unique in its topography, is celebrated for its excellent snow conditions, abundant sunshine, and 200 km of slopes, making it ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all levels.
As one of the top ski resorts in France, Les Deux Alpes has plenty to offer. We've created this guide to make planning your Les Deux Alpes ski holiday easy. You'll learn everything you need to know, from its location to its ski areas, snow history, and even the best places to grab a bite or relax after skiing. At the end, you'll also find a downloadable resort map, plus some handy contact numbers and links.
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Les Deux Alpes is situated in the French Alps, in the Isère department of southeastern France, near the town of Grenoble.
Nearest airport
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Pros | Cons |
---|---|
Snow sure glacier at the peak of the ski area | Scarce red runs |
Lengthy, high-altitude blue runs | Certain slopes can be extremely crowded |
Outstanding off-piste options | Restricted tree skiing during poor visibility |
Vibrant nightlife | Ski area is more confined compared to other major resorts |
Les Deux Alpes stands out as a self-contained skiing paradise, not part of any larger ski area, offering a comprehensive and varied ski experience all its own. With 80 pistes that include 13 green, 43 blue, 15 red, and 9 black, the resort spans 200km of skiing terrain, serviced by 40 lifts. This ski area is segmented into seven distinctive sectors, each catering to different skiing preferences and abilities:
For beginners, Les Deux Alpes offers a variety of nursery slopes and free lifts for initial practice. As they progress, they can explore the numerous green runs within the main ski area.
Intermediate skiers will find Les Deux Alpes to be a paradise, boasting an array of cruising blue and red runs, including some of the highest skiable slopes in the Alps.
Les Deux Alpes also caters to advanced skiers with challenging moguls, steep black runs, couloirs, and exceptional off-piste opportunities. Notable runs include the formidable Le Diable and the exhilarating mogul fields of Fée 5.
With a vertical drop of 2,300 meters, Les Deux Alpes offers an exhilarating downhill experience for all freeride aficionados.
Les Deux Alpes boasts the prestigious Glacier du Mont de Lans, offering a unique high-altitude skiing experience at 3,570m. The glacier presents predominantly blue runs that are both gentle and expansive, making it an exceptional spot for skiers seeking less challenging terrains. Beyond these, freeriders can venture to the off-piste terrains of La Grave.
Les Deux Alpes is an exhilarating playground for snowboarders, with the 'Freestyle Land' snowpark in the Toura area at 2,600m. This pristine snowpark caters to freestylers of all levels, featuring a dedicated beginner area and a more challenging slope-style line with rails, hips, boxes, tables, and a big air jump. Additionally, the park’s half-pipe is perfect for those looking to perform gravity-defying stunts.
The ski season in the Les Deux Alpes for 2024/25 is expected to start on December 2nd and run until April 27th. Obviously, opening and closing dates may vary slightly depending on snow conditions. If you're planning a ski holiday to the Les Deux Alpes this season, be sure to explore our Les Deux Alpes ski deals for the best ski offers available.
The Les Deux Alpes offers optimal snow conditions from December through April, each month presenting unique opportunities for skiers. December and January consistently bring about 42 cm and 36 cm of snow respectively, dispersed across roughly 2.9 days each week, ensuring regular fresh snow. February's snowfall slightly decreases to 31 cm but occurs more frequently, averaging 3.1 days per week. The pinnacle of snowfall arrives in the second week of December, traditionally the snowiest week in the Les Deux Alpes, with an impressive 54 cm of snow over 3.1 days, making it a paradise for those who cherish Bluebird Powder Days—when sunshine and light winds follow fresh snowfall. The season stretches into April with enjoyable conditions, accumulating 26 cm of snow over 3.7 days, perfect for softer snow under brighter skies.
Month | Snow amount (week) | Snow days (week) |
---|---|---|
December | 42 cm | 3.0 days |
January | 36 cm | 2.9 days |
February | 31 cm | 3.1 days |
March | 36 cm | 3.4 days |
April | 26 cm | 3.7 days |
(Ref: snow-forecast.com)
This restaurant is located at the top of the Jandri Express gondola and has a large terrace with panoramic views.
Located at 2200 m in the Crete sector, this restaurant has over 30 years of experience, and their specialities include tartiflette, grilled meat, pastries and crepes.
Located at the foot of the Viking chairlift, this restaurant, with its view over the Massif de la Muzelle has been awarded the "Maitre Restaurateur" label for their high culinary standards.
This restaurant is located in the heart of the village and its menu features a wide variety of dishes, all made with fresh, local ingredients. The signature dish is the cassoulet, a hearty stew made with beans, sausage, and lamb.
This restaurant serves up delicious paella made with fresh, seasonal ingredients and is cooked to perfection in a wood-fired oven.
This restaurant is a local favorite, serving up classic French dishes like steak-frites and moules-frites.
This restaurant, located in a small chalet in the village, is known for its wood-fired pizzas and its cozy atmosphere.
This bar is located at the top of the Jandri Express gondola and has a large terrace with plenty of seating, so you can enjoy the views while you sip your drink. There is also a small indoor area if the weather is not good.
This bar is also located in the heart of the village and is known for its live music and DJs.
A popular après-ski spot located in the centre of Les Deux Alpes known for its lively atmosphere and its wide selection of drinks.
This nightclub is located at the bottom of the slopes and has a large dance floor, a state-of-the-art sound system, and a VIP area.
This is a hidden bar that can only be found by those who know where to look. It is located in a small alleyway in the centre of Les Deux Alpes.
Download Les Deux Alpes resort map here