Les Deux Alpes Ski Resort, France

Overview of Les Deux Alpes

There are only two things associated with the number two in Les Deux Alpes ski resort – the two mountain villages and the 2km long strip that joins them to create the resort. Otherwise, it’s all about the number ones – the highest skiable glacier in France, the greatest lift-served French off-piste ski area, the largest snowpark in Europe, the hub of the European freestyle scene and, if you’re down with the right crowd, the best party experience in the Alps!

Situated on the cusp of the Northern and Southern Alps only two hours from Grenoble airport, Les Deux Alpes ski area brings together beginner and expert skiers, as well as families and party people.

Despite the fact that development of the Les Deux Alpes ski resort has not always been in keeping with its historic alpine village roots (make sure you head to the Venosc end of town if you are looking for a bit of alpine charm), there are still some beautiful traditional chalets and Les Deux Alpes apartments to suit all budgets.

The main strip is a venerable entertainment highway, with ski lifts leading up the hill on each side by day and bars and restaurants enticing you in by night. While this may not appeal to all, there’s no denying that Les Deux Alpes holiday-goers will not be disappointed.

Skiing and Boarding in Les Deux Alpes

Fine snow on high slopes and gradients ranging from friendly to fearsome, Les Deux Alpes skiing is a good place both to start and to end up.
Beginners are spoilt for choice as nursery slopes stretch along the eastern flank of the resort and once you’ve linked up those turns, Les Deux Alpes skiing offers you the whole mountain experience. Green and blue lines extend up onto the glacier, letting you share in the stunning views and then glide back down on the gondola.

Intermediates will find the terrain perfect for honing their technique, although stronger skiers may hunker after a few more reds in between the cruisy blues and gnarly blacks. The often quieter Pied Moutet side of town boasts some fun blues and interesting reds though, especially bumpy Bons, which snakes down through the trees to 1300m.

If that’s not enough to keep you occupied, you could always hop on a helicopter (or the bus) over to Alpe d’Huez or Serre Chevalier to make some fresh tracks, all on the one lift pass.

Anyone who calls themselves an advanced skier will already know that Les Deux Alpes skiing offers something you don’t get everywhere in the Alps. With almost as many black runs as reds and 1400ha of accessible off-piste, there is plenty to whet the appetite of the most demanding technical skier.

Freeriders flock here too so as to find La holy Grave: the mountains above this small hamlet are unique. The one old school bubble lift takes you to the summit and then it’s a 2150m descent, except there is only one marked piste, otherwise “each run is to imagine.” You won’t see ski patrol and you won’t see anything to warn you of dangers: this is skiing as it was meant to be. Be sure to take avalanche-safety gear (probe, shovel and transceiver) as well as a guide, because it is highly likely that you will get lost without one. Oh, and Les Deux Alpes ski resort also has the best snowpark in Europe.

Lift Passes in Les Deux Alpes

The Les Deux Alpes 6 Day Pass grants you access to the full 225km of runs and 51 ski lifts. As with the Alpe D’Huez pass, you also receive the added bonus of 2 days in Alpe D’Huez and 1 in Serre Chavelier. You also get one free entry to the swimming pool or ice rink per day. There are also 5 free drag lifts for those who are learning to ski.

Activities in Les Deux Alpes

• Ice skating - This is included in a 6-day lift pass.
• Swimming - There are 2 pools in resort - entry to the one in the middle of town in the Aqua Centre is included with a 6-day lift pass. Access to spa facilities is extra. The other pool is lovely, and up in the Village so a bit further out of town. Entry to this is not included with a lift pass.
• Laser Quest - For all ages - booking is required.
• Bowling - Open everyday 8pm-2am. No booking allowed unless a group of 20 people or more. There is also a bar and lots of arcade games.
• Cinema - Shows an English film every Wednesday evening.
• Parapente - Book through Skiworld rep. For all ages and for all thrillseekers. See the resort from a birds-eye view. You can jump with or without skis.
• Ski-doo - Book through Skiworld rep. For all ages and for all thrill-seekers. See the resort by night and Ski-doo up the green runs in the dark.
• Snowboard Taster - Book through Skiworld rep. A 2-hour taster lesson provided by ESS with equipment provided by Jacques sport.
• Helicopter to Alpe D'Huez - Travel to our neighbouring resort in style for the day. 6-day lift pass covers a day in ADH.

Après Ski in Les Deux Alpes

With over 30 bars waiting for you in the resort you'll find plenty of places to go during your visit. Here are some suggestions.

• Pano bar - the 'Folie' of Deux Alpes. Massive top of the range sound system that you’ll hear before you see. Everyone dances on the terrace and there’s a happy hour between 3 pm and 4 pm. They also serve great food at their self-service restaurant for lunch. Included in the Skiworld discount card.
• The Spot - A restaurant and bar with a relaxed atmosphere. Included in our restaurant recommendations and also the first stop for our bar crawl on Mondays. The menu includes pizzas, steaks, massive salads, duck pancakes, build your own burgers (!) and more! They also do a build your own breakfast until noon every day which is great for chalet days off. Tuesday and Wednesday nights are 'Acoustioke' nights, where you can karaoke with live accompaniment.
• Polar Bear - Chalet style bar with live music and a cosy fire. Always a busy spot for tourists and seasonnaries alike. Included in the Skiworld discount card.
• Jukeboxx - A trendy bar with a great atmosphere and delicious cocktails. 3rd stop on Mondays bar crawl. They also do a lot of themed nights during the season.
• Secret Bar - Chilled bar with a pool table and TVs that show all the big games. 2nd stop on the bar crawl and one of our recommended restaurants as they also serve great pizzas that aren't going to break the bank.
• Mini Bar - A little bar that has drum and bass and other themed music nights. A quick 4th stop on our bar crawl
• Smithy's - The big and very popular English bar in the resort. 5th stop on a bar crawl, before we head to the final club to see off the night. The upstairs restaurant is one of our recommended restaurants, and the upstairs bar does great cocktails. Loads of themed nights and sponsored by DC, with giveaways throughout the season.
• Avalanche - The main nightclub in the resort. It tends to get busiest after midnight when other bars start to close for the evening. Last stop on our bar crawl and open until 5 am every night for when you don’t want the night to end.
• Bresilien - The other place that is open until 5 am for when the night is too good to go home. Always busy with seasonnaires and tourists, and offers great music to dance the night away.
• Diable au Coeur - Also a fancy restaurant as well as a self service restaurant.

Places to Eat in Les Deux Alpes

With over 40 restaurants you will have plenty of appetizing options to chose from. Here are some options to consider during your visit:

• The Spot - Build your own breakfast until midday every day. Build your own burgers, pizza, enormous salads, the best bloody mary's in town, and ice cream sundaes.
• Smithy's Tavern - Chargrill, fajitas, burgers, salmon, poke bowls which are great for veggies and vegans. The BEST steak in the resort.
• Secret Bar - Affortable, delicious pizzas and homemade Italian specials.
• Alisier - French cuisine including Savoyarde specials. Run by an ex Michelin star chef. The magret du canard (duck breast) is a strong recommendation.
• La Porte d’a Côté - French food including Savoyarde specials. Huge delicious salads, frogs legs, snails, truffle ravioli, steaks, tuna steak and the best carbonara you will ever have.
• Le Chalet a Pizza - Take away pizza and they also deliver for free anywhere in the resort.
• K's Croute - Take away pizza open until 4 am and close to a lot of the bars.
• Hotel Mounier - Michelin star restaurant in town for those who want something extra special.

Family Options in Les Deux Alpes

• Ski school - Little Ones For ages 4 and 5 there is a 5-day group ski school
• Best family-friendly restaurants
   - The spot - build your own burgers, pizza, onion rings, chips, ice cream
   - Smithys - Burgers, fajitas, onion rings, chips. Kids menu available
   - Boris Burgers - Take away burgers, hot dogs, chips
   - Secret Bar - pizza