Les Deux Alpes has three major assets: guaranteed snow cover, long cruisy runs for intermediates and one of the finest terrain parks in Europe. What’s more, it has some of the most vibrant après in France.
It opened in 1939 with one primitive rope-tow, which sadly fell down within 15 minutes of the opening ceremony. Hostilities with Germany then got in the way of development and nothing much happened until the construction of a gondola in the late 1950s.
These days it has 220km of pistes served by 44 lifts, and the glacier – plus a top altitude of 3,600m – means that even in the worst winters for snow cover, the pistes are never in serious trouble here.
There are also ambitious plans to link it to neighbouring Alpe d’Huez, a redesign that would create a giant three-resort area (Les Deux Alpes is already linked to La Grave) with three glaciers. Plans are still on hold, but if/when this opens, Les Deux Alpes will be thrust into the upper echelons of world-class ski areas.
Stay on track with the essential facts from the resort below, and scroll down for our insider guide to a day on the pistes, expert ratings and advice. For further Les Deux Alpes inspiration, see our guides to the resort’s best restaurants and après ski.
In this guide:
b’
‘
Resort guide
The main village in Les Deux Alpes sprawls along a narrow ledge that was once the summer domain of goat and sheep farmers. However, the delightful lower village of Venosc (linked by gondola, but not by piste), with its narrow cobbled lanes, craft shops and enticing restaurants, is a pleasant contrast to what essentially is a purpose-built resort.
While the resort’s glacier doesn’t have the pitch of Tignes or Hintertux, skiing and snowboarding on piste is possible into the summer months and also for some autumn weeks, depending on the state of the snow.
The off piste in adjoining La Grave is quite extraordinary, and it’s also possible to head to St Christophe-en-Oisans, another ancient climbing community in this remote and beautiful corner of the Dauphiné.
The resort has some of the most snow-sure slopes in France – Getty
Dining options are varied, with menus that range from French mountain fare to Michelin-starred plates, and there are 30-plus bars to keep party animals entertained. Accommodation caters to families, groups and couples: there are value hotels and chalets, as well as more luxurious hotels and apartments.
In the biggest new development for a decade, 2024/25 saw the opening of the Jandri 3S cable car, which replaced the former Jandri Express. This new lift operates over a distance of 6.4km from the resort at 1,600m up to 3,200m in 17 minutes (reduced from 40), carrying 3,000 people per hour. The season also saw renovation work to the resort’s underground funicular, installed in 1989, which takes skiers and pedestrians up to 3,400m.
Off the slopes, the resort’s swimming pool and ice rink have been completely renovated for 2025/26.
b’
‘
Back to index
Piste guide
Les Deux Alpes has always been an excellent choice for a good time on the slopes, with 44 lifts and long, cruisy runs along its 220km of pistes. Guaranteed snow cover that stretches into May makes it a reliable option for early and late-season skiing too.
The slopes extend from the glacier right down into the resort Credit: Luka Leroy
Beginners
Les Deux Alpes is good for beginners, who even during their first week on skis or board get to see (or even ski) much more terrain than in a conventional ski area. There is a beginner area in the Vallee Blanche area with three free ski lifts and a green slope. And there are learning areas at high altitude (2,100m and 2,600m), with plans to create a new one at 3,200m.
The slopes extend from the glacier right down into the resort – Luka Leroy
Intermediates
The grading of runs in Les Deux Alpes is more challenging than in some others, so wobbly intermediates are strongly advised to download rather than tackle the unusually steep valley runs that tend to be icy and overcrowded. Confident intermediates will enjoy the challenge of the 10km-long Jandri 2 run.
Experts & off piste
Experts who want to progress beyond the black runs could hire a guide and then hike or snowcat off the shoulder of the glacier. From here you can explore the long and sometimes extremely demanding off-piste runs that lead from the 3,568m Dome de la Lauze down to the old climbing village of La Grave.
Snowboarders
Les Deux Alpes is a friendly resort for snowboarders and for freestylers in general. It now has Les 2 Alpes Freestyle Land at 2,600m, which includes the snowpark on the glacier with a half pipe and super pipe, and a family park.
Back to index
Who should go?
Intermediates will enjoy themselves in Les Deux Alpes and beginners have the unique chance to start their ski journey at the top, rather than the bottom, of the mountain, with spectacular views from the glacier. The resort is renowned for having one of the most vibrant après scenes in France, making it a good choice for a New Year break. There are some 30 bars in town to choose from, with many staying open until the early hours. Freestylers will be delighted by the world-class terrain park.
Where to stay
While accommodation may not be swanky, this resort offers a good combination of value options from hostels and apartments to comfortable hotels and chalets, catering well for couples, families and groups. If you want to be first on the lifts in the morning, stay in Les Deux Alpes itself. Free shuttle buses run along the main street between Petit Plan and the Place de Venosc. Village 1800, linked to the main ski area by chairlift, offers apartments but it’s quieter here with little in the way of après. Venosc, a village below the resort, offers a more traditional Alpine atmosphere and there’s an efficient gondola to the ski area.
Back to index
How to get there
Most of the biggest UK ski operators organise packages to Les Deux Alpes, including Crystal (crystalski.co.uk), Ski Solutions (skisolutions.com), Inghams (inghams.co.uk) and Skiworld (skiworld.co.uk) with ski in/ski out options. All-inclusive operator UCPA (ucpa.co.uk) offers affordable holidays in twin or dormitory rooms. Self-drive packages are available through Peak Retreats (peakretreats.co.uk) and Erna Low (ernalow.co.uk). The transfer from Grenoble rail station takes one hour, 15 minutes by car. Flixbus (flixbus.co.uk) or BlaBlaCar shuttle buses (blablacar.co.uk) operate from Lyon airport. Transfer time from Geneva airport is two hours, 30 minutes.
Les Deux Alpes is popular early in the season – YOANN PESIN/YOANN PESIN
When to go
This snow-sure resort is a good bet for early and late season skiing with the added incentive of discounted lift passes either side of high season. There’s also a variety of events including the Rise Festival from December 6 to 13, 2025, a week of partying and skiing. Christmas, New Year and Easter celebrations include torch-lit descents, fireworks, and musical parades, and on January 17, 2026, hundreds of people traditionally take part in the night-time “Les Lumières de la Muzelle”, an illuminated trail running descent from the Vallée Blanche sector, which is free and open to all.
b’
‘b’
‘
Back to index
Know before you go
Essential information
-
British Embassy/Consulate: 00 33 1 44 51 31 00; gov.uk
-
Ambulance (samu): dial 15
-
Emergency services from mobile phone: dial 112
-
Tourist office: See les2alpes.com, the website for the Les Deux Alpes Tourist Board, for weather reports, lift status, webcams, traffic details and local event listings. Pick up maps, leaflets and other information from the office below the Jandri Express lift station.
The basics
-
Telephone code: from abroad, dial 00 33, then leave off the zero at the start of the 10-figure number.
Local laws & etiquette
-
When greeting people, formal titles (Monsieur, Madame and Mademoiselle) are used much more in French than in English.
-
The laws of vouvoiement (which version of “you” to use) take years to master. If in doubt – except when talking to children or animals – always use the formal vous form (second person plural) rather than the more casual tu.
-
When driving, it’s compulsory to keep fluorescent bibs and a hazard triangle in the car in case of breakdown. Since 2021, it’s also compulsory to have snow chains in your car or winter tyres from the beginning of November until March.
Try full access to The Telegraph free today. Unlock their award-winning website and essential news app, plus useful tools and expert guides for your money, health and holidays.