Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes, nestled high in the French Alps, stands out for its exceptional snow reliability and extensive glacier skiing. Reaching altitudes of up to 3,600m, it boasts one of Europe's largest and highest skiable glaciers, even offering summer skiing. This resort provides 220km of pistes suitable for all abilities, from gentle beginner slopes to challenging expert terrain, complemented by a world-class winter snow park and efficient modern lifts.

The resort's unique 'inverted' layout places easier slopes at higher altitudes and steeper challenges lower down, offering a distinct skiing experience. This configuration allows beginners to learn on a glacier with stunning views, while intermediates and experts find ample terrain to explore. With over 2,000m of vertical drop, there is plenty to discover throughout a week's stay.

Beginners at Les Deux Alpes benefit from an unusual opportunity: learning to ski on a glacier. The gentle slopes at 3,200m provide forgiving gradients and reliable snow, along with breathtaking views, allowing new skiers to feel like true mountain enthusiasts from day one, rather than confined to traditional nursery areas.

At village level, gentle green runs offer a safe space to practise basic skills without the pressure of faster skiers. Once comfortable, the Jandri area provides progression terrain with wide, forgiving blue runs. English-speaking instructors are readily available from both ESF and independent schools. While the runs back to the village can be demanding, beginners can easily use the gondola to descend until their skills advance.

Les Deux Alpes is particularly well-suited for intermediate skiers, offering sustained cruising on varied terrain with sufficient pitch to maintain interest. The glacier provides wide, confidence-building runs, while the mid-mountain features a mix of blue and red pistes. The descents to the village offer a genuine challenge as technique improves.

The Super Venosc area features tree-lined runs, ideal for maintaining visibility on cloudy days. The Toura sector offers challenging blue runs designed to test and refine technique without being overly daunting. A highlight for many is the over 2,000m vertical descent from 3,200m down to the village, providing an exhilarating end-of-day run. For those seeking advanced terrain, a connection to La Grave (via shuttle or guided ski-in) is available.

Expert skiers and snowboarders will find plenty to challenge them at Les Deux Alpes. Contrary to the resort's 'inverted' layout, the steepest and most technical terrain is concentrated on the lower mountain. This includes demanding mogul fields, sustained black runs, and extensive off-piste opportunities.

The Vallons sector frequently develops large moguls by midday, while the Chalance chairlift accesses steep, north-facing terrain known for its quality snow. The black runs off the La Fee bowl are consistently steep and often hold powder longer than other pistes. For an even more adventurous experience, the Belle Etoile and Diable runs offer sustained pitches through trees with variable conditions.