What You Need to Know About Les Deux Alpes
If you’re planning a skiing holiday, then the Alps in the heart of Europe is certainly the best place to go.
Regarded as one of the greatest places to ski in the world, the Alps is home to countless resorts and it can be a bit tricky to know which to visit.
Les Deux Alpes is an excellent choice, and is known as one of the most iconic ski resorts in the French Alps. The resort boasts a rich history along with breathtaking scenery and a whole host of activities that can be enjoyed by the whole family. Plus, there are options for skiers and snowboarders no matter their ability.
Here at Alpine Fleet, we regularly help visitors to the resort by providing leading private and shared transfers that make the journey as seamless as possible.
With this in mind, we’ve become experts in the resort and whether you’re considering a trip or want to know what makes this resort more special, we’ve put together a comprehensive guide outlining everything you need to know about Les Deux Alpes.
Where is Les Deux Alpes?
Les Deux Alpes can be found in the southeastern part of France and is a flagship resort that is located in the heart of the Isere part of the beautiful Auvergne-Rhone-Alpes region. This location places it in the very centre of the French Alps and visitors can expect to experience views of one of the most stunning mountain ranges in the world. People can enjoy a perfect blend of natural beauty along with great accessibility and proximity to neighbouring resorts.
The resort itself is nestled between the stunning Ecrins National Park to the south and the Oisans region to the north with the surrounding landscapes providing dramatic peaks, deep valleys and pristine alpine forests. Due to the fact it is based on a high plateau, Les Deux Alpes provides a unique vantage point that offers stunning panoramic views of the surrounding mountains.
History of Les Deux Alpes?
The history of Les Deux Alpes is as fascinating as the landscape is beautiful.
The area where the village now stands has been inhabited for centuries, long before skiing and tourism became the main attraction. At the heart of the resort are the two villages of Mont-de-Lans and Venosc, both of which have roots dating back to the Middle Ages. Small and traditional, in the past they were primarily focused on agriculture before the 20th Century.
It was after the Second World War when the foundations of the resort we see today began to sprout. There was a national push to try and develop tourism in the French Alps as a way to rejuvenate the economy after the conflict.
So, in 1946, local entrepreneurs established Les Deux Alpes. By the 1950s, skiing was becoming a popular pastime across Franxe and new ski lifts and greater infrastructure were constructed to encourage more and more tourism.
By the 1970s, Les Deux Alpes had become one of the most popular skiing destinations in France and the Alps as a whole. It continued to evolve, with regular investments in modernising facilities, building hotels and adding more summer activities that have seen it become a destination that can be enjoyed all year round.
Now, it is one of the biggest and most vibrant ski resorts in Europe with people visiting from all over the world. While it maintains it traditional alpine charm, it also has great modern amenities and a lively apres-ski scene which people can enjoy after a day out on the slopes.
How to get to Les Deux Alpes?
The nearest major city to Les Deux Alpes is the French city of Grenoble. It is only around 45 miles away and is well-connected by road and rail.
Despite this, many people opt to fly into Geneva International Airport in neighbouring Switzerland as it offers more international flights at a greater frequency.
It takes between two to three hours to drive from Geneva to Les Deux Alpes, and while car hire is available at the airport we’d recommend using airport transfers. This is because the mountain roads in Switzerland and France can be challenging, especially for those unfamiliar.
By using an airport transfer, you’ll be provided with an experienced driver along with quality vehicles that can make the journey as seamless as possible.
If you do decide to take a transfer, you can choose between private and shared options.
A private transfer will provide you with exclusive access to a vehicle with your driver ready and waiting as soon as you get to arrivals. From here, you can enjoy the stunning scenic views as you drive to the resort and your accommodation.
Alternatively, you can go for a shared transfer. A shared transfer will follow a similar process to a private transfer, but you will share the vehicle with other visitors to Le Deux Alpes or neighbouring resorts.
A pre-agreed route will take you through several resorts and accommodation options, before dropping you at Les Deux Alpes. If you prefer, you can then choose for a private ‘door to door’ service that will see you move into a minivan to take you to your accommodation’s door in the resort.
How high is Les Deux Alpes?
One of the defining features of Les Deux Alpes is its impressive altitude. The resort itself is situated at an elevation of 1,650 metres which makes it one of the highest resorts in the Alps.
However, arguably its biggest draw is the vast vertical drops and high-altitude slopes it offers. The highest point in the ski area is the glacier of Mont de Lans, which reaches an altitude of 3,600 metres. The glacier is one of the few remaining skiable glaciers in Europe, and it plays a vital role in the reliable snow coverage that visitors can enjoy during ski season and beyond. The glacier can even be skied in the summer months which is one of the main reasons the resort is busy all year round.
Is there snow in Les Deux Alpes?
As mentioned above, the great altitude and glaciers present at Les Deux Alpes means that it offers reliable snow coverage. In fact, it is one of the best locations in the Alps when it comes to snow coverage.
During the peak winter months, typically from December to March, Les Deux Alpes enjoys excellent snow. On average, it receives between five to seven metres (16 to 23 feet) during this time with frequent snowfall replenishing the slope. Combined with the high altitude, it means that the snow quality remains good even when the temperature is mild.
As well as the natural snowfall, the resort also has an extensive network of snow cannons that cover many of the lower slopes. These cannons ensure there is always a good base of snow even if the snowfall is below average and during the summer months. The resort’s investment in snow-making technology has paid off, making it a great choice even in periods when snowfall is low.
Furthermore, the glacier of Mont de Lans is the crown jewel of Les Deux Alpes, and as one of the few remaining skiable glaciers in Europe, it provides snow skiing from late autumn all the way through to early summer.
Is Les Deux Alpes good for beginners?
Les Deux Alpes is an excellent destination for beginners, making it a popular choice for families and those new to winter sports.
The resort’s extensive ski area includes a whole host of slopes that cater to all skill levels with terrain designated for beginners and intermediates.
If you’re a complete rookie, then the lower slopes near the village are ideal. These slopes are wide, gentle and well maintained and so provide a safe and comfortable environment for those looking to get to grips with the basics. The Petite Aiguille and Viking zones are particularly useful places to start.
Plus, the resort’s ski school, ESF Les Deux Alpes, is one of the most reputable in the whole of France. It offers a wide range of lessons for beginners including groups and private lessons. All instructors are highly experienced, multilingual and trained to ensure they always offer quality instruction.
A unique feature of the resort is that it offers high-altitude beginner slopes. While many resorts only allow beginners to practice on low slopes, Les Deux Alpes offers easy runs at higher elevations, including on the famous glacier Mont de Lans. This means beginners can enjoy the thrill of skiing at altitude while still learning on a gentle terrain.
As beginners gain confidence, there are a whole host of blue and green runs that can be explored and enjoyed with all slopes marked and accessible from the main village.
Heading to La Rosiere?
Here at Alpine Fleet, we’re here to make your skiing holiday as enjoyable and stress-free as possible. This includes providing leading private and shared transfers to Les Deux Alpes which can transport you to the resort in a timely and seamless fashion. For more information, contact our expert team today.
