Les 2 Alpes

Les Deux Alpes is perched at an altitude of 1650 metres on a high plateau at the edge of the Ecrins National Park, south-east of Grenoble. The steep slopes rising to the east of the town provide access to the main ski area, which culminates in glacier skiing at 3421 metres. The ‘Two Alps’ of its name refers not to the mountains, but to the high pastures that once belonged to the neighbouring villages of Venosc and Mont de Lans.

Les Deux Alpes itself stretches between these two old farming communities, with the town’s main street dominated by the sharp pyramid of La Muzelle (3465m) in the distance, standing guard over the Vénéon Valley. The resort is the largest in the Oisans area and, in winter, it makes up part of the Grande Galaxie ski area with Alpe d’Huez, Puy Saint Vincent and Vaujany. This is not a linked area as such, but they can all be skied with a single ski pass.

Due to some challenging lower terrain but easier glacier pistes at altitude, Les Deux Alpes is sometimes called an ‘upside-down resort’. Pedestrians can ride the lifts to the viewing platform at 3400m, take photos of Mont Blanc and visit the glacial ice caves at the same time. Les Deux Alpes also boasts the largest skiable glacier in Europe, guaranteeing the winter skiing conditions, and providing snowsports action throughout the summer.