Col du Galibier mountain pass is recurrently the highest point of the Tour de France
Les 2 Alpes to Col du Galibier
Legendary high mountain climb that is the eighth highest paved road in the Alpes
Col du Galibier
This col often features as part of a stage in the Tour de France, adding to its prestige among road cycling enthusiasts. First used in 1911 as part of the tour, the views at the top are some of the best in the Alps. Whilst the overall gradient is quite manageable, the final stretch is steeper and more exposed, especially the last 2-3km - making it a brutal test of endurance.
From Les Deux Alpes
Distance: 90km to 100km return
Elevation gain: 2,100m to 2,300m
Average gradient: 4.6% overall (but steeper in sections)
Route description:
- descend to the Barrage du Chambon, then follow the D1091 towards La Grave and Col du Lautaret
- the climb from the dam to Lautaret is long (around 30km), but relatively steady
- from Col du Lautaret (2,058m) turn right for the iconic Col du Galibier, a short but intense 8km at between 7% to 9% gradient, it's dig deep time
- return the same way for a thrillingly fast descent
Tip:
Ride early in the day and bring layers - it's often cold and windy at the top, even in summer
Cycle hire
Bike Hire in Les 2 Alpes
See all Bike Hire in Les 2 Alpes-
Visit website 
Mountain bike hire
MTB hire, servicing and repairs, with clothes and equipment for sale, plus accessories and protection
Looking to hire a mountain bike? This shop has you covered. It’s a great place to find the right ride for your alpine adventures.
What to see
Sights in Les 2 Alpes
See all Sights in Les 2 Alpes-
Visit website 
Sunset 3200
Sip, savour, and watch the sun set over the Alps
Enjoy a magical alpine evening with a sunset aperitif at the restaurant Le 3200. Savour a selection of sweet and savoury treats while admiring the sun setting over the peaks, casting a golden glow across the slopes.
-
Visit website
Funicular visit
Journey beneath the glacier to breathtaking alpine heights
The Dôme Express funicular offers a unique way to reach 3,400 m, taking both skiers and pedestrians safely beneath the glacier. Starting from 3,100 m, this remarkable transport allows visitors to access the high-altitude environment of Les 2 Alpes with ease, making the glacier more accessible to everyone.
-
Visit website 
Horse drawn sleigh rides
Family sleigh rides around resort
Discover the joys of sleigh rides through an idyllic setting on one of our 3 daily departures: 10am, 2pm and 3.30pm (1 hr 15 minute ride).
-
Visit website
Ice cave
3200m above sea level at the top of the Jandry Express
Walk through a two-hundred-metre gallery to reach a magical network of rooms carved twenty metres below the surface of the snow, deep inside the glacier.
-
Visit website
Behind the scenes at Jandri
Discover the engineering behind the resort’s newest lift
Step inside the heart of Les Deux Alpes’ newest lift and discover the engineering behind the Jandri three-S. Every Tuesday from late December, with extra sessions during the February holidays, you can join a guided visit to the intermediate station at two-thousand-six-hundred metres.
-
Visit website
Chasal Lento Museum
Traditional arts & crafts museum
The aim of the museum is to preserve and display objects of bygone life in Oisans, displaying the traditions and arts of Mont de Lans.
Where to lunch
Restaurants in Les Deux Alpes
See all Restaurants in Les Deux Alpes-
Pasta Mia Trattoria Restaurant 
Pasta Mia Trattoria Restaurant
Authentic Italian trattoria, café and restaurant great for lunch or a quick stop for coffee and cake
Trattoria selling authentic Italian products, as well as in-house dining.
-
Enquire 
Le P'tit Polyte Restaurant
Fine gourmet dining in a charming chalet hotel with a Michelin star
This is the renowned restaurant of the 4* Chalet Hotel Mounier, famous in the Southern Alps for its fine cuisine based on fresh local produce and the inventiveness of the chef.
-
Enquire
Le Paellou Restaurant
A great place for all things cheesy - raclette, fondue, tartiflette and the like
Known for its simple, but great, traditional French cuisine and reasonable prices, Le Paellou restaurant is also organiser of the unofficial "World Championship for raclette eaters".
-
Enquire 
Smithy's Tavern Restaurant
A great place for families and friends alike serving Tex Mex cuisine, gourmet burgers and grilled meat
Smithy’s in Les Deux Alpes is a lively restaurant and bar serving generous portions of grilled meats, steaks and sizzling fajitas. The gourmet burgers are a standout, packed with flavour and served with all the classic trimmings. With its vibrant, energetic atmosphere, it’s the perfect place for a hearty dinner followed by a fun night out in the heart of the resort, making it a favourite for both locals and visitors looking for great food and a lively après-ski scene.
-
Enquire
La Grange Restaurant
Seafood and Montagnard cuisine plus Savoyard classics overlooking the ice rink
Located next to the ice rink, this restaurant offers an extensive menu, with Savoyard specialities like fondue and raclette, as well as pizzas, grilled meats and home made desserts. A warm and friendly atmosphere with a large interior, making it the perfect place for large groups, families and friends and we hear the moules frites and steak tartare are great!
-
Enquire
La Porte d'à Côte Restaurant
Rustic restaurant serving traditional local specialities found in the centre of the resort
Traditional regional cuisine made with local produce all year.
What to do
Things To Do in Les Deux Alpes
See all Things To Do in Les Deux Alpes-
Visit website
Sunset 3200
Sip, savour, and watch the sun set over the Alps
Enjoy a magical alpine evening with a sunset aperitif at the restaurant Le 3200. Savour a selection of sweet and savoury treats while admiring the sun setting over the peaks, casting a golden glow across the slopes.
-
Visit website
Funicular visit
Journey beneath the glacier to breathtaking alpine heights
The Dôme Express funicular offers a unique way to reach 3,400 m, taking both skiers and pedestrians safely beneath the glacier. Starting from 3,100 m, this remarkable transport allows visitors to access the high-altitude environment of Les 2 Alpes with ease, making the glacier more accessible to everyone.
-
Visit website
Behind the scenes at Jandri
Discover the engineering behind the resort’s newest lift
Step inside the heart of Les Deux Alpes’ newest lift and discover the engineering behind the Jandri three-S. Every Tuesday from late December, with extra sessions during the February holidays, you can join a guided visit to the intermediate station at two-thousand-six-hundred metres.
-
Visit website
Ice cave
3200m above sea level at the top of the Jandry Express
Walk through a two-hundred-metre gallery to reach a magical network of rooms carved twenty metres below the surface of the snow, deep inside the glacier.
-
Visit website
Ice skating rink
Outdoor ice rink, open throughout the winter
Right in the heart of Les Deux Alpes, the open-air ice rink offers one of those classic mountain moments you never really grow out of. You’ll find the entrance beside the Saga Centre amusement arcade on Rue des Sagnes, making it an easy stop whether you’re heading out for a stroll, meeting friends or keeping the kids entertained.
-
Visit website 
Palais des Sports
Main sports centre and conference facilities
Located in the heart of the resort, the Palais des Sports offers Les 2 Alpes a versatile space for sporting, cultural, and professional events. With 1,200m² of leisure and sports facilities, a large conference room, and an amphitheatre, the centre caters to a wide variety of activities throughout both summer and winter.
