What's New in Les 2 Alpes winter 2016-17

Whilst there are no big changes in the lift system this year, there have still been plenty of new developments in the ski area and in resort. Here is the rundown on what’s new for the 2016-2017 season.

On the Slopes

On the ski slopes, the new Jandri 1 piste opened last winter, finally giving Les Deux Alpes a proper home run for intermediate skiers. After a season of use, the run has been fine-tuned over the summer. Extra snow cannons have been added to give a snow sure descent to both ends of the resort, and the steep final corner has been graded to make for an easier finish as you arrive at the Jandri. Take a look at the new piste maps for more detail.

Three new dedicated ski-touring pistes have been created for this winter, catering to those who like to ski in the uphill direction. Two of them follow existing tracks on the Vallee Blanche side of the resort, while the third takes a brand-new line between the Diable and Vallons pistes. These uphill routes will be marked, controlled and pisted, but forbidden for downhill traffic.

Up on the glacier, a new “Skywalk” viewpoint has been built at 3400m. This allows you to walk into the void above the Vallon de la Selle to enjoy unmatched views across the Ecrins Massif. If you are uncomfortable with heights you might want to avoid this one.

New Events

Along with the new ski-touring pistes, March 18th will see a new ski touring event – the Les Deux Alpes Vertical Challenge. Open to all levels of ski tourer, medals will be given according to the vertical distance achieved. From the starting point at 1600m, the awards range from Bronze for reaching 2100m up to Gold for those that get to 3600m.

For trail runners, the Night Snow Trail is back for the fifth year on Saturday 21st January, giving a unique running experience on snowy pistes from dusk into darkness. This winter the organisers have added an obstacle race – the Mad Snow Race on Sunday 22nd, which promises to be a fun and crazy five kilometre event along the snowfront. A discount is available if you enter both, giving you a full weekend of trail running in the snow.

On Wednesday 22nd February, the resort is going to make an attempt on the world record for the longest ever torchlit descent on skis. Over three thousand skiers are needed, so if you are in resort that week, make sure you sign up.

New Activities

The lift company is introducing two new activities this winter. For all those who have ever wondered what it is like to be inside a piste basher high on the mountain, this winter you can find out for yourself. After the lifts close, you will be able to ride a piste basher from 2600m right up to the top of the glacier. You will be treated to champagne, cake and a 360-degree view of the sunset. Also new for this winter is a behind the scenes tour of the ski area, which will take in the snowmaking ‘factory’ and a look at the machinery driving the funicular beneath the glacier. This will take place on Thursday afternoons and cost 8 euros if you have a lift pass or 32 euros if you don’t.

The Guides Office have a few new activities on offer as well, including a guided introduction to ski touring beneath the stars, and electric fat bike excursions.

New in Town

A new smartphone app promises to make catching the free bus even easier, with real-time tracking of buses. The app will tell you where your nearest stop is, direct you to it, display a timetable, and let you track the bus as it drives towards you.

The Umbrella Bar at the foot of the pistes has been completely rebuilt and expanded ready for winter, meaning dancing-on-the-tables style après-ski should be bigger than ever. Down in Bourg, the Goodwin Brewery has been steadily increasing its output, so expect to see more locally brewed ales in the pubs around town.

Behind the Scenes

The two communes that make up the resort (Venosc and Mont de Lans) are merging to form a single new commune of Les Deux Alpes from 1st January 2017. In effect, the two Alpes are joining to become one town. This will simplify the administration of the area and perhaps end anomalies like the different styles of street lighting at each end of the main street. More practically, it should make the resort easier to find on certain French websites (e.g. for travel info and weather forecasts).

We are looking forward to trying out and reviewing all the new activities when the ski area reopens. More details of all the above will follow soon. Keep checking back for the latest updates as the winter season draws closer.

Read more from Ian on his website.