December is when the lifts are opening and the Christmas holidays are on the horizon.
December in Deux Alpes: What's on and weather
Opening parties, music festivals and on-slope events
Early season skiing is a great way to beat the crowds, and December just before the Christmas holidays is one of the quietest times of the year. Off the slopes there will be plenty of entertainment in the form of opening parties, and of course celebrations will include a visit from a certain Père Noël. As you are no doubt aware, most things in December revolve around the last two weeks of the month, schools break up and travellers from near and far descend to enjoy the Christmas and New Year holidays.
Read on for a look at what we like to do in resort throughout December.
What are the weather and snow conditions like?
One downside of December skiing is that snow conditions can sometimes be poor, however the temperatures regularly drop below zero, averaging a high of 2°C and a low of -5°C, so the snow we do get should stick around. The glacier skiing at over 3,000 metres guarantees good snow but can be extremely cold, so be sure to pack lots of thermals and warm layers.
December days are short and night falls quickly after the lifts close, but there's plenty of evening entertainment to enjoy whilst you warm up with a glass of vin chaud.
Opening parties
Les Deux Alpes comes alive in early December as bars and venues reopen for winter, giving new staff a chance to settle in and compete to host the best parties. Word-of-mouth is the easiest way to find the hottest spots, just ask a friendly bar worker. If you enjoy hours on the slopes then hours of celebrating, you’ll find plenty of après-ski sessions, plus late-night bars and clubs hosting special events throughout the week.
New Year's Eve
Always a big night, Les Deux Alpes is full of revellers, the restaurants will be busy, so it would be prudent to make a reservation to ensure you can get a table, and many of the bars and clubs are ticket-only, so if there's somewhere you plan to see in the New Year, make sure you've planned ahead.
Bars & Clubs in Les 2 Alpes
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Smithy's Tavern
Popular British bar and restaurant with both locals and visitors alike and a must for any visit
Blending Alpine charm with a lively modern vibe, Smithy’s Tavern is a long-time favourite in Les Deux Alpes. Housed in a building that reflects traditional chalet style, the interior surprises with a spacious, contemporary design featuring a vibrant bar and an inviting upstairs restaurant.
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La Grotte Du Yeti Bar
Late night bar with a fun and lively atmosphere with a sunny terrace
Step into La Grotte du Yeti, Les Deux Alpes’ iconic international music bar where the party never stops. Famous for its energetic atmosphere and top-notch DJ sets, the Grotte is where locals, visitors, and legendary Yetis alike come together for wild and unforgettable nights.
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Le Strike Bowling Alley
Beer and skittles! Located right in the centre of resort and open daily
For a fun and lively night out in Les Deux Alpes, Le Strike Bowling Alley is the perfect destination. Challenge your friends or family to a few games over a couple of beers, and enjoy some friendly competition in a relaxed, welcoming setting.
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Pano Bar
Lively après-ski bar on the mountain with live music and entertainment every day
Perched high at two thousand six hundred metres, The Pano Bar is where Les Deux Alpes comes to life each afternoon. Opening early with the lifts, it’s the perfect place to start your day on the mountain with a hot chocolate or coffee while soaking up the incredible panoramic views.
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The Red Frog Bar
English speaking bar and restaurant combining both French and Irish traditions
Tucked at the end of Avenue Muzelle near Place de Vensoc, The Red Frog is a lively pub that captures the true spirit of Les Deux Alpes nightlife. With its friendly, welcoming atmosphere, it’s the perfect spot to unwind after a day on the slopes or enjoy a relaxed evening with friends.
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La Rhumerie Bar
Rum bar with a pirate theme and over 60 different flavours of rum to try
Anchored in Les Deux Alpes for over thirty years, La Rhumerie is a truly unique bar that transports visitors on a “piratesque” adventure. From the moment you step inside, the charming and intriguing décor captures the imagination, promising a journey across the globe for both your senses and your taste buds.
Ski Schools in Les 2 Alpes
Christmas and New Year is a popular time for families so the slopes are noticeably busier as soon as the holidays begin. Here are our insider's top tips for the school holidays:
- Group lessons are the best option in the busy period, as private lessons are almost impossible to book - unless you got in early. Make sure to get your ski and snowboard lessons booked well in advance to avoid disappointment.
- If you're not in ski school, be an early bird. Arrive at the lifts before they open so that you get up and away before the ski school classes set out around 09:15.
- Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
- Avoid the queues and make the most of your time in the mountains by pre-booking your lunch reservation - some restaurants offer a Click & Collect service.
- Seek out the peripheral areas - The Jandri and Diable chairlift can have big queues at times. Instead, use the White Eggs, Belle Etoile or Village lifts to access Les Crêtes. From here, the Bellecombes and Super Diable chairlifts give access to the central part of the ski area. To access the spectacular high-altitude runs on the glacier, ski past the queue for the Jandri Express 2 and follow the Pierre Grosse 1 blue piste towards the La Fée sector. From here, the Pierre Grosse gondola offers an alternate fast route to the top of the mountain. Finally, the smaller, lower Vallée Blanche sector is often overlooked. It holds some very pleasant blue runs, a challenging black, good off-piste with the right snow conditions and some unique views of the Romanche valley and the Bourg d’Oisans plain. It also tends to be a lot quieter than the main ski area.
- Competent off-piste skiers can book a local mountain guide and explore the vast off-piste areas in the valley or even go touring to find complete solitude in the backcountry.
Ski School Lessons in Les 2 Alpes
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Private ski lessons
British ski instruction at its very best with over 15 years snowsports experience
Learn to ski in English or French with a kind, caring and professional, female ski instructor.
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Private ski lessons
Quality tuition with English speaking instructors since 2013
This ski and snowboard school has gained a phenomenal reputation since it was established in Les Deux Alpes.
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Private ski lessons
British school offering a wide range of private lesson options tailored to all ages and abilities
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British-run ski schools in France. Their team is known for going the extra mile, offering excellent customer service and delivering outstanding lessons and guiding.
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Group ski lessons
Group ski and snowboard lessons for children and adults of all ages and abilities
This ski school offers group ski lessons for both children and adults, catering to all ability levels. Their group lessons provide a great and affordable way to improve your skiing in a safe, social and supportive environment.
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Group ski lessons
Quality tuition in small classes with English speaking instructors
This ski and snowboard school was first set up in Les Deux Alpes in 2013 and has gained a phenomenal reputation (just have a look at the reviews).
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Group ski lessons
Small groups for adults and children of all abilities with a well-established and trusted ski school
Established in 1991, this ski and snowboard school was one of the first British ski schools in France and is renowned for its fantastic instructors and excellent customer service.
Winter Things To Do in Les 2 Alpes
Family fun
Les Deux Alpes offers a wide range of on- and off-snow activities, from horse-drawn sleigh rides and snowmobiling to swimming pools, gyms, spas, and an ice rink. Two lifts down, you can explore local heritage through artisanal shops and a history museum. On the slopes, weekly events include learning about the glacier funicular, opening pistes with ski patrol, and riding in a piste basher. Enjoy a world-class freestyle park, avalanche transceiver practice areas, an ice cave, and excellent mountain restaurants.
Wintersport Things To Do in Les 2 Alpes
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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.
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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.
December events in Les 2 Alpes
Take a look at our events calendar for all the festive celebrations, whether it's shaking your think at a music festival, getting a selfie with Santa as he makes his way round the resort, or heading up the mountain.
Events in Les 2 Alpes
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Beaujolais Nouveau
The new Beaujolais has arrived!
The third Thursday in November is when this year's Beaujolais hits the shelves and is cause for celebration across France.
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Rise Festival
Music and ski festival with parties throughout
The Rise Festival is in Les Deux Alpes for a week long party, both on and off the mountain.
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Fête de la Musique
Music festival celebrated across France on the summer solstice
The Fête de la Musique is a celebration that takes place every summer solstice on 21 June in cities, towns and villages across France.
