December in Deux Alpes: What's on and weather

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.

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:

1. 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.
2. 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.
3. Ski over lunchtime when the slopes are calmer (between 12:00 and 14:00) whilst the French take a leisurely lunch break.
4. 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.  
5. Seek out the peripheral areas - The Jandri Express 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.
6. 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.

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.

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.

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.

Whether you want to get the first tracks of the new winter or enjoy some parties and live DJ sets, December is a great time to ski in Les Deux Alpes. Book your holiday now and enjoy the snowy Alps.