About Les Deux Alpes ski area

Advanced areas in Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes has a large selection of skiing for advanced skiers and snowboarders. It has a good range of red and black runs and with the glacier skiing and overall altitude of the ski area, you are likely to find a challenge somewhere in resort.

Download the Les 2 Alpes piste map

Our top choices

Some of the best (and steepest) black runs include:

• the run down from Bellecombes chair
• the shorter run off Le Super Diable
• La Valentin
• La Fée

The 'frontside', which is west facing, has a great selection of advanced runs and off-piste tree-lined opportunities, and is somewhere to head when there's low visibility.

Where to go in bad weather in Les Deux Alpes

The high, open pistes can often lack the contrast required for orientation during white out conditions and slope and sky can blur into one.

The trick during a whiteout is to head for the pistes that are tree-lined, as they help provide definition when everything else seems to be white; the issue in Les 2 Alpes is that there is a distinct lack of trees due to its high altitude. 

If it's that bad head to the sports centre, pub...or go back to bed!

Beginner and family areas in Les 2 Alpes

As a beginner in Les Deux Alpes it's easy to discover the entire ski area as they have numerous blue runs.

Jandri

A blue run which starts at 3,200m and goes down to resort at 1,650m, basically allowing beginners to ski almost the entire vertical from the top of the glacier all the way back to the village. At 16km, it will be almost an entire day of skiing or snowboarding for some novices.

Dedicated beginner zones or nursery ski areas plus five free lifts for beginners:

1. Petit Bosquet
2. Limaçon
3. Coolidge 1
4. Coolidge 2
5. Vikings

The Viking carpet is covered, thereby allowing you to stay warm whilst you head (slowly) back up the piste.

Off-piste areas in Les Deux Alpes

Les 2 Alpes has a large selection of advanced terrain and off-piste skiing. The freeriding opportunities here are easy to find, and there are several off-piste possibilities on the northern side. The descents are basically of the same aspect as nearby La Grave.

Our picks include:

The Grand Couloir Chutes 

• three short, steep chutes accessible from the Bellecombes chair

Clot de Chalance 

• an open bowl where you can take any route down to Les Gours piste, accessed via the Signal lift, but be aware is avalanche prone

La Dome Glacier 

• from 3,400m is a long, off-piste run with a 400m vertical down to the Signal chair

L'Ecorchoir and Malaprisure 

• over 2km of skiable vertical (in favourable conditions)

La Grave

There is also the possibility to visit the famous La Grave off-piste area, which is just a 15-minute drive from resort, and it's worth a mention because it's a rare thing indeed to find an entirely off-piste resort. 

If you're not into glacier skiing, the classic routes down from the télépherique are a powder hound's dream, the options are endless.

Be aware La Grave is a special place, and not forgiving if you put a foot (or ski) wrong! Once committed, the only way is down. If you plan to explore this area, we strongly recommend you employ the invaluable services of a mountain guide - the risk of falling into a crevasse is very real up here.

Check out our avalanche ssafety page for tips.

Snowparks in Les Deux Alpes

Classed among the top five greatest snowparks, the expert team of shapers at Les Deux Alpes have taken the snowpark here to another level, meeting the high standards of its riders and customers, making it one of the best in France.

Located in the Toura area at 2,600m, this 'freestyle land' has themed zones, all categorised by ability level:

Easy Park

• not that easy actually...this area is rated difficult, very difficult and extremely difficult

Slopestyle and Big Air

• rated difficult and extremely difficult depending on which route you take

Park d'Envers

• this is the easier part of the park with something for intermediate level up

Boardercross

• running along the side of the park by the Toura chair

Cool Zone

• a chill-out area where you can do just that whilst watching the thrills n' spills above
• picnic tables make it a nice place to stop for a packed lunch, even if you don't plan to venture into the park

More inspiration...

For more information, just take a look at our best pistes in Les 2 Alpes.

Take a look at this year's ski pass prices.

Les Deux Alpes ski area

Les 2 Alpes is known as an "upside down" resort because the easier slopes tend to be at the top of the resort, and the steeper more challenging routes are found lower down. 

The seven sectors to know about are:

• The glacier
• Toura
• La Fée
• Le Diable
• Vallée Blanche
• Les Crêtes
• The resort

The glacier

The highest domain in Europe with breathtaking 360° views. The runs from up here start at 3,600m going down to 3,200m, and they are perfect for all levels of skier. You can also visit the ice cave and take a selfie on the skywalk.

Toura

A snowpark located at 2,400m, accessible to all levels and the place to head for freestylers of all ages.

La Fée 

This freeride zone sits at 2,400m and is linked to the glacier with the brand new eight-seater Pierre Grosse gondola.

Le Diable

Red and black runs at 2,400m, these runs are known as the 'big slopes' amongst the locals.

Vallée Blanche 

Not suitable for beginner skiers, this east-facing area has a brand new 10-seater gondola, enjoys plenty of morning sunshine plus it has a snowshoe route.

Les Crêtes

Loved by all, you'll find some great blue runs here if you're a beginner, and it's easily accessible with numerous lifts up and down, plus there's a magic carpet.

Resort

The 'bottom of the slopes', aka 'snow front', has had a recent redesign to make it even easier for beginners to ski here and there's a brand new magic carpet and five free button lifts.

Also you can go night-skiing on the Piste des Lutins for free every evening.

When is the ski area open in Les Deux Alpes ?

Snow conditions permitting, the ski season in Les 2 Alpes usually runs from early December until the end of April. 

Whenever you choose to come, as long as the lifts are open, the local pisteurs will make the best of the snow (real and/or artificial), and groom the pistes to perfection so that you get the best possible conditions.

If you're coming early or late in the season

It's a good idea to check which lifts are open at Les 2 Alpes. You might want to check the Les 2 Alpes webcams too, for an up-to-the minute view of conditions on the ground.