les 2 alpes ski resort

On the fantastic ski slopes of Les 2 Alpes there is plenty to keep all abilities occupied, a large network of red and blue runs, more than enough black runs and a vast amount of off-piste opportunities. With the Dome de la Lauze Glacier and the altitude of the Les 2 Alpes, good snow conditions are quite reliable. The 2300m vertical of Les 2 Alpes ski area runs from the top skiable elevation on the glacier at 3600m down to the slopes around the resort.

Les 2 Alps ski area is unusual in that it fans out and up the mountain away from the resort, all the way to the glacier. Furthermore the best beginners and intermediate trails are found at the top of the mountain on the glacier. Beginners also have around 20 greens at resort level, mostly served by a number parallel surface lifts running up the valley. The vast terrain going up to the glacier, offers the most to intermediates level skiers. There is also a free parallel slalom course at the slalom stadium, for those looking for something different. Les 2 Alpes does have 8 black pistes back down to the village, favourites being Super Diable and Belle Etoile, but the real enticement for experts skiers is its off-piste lift link to La Grave. This link, to one of the most highly regarded off-piste meccas, and takes you above the Girose Glacier. From here you can embark on a 2100 metre descent, which is regarded as one of the world’s most challenging, and dangerous routes accessible by lift, and end up in the little La Grave village at the bottom of the valley. As it has claimed a number of expert skiers’ lives, it strongly recommended that you take a local guide. With your 6 day ski pass you also get a day's skiing on the Milky Way, Alpe d'Huez or Serre Chevalier.

Snowboarding in Les 2 Alpes is brilliant. It has one of the best Snow Parks in France, the off-piste is magical, the slopes are wide open stretches, great for carving and almost all year round access due to the glacier, which also has a fun park. The snowboarding park has a half pipe and boarder cross, and which stage regular competitions and events, including barbecue days and has piped music. The Snow Park is good for all abilities and there is a kid’s park for 6-10 year olds.

In late Oct, Les 2 Alpes stages the 'World Snowboard Exhibition' on the top of the glacier, reputed to be the world’s highest staged snowboarding event and is open to all.

There's a lot more going on in les 2 Alpes than at most other purpose built ski centres. Perhaps most unusual is the opportunity to take the still new Venosc gondola up to the old village of Venosc on the edge of the Ecrins National Park. Here you can walk through a hamlet that is in many ways the antithesis of the big modern French ski areas, with craftsmen working at traditional trades. Mountaineers are drawn to les 2 Alpes as much as skiers, the resort's 30 metre high artificial wall is one of the highest anywhere and the mountaineering school offers the real thing for anyone from beginners to experts planning a long excursion. Climbing frozen waterfalls is also offered, a long with snow shoe walks. Paragliding is another strength, thanks to excellent local conditions - the two local schools help you make the best of the thermals. Mountain walkers can reach the highest peaks quickly thanks to the ultra modern gondola - funicular combination. Here there are spectacular views from Mont Blanc to Mont Ventoux as well as an ice grotto dug in to the glacier by two mountain guides who worked on it continuously for three months - one of the most popular carvings within is a 6 metre high ice dinosaur. Less unusual but welcome facilities in the resort itself include two heated pools and an ice rink - with free access to holders of lift passes valid six days or longer. There are two six-lane bowling alleys and a cinema as well as the library and snowmobiling excursions. The health clubs (le Club Forme and Le Tanking Center) offer more swimming, squash, aerobics, weights and steam baths. Finally (?) there are the torchlit descents by the ski school, night skiing three times a week and the possibility of taking the local bus on a trip over to Grenoble.