Deux-Alpes visitor guide

Visit Deux-Alpes, France

As one of France’s oldest ski resorts, Les Deux Alpes has secured its reputation as a center for winter sports in the French Alps. It is located southeast of Grenoble in the Isère department.

Les Deux Alpes is accessible by car from the nearby town of Bourg d'Oisans and about 1 1 / 2 hour drive from Grenoble airport.

Discover the Deux-Alpes ski resort

Les Deux Alpes is at an altitude of 1650m and offers year-round snow thanks to the glacier located at the top of the resort. Les Deux Alpes is known as being an upside-down ski resort, in that most of the easier slopes are near the top, while the more terrifying black runs are at the bottom.

The ski station got its “deux alpes” (“two alps”) name from the two villages, Venosc and Mont de Lan, which are at opposite ends of the resort.

To get visitors around the mountain there are 51 lifts, including the underground Dôme Express Funicular and the Jandri Express, the world’s fastest gondola. Many of the lifts can be ridden both up and down, so beginner skiers don’t have to worry about getting through the tough lower terrain.

The layout of Les Deux Alpes can be confusing and it is important to get a map before heading down the slopes. Most of the mountain is intermediate levl blue slopes, although there are plenty of options for beginners and advanced skiers and snowboarders.

You will also find a big snowpark with a beginner, intermediate, and advanced area that includes a half pipe. There are also slide areas and a boardercross scattered around the mountain.

In addition to downhill skiing and snowboarding, there are trails for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing. The mountain hosts several big events throughout the year, including the Mondial du Snowboard in late autumn where snowboarding gear can be tested and there are demonstrations and live music.

Other information

For beginners or those looking to improve their skills, the Ecole du Ski Français (ESF) offers classes in French, English, Italian, Russian, and Swedish. It is France’s largest ski school company and its range of lesson levels includes private instructors for advanced skiers and snowboarders.

While ESF is the main ski school presence at Les Deux Alpes, there are several other ski companies that offer lessons in English that can be found through the tourism office.

While skiing and snowboarding dominate the winter months, mountain biking, hiking, and climbing make Les Deux Alpes a popular summer destination. There is also summer skiing on the glacier, located at an altitude of 3200m with green slopes, blue slopes and one red slope.

Many restaurants operate on the mountain itself, most in the major ski lft areas. There are also restaurants in the resort that serve a large number of alpine specialties like fondue, raclette and tartiflette. Les Deux Alpes has plenty of cafes and bars for the 'apres ski' and clubs for late-night parties.

Attractions nearby

The famous ski resort and mountain of Alpe d'Huez are a short distance from Les Deux Alpes, near Bourg d'Oisans. If you follow the road to the east of Bourg d'Oisans you reach the pretty village of La Grave.

You can find more travel ideas in the Isere guide and the Rhone-Alpes guide.