Ski Holidays in Les Deux Alpes, France

Snow report issued:	6th Feb 12
Last snowed:	31st Jan 12
Fresh snow depth:	20cm
Depth at resort:	90cm
Mountain depth:	300cm
Piste state:
Excellent (Great on piste conditions, tracked out off piste)
Weather report:
Lift operation affected by strong winds
Temperature:	-16°C
Open lifts:	40 of 53

View Les Deux Alpes snow history

Slope Direction	E W
Very Easy Runs	24
Easy Runs	44
Medium Runs	16
Difficult Runs	12
Toughest Run Name
Skiable Vertical	2220m
Number Of Lifts	48
Top Lift Height	3520m
Night Skiing	Y
Snowboarding Parks	1
Half Pipes	1
Swimming Pools	2
Night Clubs	2
Mountain Restaurants	6

Lyon St Exupery:	3 hours
:	0 minutes

There are extensive nursery slopes located both by the resort for easy access and right up on the glacier for snow surety. A network of easy green trails covers most of the huge ski area so it's easy to get about once you've mastered first turns. Lifts include easy-to-use magic carpet conveyor lifts. Four lifts operate free of charge for beginners accessing easy nursery slopes, so you may not need to buy a lift ticket for the first day or two of your stay unless your ski school requires it.

With about half of Les Duex Alpes' terrain rated intermediate, this is paradise indeed for the recreational skier. Superb cruising trails up to 12km (seven and a half miles) long are the order of the day, but the huge size of the ski area ensures that there are runs of all shapes, styles and sizes to enjoy. A six day lift ticket gives access to a day in one of the other giant neighbouring resorts of Alp d'Huez or Serre Chevalier, however transport between the resorts is not included.

Expert skiers will find limitless entertainment in Les Deux Alpes. The 1,400 hectares of off-piste skiing alone is a larger area than the total size of most North American ski resorts for example. Then there are 14 marked black runs, Europe's largest skiable glacier and a direct link to the legendary off piste skiing over a huge lift-served vertical of neighbouring La Grave. You reach La Grave by snowcat ride from the top of the Dôme de La Lauze tow lift. This Mecca for off-piste fans offers 2,150m of lift served powder on La Meije. There is free unlimited access to La Grave, every day except weekends and holidays, for holders of ski passes valid six days or longer.

Les Deux Alpes has a world famous snowpark and operates several Slide Zones which include a boardercross with a 185m drop on a course of over 1,000m, a canyon, waterfalls and ledges. The resort's team of shapers has been working on Les Deux Alpes Snowpark for nearly fifteen years, always living up to the ever-increasing expectations of riders. The long experience of Les Deux Alpes' snow-grooming machine drivers has made the snowpark one of the best in Europe, and the summer snowpark on the resort's glacier truly world class. There are three park groomers working, using pipe magician and Zaugg pipe cutting tools and employing daily ramp maintenance and with a constant supply of new handrails.

Les Deux Alpes has much more to do off the slopes than the majority of resorts, shopping being a major option with some 200 stores to choose from, one of the biggest selections in the Alps. The six day lift pass also gives free access to the resort's ice skating rink and heated outdoor pool. Other outdoor activities available include 25km of cross country trails, snowshoeing walks, ice climbing, snowmobiling, paragliding and quad biking. Indoors there are fitness centres, saunas, dance studios, a cinema, museum, library, hamman, games room and bowling.

With an unrestricted view out over the Alps, La Croisière Blanche (The White Cruise) takes you on a trip aboard a snowcat (over-snow tractor with passenger compartment) up to 3600m where you can visit a giant 300m ice cave filled with unique ice sculptures.

There are thirty bars and pubs in the resort in which to enjoy your evenings and Les Deux Alpes is typically one of the liveliest French resorts for après ski, with a large British contingent supported by Dutch, Belgian and Danish visitor groups. Popular venues include the Windsor, Smithy's and Smokey Joes.

Les Deux Alpes has more than 60 restaurants ranging from creperies and pizzeria to gourmet establishments. For lovers of good food, Les Deux Alpes offers a Michelin-starred restaurant and traditional restaurants offering typical local cuisine. There are two night clubs if you wish to continue on in to the small hours.

Les Deux Alpes is highly regarded for families because of its family friendly skiing and the wide range of activities, plus family-oriented dining options, available in resort. Les Clos des Fonds offers non-ski nursery care in a largely French speaking environment (but with some English speaking staff) for babies aged six months to two years old. Children aged two to six can be cared for in Le Garderie bu Bonnehomme des Neiges. Several hotels also run their own crèches for babies and toddlers and kids clubs for older children. Children from aged three to six can learn to ski with the Ecole du ski Francais, receiving special classes based in their snow garden facility. Older children also have special classes based on age and ability in which they work through the French national ski ability grading system.