Les Deux Alpes
Les Deux Alpes stands in a fortunate position, with an altitude of 1650m and the highest skiable point at 3600m, meaning the resort is kept well stocked with the white stuff, even in the worst of winters. Situated close to the village is a range of gentle nursery slopes and a choice of ski schools, ideal for beginners. Many of the lifts in this area are free, which is a big thumbs up for newbies.
Intermediate skiers are well catered for with plenty of long runs providing good practice terrain. Indeed Les Deux Alpes is home to the biggest on-piste vertical descent in the world, starting from the top of the glacier down to Mont-de-Lans. New for winter 2015/16 is the Jandri 1 piste which now allows you to ski back to resort on a blue run instead of making the tough choice between a narrow, busy green or a steep black. Jandri 1 is the final leg of the impressive Jandri piste which offers 2000m of vertical descent in one run, from the top of the glacier at 3600m back down to resort at 1600m.
For advanced skiers looking for a challenge, favourites include a run down the side of the Bellecombes Chair and a shorter section served by the Super Diable Chair. The off-piste options will not disappoint, including the Grand Couloir Chutes, Clot de Chalance and the La Grave. The three areas provide a good mix of experiences with Grand Couloir consisting of short and steep chutes, Clot de Chalance offering a range of routes down to Les Gours and La Grave being the perfect place to mix it up on an untamed ski area.
Snowboarders will not be disappointed with a freestyle section located in the Toura area. There is also a kids' park and a beginner area.
A total of 47 lifts, (including drag, chair, gondola and cable car), give access to the slopes. This includes 765 hectares of off-piste terrain and 25km of cross country ski trails. As would be expected in such a popular resort, the queue for the lifts can be very busy, so head out early whilst everyone else is stocking up on carbs for the day ahead! And another insider tip to beat the queues, head to the south of the village and use the Diable chair which is less prone to early morning queues.
So does the resort of Les Deux Alpes have a specific claim to fame? Perhaps so, unlike many ski resorts, skiing on piste is actually available in the area most of the year round. The area also claims to have the biggest skiable glacier in Europe, which also with many easy runs available and great views.