Day two – Les Deux Alpes – skis, ski-pass and skiing

Last night I arrived in Les Deux Alpes and looking around the town I was concerned by the lack of snow, this morning, when I awoke and looked out of the window, I was surprised how little snow there was in the town and how much snow could be seen up the mountain, although with some worrying brown-patches.

Breakfast in the morning was the usual hotel ‘continental breakfast’, basically some cereal, bread, coffee and croissants.

I got my skis from a small hire shop across the road from the hotel, and as I was staying at the Hotel Des Neiges I was entitled to a 10% discount.

Hotel Des Neiges, Les Deux Alpes, France

The lift pass, for which you need a photo (I can’t remember the last time I needed a photo to go with a lift pass, must be 4 years ago?) was purchased from a small ticket office near the centre of town, about 5 minutes walk from the hotel. Cost was very good, about 120 Euros for 3 days.

The main street in Les Deux Alpes, France

As the weather was so good, clear blue skies and sunshine, I decided to head for the slopes.

As I said in the last post Les Deux Alpes is a long thing village at the bottom of the valley. As I later discovered once I was up the mountain, and could look down on the town, it is in fact located in a hanging valley on the side of a much deeper and larger valley, hence there is only one way in and out of town as at one end there is rather an impressive cliff! The ski areas are located to the left and right of the town, with the main ski area being to the left.

One thing I found odd, and disappointing, about Les Deux Alpes was that from the town there were only really four lifts up to the main ski area. The slopes next to the town are really beginner (‘bunny’) slopes and are a great place for the kids to learn to ski (although there was a lot of ‘brown’ snow around), whereas the main ski area, and the glacier, are above the town, and yet this area, where most skiers would be heading, only had four lifts for access, two 4 man bubble cars, a slightly larger gondola, and 3 person chair lift. Not only that, but these lifts were spread out over a mile (1.5 km) long the valley floor. This meant that each day started with a 20 – 60 minute queue to get on the lift, or a 10 – 15 minute hike to a lift, for another 20 – 60 minute queue.

Once up the mountain, the skiing was fantastic. The runs were well looked after and the terrain was varied.

I had a great day of skiing. Some great runs and some fun areas to explore.

The slopes, Les Deux Alpes, France

The meal in the hotel was good, a lot of carbohydrates, a lot of cheese…. In the evening I explored a few bars around the the town. Les Deux Alpes is a lively place with what seems to be an active Apres ski.

Les Deux Alpes, France – theSnowSite Entry – map it – Google Earth kml file

45.0046,6.12202