Tailor-made holidays in Les 2 Alpes
2,300 m of vertical, a glacier up to 3,600 m and a lively village. Tell us who is coming, your dates and your level, and we will build your Les 2 Alpes stay, in winter or in summer.
Les 2 Alpes & the Oisans
Les 2 Alpes rises from 1,300 m at Mont-de-Lans to 3,600 m, offering 2,300 m of vertical and one of the largest skiable glaciers in Europe, open for skiing in winter and in early summer.
Its snow-sure slopes and lively village suit families, friends and freestylers alike, with the legendary off-piste of La Grave close by.
Plan my stayWhat could your Les 2 Alpes holiday look like?
Skiing
Wide, easy pistes up high and long descents back to the village, for every level.
Freestyle
A renowned snow park, moved up to the glacier in summer.
Off-piste
Guided days at La Grave, one of the most famous freeride spots in the world.
Village & après-ski
Restaurants, bars, a water centre and an ice cave carved into the glacier.
Les 2 Alpes: everything to know before you book
Skiing and snowboarding in Les 2 Alpes
Les 2 Alpes is one of the highest ski areas in France. About 220 km of pistes climb from the village at 1,650 m to the glacier at 3,600 m, and around three quarters of the terrain sits above 2,000 m, which keeps the snow in good condition late into the season. The area counts 96 runs: 18 green, 47 blue, 17 red and 14 black, backed by roughly 300 snow cannons on the lower slopes.
The layout is unusual: the gentlest skiing is at the top, on the wide, open slopes of the glacier, while the steeper, more demanding pistes are lower down, on the descent back to the resort. Since 2024 the Jandri 3S tri-cable gondola has taken skiers from the village to 3,200 m in about 17 minutes. Freestylers head for the 2 Alpes Snowpark at 2,600 m, and experienced off-piste skiers can reach the steep, ungroomed terrain of La Grave from the top of the glacier, always with a qualified mountain guide and only in good weather.
Les 2 Alpes for families and beginners
Beginner areas are spread across three altitudes, at 1,650 m, 2,100 m and 2,600 m, so you can move up as confidence grows and find better snow in spring. Three lifts on the lower slopes in the village are free, which is handy for a first day or two before buying a full pass. Lessons are offered by several schools, including the ESF and ESI ski schools, with children’s groups and private lessons.
Because the easiest pistes are high up, beginners and nervous skiers should plan on taking a lift down to the village at the end of the day rather than skiing the lower runs. For non-skiing time, the Croisette complex in the village has a heated indoor and outdoor swimming pool with a wellness area, alongside an ice rink.
Where to stay in Les 2 Alpes
The main resort at 1,650 m stretches along a long, fairly flat plateau, with most shops, restaurants and bars around the central avenue. Staying near the Jandri 3S or the other main departures saves time each morning, while the quieter ends of the resort usually mean a short walk or a free shuttle to the lifts. Accommodation is mostly apartments and residences, with some chalets and hotels.
For a more traditional setting, Venosc is a village with cobbled streets and craft shops at 960 m, linked to the resort by a gondola in about 8 minutes. Mont-de-Lans, at 1,300 m, is the lowest point of the ski area and another calmer alternative.
Getting to Les 2 Alpes
Les 2 Alpes is in the Oisans, in the Isère department, about 70 km from Grenoble. Grenoble Alpes Isère is the closest airport, about 1h30 by road; Lyon-Saint Exupéry is about 2h to 2h30 and Geneva about 3h to 3h30. All times depend on traffic, snow and Saturday changeovers. By rail, Grenoble station is about 1h15 away by road, with regular buses and taxis up to the resort.
From Grenoble the road follows the D1091 through Le Bourg-d’Oisans, then turns off at the Chambon dam for the final climb. Snow chains or winter tyres are essential in winter.
Beyond the slopes in Les 2 Alpes
The ice cave carved into the glacier at 3,400 m is a popular outing for skiers and non-skiers alike, and pedestrians can ride the lifts up to the high-altitude viewpoints. In the resort you will find the swimming pool and ice rink, snowshoe outings, spa and fitness options, and a busy après-ski scene with bars and restaurants open late.
In summer the lifts carry mountain bikers to more than 130 km of marked trails, with a vertical drop of over 2,300 m between 3,200 m and the valley. Hiking and via ferrata in the Écrins round out the season, and the glacier remains open for skiing in the mornings in spring and early summer.
When to go to Les 2 Alpes
The winter season usually runs from late November or early December to early May. January offers cold snow and fewer people outside the French holidays, February is busiest, and March and April are excellent here thanks to the altitude, with good snow up high and long sunny days.
Glacier skiing continues in the mornings from early May to early July, mainly for racing teams and freestyle camps, with a snowpark on the glacier. Snow quality is best in May. In recent years the main bike park season has started in mid-June, so late June and early July are the weeks when you can ski in the morning and ride in the afternoon. Check the official dates for your year.
Your Les 2 Alpes holiday with AlpAway
We put together Les 2 Alpes holidays around your group: accommodation close to the right lifts, passes, equipment hire, lessons and transfers from Grenoble, Lyon or Geneva. If you are also weighing up the other big Oisans resort, we can compare it with Alpe d’Huez. Send us a request with your dates and who is travelling, and we will come back with a tailored proposal.
Your questions about Les 2 Alpes
Is Les 2 Alpes good for beginners?
Yes, with one caveat. There are beginner areas at 1,650 m, 2,100 m and 2,600 m, three free lifts in the village and wide, easy pistes on the glacier. The runs back down to the resort are steeper, so beginners usually take a lift down at the end of the day.
Is Les 2 Alpes snow-sure?
It is one of the most snow-sure resorts in France. The ski area tops out at 3,600 m, around three quarters of the terrain is above 2,000 m, and the glacier keeps high-altitude skiing reliable from the start of the season to the end.
Can you ski in Les 2 Alpes in summer?
Yes. The glacier usually opens for morning skiing from early May to early July, with a snowpark on the glacier. It is used mainly by racing teams and freestylers, but holidaymakers can ski and take lessons too. Dates change each year, so check the official calendar.
Is Les 2 Alpes good for snowboarders?
Very. The 2 Alpes Snowpark at 2,600 m is one of the best-known parks in France, the glacier slopes are wide and open, and freeriders with a guide can reach the off-piste terrain of La Grave from the top of the glacier.
How do you get to Les 2 Alpes from Geneva or Lyon?
By road it is about 3h to 3h30 from Geneva airport and about 2h to 2h30 from Lyon-Saint Exupéry, depending on traffic and snow. Grenoble airport is closer, at about 1h30. By train, the nearest station is Grenoble, about 1h15 away by bus or taxi.
Is there a swimming pool in Les 2 Alpes?
Yes. The Croisette complex in the resort has heated indoor and outdoor pools, a wellness area with a jacuzzi, and an ice rink next door.
What is there for non-skiers in Les 2 Alpes?
Pedestrians can take the lifts to the ice cave at 3,400 m and the high viewpoints, and in the resort there is the pool and ice rink, snowshoeing, spa options and plenty of bars and restaurants. Venosc, by gondola, is a pleasant traditional village to explore.
Les 2 Alpes in summer.
In early summer, ski or snowboard on the glacier in the morning, then spend the afternoon in the bike park, on a via ferrata or hiking in the Écrins. For a few weeks, it is a rare Alpine resort where you can do both on the same day.
Your Les 2 Alpes holiday, designed around you.
Share your dates, your group and your wishes. We reply with a free, personalised proposal.
