Some links in this guide are affiliate links. If you book through them, we earn a small commission, at no extra cost to you. It never changes what we recommend. How we make money
Les Deux Alpes is a high, snow sure resort with a glacier at the top, free beginner lifts at the bottom and a lively village in between. We have skied here with a group of mixed abilities, flying into Grenoble and staying in a self catered two bedroom apartment. This guide covers how the resort works, what to watch out for, and how to plan your own trip.
Les Deux Alpes at a glance
| Ski area | Around 220 km of pistes and 96 runs (18 green, 47 blue, 17 red, 14 black), with 41 lifts |
| Altitude | Village at around 1,650 metres; glacier skiing above 3,000 metres |
| Season 2026/27 | 28 November 2026 to 2 May 2027 |
| Nearest airport | Grenoble, around 120 km away |
| Adult 6 day pass, 2026/27 (approx.) | €333 |
| Best for | Snow reliability, beginners on a budget, groups who want a lively village |
Figures from Alti Mag’s resort guide. Always check the official Les 2 Alpes website before you book.
Why we like Les Deux Alpes
As with our other favourite resorts, the mix of runs suited our group of very different abilities. There is safe, enjoyable skiing for every level, so everyone could ski at their own pace and still meet up during the day.
The glacier is the big draw. Skiing reaches well above 3,000 metres, which makes the upper slopes some of the most snow sure in the French Alps, and the views from the top are spectacular. The resort’s wide, gentle runs up high are also good for building confidence.
How the resort works
The village sits on a broad plateau and stretches along a long main road, with the lifts rising from one side. Unusually, the easiest skiing is high up rather than at the bottom, and the runs back down to the village are steeper. That has two practical consequences:
- Complete beginners start on the nursery areas along the bottom of the slopes, where several of the lifts are free. According to the See2Alpes resort guide, five lifts in the lower nursery areas are free to use.
- Improving skiers head up to the wide, gentle runs at altitude, but may prefer to take a lift back down at the end of the day. The final blue run into the village gets busy and is harder at the bottom than the top, so ski it earlier in the afternoon if you can.
Lift passes are also sold for as little as half a day, which is useful for beginners who only need the nursery lifts at first.
Getting to Les Deux Alpes
How we did it: flying to Grenoble
We flew to Grenoble, the nearest airport, around 120 kilometres from the resort. Allow extra time for the transfer on Saturdays in the school holidays, when the road up to the resort is much busier.
Transfer options
- Shared shuttles and buses run from Grenoble airport to the resort, mainly on Saturdays, timed around flights. Book ahead in school holidays.
- Ben’s Bus runs shared coach transfers to and from the airport. From Grenoble it connects with scheduled flights any day of the week (5 December 2026 to 17 April 2027), and from Lyon it runs on Saturdays (5 December 2026 to 27 March 2027). In the resort it stops at Point Info by the entrance, at Place 2 Alpes in the centre by the tourist office, and by the Diable lift (free shuttle stop 11). Ben’s Bus quotes about 2 hours from Grenoble and 2 hours 30 minutes from Lyon, and Saturday fares from Grenoble of £36 single or £63 return per person, with 10% off for children under 12. Check luggage allowances and the flight delay policy when you book (Ben’s Bus, checked October 2026).
- Buses from Grenoble bus station run to the resort in winter, according to the official Les 2 Alpes access guide.
- Private transfer or hire car: door to door; you will need winter tyres or snow chains if driving.
Our guide to Grenoble airport transfers compares buses, shared and private transfers and car hire for Les Deux Alpes.
Book your transfer or hire a car
These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
SunTransfers: Grenoble airport to Les Deux Alpes
Get a price for your flight times and group size. Book early for February half term.
Car hire at Grenoble airport
Opens with February half term 2027 dates as an example, so change them to your own. Grenoble is a small airport, so book early. Make sure the car has winter tyres or snow chains for the mountains.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
See our guide to getting to the French Alps to compare flying, driving and the train.
Where to stay
Because the village is long, location matters. Staying near the centre, close to the main gondolas and the nursery slopes, keeps walking in ski boots to a minimum. Check the distance to your children’s ski school meeting point too.
We stayed in a self catered two bedroom apartment booked through a holiday rental site. See our guide to where to stay on a ski holiday for tips.
Where to book
These are affiliate links: if you book through them, we earn a small commission at no extra cost to you.
Look for somewhere close to the lifts or ski school, and check whether bed linen, towels and final cleaning are included in the price. The searches below open with February half term 2027 dates as an example. Change the dates and group size to match your own trip.
Vrbo: holiday apartments in Les Deux Alpes
We have used Vrbo for self catered apartments on our own trips.
Expedia: hotels and apartment residences in Les Deux Alpes
Useful if you would rather have a hotel, or want to compare residences with a reception and services.
Skiworld: chalet and hotel packages in Les Deux Alpes
Packages with flights and transfers, if you would rather not book separately.
Prices and availability change often, so always check the latest details before you book.
Lift passes
The Les 2 Alpes six day adult pass was listed at around €333 for 2026/27, one of the cheaper passes among the big French resorts. Beginners can save further by using the free nursery lifts at first. See our lift pass guide for more.
Après ski
Les Deux Alpes has a lively village, with bars, events and shops open late. The pedestrian Avenue de la Muzelle is the hub. It can get loud and festive in the evenings, so families wanting a quiet night may prefer to stay a little away from the main strip.
Who Les Deux Alpes suits
- Beginners on a budget: free nursery lifts and half day passes.
- Snow seekers: the glacier makes it one of the most reliable resorts for snow.
- Mixed ability groups: wide, gentle runs up high and challenging skiing for the confident.
- Groups who want nightlife: a lively village after the lifts close.
Weighing it up against Alpe d’Huez, its neighbour across the valley, or Les Arcs and Avoriaz? See our guide to choosing a ski resort.
Frequently asked questions
Is Les Deux Alpes good for beginners?
Yes, with free nursery lifts at the bottom and gentle runs higher up, though beginners may want to take a lift back down at the end of the day.
Can you ski on the glacier in winter?
Yes. The glacier is part of the winter ski area and helps keep snow reliable throughout the season.
What is the nearest airport to Les Deux Alpes?
Grenoble, around 120 kilometres away. Allow extra time for the transfer on school holiday Saturdays.
When is the 2026/27 ski season?
From 28 November 2026 to 2 May 2027, according to the resort’s published dates.