Discover Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes combines an extensive ski area with high-mountain trails, viewpoints and local history. When looking for a hotel, it helps to first consider which aspects of your trip matter most: winter sports, mountain trails or insights into the area’s history. The elevations, themes and conditions of the various offerings differ. For seasonal activities, it is worth checking dates and operating status for your travel period.

Ski Area and Changes in Elevation

The Les Deux Alpes ski area covers 410 hectares of marked pistes. One descent runs from the glacier at 3,600 m down to the village of Mont de Lans at 1,300 m without using any mountain lifts along the way. Other offerings in the ski area are at different elevations. The 2 Alpes Snowpark is at 2,600 m. If winter sports are the deciding factor for your trip, you can consider these different aspects separately when planning and check the operating status of the pistes and facilities for your dates.

Glacier, High-Altitude Trails and Views

The Grotte de Glace is a 200 m-long tunnel at an altitude of 3,400 m. It features sculptures beneath 30 m of old ice. The attraction opens seasonally, so it is worth checking its current operating status before visiting. Another high-mountain experience is Oxygen Experience – Balcons des Cimes: The circular route lies at an altitude of 3,100 to 3,200 m and is connected to Destination 3400 by the funicular. From there, the route offers views across the mountain ranges of Oisans, including Grandes Rousses, Belledonne, Taillefer and Écrins.

The viewpoints offer different perspectives, too. The passerelle du Belvédère des Écrins offers views of the Écrins massif, the Aiguilles d’Arves and Mont Blanc; access depends on operating conditions. At Croix du Sert, the 360-degree panoramic view extends across the Romanche Valley, Lac du Chambon and the surrounding mountains. This distinction can help you choose: one viewpoint highlights named distant peaks, while the other offers a sweeping view of the valley, lake and mountains.

Trails with Nature and Family Themes

La Balade des Explorateurs is an easy, 1.8 km family loop about mountain animals. The marked trail features information boards with questions on the subject. The route thus combines a manageable distance with a specific nature theme. Oxygen Experience – Défi des Fayots is also family-friendly and features wooden games. This activity trail is at an altitude of 2,100 m in the Vallée Blanche area.

The Randonnée Balade du Cristallier focuses on quartz crystals. This themed family hike goes around Lac du Plan, at an altitude of 2,300 m. Information boards also cover the local fauna and flora, as well as the ski area. If you are interested in guided tours and local history, Rando’Nature et Patrimoine offers a different focus: This seasonal guided hike explores the local fauna, flora and village history on the Mont-de-Lans slope. Check current dates and booking details in advance.

Local History and Insights into Mont de Lans

Les Deux Alpes originally developed as a shared alpine pasture between Mont-de-Lans and Venosc. The first hotels and chalets for winter sports were built here in the 1930s. In the heart of Mont de Lans is the Chasal Lento Museum, which uses its exhibitions to convey the way of life of local residents. It covers Roman history, itinerant vendors, the construction of the Chambon Dam and the pioneering years of Les Deux Alpes. Different historical perspectives thus come together in the village, from older traces and everyday life to the development of winter sports.

The museum includes a café area where visitors can sample sweets, a terrace, a library, and games and activities for children. As visitor services can change, it is best to check these details if they are important to your visit. Another visible ancient relic is the Porte romaine de Bons, about a 30-minute walk from the village of Mont de Lans.

Including Mont de Lans in Your Plans

From Les Deux Alpes, the village of Mont de Lans is accessible by the Mont de Lans chairlift or a free shuttle. As transport services may vary by season, check connections for your travel period. Together with the museum, the Porte romaine de Bons and the hiking options on the Mont-de-Lans slope, this offers a distinct focus on local history and nature, unlike the high-altitude pistes, snowpark and viewpoints. Les Deux Alpes’ natural heritage also includes several dozen protected plant and animal species.

For the broader travel overview: Mont-De-Lans.