The "two Alps" in the name do not refer to the two mountains that the resort encompasses but rather the two villages of Venosc and Mont De Lans that sit at either end of the north-south plateau on which the resort was built. Access to the resort is by road from the north - no road connects the resort to Venosc down the steep slope to the south.

Les Deux Alpes is the main resort of the Dauphine region and is very popular with the Brits. It offers fantastic snow and has a glacier (3568m), the largest in Europe, which allows summer skiing. Boarders will also like Les Deux Alpes, with its park, 'Nitro', and its October World Snowboarders' Meeting.

Advanced skiers should head to the La Fee area for testing black runs and to nearby La Grave for some of the best off-piste around.

Beginners and intermediates have plenty of choice, but should be aware that the level of skiing isn't accurate on the piste map. Firstly, many of the blue are quite challenging; secondly, these pistes can get very crowded (particularly at Le Jandri); and, finally, there is only one easy run back to the resort. The lift system, though, is very efficient.

Les Deux is a popular choice in summer with Italians. During winter the British and Italians still outnumber the French both as tourists and as staff. Beginners and intermediates are well catered for on the high-altitude slopes, but there are very few nursery slopes at resort level. Advanced skiers have a limited choice of slopes.

The accommodation here ranges from less expensive, simpler hotels to modern apartment blocks. A wide choice of mid-range accommodation is in the majority here.

Overall, a good resort for those who want both good skiing and après-ski, with La Grave and the glacier particular pluses. Also, Grenoble Airport is only 90 minutes away.

Locality:

Les Deux Alpes is in south east France, in the south east Isere region. (it is 24 mls SE of Alpe-d'Huez. 46 mls SE of Grenoble. 100 mls SE of Lyon. 70 mls SE of Grenoble and its airport). They are set in a valley running north to south, with east-facing ski-slopes. The west facing slopes have very poor snowfall, so skiing there is limited and cannot be guaranteed.

Ski Information:

Highest lift: 3600m (11811ft), Lowest lift: 1300m (4265ft), Vertical drop: 2300m (7546ft), Number of lifts: 55, Uplift capacity: 66000 p/hr, Number of slopes: 75, Beginner: 63%, Intermediate: 24%, Expert: 13%, Total piste length: 220km, Snowboard parks: 2, Cross country: 25km