Les Deux Alpes, a ski resort that doesn’t do things by halves, but by twos! Its evocative name comes from the union of the mountain pastures of two communes: Mont-de-Lans and Vénosc. These two villages, to the north and south respectively, combined their high-altitude pastures to create this iconic resort.
By combining their strengths, these two mountain pastures have created a unique destination where families can double their pleasure on the snowy slopes. Thanks to its modern infrastructure, exceptional ski area and warm atmosphere, it stands out as an ideal choice for young and old alike. Here’s why this resort is perfect for your family holiday.
Les Deux Alpes, a family-friendly ski area
Perched at an altitude of 1,650 metres, the resort of Les Deux Alpes is ideally exposed to plenty of sunshine all year round. This privileged location means that skiers can take advantage of ideal light conditions, making the experience on the slopes even more enjoyable. The ski area extends from an altitude of 1,300 metres to 3,600 metres, with an impressive vertical drop of 2,300 metres. This unique configuration allows uninterrupted descents from the glacier to the village of Mont de Lans, without the need to use lifts.
The brand-new Jandri 3S, France’s flagship ski lift, connects the resort to the glacier in just 17 minutes, providing fast, comfortable access to the pistes at an altitude of 3,200 metres. Once at the top, skiers can take the blue runs such as Jandri 1, Jandri 2 and Jandri 3, which offer a smooth and pleasant descent to the resort.
The blue runs allow you to ski from the summit all the way down to the resort, offering children and beginners a smooth progression while enjoying spectacular panoramic views. Access to the glacier at an altitude of 3,600 metres is via a pole lift from the cable car arrival station. Families can discover the eternal snows together, take a step into the void at 3400 metres or visit an ice cave (please note that access to the cave is not included in the ski pass). Entrance fee: €7.50/adult).
A well-deserved break at Chalet de la Toura
Nestling in a sunny valley at an altitude of 2,600 metres, the Chalet de la Toura is a must in Les Deux Alpes. Sheltered from the wind, this high-altitude restaurant offers a festive, friendly atmosphere, ideal for recharging your batteries while enjoying spectacular views over the ski area. Strategically located and accessible to pedestrians, it provides quick access to the second section of the Jandri cable car, the Toura chairlift and the snowpark, a firm favourite with freestyle fans. Families will also love the nearby activities, such as the slalom duel or the famous souvenir photo in front of the ‘Les 2 Alpes’ sign. But be warned: this is a very popular spot, so it’s best to stop early to make the most of this mountain break.
Several options for a peaceful end to the day’s skiing
The Demoiselles green run is an ideal option for a gentle descent to the snow front, especially for beginners and children who want to enjoy a gradual descent while admiring the scenery. However, an equally comfortable alternative is to use the ski lifts. The Deux Alpes ski area offers modern facilities such as the Jandri 3S and the telemixtes, which combine chairlifts and gondolas. These facilities provide a safe and pleasant route back to the resort, especially for less experienced skiers who prefer to avoid a long descent.
Les Deux Alpes, an ideal snow front for beginners
The exceptional exposure of Les Deux Alpes offers a wide, gently sloping snow front, perfect for learning, and for watching your children’s progress.
The Vikings sector is one of the snow front’s star areas, with facilities perfectly suited to beginners. Equipped with a covered carpet and two ski lifts, it offers a gentle slope ideal for training in complete peace of mind. Nearby, the Champamé sector, equipped with a state-of-the-art conveyor belt, offers easy access to suitable slopes in a calm and reassuring environment. The Coolidge sector completes the offer with wide slopes and free ski lifts, making learning easier for children and adults alike.
Covered carpet at Les Deux Alpes
The French Ski School (ESF) of Les Deux Alpes has a strong presence in these areas, with several strategic meeting points spread across the snow front. The Belle Étoile meeting point, for example, is located close to the learning areas and green runs, making it easy to pick up beginners. The Jandri meeting point, in the centre of the resort, is ideal for those wishing to progress and venture out onto accessible blue runs. Finally, the Côte Brune meeting point offers a transition to intermediate levels with direct access to the blue and red runs.
The completely flat snow front at Les Deux Alpes stretches across the entire resort, offering optimum accessibility for effortless approach to the learning areas. The covered carpets and ski lifts, carefully installed, guarantee comfortable and safe access to the first runs. This is the ideal setting for children to discover skiing at an early age, thanks in particular to the Piou Piou clubs, where the youngest skiers are supervised by qualified instructors in dedicated, safe areas. While the children are making progress, parents can sit back on a sunny terrace, enjoying the panoramic views while following the exploits of their apprentice skiers. The snow front is also home to original activities such as snow biking, equipped with large tyres for optimum stability.
Our favourite: the ‘La Fée’ sector
The La Fée sector in Les Deux Alpes is a real gem for ski lovers looking for tranquillity and authenticity. Situated at an altitude of 2,100 metres, this area offers a unique experience away from the main lift infrastructure, allowing skiers to discover unspoilt, less-frequented areas of the resort.
Access to La Fée is made easy by the 8-seater ‘Pierre Grosse’ gondola, which links this sector to the glacier in just a few minutes, offering a 952-metre vertical drop. Once here, skiers can enjoy wide, well-groomed red runs, ideal for intermediate to advanced skiers. The tranquillity of the area, combined with the beauty of the Alpine scenery, creates an atmosphere conducive to relaxation and escape.
The very name ‘La Fée’ adds a touch of magic to the experience, sparking the imagination of children and adults alike. Skiing in this area is a bit like stepping into a fairytale, where nature reveals its finest assets. What’s more, the high-altitude restaurant ‘La Fée’ offers a gourmet break in an enchanting setting, allowing you to extend this timeless moment.
Les Deux Alpes, comfortable, family-friendly accommodation
The resort of Les Deux Alpes has been designed to make it easy for families to get around. The two main avenues, each one-way, ensure that traffic flows smoothly and safely. Many of the accommodation units have direct access to the slopes, so parents with children can get to and from the slopes with skis on. The Vallée Blanche area, for example, is well connected to the rest of the resort, with pistes suitable for beginners and easy access back to nearby accommodation.
Among them, the MMV Les Clarines is particularly recommended for families, thanks to its many assets designed to make their stay easier and richer.
Ski in/ski out’ location and direct access to the ski lifts
The Résidence Club MMV Les Clarines offers direct access to the slopes, reinforcing its status as a true ‘ski in, ski out’ accommodation. Thanks to the new Super Venosc cable car, located just above the residence, skiers can reach the Vallée Blanche sector, at an altitude of 2,100 metres, in less than five minutes.
This area offers pistes such as ‘Super Venosc’ and ‘Pied Moutet 1 & 2’, ideal for a variety of skiing abilities. After a day on the slopes, it’s perfectly possible to ski back to the residence using the same runs, offering a great convenience for families and skiers wanting to maximise their time on the snow.
Practical family services in Les Deux Alpes :
- City shuttle: A free shuttle bus stops regularly at the foot of the residence, making it easy to get to the various points of interest in the resort.
- SKISETski equipment hire: A SKISET ski hire shop is integrated into the establishment, allowing families to hire their equipment on site and benefit from preferential rates by booking at the same time as their stay.
- Children’s and teenagers’ clubs: Supervised clubs offer a variety of mountain-themed activities for children aged 18 months to 17 years, outdoors or in dedicated areas.
After an intense day on the slopes, the Résidence Club MMV Les Clarines offers families a moment of conviviality and relaxation with its ‘After Gourmand’ service. Between 5.15pm and 6pm, residents are invited to enjoy delicious snacks such as crêpes, waffles and doughnuts, prepared and served in the residence itself. This gourmet gathering is the ideal opportunity to share the day’s experiences, while enjoying a well-deserved sweet break.
Families can also take advantage of the aquatic area , with its indoor/outdoor heated pool, sauna, hammam and spa, guaranteeing moments of relaxation for young and old alike.
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We’ve fallen under its spell…
The Résidence Club MMV Les Clarines has teamed up with the French Ski School (ESF) in Les Deux Alpes to offer an exclusive VIP service for families. Every morning, at around 8.30am, ESF instructors will collect children directly from the residence to take them to their ski lessons.
This VIP service, organised under the benevolent supervision of Xavier, the ESF director, is a real breath of fresh air for parents, who can enjoy a calm start to their own day on the slopes. The smiles and attention of the ESF team make the experience even more enjoyable, giving the children a happy and motivating start to the day. An ideal way to start the holidays, in a friendly and professional atmosphere, where young and old feel looked after from the very first hours of the morning.
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Les Deux Alpes is sure to appeal to families with its range of après-ski activities and unique atmosphere. Thrill-seekers can extend their adventure with tandem paragliding or mountain biking on snow. Fun areas such as the snowpark and boardercross are also great for youngsters.
After a busy day on the slopes, the resort comes alive with a magical atmosphere as night falls. The lights that illuminate the streets and surrounding mountains create an enchanting backdrop, perfect for a family outing. Thanks to the resort’s flat layout, strolling through its streets is easy and enjoyable, even with small children or pushchairs.
But be warned: you can’t leave Les Deux Alpes without a few must-haves: the precious French Ski School medal for your children, proof of their progress on the slopes, a typical souvenir bought in one of the resort’s boutiques, or a full belly after sampling one of the region’s treasures.
The local shops are full of artisanal products and regional specialities. Sweet tooths will be seduced by the nougats and other local confectionery, while cheese lovers can indulge in specialities such as raclette, fondue or crozet gratin, available in the resort’s many restaurants.
All in all, you’ll leave with stars in your eyes and a heart full of shared moments.
