Resort Review
As the ski resort of Les Deux Alpes is among Europe's highest and starts the 2005 winter season on 3 December. It will not matter whether you are looking for extreme sport or gentle blue and red pistes, this resort(1650m) is for you. It is set high in the picturesque Dauphine region of the southern Alps and is one of France's oldest and most prestigious ski resorts. It is ideal for singles, couples or families, young and old alike and the season here opens early and provides 200km of pistes with the longest run being 16km.
Situated in a high valley about 40 miles drive beyond Grenoble, the resort of Les 2 Alpes is located where the northern and southern Alps meet in the heart of the Oisans. The village has a long, long main street where you will find numerous shops, cafes and bars, so after skiing there is no lack of interesting things to see and do - including visiting several British pubs, the Olympic sized ice rink or a heated outdoor swimming pool.
Because of the resort's altitude the snow record is good and the Mont de Lans glacier (3600m) has high altitude skiing for all abilities. But if beginners and parents with one children prefer, there are ample areas in and around the resort where you will find good nursery slopes. If you want to ride on the world's fastest gondola then take a trip on The Jandri Express, which links to the glacier and both exciting and challenging runs back to the village.
There is no shortage of uphill transport; Les Deux Alpes has 51 ski lifts including 23 chair lifts, 19 draglifts, 3 gondola lifts, 2 detachable cabin lifts, 1 cable car, 1 funicular, an elevator and a ropelift. For those who enjoy statistics there are 102 runs comprising 13 black, 17 red, 45 blue and 27 green (beginners)
For something really special, there is an ice cave at 3400m and this is reputed to be the highest and longest of its kind in the world. Inside the grotto sculptors from all over Europe have shaped many ephemeral works of art. The temperature within the grotto remains constant throughout the year at around minus one degree Celsius.
At the end of October each year the resort stages the "Mondial du Ski" and "Mondial du Snowboard" events, two of Europe's top ski and snowboarding events. So whilst the majority of French ski resorts have yet to open, Les 2 Alpes offers enthusiasts the opportunity to ski and snowboard on freshly fallen snowe on the resort's glacier (3200-3600m)which opens especially for the events.
A wide range of entertainment is on offer during this event - and for the rest of the 2005-06 winter season - at the resort village, located at 1650m. The main skiing season is from December through to May
You can reach the resort by car from Calais in approximately 10 hours or fly into Chambery or Grenoble/Lyons from where there are good transfer arrangements. The journey will take about 2/3 hours. |
