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Les Deux Alpes for Skiing & Snowboarding
Skiing & Boarding in Les Deux Alpes |
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We give you the inside information on where in Les Deux Alpes to find the best off-piste, the best areas for beginners, the steepest and deepest runs, and importantly, the best lunch and sun spots! Also in this section is some information on cross-country skiing in the valley, and features on how to improve your ski technique. And if you feel a bit 'all the gear but no idea', our articles on skis and snowboards will help you get a better understanding of the types of skis and snowboards available.
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Ski Areas in Les Deux Alpes |
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Les Deux Alpes is made up of two Alps, two alpine pastures put together over 50 years ago to form a ski resort. Comprising of 2 communities, Mont-de-Lans and Venosc, Les Deux Alpes is one of France's oldest and most prestigious ski resorts. With 225kms of piste, a vertical descent of over 2000m and a highest skiable peak of 3568m, this resort is snow sure because of its large glacier, one of the largest in Europe. Les Deux Alpes is mostly treeless ski terrain, and over 75% south facing, meaning blue sky skiing all winter long.
... see "Les Deux Alpes Skiing Area" for more |
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Insider's Guide To... |
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With over 200km of terrain to explore as well as 2 boardparks and any number of mountain restaurants you might find our guide to the Les Deux Alpes ski area helpful. With tips on where to go for cruisy runs, steep descents and a good vin chaud we hope you enjoy it! ... see "Where to go for..." for more |
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Snowparks in Les Deux Alpes |
Les Deux Alpes has been renowned for over 10 years for having an impressive park, but also for being a resort that has an openness to improve and embrace the freestyle scene. The resort has invested heavily in its snow park with 3 Park Bullies, a Pipe Magician, Zaugg Pipe Shaper and regularly purchasing new rails and boxes.
The Snowpark is located between 2600m & 2900m in the La Toura area on the mountain. Take either La Toura or Lac Noir chairlift, and you are able to see the whole park. There are various areas that make up Les Deux Alpes Snowpark; L’Envers is the most developed area of the snow park. It comprises of a beginner area with small tables, boxes, rails and a small quarter pipe designed for the youngest riders. A handrail area with a line of 3 intermediate boxes, a line of 3 intermediate rails and a line of 3 pro rails caters for the more adventurous type. There is also an intermediate big kicker setup, with 2 kickers of 8 and 12m, all accessible by a short drag lift. L'Envers has a great atmosphere with a BBQ, music, open DJ turntable and even a few deckchairs for when you've had enough and want to sit back and watch the action...
The Half Pipe conforms to federation standards and is 120m long and 5m high. The pipe is shaped at the end of everyday by an experienced team of drivers, to ensure a clean transition and vertical and ultimately to ensure the safety of all riders.
The Slopestyle set up in Les Deux Alpes is for advanced riders only. With smaller kickers starting around 10m with up to 20m transitions, this is the place for pros and ams to hone their skills in one of the hardest disciplines in the park. There is a set up of 3 kickers followed by a large hip, running into a quarter pipe with an s rail and c rail to finish.
Les Deux Alpes Big Air kicker, also known locally as the “showtime kicker”, is massive; almost 4m high and having a transition of almost 28m, this kicker is for the best of the best. It regularly attracts the best in Europe, who come to film on this kicker all winter long.
Les Deux Alpes has a number of Slide Areas situated all over the mountain and are fun for all levels to jib and play around on to improve their skills. At 3100m you’ll find the Gully, 150m long with steeped walls, twists and turns all the way. The Canyons at 3000m feature banked curves that wind down the hill, there are also 8 small roller style jumps to get a little bit of air time!
Directly under Lac Noir chairlift at 2600m you 'll find the Boardercross; there are official boardercross competitions held here throughout the winter. The length of the boardercross is 1200m long, with a vertical drop of 250m.
The combined areas of the snowpark and boardercross play host to a number of competitions and demos throughout the season, check out our What's On calendar to find out more. |
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Cross Country Skiing (Ski de Fond) |
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Get back to nature and explore tranquil cross-country trails at your own pace. There are two different techniques – classic and skating. Classic is the easiest for beginners; you simply place your skis in two parallel groves, push off and glide around the trails. Skating is more energetic and a slightly harder skill to grasp; you push your feet out to either side as though you are ice skating and use your poles simultaneously to gain momentum.
You can hire the comfortable boots and lightweight skis and poles fairly inexpensively from most sports shops and book a group or private lesson to learn the basics from most ski schools or private instructors. For those used to downhill skis, at first you feel precariously balanced and downhill sections are definitely more exciting on narrow skis with no edges! The skis are lighter and slimmer than downhill skis and the boots are much softer and more comfortable.
The tranquility of cross country (also known as Nordic) skiing is perfect for anyone who enjoys peace and quiet, or finds the downhill pistes too crowded or too steep. It is a great form of aerobic exercise and one can be as energetic or slow as one likes, while the relaxed pace makes it a more tranquil way to enjoy the surroundings!.
 | | 'Skating' Style |
Once you have grasped the essentials, head off for the tranquil cross country trails that criss cross the Oisans region. Les Deux Alpes has 20kms of circuits including La Molière and Les Perrons, which will take you through high pastures and alpine woods with some stunning views of the glaciers along the way. Nearby Vénosc also offers a multiude of cross country ski trails. |
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Handiski (Skiing for the Disabled) in Les Deux Alpes |
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ESF Les Deux Alpes has a number of instructors qualified in teaching skiing to people with disabilities; we recommend you book in advance to ensure availability. Unfortunately they are not able to provide adaptive ski equipment and so they request that you organise the hire of this yourself.
There are a number of accomodation options in resort that cater for visitors with disabilities, please enquire directly for specific details:
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Equipment & Clothing Guide |
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Have you literally got 'all the gear' but have no idea what to do with it?? Unless you want to look like Posh Spice on the slopes, knowing a bit about your skis/snowboards/transceivers etc will help you avoid being any old Wannabe... Having the right equipment for your chosen sport/activity will help ensure that you get the best possible introduction to your sport (if you are a beginner), or speed you along in your learning curve if you are looking to improve. The easier and quicker you learn, the more pleasurable your experience will be! In this section, you will find guides to help you select the most appropriate gear for your sport and your ability. ... see "All the Gear But No Idea...?" for more |
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Skiing Tips & Techniques |
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We have teamed up with one of our top ski school instuctors to produce guides on ski technique. The articles featured here include learning how to carve and how to conquer moguls. To ensure you get the most out of your time on the piste, check out our Ski & Snowboard School Listings and perfect your skills! ... see "Tips and Techniques - Skiing" for more |
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Snowboarding Tips & Techniques |
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Improve your snowboarding style with our helpful techniques tips section, brought to you courtesy of Keith McIntosh at Alpinelines. It's often the smallest thing that makes all the difference to your riding! ... see "Tips & Technique - Snowboarding" for more |
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Lift System & Passes in Les Deux Alpes |
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Les Deux Alpes has one of the most modern lift systems in Europe, regularly being the first to trial new technology in its quest to whisk more skiers, up more mountains, more efficiently. With such an extensive lift network in operation both summer and winter, it makes sense that there are a wide range of lift pass options available for the skier or boarder, mountain biker and pedestrian. ... see "Les Deux Alpes Lift System & Passes" for more |
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Skinets Support Tool |
