Sunny spring days in Les 2 Alpes

La Toura is north-facing so the snow stays cold and good. The snowpark is very popular as the jumps are in good shape. The smaller jumps have a photographer on them which can be fun and make a good souvenir. The dual slalom is great fun for all the family and the blue pistes are in great condition. There are some moguls on the red run that are well formed and easy at the top. Don’t be fooled by this, they are big and much steeper as the run turns the corner.

La Fée is the prettiest of all the ski areas in Les Deux Alpes boasting views over towards Alpe d’Huez and the other side of the Oisans valley. The red runs are in great shape at the top but, as they come into one, they can become a little firm and icy. This is at the section just above the Refuge de la Fée. Don’t panic, you can still get to the Refuge via the blue track that leaves the Jandri 3 just above the Bellecombes chairlift. The blue is still in good condition and a lovely run. It is steep in places and flat in others. If you are on a board, this can be a little tricky without a willing skier to drag you along or a good skating technique.

Bellecombes is the best ski area at this time of year. It is completely north-facing and in the shadow a lot of the day so the snow has not transformed and remains cold and wintery. The Bellecombes 6 black run is in great shape with big moguls. These are excellent fun, but start on the La Toura moguls if you are not used to moguls as these ones are big and steep! The Bellecombes 5 red run has been in particularly good groomed condition as have the blues. Don’t forget that, by turning right off the Bellecombes lift you can access the Super Diable area which is also a fun red and black with great views over the Village of Venosc and the Veneon valley.

Les Cretes is the high-altitude beginners' area at 2100m. The magic carpet here gives access to a very easy nursery slope and the Petite Cretes, an easy green. The snow here has warmed up a little in the springlike conditions we have had. This means that it can be firm in the mornings and softer as the day goes on. Today, Tuesday 26th March, looks to be a colder day so the pistes might take a little longer to soften in the sun. The blue Crete has been very well groomed and is perfect around 11:00 when it has just started to soften – hero snow and fab to practice your turns on!

To get down from Les Cretes, you have the choice of blue, red or black runs at the moment. The green Demoiselle has shut for the season, or until we get new snow (which is always a possibility even in April!). The black runs have been opening later in the day when the snow has softened. This is for your safety so, please, don’t duck under the ropes. The blue is firm but in good condition during the day. Just watch out at 16:00 when everyone is trying to ski down. Don’t forget that you can ski till 17:00 up the mountain and take a lift down rather than tackle this busy piste. The lifts you can download on are Belle Etoile, Village, Diable, White Eggs and Jandri Express from Les Cretes at 2100m, Les Cretes at 2400m and also from the mid-station at 2600m and the glacier at 3200m.

The button lifts at the bas de piste are all still open and being looked after. The sun and warmth have taken their toll here but the snow coverage is still good and the machines are working hard to keep these in good condition. They can be icy in the mornings and slushy in the afternoons though.