Mountain of Hell
In late June this legendary mountain bike race starts with over 1,000 riders in a mass start on the glacier and descends some 25 km over snow, forest and rock down to Venosc.
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Les Deux Alpes
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ℹ️Practical info — Les Deux Alpes
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🌤 Weather — 5 days
📍 Nearby
Sights nearby
💡 Tips
- Keep in mind that the resort is 'upside down': the more challenging black runs are lower down, while the wide, easy blue slopes are up on the glacier.
- Take the gondola down to the village of Venosc to experience a traditional, easy on the eye mountain hamlet contrasting with the modern resort.
- The high-altitude sun is incredibly intense; always wear high-SPF sunscreen and good quality sunglasses, even on cloudy days.
- Check your multi-day ski pass, as it often includes access to neighboring areas like Alpe d'Huez or the legendary La Grave off-piste terrain.
🍽 Food
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Tartiflette & Raclette
Warm up in a traditional mountain chalet restaurant with these hearty, melt-in-your-mouth alpine cheese and potato dishes.
🍽
Génépi
Try a shot of this local herbal liqueur, typically enjoyed as a digestif after a heavy mountain dinner.
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Crêpes and Galettes
Grab a quick, delicious sweet crêpe or savory buckwheat galette from one of the many eateries lining the main avenue.
🛍 Shopping · 🧘 Quiet spots
🛍
Snow sports gear
Browse the numerous sports shops; if you visit near the end of the winter season, you can often find significant discounts on equipment.
🛍
Mountain delicacies
Pick up local mountain honey, cured sausages (saucisson), and regional cheeses from the resort's specialty food stores.
🧘
Venosc village
Stroll through the car-free, cobbled streets of Venosc (reachable by gondola) for a peaceful escape from the bustling resort.
🧘
Off-piste trails
In the summer, hike the trails heading towards Lac du Lauvitel for a deeply tranquil alpine nature experience.
Water temperature…
Highlights of 2026
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Les Deux Alpes is uniquely situated on a high plateau that historically served as the high pastures for the villages of Venosc and Mont-de-Lans. It is famous for its 'inverted' mountain structure, where the easiest nursery slopes are located high up on the glacier at 3200m, while the steeper, more challenging runs lead back down to the resort level. This setup ensures that beginners always have access to the best quality snow. The resort has the largest skiable glacier in Europe, allowing for summer skiing operations. A key feature is the Jandri Express cable car and the Dôme Express, an underground funicular that whisks visitors to the 3600m summit. Beyond its 200km of winter runs, Les Deux Alpes is a legendary mountain biking destination in summer and is well-known for its energetic nightlife and international atmosphere.
- Location: Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France
- Top sights: Grotte de Glace · Glacier du Mont de Lans · Village de Venosc
- Nearby: L'Alpe d'Huez (10 km)
- Population: ~1.751
Best time to visit & climate
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun–Aug.
| Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Avg °C | -7 | -7 | -3 | 2 | 6 | 11 | 13 | 12 | 9 | 5 | -1 | -6 |
| Rain mm | 69 | 54 | 67 | 61 | 90 | 71 | 58 | 59 | 59 | 75 | 89 | 79 |
Live webcam – Les Deux Alpes
See what it looks like near Les Deux Alpes right now.
Les Deux Alpes: Belambra Clubs "Les Crêtes" · 0.6 km · Open webcam on Windy · Webcams provided by Windy.com
Geography
Facts
- The first ski lift opened in 1946
- The glacier peak reaches an elevation of 3568m
- Home to one of the top 5 snowparks in Europe
- The Dôme Express funicular tunnel is 1720m long
- Provides a continuous 2300m vertical descent
- Connected to the village of Venosc by gondola
Explore nearby
Notable places around
Route planner — Car & Motorhome
Where do you start? We build the route here, with stops and country notes along the way.
Vehicle
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© OpenStreetMap contributors · OpenRouteService
A day in the city
Pick weather + travel mode, get a concrete day plan.
09:00→15:413.2 km walk6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 19–25 €Entries 22€ · Transport 0€
Discover the resort of Les Deux Alpes on foot and immerse yourself in its mountain world. Start at the Maison de la Montagne to get a feel for the surroundings. A stroll to Lac de la Buissonnière offers pure relaxation by the water. At midday, visit the Musée Chasal Lento to learn more about the harsh life of mountain farmers before the tourism boom. After a visit to the charming Saint-Benoît chapel, stroll along the lively main street and end the day with a view of the majestic Muzelle peak.
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🚶 21'0.89 km
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09:00→14:246.3 km ride5 places0/5
Day budget: ≈ 26–35 €Entries 18€ · Transport 12€
Experience the contrast between the modern resort and the traditional mountain village of Venosc. Start in the center and use the gondola for a spectacular descent to Venosc. Once there, explore the narrow streets and the historic Saint-Benoît chapel by bike. Cycle along the Vénéon river in the valley and enjoy the cool breeze. The return journey takes you either by gondola or via the challenging serpentine road back to Lac de la Buissonnière, where you can end the day comfortably.
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🚲 18'2.53 km
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09:00→15:2714.7 km drive6 places0/6
Day budget: ≈ 23–31 €Entries 24€ · Transport 3€
This tour combines alpine heights with village idyll. After parking in the resort, the Jandri Express takes you directly to the Mont de Lans glacier. Marvel at the world of eternal ice and visit the fascinating ice grotto with its sculptures. At midday, enjoy the panorama from the Belvédère des Écrins before gliding back down to the valley. Spend the afternoon in the quiet village of Mont de Lans, where you will visit the Chasal Lento Museum and learn about the traditional alpine way of life before starting the short drive back.
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🚗 4'0.22 km
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Sights in the town Les Deux Alpes (20)
Frequently asked questions
Can you ski here in summer?
Yes, the glacier at 3600m is one of Europe's largest summer ski areas.
How do I get there from Grenoble?
Regular buses (line T83) run from Grenoble station and take about 100 minutes to reach the top.
Are there activities for non-skiers?
You can visit the ice cave on the glacier or take the cable car down to the village of Venosc.
Is the ski area suitable for beginners?
Unusually, the flat beginner slopes are located at the top of the mountain, not in the valley.
What is special about the mountain bike park?
It is one of the largest parks in the Alps with over 90 km of marked downhill trails.
Les Deux Alpes: where is it located?
Les Deux Alpes is located in Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France.
Les Deux Alpes: what is there to see?
Highlights include Grotte de Glace, Glacier du Mont de Lans, Village de Venosc.
Les Deux Alpes: when is the best time to visit?
The most pleasant time to visit is Jun, Aug.
Les Deux Alpes: why is it worth visiting?
Les Deux Alpes is uniquely situated on a high plateau that historically served as the high pastures for the villages of Venosc and Mont-de-Lans.
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