Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes both boast high-altitude skiing and vibrant atmospheres in the French Alps, yet each offers a unique experience. Alpe d’Huez shines with its sunny slopes, vast beginner terrain, and legendary 16 km black run, while Les Deux Alpes is famed for its glacier skiing, freestyle scene, and gnarly off-piste.
Read on to decide which resort best matches your skiing style, group composition, and holiday priorities.
Alpe d'Huez or Les Deux Alpes?
- Quick comparison table
- Ski area & terrain
- Snow fall history
- Accommodation & village atmosphere
- Après-ski & dining
- Families & beginners
- Advanced skiers & snowboarders
- Activities beyond skiing
- Accessibility & transfers
- Cost and value for money
- Which one should you choose?
Quick comparison table
| Feature | Alpe d'Huez | Les Deux Alpes |
|---|
| Base elevation | 1,800 m (5,906 ft) | 1,850 m (6,070 ft) |
| Highest lift | 3,330 m (10,927 ft) | 3,600 m (11,811 ft) |
| Individual piste km | 249 km (155 mi) | 200 km (124 mi) |
| Best for | Beginners, families, sunny long runs | Freestyle, glacier skiing, apres-ski |
| Village atmosphere | Four villages on sunlit plateau, lively | Historic village feel, youthful energy |
| Accommodation | Apartments, hotels, some ski-in/ski-out | Ski-in/ski-out apartments & chalets |
| Après-ski scene | High-energy (Folie Douce, Igloo Club) | Vibrant (Pano Bar, Smokey Joe’s) |
note: Both resorts are standalone resorts. They do not belong to a specific ski area.
Ski area & terrain
- Alpe d’Huez’s Grand Domaine offers 249 km of pistes from 1,125 m to 3,330 m. Beginners start on gentle slopes at Rond‑Point des Pistes; intermediates enjoy long blues like Sarenne’s sides; experts tackle the world’s longest black run (16 km Sarenne) and high‑altitude couloirs.
- Les Deux Alpes centres around its glacier at 3,600 m. Beginners learn on village greens; intermediates lap high‑altitude blue and red runs with 2,300 m vertical; experts thrive on steep blacks like Diable 5 and plentiful off‑piste, plus a top‑tier snowpark.
Check out Alpe d'Huez piste map and Les Deux Alpes piste map
Snow fall history
| Month | Alpe d'Huez (cm/in) | Les Deux Alpes (cm/in) |
|---|
| December | 39 cm/15.4 in | 42 cm/16.5 in |
| January | 33 cm/12.9 in | 36 cm/14.1 in |
| February | 29 cm/11.4 in | 31 cm/12.2 in |
| March | 50 cm/19.7 in | 54 cm/21.2 in |
| April | 20 cm/7.8 in | 26 cm/10.2 in |
(ref: snow-forecast.com)
Accommodation & village atmosphere
- Alpe d’Huez comprises four villages (Centre, Vieil Alpe, Vaujany, Villard‑Reculas) with modern apartments, hotels, and lively central streets. Its sunlit plateau draws crowds to bars and shops, creating a festival vibe.
- Les Deux Alpes combines classic chalets with contemporary buildings. The car‑free village clusters around a main street and gondola hubs. Its youthful, energetic feel attracts freestyle fans and nightlife seekers.
Explore some accommodation options in Alpe d'Huez and in Les Deux Alpes
Après-ski & dining
- Alpe d’Huez’s après-ski peaks at La Folie Douce on Marmottes, then Freeride Café and Smithy’s Tavern keep the party rolling. Dining ranges from mountain fare in ice caves to gourmet options at resort restaurants.
- Les Deux Alpes rivals with Pano Bar at Jandri Express, Smokey Joe’s, and Avalanche nightclub. On-mountain eateries like Chalet de la Toura and Le Melezes serve hearty Savoyard classics.
Families & beginners
- Alpe d’Huez excels for families: spacious beginner zones with free lifts, a Junior ski zone with a fun snow track, and an ice cave adventure. Indoor fun at Palais des Sports offers mini‑golf and obstacle courses.
- Les Deux Alpes also suits families, with ski-in/ski-out lodging, glacier nursery slopes, and diverse leisure options: ice skating, tobogganing, and a leisure centre, ensuring non-skiers stay entertained.
Advanced skiers & snowboarders
- Alpe d’Huez offers expert terrain from Pic Blanc: 16 km Sarenne run, Tunnel moguls, and Château Noir couloirs. Snowboarders enjoy two snowparks and natural hits on Signal ridge.
- Les Deux Alpes is off‑piste heaven: steep blacks, La Grave access, and a renowned Toura park. The glacier and high vertical drops appeal to thrill seekers and freestyle riders alike.
Activities beyond skiing
- Alpe d’Huez delivers ice driving, dog sledding, paragliding, snowshoeing, and helicopter tours, plus an indoor pool, bowling, and winter walking trails to mountain restaurants.
- Les Deux Alpes adds cross‑country skiing, handiski, Segway tours, and ice climbing. Its cinema, museum, and spa facilities complement adventure activities like heli‑skiing and mountaineering.
Accessibility & transfers
- Alpe d’Huez is about 1 hr 30 min from Grenoble, 2 hr from Lyon, and 2 hr 30 min from Chambéry, making it very accessible for weekend breaks.
- Les Deux Alpes sits 1 hr 30 min from Grenoble, 3 hr from Lyon, and slightly longer from Chambéry and Geneva, reflecting its more remote plateau position.
Cost and value for money
- Alpe d’Huez offers good value across its villages with apartments and hotels for various budgets. Dining and activities range from affordable to premium depending on location.
- Les Deux Alpes tends to be mid range, with self‑catered apartments providing cost savings. On mountain dining and nightlife can be pricier, but lodge style charm adds value.
Explore our Alpe d'Huez deals and Les Deux Alpes deals
Which one should you choose?
- Choose Alpe d’Huez if you want beginner‑friendly terrain, expansive sunny slopes, and a festival‑like resort atmosphere.
- Choose Les Deux Alpes if glacier skiing, advanced off‑piste, freestyle parks, and a vibrant nightlife top your list.
