Ski Resort Showdown: Alpe d’Huez vs Les Deux Alpes
Alpe d’Huez or Les Deux Alpes? Welcome to our ski resort comparison blog, where we dive into the details of two renowned ski destinations: Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes. These resorts are not just winter wonderlands but also summer retreats, offering a range of activities and investment opportunities. Let’s compare them based on access, après-ski and bars/restaurants, ski areas, top slopes, summer activities, and property value potential.
Alpe d’Huez at dawn from le Signal
Access
Alpe d’Huez: Located in the northern French Alps, Alpe d’Huez is easily accessible from Grenoble, the nearest major city and airport, roughly 1.5 hours away. Regular bus services and private transfers are available from the airport. Also from Geneva airport, just over 2 hours.
Les Deux Alpes: Slightly more remote, Les Deux Alpes is about 2 hours from Grenoble. While it may take a bit longer to reach, this resort offers a serene escape from the hustle and bustle. Also from Geneva airport, just about 2.5 hours.
Après-Ski and Bars/Restaurants
Alpe d’Huez: Alpe d’Huez is renowned for its bustling après-ski scene, offering a wide array of bars and restaurants that cater to all preferences. ‘L’Igloo’ is a hotspot for those seeking a lively dance atmosphere, while ‘Freeride Café’ stands out with its unique drinks and a slide inside the bar! For a more relaxed vibe, ‘Sphere Bar’ offers a comfortable setting with live music. When it comes to dining, ‘La Folie Douce’ combines gourmet food with a party atmosphere. For those who prefer a quieter dining experience, ‘Le Passe Montagne’ offers traditional French cuisine with a cozy, rustic ambiance.
Les Deux Alpes glacier
Les Deux Alpes: Matching the energy of Alpe d’Huez, Les Deux Alpes also boasts a vibrant après-ski culture. ‘Pano Bar’, located at 2600 meters, is famous for its afternoon parties with DJs. For a more laid-back evening, ‘The Polar Bear Pub’ is a popular choice among locals and tourists alike, known for its wide selection of beers and live sports screenings. Culinary-wise, ‘Le Diable au Coeur’ offers a fine dining experience with stunning mountain views, serving exquisite local dishes. Another gem is ‘Casa Nostra’, which provides an intimate setting and a menu rich in Italian delicacies, perfect for a relaxed dinner after a day on the slopes.
Both resorts offer a delightful mix of high-energy nightspots and cozy, serene dining experiences, ensuring that every visitor finds their perfect spot to unwind and relish the mountain atmosphere.
Ski Area: Lifts and Slopes
Alpe d’Huez: With over 250 km of pistes and 84 lifts, Alpe d’Huez is a paradise for skiers of all levels. The resort is known for its long runs and diverse terrain.
Les Deux Alpes: Home to 225 km of slopes and 47 lifts, Les Deux Alpes offers an impressive range of runs, including access to the largest skiable glacier in Europe.
Alpe d’Huez: The ski area of Alpe d’Huez, also known as the “Island in the Sun”, is vast and varied, covering over 250 km of pistes. It boasts 84 lifts, including 24 chairlifts, 23 drag lifts, and 5 cable cars, efficiently connecting different parts of the resort. The terrain caters to all levels of skiers and snowboarders, with 42 green runs for beginners, 37 blue runs for intermediates, 39 red runs for advanced skiers, and 17 black runs for experts. The resort is particularly famous for its challenging runs, such as the ‘Tunnel’ and the epic ‘Sarenne’, the latter offering an 18 km descent. It also features a snowpark for freestyle enthusiasts and several off-piste opportunities for adventure seekers.
Les Deux Alpes: Les Deux Alpes stands out with its impressive 225 km of slopes, serviced by 47 lifts, including 19 chairlifts, 20 drag lifts, and 5 gondolas. This resort is especially appreciated for its high-altitude skiing and the largest skiable glacier in Europe, ensuring good snow conditions throughout the season. The distribution of slopes is beginner-friendly with 60 green runs, but it also offers substantial challenges with 18 blue runs, 17 red runs, and 12 black runs. ‘La Grave’, accessible from the resort, is a mecca for off-piste skiing. Les Deux Alpes also prides itself on its renowned snowpark, considered one of the best in Europe, and offers various areas for cross-country skiing and snowshoeing.
Both Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes provide extensive and diverse skiing terrains suitable for all levels. Their state-of-the-art lift systems and well-maintained slopes ensure a superior skiing experience, whether you are a beginner taking your first steps on the snow or an expert looking for thrilling descents and off-piste adventures.
Top 3 Slopes in Each Resort
- La Sarenne – The longest black run in the world.
- Tunnel – A challenging and unique slope for experts.
- Balme – Perfect for intermediates, offering breathtaking views.
Les Deux Alpes:
- Jandri 1 – A scenic run suitable for all levels.
- La Fee – A challenging run offering incredible glacier views.
- Valentin – A quiet and enjoyable slope for intermediates.
Summer Activities
Alpe d’Huez: In summer, Alpe d’Huez transforms into a haven for outdoor enthusiasts. Cycling is a major draw, with the resort being a frequent feature in the Tour de France; the 21 hairpin bends leading up to Alpe d’Huez are a legendary challenge for cyclists. For hikers, there are numerous trails, like the ‘E4 European Long Distance Path’, offering breathtaking alpine scenery. Mountain biking is another popular activity, with the resort offering varied downhill and cross-country trails. Alpe d’Huez also hosts summer skiing on the Sarenne Glacier, a unique opportunity for skiing enthusiasts. Other activities include paragliding, which provides stunning aerial views of the Alps, and swimming in the outdoor pool with its panoramic mountain backdrop.
Les Deux Alpes: Les Deux Alpes also boasts a range of summer activities. Its glacier, one of the few in Europe where summer skiing is possible, is a major attraction. The resort is a hotspot for mountain bikers, with over 100 km of marked trails and a famed bike park. Hiking trails in Les Deux Alpes cater to all levels, from leisurely walks to challenging treks like the ascent to ‘Le Dôme de la Lauze’ at 3568 meters. For adrenaline seekers, there’s bungee jumping from a cable car over the spectacular ‘Lac du Mont-de-Lans’. The resort also offers more relaxed activities such as golfing in its scenic 9-hole course and fishing in the mountain lakes.
Both Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes offer a summer paradise for those who love the outdoors. Their activities range from high-adrenaline sports to more serene pastimes, ensuring that there’s something for every visitor. Whether it’s tackling famous cycling routes, exploring alpine trails, or enjoying summer skiing, these resorts provide a unique blend of adventure and beauty in the heart of the French Alps.
Property Value Potential
Alpe d’Huez: The resort’s continuous development, including a recent lift link to Les Deux Alpes, makes it a promising area for property investment.
Les Deux Alpes: With its consistent popularity and development plans, Les Deux Alpes also presents significant potential for property value growth.
Both resorts offer unique experiences and investment opportunities. Whether you’re a ski enthusiast or a summer adventurer, Alpe d’Huez and Les Deux Alpes have something for everyone. With their potential for property value increase, they are also attractive destinations for investors. So, which one will you choose for your next mountain getaway or investment?
