Les Deux Alpes and the Oisans

Best Ski Resorts in Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes is itself the best place to ski in the Les Deux Alpes area, a high glacier resort that is snow sure from autumn into spring and brilliant for families, beginners and teenage snowboarders. The honest point worth making is that Les Deux Alpes is essentially one large connected resort rather than a cluster, so the real decision is whether to base in the resort itself or pair it with its famous neighbors, expert only La Grave and family friendly Alpe d Huez next door in the Oisans. Below we rank the resort and its neighbors so you base in the right village for your group.

By the Ski Resorts for Kings editorial team · Last reviewed June 2026

What matters

How the Les Deux Alpes area really works

Les Deux Alpes sits in the Oisans corner of the French Alps, a high glacier resort strung along a single long street with skiing rising on both sides. It is one of the most snow sure resorts in France, with summer skiing on the glacier and a big vertical down to the village.

It is not part of a giant linked area like the Trois Vallees. What it offers instead is its own substantial mountain plus two remarkable neighbors a short drive away, the legendary off piste mecca of La Grave and the large, sunny, family focused Alpe d Huez. A lift link between Les Deux Alpes and La Grave has long been discussed but you should plan around a short transfer rather than a ski connection.

For families the resort itself is the easy answer, with gentle high nursery areas, a strong ski school and reliable snow. Expect a week here to sit in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, rising into $4,000 to $8,000 for a smart chalet at peak times. Strong skiers should add a guided day at La Grave for one of the great descents in the Alps.

The ranking

Where to ski in and around Les Deux Alpes

Ranked for a family or group choosing a base in the Oisans, on snow reliability, the strength of the ski school and nursery slopes, the terrain on offer and the character of the village.

Les Deux Alpes

Les Deux Alpes | the snow sure all rounder

The best base in the area, a snow sure glacier resort that suits families, beginners and freestylers alike.

Les Deux Alpes is the obvious choice and the heart of the area, a high resort with a glacier that guarantees snow, a long vertical for confident skiers and one of the best terrain parks in France for teenagers and snowboarders.

For families the gentle, high nursery slopes and a strong ski school make learning easy, and the lively but not wild village has plenty of restaurants and a relaxed evening feel. It tops the list because it delivers reliable snow and something for every age in one place.

Alpe d Huez

Alpe d Huez Grand Domaine | the big sunny neighbor

The best larger alternative nearby, a huge, sunny, family friendly area a short transfer away.

Alpe d Huez sits just across the valley and offers a much bigger ski area, famously sunny slopes and the long Sarenne run, one of the longest pistes in the Alps. It is a superb family resort with extensive gentle terrain and a good ski school.

It ranks second here because it is a separate resort rather than part of Les Deux Alpes, but for families who want more variety and sunshine it is the strongest neighbor and an easy day trip or alternative base.

La Grave

Southern French Alps | for experts only

The most thrilling skiing in the area, but strictly for confident off piste skiers with a guide.

La Grave is one of the most serious off piste mountains in the world, a single cable car serving vast, ungroomed, glaciated terrain with no marked runs and real mountain hazards. It is a pilgrimage for expert powder skiers.

It is emphatically not a family or beginner resort and should only be skied with a qualified guide. It ranks here as the area's crown jewel for experts and a non starter for everyone else, which is exactly the kind of honest steer that protects your trip.

Vaujany

Alpe d Huez Grand Domaine | the quiet charming gateway

The peaceful family base, a pretty traditional village with a big gondola into the Alpe d Huez area.

Vaujany is a charming, quiet old village linked by a powerful gondola into the Alpe d Huez Grand Domaine, offering the same big skiing from a far more peaceful and authentic base.

It is small in itself, so the evening choice is limited, but for families who want calm, character and easy access to a large ski area it is a lovely, often better value alternative to the main resort.

Oz en Oisans

Alpe d Huez Grand Domaine | the convenient modern base

The practical ski in ski out family pick, a tidy modern station feeding straight into the Grand Domaine.

Oz en Oisans is a compact, well designed modern station with ski in ski out apartments and gondolas directly into the Alpe d Huez area, built for convenient, fuss free family skiing.

It lacks old village charm and evening buzz, which keeps it mid table, but for a family who prize doorstep skiing, easy parking and value it is a smart, practical base in the Oisans.

Auris en Oisans

Alpe d Huez Grand Domaine | the quiet budget family option

The contrarian budget pick, a sunny, low key balcony village on the edge of the Alpe d Huez area.

Auris en Oisans is a small, sunny chalet style village perched on a balcony with its own gentle slopes and a quick link into the wider Alpe d Huez Grand Domaine, popular with families who want quiet and value.

It is the least lively option and limited in itself, which puts it last, but for a calm, affordable family week with easy access to big skiing it is an honest, underrated choice.

Compared at a glance

The Les Deux Alpes area shortlist

Resort	Best for	Snow	The verdict
Les Deux Alpes	Snow sure all rounder	Excellent	Glacier snow, parks, easy learning.
Alpe d Huez	Big sunny family area	Very good	Huge, sunny, the long Sarenne run.
La Grave	Experts with a guide	Very good	Legendary off piste, no marked runs.
Vaujany	Quiet charm	Very good	Pretty village, big gondola access.
Oz en Oisans	Ski in ski out value	Very good	Convenient modern station.
Auris en Oisans	Quiet budget families	Good	Sunny balcony village, great value.

Save on the extras

Book the trip well

Whichever Oisans base you choose, booking the lift pass, transfers from Grenoble or Lyon, lessons and ski hire ahead saves real money, and strong skiers heading to La Grave should arrange a qualified guide well in advance. A short pre booked transfer makes pairing two of these resorts in one week easy.

Book the extras and save

Lift passes, airport transfers, lessons and ski hire are where a family trip quietly leaks money. Booking ahead almost always beats the resort window price, and it locks in the instructors and kids classes before they fill.

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Keep planning

Skiing in Les Deux Alpes FAQs

Is Les Deux Alpes good for families?

Yes. Les Deux Alpes is a strong family resort, with high snow sure nursery slopes, a good ski school and reliable glacier snow, plus one of the best terrain parks in France for teenagers and snowboarders. The village is lively but not overwhelming for children.

Is Les Deux Alpes connected to Alpe d Huez or La Grave?

No, Les Deux Alpes is a self contained resort. La Grave and Alpe d Huez are short transfers away rather than lift linked, though Alpe d Huez can be reached as a day trip. Plan around a road transfer rather than skiing between them.

Is Les Deux Alpes snow sure?

Yes. Les Deux Alpes is one of the most snow sure resorts in France thanks to its glacier and high altitude, with skiing reliable from December into spring and summer skiing on the glacier. It is a safe choice for early and late season trips.

Should beginners ski La Grave?

No. La Grave is an expert only mountain with no marked pistes, glaciated terrain and real hazards, and should only be skied with a qualified guide. Beginners and families should base in Les Deux Alpes, Alpe d Huez or the Oisans villages instead.

How much does a week in Les Deux Alpes cost?

A family week in Les Deux Alpes typically sits in the $2,000 to $4,000 per person band, rising into the $4,000 to $8,000 range for a smart catered chalet during peak holiday weeks. The quieter Oisans villages offer the best value.

How do you get to Les Deux Alpes?

The nearest airports are Grenoble and Lyon, with a road transfer of roughly two hours from Grenoble and a little longer from Lyon. A pre booked private transfer is the easiest option for a family carrying ski gear.

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