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A French Alps ski trip is without question one of the most bucket-list-worthy trips for skiers and riders. However, narrowing down hundreds of French ski resorts for one winter trip is easier said than done. So let us introduce you to two of the country’s best and most affordable ski resorts, Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes. These neighboring resorts sit in the Oisans Valley, within easy reach of Lyon, Grenoble, and Geneva, and are celebrated for their high-altitude skiing, expansive terrain, vibrant après-ski scene, and long ski season. They make for the perfect French Alps ski trip for North American travelers.
The Alpe d’Huez Skiing Experience
Located in the heart of the Grandes Rousses mountain range in Isère, Alpe d’Huez’s high elevation, beginning at 6,102 feet (1,860 meters) and rising to 10,925 feet (3,330 meters), delivers a long ski season that extends well into spring. Across the sprawling resort that features glaciers, rocky peaks, serene forests, and alpine meadows are 155 miles (250 km) of slopes, none more legendary than the Sarenne, the longest black run in Europe, which extends for nearly 10 miles (16 km) from Pic Blanc. There’s an overabundance of terrain for every type of skier and rider—wide, safe, dedicated areas for beginners, long, varied, progressive runs for intermediates, and technical, steep descents for experts. It’s also home to two boardercross courses and an expansive terrain park with five different parks for freestyle skiers and riders of all abilities.
Downhill skiing is just the beginning of the adventures, especially when you factor in the 300 days of sunshine it sees each year, earning Alpe d’Huez the name, “The Island of the Sun.” Take a guided or self-guided hike along several marked trails across the resort or for the adventurous, go on a guided dog sledding excursion. Families with kids will find a plethora of activities, like sledding at several different areas across the resort, snowtubing, and an alpine coaster, known at Alpe d’Huez as rail tobogganing. Whatever you do, make sure you take the Pic Blanc cable car up to 8,858 feet to experience the Alpe d’Huez ice grotto and its stunning ice sculptures.
Once the lifts stop spinning, the action moves to Alpe d’Huez’s outdoor terraces, bars, and restaurants for après-ski. Alpe d’Huez has everything from slopeside outdoor terraces with sweeping views to lively bars complete with DJs and live music to cozy pubs to tucked-away bars where you can enjoy a glass of wine or handcrafted cocktails. Those who want to experience the high-energy, late-night atmosphere of a French ski town will find it at a mix of clubs where the vibes, music, and dancing continue well into the next day.
The Les 2 Alpes Skiing Experience
Nearby, Les 2 Alpes is known as the highest ski area in France, with an elevation at 5,413 feet (1,650 meters) and its lifts going as high as 11,811 feet (3,600 meters). An incredible 75% of its slopes are above 6,890 feet (2,100 meters), so that skiers and riders can expect reliable snow throughout the winter ski season (late November to early May) and an incredibly long spring season that extends into the summer months. Les 2 Alpes is what’s known as an inverted, or upside-down resort. This means that many of the gentler slopes are at higher elevations.
All told Les 2 Alpes is home to an expansive 137 miles (220 km) of slopes. Beginners can progress in several gradual learning areas either at the bottom of the resort or higher up at the Belle Étoile learning zone. Intermediates can link a series of blue runs at the top of the mountain down to the resort, taking in the beautiful panoramic views on the descent. And experts can revel in the wild, technical, steep slopes of the Fée section of the resort.
For those who live for big air and park features, they’ll find them at Freestyle Land, a 59-acre (24-hectare) terrain park at 8,530 feet (2,600 meters). Highlights include the Big Air for advanced freestylers and the halfpipe that is maintained daily by a dedicated team to ensure safe conditions. The Cool Zone is a great spot to grab lunch and watch skiers and snowboarders showing off their skills.
As your day of skiing and riding winds down, après-ski is just getting started. The après-ski experience at Les 2 Alpes is just as extraordinary as the ski experience, with more than 80 bars and restaurants to choose from. Enjoy everything from cozy lodges to tapas bars to high-energy nightclubs to cafes and lounges with live music and much more. Foodies shouldn’t miss Le P’tit Polyte, the Michelin-starred restaurant inside the Chalet Mounier.
One of the best new features of Les 2 Alpes is the Jandri Cable Car, which opened in 2024, and now whisks visitors up to 10,500 feet (3,200 meters) in just 17 minutes. Other highlights include Les 2 Alpes’ own ice cave, its funicular that passes under a glacier, and the Snow Makers Workshop, in which guests can go behind the scenes to see how snow is made at the resort.
Plan Your Trip
Getting to Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes is easier than many people may think, especially for those who fly out of an East Coast airport. Grenoble Alpes–Isère Airport (GNB) is the closest international airport, located about 60 to 75 miles (100-120 km) from both resorts. Lyon–Saint-Exupéry Airport (LYS) is about 90-100 miles (160 km) away and Geneva is 135 miles (220 km) away. There are shuttle buses and taxis available from the region’s airports. Once you arrive, there are several free bus routes at both Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes. Those traveling with kids can plan their trip with confidence, since both Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes have a Famille Plus certification, an official French designation awarded to resorts that prioritize activities, amenities, and services for families. There are multiple passes that offer access to both Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d’Huez, including a 6-day lift pass that features access to both resorts. The Supernova Pass and AEON Pass include access to Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d’Huez, as well as La Grave. Start planning your trip for Alpe d’Huez and Les 2 Alpes.
Hero image ©FredRenaud
