Les 2 Alpes
Also known as: Les Deux Alpes
Glacier riding at 3200 m, La Meije and Ecrins massif panoramas, and 2000 m of continuous descent.
Who in your group rides what
Whether everyone in your group gets a day at Les 2 Alpes - the grades on offer, the named zones, and how mixed abilities split up.
3 green, 6 blue, 8 red, 3 black and 2 elite (official piste grading; 19 dedicated DH tracks).
Beginners lap green/blue flow off village and Vallee Blanche lifts; advanced riders take Jandri/glacier lifts for descent-only 2000 m lines and elite tracks (Black Garden, La Fury). Lifts allow groups to split by grade and regroup at village base.
Broad appeal - greens/blues for progression, reds/blacks/elite for experts. Big vertical suits confident lift-park groups.
The riding
Snow up top, then rock, scree, alpine meadow and forested root/loam lines to the village; mix of natural DH and built features.
Flagship DH: from beginner flow to elite steep root-and-rock (Black Garden ~-500 m; La Fury ~2.5 km/-700 m). High-alpine snow descent and big-feature elite lines carry real exposure.
Piste-style colour grading and signposting; Trailforks widely used. High-altitude area map published by resort.
Busy - a flagship destination park; core DH lifts and lines crowded in summer, elite lines quieter.
Season & conditions
2026 MTB season ~11 Apr to 30 Aug; glacier snow descent (Highway to Heaven, 3200-2600 m) subject to snow conditions and best early morning.
Mid-June to late August (glacier lines earlier).
Glacier snow descent 'Highway to Heaven'; hosts World-Cup-level and enduro events; one of Europe's premier DH parks.
High-altitude cold, storms and snow variability on the glacier; afternoon thunderstorms lower down. Glacier lines close in poor snow.
Getting there & gear
MTB lift pass required (day/multi-day); refillable card fee; no lottery.
Permits and operators change - confirm before booking.
Les 2 Alpes village; Jandri Express and village lifts. ~1.5 hr from Grenoble.
Jandri Express, glacier funicular and village chairlifts serve the park; regional buses from Grenoble. Grenoble/Lyon nearest airports.
DH/enduro bike and full protection essential; warm layers for the glacier; water at village and mountain restaurants. Mobile coverage good in resort, patchy high up.
Bike shops, rentals, washes, cafes, medical center in the village; restaurants and toilets at lift stations.
Les 2 Alpes bike school and rental shops; Ultimate France and other operators; nearby Alpe d'Huez hub.
Hazards & rescue
Glacier/snow hazards, big elite features, high speed on DH, altitude and weather change. Glacier lines close if snow is poor.
Not required; self-guided normal. Coaching and guiding available; elite lines best with local knowledge.
Lift-served with quick exits to village; bike patrol on park; French mountain rescue via 112.
This profile is desk research, compiled from public sources - not a first-hand mountain-bike network report. Coordinates are approximate.