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Alpe d'Huez vs Les Deux Alpes: which resort should you choose?
Full comparison: ski area, snow reliability, atmosphere, budget. Our verdict to help you decide.
📊 The figures head to head
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Alpe d'Huez
Altitude1,135 – 3,330 m
Ski area250 km
Lifts67
Runs (green/blue/red/black)19/17/16/10
Day lift pass68 €
SnowFinder rating4.5 / 5
RegionOisans, Isère
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Les Deux Alpes
Altitude1,650 – 3,568 m
Ski area220 km
Lifts44
Runs (green/blue/red/black)17/45/22/12
Day lift pass68 €
SnowFinder rating4.4 / 5
RegionIsère
👤 Which resort for which profile?
👨👩👧👦 Balanced family holiday
Alpe d'Huez
Famille Plus label, a large and progressive linked ski area, 300 days of sunshine a year, more activities for children. The ideal resort for a stress-free week.
☀️ Skiers who hate the cold
Alpe d'Huez
Record sunshine (the highest in France) makes the days much more pleasant. Les Deux Alpes, which is more enclosed, gets less sun.
🏂 Freestylers
Les Deux Alpes
The snowpark perched on the glacier is one of the world's best, open in winter AND summer. The pros come here.
🎉 Young crowd / party atmosphere
Les Deux Alpes
Lively nightlife, a younger crowd, bars that close late. Alpe d'Huez is more laid-back.
☃️ Summer skiing
Les Deux Alpes
The largest skiable glacier in Europe, open in summer (mid-June to late August). Alpe d'Huez closes its Sarenne glacier in April.
🏔️ Experienced skiers looking for THE descent
Alpe d'Huez
La Sarenne: 16 km from the Pic Blanc (3,330 m), the longest black run in Europe. An experience not to be missed.
💡 Our verdict
Alpe d'Huez is the balanced family option: guaranteed sunshine, a wide ski area, Famille Plus label. Les Deux Alpes appeals to freestylers, glacier skiing fans and party-goers. No need to choose if you go in summer – only Les Deux Alpes has its glacier open.
❓ Frequently asked questions
Can you ski between Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes?
A ski link via the col du Lac Blanc exists, but it has not been reliably operational for several years. In practice, you pick one or the other. A road shuttle runs between the two in 1h-1h30.
Which resort has the best snowpark?
Les Deux Alpes – it's even one of its signature features. The snowpark, perched on the glacier, runs in winter as well as in summer and regularly hosts the world's top pros.
Is the Sarenne run really the longest black run in Europe?
Yes, 16 km from the Pic Blanc (3,330 m) down to Sarenne, a vertical drop of 2,000 m. Be aware that, despite its black label, most of the route is red – accessible to a good skier.
Can you ski on the Les Deux Alpes glacier in summer?
Yes, it is the largest skiable glacier in Europe open in summer (generally from mid-June to late August). Ideal for summer skiing fans and freestyle camps.
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