Discover the activities for an exceptional
holiday in the heart of Les 2 Alpes

Explore activities, useful information and great deals with our experience booklet.

All summer activities in Les 2 Alpes

The dispute over the mountain pastures: Mont-de-Lans and Venosc

Before becoming the major international resort we know today, the Les 2 Alpes plateau was the setting for centuries of pastoral life, characterised by a harsh climate and geographical isolation.

The resort’s very name derives from the union of two ‘alpes’ (high-altitude mountain pastures) belonging to two distinct communities: the Alpe de Mont-de-Lans to the north, and the Alpe de Venosc to the south. Over the centuries, these high-altitude pastures were the subject of constant disputes between the shepherds of the two villages over the use of the land. The farmers lived there only temporarily during the summer grazing season to graze their herds and harvest hay, before returning to the valleys once winter set in. This unchanging way of life persisted until the early 20th century, when the hamlet of Alpe de Venosc finally became permanently settled there.

The pioneers of ‘white gold’ and the dawn of mountain tourism

For a long time, the local economy relied solely on subsistence farming and livestock rearing. But as early as 1879, Pierre Balme, a visionary resident of Venosc, saw an opportunity to attract the first summer tourists – mountaineers and lovers of the great outdoors – by opening the Auberge Balme (which would later become the famous Chalet Mounier).

This transition to tourism reached a milestone in the 1930s. In 1932, Madame Tessa became the first local resident to brave the winter by staying on the plateau all year round, opening the first mountain refuge at Mont-de-Lans. Two years later, the Mounier family opened their inn at Alpe de Venosc. At that time, reaching the plateau was still something of an adventure: the first skiers made the ascent on foot, followed by mules carrying their equipment along steep paths. A rudimentary ski lift was installed in 1938 on the western slope (now known as the Vallée Blanche), but this momentum was abruptly halted by the outbreak of the Second World War.

The post-war revival and the invention of the ski pass

In the aftermath of the war, the tourism boom picked up momentum once again, driven by a number of remarkable individuals. In 1945, Jean de Roodenbecke, a priest of Belgian origin, founded the Saint-Benoît Holiday Centre for young people with the help of local men from the plateau.

At Christmas 1946, the first operational ski lift of the post-war era was commissioned in the Pied Moûtet area. The year 1955 marked a major historical turning point: the residents and business owners of the two municipalities decided to officially join forces and definitively adopted the single name ‘Les 2 Alpes’. In 1956, the resort revolutionised the world of winter sports thanks to one of its iconic figures, Joseph Martin. He had the pioneering idea of creating the very first unified daily ‘ski pass’ in history, granting access to all the lifts for just 2.50 francs. From then on, the way was clear for mass tourism, further boosted by the construction of the Diable gondola lift that same year. 

Conquering the glacier and international expansion

In the 1970s, Les 2 Alpes established itself as a hub for innovation in winter sports. In 1972, the resort’s operators began developing the Mont-de-Lans glacier. By installing ski lifts up to an altitude of over 3,000 metres, the resort opened up to the legendary summer skiing market. It was during this period that international ski clubs, particularly from Italy, began arriving in droves, cementing the destination’s reputation across the Alps and around the world. The ski area took another giant leap forward in 1985 with the opening of the Jandri Express.

This high-performance detachable cable car provided a direct link between the resort and the foot of the glacier in under 30 minutes. In 1989, the resort also became the promised land for new winter sports: it hosted the first ‘surf trials’, organised by a couple of passionate shopkeepers, which gave rise to the legendary World Snowboard Championships in 1993. To complete this conquest of the peaks, France’s highest funicular, the Dôme Express, was built in 1999 to connect the heart of the glacier at an altitude of 3,421 metres. 

Aujourd'hui, Les 2 Alpes ont su préserver l'équilibre entre la modernité de leurs infrastructures et l'authenticité de leurs racines, illustré par la fusion administrative définitive des communes de Mont-de-Lans et Venosc en 2017. Face aux défis climatiques contemporains et pour préserver son environnement, la station s’adapte constamment, notamment en repensant l'exploitation de son glacier et en se positionnant comme la capitale estivale incontournable du VTT et du trail au cœur de l'Isère.

Mountain Of Hell

18–21 June 2026

The legendary and wild enduro-marathon mountain bike race returns for its 26th edition. A true cornerstone of Les 2 Alpes’ identity, this event brings together nearly 1,400 intrepid riders. The concept is as simple as it is spectacular: a mass start with tyres in the snow at an altitude of 3,200 metres, followed by a frantic 25-kilometre descent with 2,500 metres of elevation loss. A pure adrenaline rush across all types of terrain (snow, rocks, single tracks), where the first to reach the bottom wins! 

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French MTB DHI Cup

26–28 June 2026

The Les 2 Alpes Bike Park’s international reputation is well established. At the end of June, the resort will host the nation’s top riders for a spectacular round of the French Downhill Mountain Biking Cup (DHI). Come and cheer on the top riders as they hurtle down the resort’s technical trails at breakneck speeds, putting on a breathtaking spectacle for the crowds lining the course. 

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The Muzelle Challenge

20–24 July 2026

Calling all high-mountain running enthusiasts: the Défi de la Muzelle is an extraordinary multi-stage trail running experience that combines physical challenge with a sense of community. Set against a stunning backdrop in the heart of the Écrins, the event offers a total distance of 50 km or 100 km spread over four major stages. Each day, a new wild section of the resort is waiting to be explored, offering five wonderful challenges to tackle as you push your limits in a unique and supportive atmosphere.

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Urban DH Les 2 Alpes District 1800

25 and 26 July 2026

When downhill mountain biking takes to the streets, a spectacular show is guaranteed. This timed urban downhill competition brings together a field of international riders who have come to defy the laws of gravity right in the heart of the resort. On a course consisting entirely of descents, packed with artificial obstacles, tight bends and impressive jumps, the discipline offers a unique, up-close experience and spectacle for the general public.

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The Joys of Skiing in Les 2 Alpes

Enjoy fresh mountain air, breathtaking slopes, and unforgettable alpine experiences with Cimalpes in a truly exceptional setting, framed by some of the most beautiful peaks in the Alps.

Skiing reaches new heights in Les 2 Alpes, with access to a vast glacier and one of the most vertical ski areas in the country. Whether you’re a beginner or a seasoned skier, you’ll find the right slopes across the resort’s diverse terrain. With Cimalpes, experience skiing on a grand scale—from 1,300 up to 3,600 metres in altitude!

Advanced skiers will love the Le Diable area, home to stunning red and black slopes. Beginners and intermediates can explore Les Crêtes, with its panoramic views and mix of green and blue pistes.

Good to know

For those looking for quieter skiing in Les 2 Alpes, head to the Vallée Blanche, a less frequented area that’s just as impressive as the main slopes.

Dream-Worthy Slopes

With 75% of the resort’s slopes located above 2,000 metres, natural snow is guaranteed, making skiing possible well into July. A high-altitude, year-round paradise for ski lovers.

Good to know

From the top of the glacier at 3,600 metres, you can ski all the way down to the village at 1,300 metres. It doesn’t get much better than skiing right to the doorstep of your Cimalpes property!

Enjoy 220 kilometres of marked pistes across 410 hectares—more than enough to keep you busy!

87 slopes

• 15 green
• 46 blue
• 16 red
• 10 black

Even better lifts, season after season

Les 2 Alpes is committed to offering ever more innovative infrastructure, all while respecting the environment. The resort is home to 44 ski lifts, including the brand-new Jandri gondola: a next-generation technological gem.

This state-of-the-art lift takes you to the top of the ski area at 3,220 metres in just 17 minutes. And that’s where the magic happens, with breathtaking views and slopes accessible to all levels. Want to go even further? You can even peek behind the scenes: the technical and mechanical areas of the lift stations at 2,600 metres are open to the public!

4 Ways to Extend the Skiing Fun  

• Ski at night

Enjoy evening runs under the lights—open until 9:00 p.m. on select dates

• Soak up the views

Take a break from skiing at the Belvédère des Écrins, where panoramic views will leave you speechless

• First tracks at sunrise

Join the ski patrol early in the morning, before the slopes even open, to discover their work.

•  Ride in a snow groomer

Discover the art of piste grooming with a ride in a snowcat.

Ready to hit the slopes and fall head over skis with Les 2 Alpes?

Choosing a holiday rental in Les 2 Alpes

It is precisely in the unspoilt, residential neighbourhood of Le Petit Plan that you can combine luxury with authenticity, in an exceptional chalet built and decorated by the region’s finest craftsmen. 

The Venosc area, directly linked to the heart of the resort by its cable car, also welcomes you. This historic village, renowned for its crafts, is the most authentic neighbourhood in Les 2 Alpes and is just a few minutes’ walk from the main ski slopes. For a trendier and livelier atmosphere, choose accommodation near the Centre or 1800 districts, which are ideal for immediate access to the resort’s social hubs, ski schools and the legendary summer Bike Park.

The architecture of Les 2 Alpes through the ages

Since the 1930s, Les 2 Alpes has undergone a series of architectural transformations that have made it the unique and historic place it is today, born from the merger of two former mountain pastures: Mont-de-Lans and Venosc.
In the Oisans region, chalets were originally modest alpine huts. What we now call traditional housing was, in fact, once a simple, sturdy house, built from local stone and larch timber with slate roofs, designed to withstand the harsh high-altitude winters.

From the 1950s onwards, with the rise of winter sports and summer skiing spearheaded by passionate pioneers, the resort’s first major holiday homes and hotels began to appear. They are recognisable by their modernist architecture, designed to maximise natural light and offer direct ‘ski-in, ski-out’ access to the slopes. The snow front was shaped by an innovative vision of ‘white gold’.
Over the decades, the resort has been transformed to cater for a discerning international clientele. Its architectural character has evolved, blending large contemporary chalets with more traditional structures made of untreated timber and schist, blending harmoniously into the high-altitude plateau.
Today, the architecture of Les 2 Alpes combines the modernity of its high-altitude facilities with the preservation of its old villages, such as the Diable district or the cobbled streets of Venosc below, offering a striking contrast and authentic charm.

Rent a luxury chalet in Les 2 Alpes

Today, Cimalpes’ range of luxury accommodation allows you to immerse yourself, for the duration of a mountain holiday, in the prestige of exceptional properties, combined with the tranquillity of a self-catering holiday home.
Some chalets are located just a few minutes’ walk from the main ski lifts, such as the Jandri Express or the Diable. This means you have easy access to the glacier, which rises to an altitude of 3,600 metres – ideal for summer skiing or the first tracks of winter – as well as to countless hiking trails and mountain bike routes.
With en-suite bathrooms, bedrooms featuring large bay windows, fully equipped kitchens, traditional or more modern fireplaces, and Wi-Fi, the serviced accommodation in Les 2 Alpes guarantees you a carefree holiday in an exceptional setting. 

Bed linen and bathrobes are, of course, provided, as is a cleaning service at the end of the week, and sometimes also midweek or even daily. You can request that your shopping be done before your arrival, or arrange for a minibar, massages or private dining in your chalet. Cimalpes takes care of everything, including purchasing your ski or mountain bike passes, booking your lessons and hiring your equipment. 

Cimalpes, your preferred partner for luxury holiday rentals in Les 2 Alpes

When you put your trust in Cimalpes, you’re guaranteed excellence. Our team consists of experts who love the resort; they’re all passionate about what they do, and their main aim is to find you the luxury chalet or high-end apartment that will make your holiday a dream come true and a perfect escape. All of Cimalpes’ exclusive offers guarantee the highest standards and a unique charm in the heart of Isère.

Cimalpes offers a personalised concierge service to support you throughout your stay: champagne, fresh flowers or a fruit basket on arrival, cleaning, provision of linen or firewood for the fireplace… Choosing a specialist in luxury accommodation for your holiday is about much more than simply finding a holiday let in Les 2 Alpes; it’s about enjoying an unforgettable experience in an exceptional setting.