Les Deux Alpes, France

Dave Scott from UNITED KINGDOM writes:

I sometimes wonder if people who write reviews on trips they've been on went to the same place that I did !!
We had a fabulous week at the Titan Snow Lodge in Les Deux Alpes towards the end of April (2008) and I have to say how impressed I was with both the accommodation (rooms, service, food, ambience, etc all top drawer) and the resort.
The chalet was great - lovely living room with open fire, TV, DVD, Playstation, Xbox, board games, etc. Really relaxing after the great food and drinks we were served up. Rooms, etc all really comfortable and the whole place was up to a great standard for the price - no idea how they manage to do it, but I wish there were more companies out there doing something similar and I wish them the best of luck.
As for the resort, this is the ONLY French resort I have ever been to where you get a smile off pretty much all of the lift staff - and some of them even have teeth ! Even just over the road at Alpe d'Huez the lifties are the typical bunch of miseries. Maybe there is something in the glacier water in Les Deux Alpes that keeps everyone cheery ! Almost to a man they were all courteous, friendly and willing to help out with directions, kit tangles, etc.
The runs are by no means the easiest in France - this is a pretty challenging resort for most intermediates. Beginners can feel a little intimidated on their way up on the lifts because of the scale of the place, but should not forget that after their lesson on the lower of the upper slopes or up on the glacier itself that they can always take the lift back to the resort rather than challenging the Valentine or one of the other tricky home runs.
The runs are all pretty varied and there is plenty of scope for off-piste runs too - we were still getting fresh lines right 'til the end of the season which was amazing !
The lift system is pretty modern with a couple of new, high speed lifts having been installed in the last couple of years. After the initial gondola up where there was a short < 5 minute wait queue (nothing like Chamonix !!) we were pretty much straight on the lifts every time we rode up to them (VERY un-French !)
If you do make your way to Les Deux Alpes, do not leave without going to the top of the glacier and taking a look at the scenery - it is absolutely breathtaking ! The panoramic views take in all the local mountain areas and you can even see Mont Blanc in the distance. Even if you don't think you are confident enough to make the journey down on your board or skis, you just have to make the trip up.
At night, although suffering from a small addiction to neon signs, the village itself is great. Big enough to have choice but small enough to retain its character, there are dozens of really good quality restaurants to choose from - local French, mountain cuisine, pizza, Italian, steakhouses, etc, something for everyone, even the vegetarian in our group.
There is no shortage of bars to choose from too - from intimate local bars (Windsor, Polar Bear) through vodka and cocktail bars to the big Australian barn style booze houses.
The two nightclubs cater for everyone from the young and stupid to the even younger and even more stupid !! A trip to Les Deux Alpes would not be complete without a trip to either the Brasilien or the Avalanche !
All in all, this visit to Les Deux Alpes was fantastic ! We have already booked next year's winter trip and are also booked in for a week this summer so we can get on the glacier to keep our riding skills up and also hit the downhill mountain biking runs - they look fantastic and we heard so many stories we couldn't resist.
Overall, definitely my favourite French resort (and I've been to a few) and other resorts should take this resort as a template when they are looking to ways to improve
8.5/9 out of 10

2008-06-04

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