Alpe d'Huez and Les Deux Alpes are Oisans neighbours with opposite personalities. One is a sprawling sunny domain, the other a high glacier resort built for vertical and nightlife.
Choose Alpe d'Huez if you want a bigger, sunnier domain with long varied runs (including the famous Sarenne) and a family plus freeride mix. Choose Les Deux Alpes if you want a high glacier, big vertical, snow-sure spring skiing and a younger party crowd.
Alpe d'Huez spreads 250km of pistes from 1250m up to 3330m, an island in the sun famous for its broad south-facing slopes and the 16km Sarenne, one of the longest black runs in the Alps. Les Deux Alpes runs narrower but taller, 200km climbing from 1650m to 3600m on the highest skiable glacier in France, with summer skiing and serious vertical from top to base. Snow is reliable at both, with the edge to Les Deux Alpes (90) thanks to altitude, while Alpe d'Huez (87) trades a little snow security for far more sun and variety. The villages differ in mood: Alpe d'Huez feels larger and more family oriented, Les Deux Alpes is compact, lively and draws a younger party crowd. Both sit deep in the Oisans, reached by mountain roads, with Alpe d'Huez approached by its legendary 21 hairpin bends. Pick Alpe d'Huez for sunshine, scale and mixed-ability families with freeriders, and Les Deux Alpes for glacier turns, big descents and an after-ski scene.
Very good · 1.2k reviews
Moments from the lifts in Alpe d'Huez, so you can ski back to the door and skip the morning queues.
Very good · 1.4k reviews
A long-standing favourite in Alpe d'Huez, trusted by thousands of guests before you.
Excellent · 638 reviews
Strong value for Les Deux Alpes, with a high guest rating that punches above its nightly price.
Excellent · 487 reviews
One of the highest-rated places to stay in Les Deux Alpes, with guests singling out the service and comfort.