Les 2 Alpes is one of Europe’s highest and oldest resorts, linked to off-piste paradise La Grave. Situated in the Massif des Ecrins, the ski area is split into 7 sectors, featuring the largest skiable glacier in Europe, a revered terrain park, plus freeride zone Le Fee. Rising to 3,600m on the Mont de Lans glacier, the slopes are snow-sure, descending to 1,300m for a 2,300m vertical drop.

The ski area has a whopping 200km of marked pistes and 90 runs, mostly long and open for clocking up speed. Demanding slopes are limited, but there are series of steep runs on the lower mountain into the valley.

Nearby La Grave is where you’ll find an extraordinary arena of off-piste lines. This old climbing village boasts a rich ski heritage and some of the best freeride descents in Europe. A guide is a must, with one lift providing access to an unpatrolled utopia of couloirs, steep faces and burly lines.

L2A’s high altitude ensures great snow coverage across the mountain. The resort isn’t known for its powder with around 3 metres of snowfall per season but, like any mountain in the Alps, when the powder Gods are on your side, the days can be epic and there’s plenty of vertical for long powder laps.

Located at 1,650m, L2A’s main village is friendly and lively, with many shops, bars and restaurants to spend your time off the slopes. Deux Alps sits on a high plateau in the valley, known by locals as ‘le plateau’, with a buzzing alpine energy that runs through the streets. The après is big and the traditional village of Venosc provides a pleasant contrast.

The resort plays host to heaps of events through the season and there’s plenty to keep you entertained, from music festivals to freestyle comps and ski and snowboard cross World Cup meets.

The lower medieval village of Venosc, accessible by gondola, is a great place to escape the hustle and bustle of the main resort. The traditional cobbled streets are home to local craft shops and artisan bakeries for a quieter atmosphere on down days.

For seasonaire life, the vibe is buzzing and the après scene is one of the most vibrant in the Alps. L2A is a party resort, renowned for its mountain-top après at the Pano Bar. L2A also plays host to music festival Rise, which takes place in December each season, bringing together DJs and people from around the world for wild celebrations.

After the slope-side après, there are more than 30 bars in town each with their own feel and atmosphere. The Polar Bear Pub is popular with Brits with beers and good vibes, or there’s Motown Café for daily happy hour. L'Avalanche Club is the open-til-late venue, which offers regular DJ's and parties all season long. It’s open until 6am, so you can head straight to the lifts after breakfast, although we strongly advise against this.