Discovering the Isère Alps

Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d’Huez in winter

The Isère Alps offer some of the highest and most diverse winter terrain in France. Over four days in Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d’Huez, we explored glaciers, iconic slopes and unique mountain experiences far beyond skiing alone.

Day 1 – Les 2 Alpes

Our first day in Les 2 Alpes started before sunrise. Early in the morning, Thomas was waiting for us to experience one of the most special activities the resort has to offer: being the first to ski freshly prepared slopes. With the snow perfectly groomed overnight and the ski area almost empty, the feeling of skiing alone in high mountain terrain was hard to match. Long, controlled turns on compact, uniform snow, while the sunrise slowly painted the sky with warm colours above the glacier.

Les 2 Alpes is one of the highest ski resorts in France, with a ski area reaching up to 3,600 metres and more than 75% of its terrain located above 2,100 m. These figures translate directly into reliable snow conditions and exceptional quality throughout the season, something we could confirm from the very first descent. Despite being one of the coldest weeks of the winter, with temperatures dropping to -17 °C and wind chill close to -23 °C, the sun stayed with us for the entire day.

After the first runs, we explored one of the most surprising corners of the resort: a natural cave formed over time inside the glacier. It is a unique space where you can even ski inside, surrounded by ice walls with intense blue tones that create an almost unreal atmosphere. A powerful visual reminder that the glacier is an active part of the ski area, maintained thanks to very precise snow and terrain management.

We continued gaining altitude towards Puy Salé, at 3,400 metres, one of the highest areas of the resort. This fully glaciated sector stands out for its wide slopes and gentle gradients, something unusual at this elevation. It is an ideal area both for beginners and for skiers looking to link fast, flowing turns in a high-mountain environment, with open views and a constant sense of space. In addition, the Les 2 Alpes glacier allows skiing for much of the year, thanks to the combination of altitude, orientation and meticulous care of the snowpack.

At midday we stopped for lunch at Le Diable au Cœur, a perfect mountain restaurant to recover energy before heading back to the slopes. With the sun shining and slightly milder temperatures, we spent the afternoon continuing to explore the upper part of the ski area, enjoying long descents and the endless alpine views that define this resort.

Before ending the day, we visited the Belvédère des Écrins, a suspended walkway that extends out over the void and offers a privileged panoramic view of the Écrins massif. From here, the alpine landscape stretches as far as the eye can see, with snow-covered peaks and a powerful sense of scale that provided the perfect closing moment to the day.

After sunset, we returned to our accommodation to rest for a while, stroll through the village and finish the day with dinner at Chalet Mounier, a place with an authentic mountain atmosphere, where the cuisine and setting feel like a traditional alpine refuge. An outstanding dinner and a well-earned rest before taking on the second day in the French Alps with renewed energy.

Day 2 – Les 2 Alpes

We woke up early once again, greeted by the first light of day painting the peaks of the Écrins massif, with La Meije dominating the skyline above Les 2 Alpes. The conditions couldn’t have been better: a clear blue sky, crisp cold temperatures and perfectly prepared slopes after a long, cold night. Being the first on the mountain is always special, and that morning felt almost unreal. Fresh corduroy, total silence, and even the moon still hanging in the sky as we made our first turns of the day.

The morning passed in a rhythm we quickly fell into: lift up, ski down, repeat. Endless runs on incredible snow, enjoying every turn. Before lunch, we made a stop at the snowpark. While I stayed firmly on the ground, Álvaro took to the air, throwing stylish jumps and backflips that left us watching in awe. We moved between different features, capturing photos and enjoying the creative side of the mountain, before skiing over to another area of the resort.

We stopped for lunch at Le Chalet Belle Étoile, located at 2,100 metres. With panoramic views and a well-earned break, it was the perfect place to recharge before the afternoon’s main highlight. And that highlight was something completely new for me: paragliding on skis. Standing at the launch spot, skis on, clipped into the instructor, waiting for the wind to drop, the nerves slowly crept in. As soon as the instructors spotted a window, everything happened fast. A short downhill run, a cliff approaching, a strong pull… and suddenly we were airborne.

What followed was pure calm. Floating silently above the valley, surrounded by mountains, with Les 2 Alpes far below us. Just the sound of the wind and the sensation of flying. We landed smoothly, took the chairlift back up to meet the others, and headed straight to the helipad for the next transition.

A helicopter transfer took us from Les 2 Alpes to Alpe d’Huez, another first for me. Smooth, surprisingly gentle, and with unbeatable views over valleys, mountain peaks and the Isère region. From the air, the scale of the Alps truly reveals itself. Once we landed, there was no time to slow down. Sonia welcomed us and sent us straight to our next activity: mountain karts. Riding tricycles down the slopes in the dark, lights on, felt like a real-life Mario Kart race. Fast, fun and full of laughs.

We finished the day with a snowcat ride up to a restaurant located at the top of the Signal chairlift. An incredible dinner, surrounded by the quiet of the mountains, was the perfect way to close an intense and unforgettable day. Shower, bed, and lights out. Day two in the Alps had been long, packed, and absolutely epic.

LES 2 ALPES SKI MAP

Day 3 – Alpe d’Huez

We woke up in Alpe d’Huez to another clear mountain morning. After a big breakfast, we headed straight to the Alpe Express, the free gondola that connects the different areas of the resort and allows you to reach the slopes directly from the village without using a car. A perfect way to move around the resort easily and sustainably.

At the top, we met Sonia and Tom, one of the local ski instructors, who spent the entire morning showing us around the ski area. We took several gondolas to reach the highest part of the resort, climbing up to 3,060 metres. From there, the views were simply spectacular: the sharp silhouette of La Meije, Le Râteau, and, in the distance, the town of Les 2 Alpes with its glacier clearly visible. Despite the freezing temperatures at the top, the sun was shining once again, making the conditions feel even more special.

From the summit, we tackled one of the highlights of the day and of the entire trip: La Sarenne, the longest black run in Europe. Sixteen kilometres of continuous skiing with a vertical drop of around 2,000 metres. It felt endless in the best possible way, linking turns for what seemed like forever, fully immersed in the scale of the mountain. Towards the end, the black run connects with a blue slope that follows the river valley. At that lower section, everything was completely frozen, as the sun only reaches this part of the slope for less than an hour a day.

We stopped for lunch at Chantebise 2100, a restaurant set in a beautiful mountain chalet with a warm, welcoming atmosphere. The food was excellent and exactly what we needed to recharge, warm up our hands and feet, and get ready for the afternoon.

In the afternoon, we moved to the other side of the resort, towards Alpette 2050. From this area, you can see the Col de la Croix de Fer, closed during winter but still impressive to look at. I had ridden it in summer a couple of years ago, so seeing it now, covered in snow, added a nice sense of contrast. After skiing, we took some time to slow down, heading to the swimming pool to recover and save some energy for the final day.

We finished the day with a wonderful fondue for dinner. By then, the body was clearly starting to feel the accumulated fatigue of three intense days in the mountains. A good night’s sleep was more than welcome, knowing that one last day in the Alps was still waiting for us.

Day 4 – Alpe d’Huez

The fourth and final day in Alpe d’Huez was packed with activities from start to finish. We began early, heading up to Herpie at 3,060 metres to be the first ones dropping into La Sarenne once again. Fresh snow, empty slopes and absolute silence. The conditions were incredible, although the cold was intense, probably the coldest I have ever skied. The legs felt good, but after a few runs we needed a short break, not to rest, but simply to warm up.

After a coffee, we visited La Cabane à Sucre, where we tasted a traditional sweet made from pure, natural honey. Simple, local and delicious, a small but perfect pause in the middle of an intense morning. From there, the day shifted towards pure fun. We tried rail sledging, an activity designed mainly for kids but just as entertaining for adults, especially when you push it a bit and go full speed. Laughs guaranteed.

Next stop: the big air bag. I had one clear objective for the day, to land my first backflip on skis. Having Álvaro there as a coach made all the difference. He explained the basics and the theory, but fear was very present on the first three attempts. When they told me, “this is the last one,” something clicked. I committed on the fourth jump and landed it. A bit dizzy afterwards, which Álvaro assured me was normal, as you need to spot the landing early during the rotation. For me, everything just went black for a second. But it worked. First backflip done. Next time, on the snow!

After that adrenaline rush, we took a chairlift to Marcel’s Farm, a fun slope designed for family-friendly skiing. Even though it’s aimed at kids, we couldn’t resist playing around. Tunnels, small jumps, bumps and boxes make it a playful area that reminds you why skiing is also about having fun, no matter your age or level.

We stopped for lunch at La Folie Douce, a classic in Alpe d’Huez, before heading out for the final descent of the trip. From Lac Blanc at 2,700 metres all the way down to Vaujany at 1,250 metres, a non-stop vertical drop of almost 1,500 metres. A long, continuous run that leaves the legs burning by the time you reach the bottom, the perfect way to close four intense days on skis.

ALPE D’HUEZ SKI MAP

That was it. Huge thanks to

Thomas, Amanda, Sonia, Tom and Solane for showing us around.

Hopefully, see you again soon!!

And also

ApperStudio,

Alvaro, Edu and Alex

for being an amazing snow team 🫶🫶