Les 2 Alpes in Summer – Insider Tips

After the French government relaxed rules that have kept French ski lifts operating all winter, allowing La Clusaz to re-open for two days only at the weekend (pictured below), the country’s three summer ski glacier resorts are preparing to open for 2021, just as they did after the pandemic’s first wave a year ago.

Val d’Isere and Tignes open next month but first up is Les 2 Alpes, home of Europe’s largest skiable glacier.

English born local Alexandra Armand, owner of TipTop Coaching, and self-declared outdoors addict, told us what to look out for if we’re lucky enough to be able to visit this summer:

I have been in Les 2 Alpes for over 15 years and love the resort and surrounding areas.

I originally chose the resort for the skiing and spent only winters here. I soon realised what I was missing out on and started living all year round here and enjoying all the seasons and all the sports.

The mountains offer so much to do and enjoy. The glacier and bike park in the summer are a real bonus!

I love to ski and to share my skiing knowledge with people to allow them to improve their skills and therefore enjoy the mountains more and more each year.

There is nothing better than getting up early and seeing the sun rise over the mountains up at 3,400m!

My other passions are biking, Road and MTB, for which the Oisans area and Les 2 Alpes is second to none for. I also enjoy hiking and running in our wonderful mountains.

My perfect summer day would be skiing in the morning, working on technique with my group and of course skiing and enjoying ourselves as we go!

Down to the resort for lunch – my favourite places are Casa Nostra on their terrace or Igloo for their burgers, then off out on the mountain bike ….

I love my afternoons in the bike park riding the rolling blues or challenging myself on the reds (I’ve not quite reached black level as yet!). My favourite MTB run is the Valley Blanche Blue, it is open, quick running with lots of little jumps – great fun!

If I still have some energy, I go running. I run on the “Voie Verte” between Bourg D’oisans and Venosc – from Les Deux Alpes take the telecabine down to Venosc and join this amazing track that follows the river. I finish the day with a cold drink on the terrace of the Polar Bear pub.

For dinner I like Le Cellier for its fantastic steaks cooked over the burning fire in the restaurant.

Another great place to eat is the Chamois Lodge, they have a fabulous wine list and their cocktails are something special!