“Summer Ski?” I hear you say!

Skiing season over? Not a chance! Did you know you could ski in the summer, yes the summer, in the French Alps? Well you can! No need to put away that precious ski gear as from June – September you can practise your technique skiing and boarding on Europe’s highest glaciers leaving the afternoons to soak up the sun back in resort. What could be better combining skiing and sunbathing!

Les Deux Alps, French Alps

History

Les Deux Alps as a ski resort was formed in the 1940’s, with a lot of buildings dating back to the 1970’s. However Les Deux Alps has been under a redevelopment plan with much of the resort being modernised but to a tasteful standard. Various new high class accommodation has been built including Le Cortina and l Alba (For accommodation please view here).

Location

Les Deux Alps lies between Grenoble and Briancon in the French Alpes in the Oisans area (also famous for Alpe d’Huez and Vaujany forming the Grandes Rousses ski area). You can be from airport to slopes in less than 1hr 30 mins, Grenoble being the closest (For access information please view here).

Summer Skiing in Les Deux Alps

Summer skiing in Les Deux Alps takes place between 2800 and 3600 metres on the Girose and Mont de Lans glaciers above Les 2 Alpes and is the largest and highest glacier in Europe. Les Deux Alps is rather a hot spot for the summer skier, not only because the 10 week summer season allows skiers and boarders alike to brush up on their techniques but also because the range of other activities is huge.

The summer ski area is open between the summer months of June and September. 110 hectares of ski area is there for the taking. Les Deux Alpes is very much Europe's capital of summer skiing.

Open fromaround 7.15am – 1.30pm from 18th June to 28th August 2011.

There is an 800m vertical descent and 11 ski lifts with the funicular lift/train taking you to the glacier in about 30 minutes.

In a relaxed summer atmosphere in the French Alpes, summer skiing is for everyone from complete beginners to more expert skiers or boarders looking to enjoy something different. Professionals even come along during the summer months to perfect techniques. Summer skiing is done in the morning until lunchtime leaving the rest of the day for more traditional summer activities in Les Deux Alpes.

Click here for more information on Les Deux Alps

Snowpark in Les Deux Alps

For those who fancy doing some daring moves the snowpark should keep you entertained with half pipes and jumps. At 3200 m, the snowpark is an exceptional meeting place for riders from different horizons.

Snowpark has:

 2 half-pipes

 Bumps

 A boarder cross

 handrails

Non stop entertainment at the snowpark:

 Sounds

 Open DJ's

 Barbecue…

                                                
And with professional riders training alongside you throughout the summer!

Pictures of Les Deux Alps

For more pictures please see information on Les Deux Alps by viewing here

Summer Skiing in other resorts in French Alps

Summer Skiing in Tignes, France

In Tignes in the summer months one can ski 130 hectares with 20 km at an altitude of 3000m. The summer snow is ideal for the beginners among you. The snowpark is the place for the more daring wanting to try new tricks or improve old ones. The glacier is accessible to pedestrians, who can visit the Ice Grotto and see the glacier and surrounding peaks.  The glacier is open end of June – to end of August.

For more details see here.

The survival of Summer Ski resorts in Europe

If you go back a few years there was plenty of choice when it came to summer skiing…France offered numerous resorts that allowed skiers to continue their passion during the summer season.

Alpe d’Huez, La Plagne and Val Thorens have all ceased offering summer skiing in recent years, joining Verbier and St Mortitz in Switzerland plus Alagna and Marmolada in Italy; And again this year there is no skiing on the Diablerets Glacier in Switzerland. Tignes, located in France, used to have skiing pretty much 365 days a year, but now the days people can ski has reduced and emphasis on sporting activities other than skiing has been heightened. Les Deux Alps in the French Alps remains a hot spot for the summer skier offering 10 weeks of skiing throughout June-September and plenty of other activities, bars, shops and sunshine to keep boredom at bay.

Summer activities in Les Deux Alps

Restaurants, bars and shops

There are numerous restaurants, bars and a few nightclubs with a lively atmosphere. Shops are a plenty to.

SKI EXTRAS INFORMATION

Les Deux Alpes Ski school info

The ESS (European Ski School) and ESF (Ecole du Ski Francais) run courses in the summer for beginners – experts. Every morning the instructors will take you out to learn how to ski or to learn new techniques. From 18th June 2011 5 day courses are available for skiers & snowboarders with ESS and ESF. Private lessons can be arranged all summer long. View view for details

Les Deux Alpes Lift pass info

You can purchase summer ski-passes giving access to ski area and use of the walkers lifts. There is also free entrance to pool and ice-rink included with the pass. For more details on Les 2 Alpes summer ski passes (from £47) or to book please view here for details