Les 2 Alpes In Summer – A Paradise For Hikers & Bikers

Les 2 Alpes, located in the southern French Alps, is rightly famous as one of the world’s great ski resorts, with one of the planet’s biggest lift-served verticals and most snowsure, glacier-crowned mountains.

But from late-spring to early-autumn it has a whole other identity as a Mecca for mountain sports activities of all kinds, with hiking and mountain biking as particular strengths.  The opportunities are, once again, world class, and everyone is catered for from those just looking for a gentle hike or initial experience in mountain biking, to the most experienced athletes.  

You can use many of the winter lifts to take your bike, or just you and your hiking boots and backpack, up the slopes before riding or hiking down. 

Spend a week here in the summer season, which this year lasts from June 15 to September 1, 2024, and every day can be different.

Here’s a possible itinerary for your holiday.

Day 1: A two-wheeled Day on the Mountain

@ Luka Leroy / OT 2 Alpes

Wake up to the fresh mountain air and grab brunch at one of the many restaurants in town to get your day going, then get ready for a mountain biking day of twists, jumps and bends on the trails. With exceptional views at every turn.

The 2 Alpes Bike Park™ has an abundance of trails for all levels, whether you are a beginner or expert but if you are new to mountain biking, first head over to the Easy Park a few steps away from the Diable hybrid lift and test out the different modules or check out the pumptrack near the tourism office to warm up. 

For a beginner-friendly experience, start with the Vallée Blanche sector and hop on the Vallée Blanche hybrid lift. The lift, made up of seats and cabins  is a new addition to the fleet, and was inaugurated in 2023. it will take you up to the summit where you’ll find a beginner’s training area with practice modules and the latest “Vallée Blanche” green slope to get you on your way. 

@Pyrouu / OT 2 Alpes

A large part of the 2 Alpes Bike Park ™ is made up of downhill runs so if you are a first-time mountain-biker or for children, Les 2 Alpes teams highly recommend grabbing a lesson or two with one of the Mountain Bike Schools on the resort to fully experience your time on the trails. Lessons for children start at age 6.

For more experienced bikers looking for a quick adrenaline start to get the week off on a high, ride down  Vallée Blanche’s blue Pied Moutet trail. This leads you to the same arrival point as the green allowing mixed ability groups to meet up. 

For a full-day mountain biking experience, cross over to the other side of the resort and take the Diable hybrid lift (also inaugurated in 2023) up to 2400 m accessing challenging black runs, exhilarating red descents, adventurous blues and a get-you-going green. 

©  Pyrouu OT 2 Alpes

If you prefer to rest your legs from the pedals, but want to keep the adrenaline going, head over to the summer sledge runs a few metres away from the tourism office. Take the Alpette lift up the mountain and then take your pick between the tortoise or the hare runs and zigzag down the track for a wonderful sledging experience. 

Then, why not grab a crêpe or  a drink in the sunshine at one of the many restaurants along the main street?

At the end of the afternoon, explore the resort’s lively atmosphere and check out the shops that are spread along a 2-kilometre stretch of town. You can then grab a table at one of the many restaurants for a well-deserved dinner followed by a stroll under the stars to finish the day. You might even catch a sunset at the Lac de la Buissonnière located at the entrance of the resort.

Electric Mountain Biking

For those who wish to experience an uphill climb before the descent, there are electrically assisted mountain biking trails (or E-MTB for short) in the Vallée Blanche and Venosc sectors. E-biking allows you to tackle elevation changes more easily allowing you to discover the mountains differently and to take your journey a little bit further.

A Big Bike Park

Altogether the 2 Alpes Bike Park™ boasts over 96 KM (60 miles) of trails, divided into 21 runs of which 15 are downhills, 2 enduro and four E-MTB routes. The slopes aredivided up into 4 easy greens, 6 moderate blues, 7 intermediate reds,two difficult blacks as well as 2 more rated ‘elite’ for experts only. There’s also a free ‘Easy Park’ learning zone, a beginner module area on Vallée Blanche and a shared pumptrack area near the tourism office.

Day 2: Breathtaking Views Wherever You Go 

@Pyrouu / OT 2 Alpes

Put on your hiking boots for a day of discovering the endless viewpoints no matter where you turn (and maybe even catch a glimpse of a hairy little marmot or two).

After maybe a slight sleep in, start your day by stopping by one of the resort’s six bakeries to grab a bite to go and then make your way over to one of the lifts to bring you up to the hiking trails. Several trails can be reached from the lifts and vary from very easy and family-friendly to very difficult and for those who are not faint of heart.

For a gentle introduction to the day, start with the Vallée Blanche green trail on the Vallée Blanche sector. This 2-kilometre loop starting from the arrival of the Vallée Blanche lift provides a good stretch for your legs and is also an ideal trail for families with younger children.

© Luka Leroy OT 2 Alpes

For a more cardio start, take the Diable lift up to 2400 m where you can discover the Sentier des Chamois’ 2 loop trails. The first, the Apprenti Cabri, is a gentle blue-level loop with a view of the resort and the mountains. The second, the Maître Chamois, is a more difficult trail, which will take you around the mountain for breath taking views of the different summits like l’Aiguille de Venosc, La Muzelle and the National Ecrins Park. Orientation tables are available to learn about the surrounding peaks.

Picnic tables along the way provide the perfect opportunity to stop and take in the views while having a bite. 

@ Luka Leroy

Once back in the resort, check out the different activities like mini golf, archery, tennis or trampoline.

At the end of the afternoon, you could take the 8-minute lift trip down to the village of Venosc and visit the number of artisan shops whilst taking a gentle stroll through the quaint alpine village.

© Pyrouu OT 2 Alpes

Finish the evening with dinner on one of the many terraces in the resort and take in the pink glow of the sunset.

Of course you can spend your days however you like, perhaps hiking and biking on the same day or enjoying one of the many other activities offered (still more are listed below!), or just relaxing in the sunshine surrounded by magnificent nature, the choice is entirely yours, but you’re certainly going to want to stay more than a day or two …

Things To Do and Places to Eat

Besides those already detailed, there are many other activities to discover during your stay, with expert providers and guides, equipment rental where applicable – in short, everything you need to give it a go safely and properly and have a lot of fun doing it is ready and waiting. 

© Pyrouu OT 2 Alpes

There’s paragliding, white water rafting in the valley below, climbing at all levels from beginner to expert, paddle tennis, paddle boarding, karting, beach volleyball, a skate park, a golf course, trail running, cycling and a via ferrata to name but a few.

Or you could just take a lift up to a warm mountain terrace, stretch out in the sunshine with your drink of choice, and totally relax in one of the most spectacular locations on earth andperhaps just read a book!

For on-mountain restaurants whilst you’re hiking, biking or just to enjoy the views whilst consuming some fabulous French alpine food, you can stop by at the Diable au Coeur, La Molière, Bergerie Kanata or La Troïka.

© Pyrouu OT 2 Alpes

You could also grab a bite in one of the neighbouring villages of Mont de Lans or Venosc at L’Auberge La Mansio or Le Café musée Chasal Lento in Mont de Lans or Le Cours de la Vie, Douces Gourmandises or Le Dolilou in Venosc.

Mountain Biking Events This Summer

For added excitement, you could time your visit to be part of one of the big biking events in Les 2 Alpes this summer. They include:

21 – 23 June: 24th edition of Mountain of Hell …the legendary MTB downhill competition with 1000 riders and a mass start at 3200m up on the glacier over snow for a spectacular vertical drop ride to the finish line in the resort. 

22 – 23 June: 2nd edition of Mountain of Hell KIDS …the kids version of the event for budding riders aged 9 to 14.

13 & 14 July: Urban DH Les 2 Alpes 1800 District … MTB Ambassador Adrien Loron and Les 2 Alpes have invited the TOP 30 international riders to participate in the 1^st edition of the URBAN DH, a technical course in an urban setting for an impressive show not to be missed!

26 – 28 July: IXS European Downhill Cup …also new this summer, Les 2 Alpes will host a stage of the European Downhill Mountain Bike Cup. For 20 years, the organisers have been bringing together the experts and the elite.

Family Plus label

Les 2 Alpes in summer is a great choice for summer mountain activity holiday for families of all ages. It’s good to know that the resort has received the prestigious official Family Plus certification which guarantees a variety of services for those travelling with children including the provision of activities and events for all ages, prices adapted to different ages and child-friendly establishments.

With so much to do, you’ll want to stay for a while!

© Pyrouu OT 2 Alpes

Key info

For all lift ticket pricing information, please visit skipass-2alpes.comTo save time, order your lift passes online and have them delivered to your door.

For a list of events and resort activities and for a list of hotels, residences and chalets visit: Les2alpes.com

Getting to Les 2 Alpes: A one-hour drive from Grenoble.Closest airports: Lyon (2 hours by car), Geneva and Turin (both 3 hours away by car).

 

Read More – Family Friendly Hikes