Les Deux Alpes is the second oldest ski area in France (second to Chamonix) and consequently has a very traditional feel to the town. Unlike some other more traditional ski villages, the layout is still very ski-in ski-out friendly. It also holds a great mix of locals and seasonaires who all have a brilliant enthusiasm for skiing and aren't just about partying.

The layout of the mountain itself is also somewhat different to many other French resorts as instead of spreading widely in a horizontal direction, it evolves in a thin strip vertically which encompasses a really hefty wack of descendable meterage.

The nursery slopes at Deux Alpes are really good and there are more green runs here than in most other resorts. These runs are also located by the village which means that they are very accessible to young families. The lifts are easy and include lots of those magic carpet things which are really great for total beginners. The draglifts are also suitably mellow and are perfect for coaxing the best out of timid shaky skiers. The low layout of the nursery slopes also means that when the weather is bad, this area is usually the most friendly.

The only issue is that the beginner slopes will be the first to get thin if the weather warms. If you plan to use these greens, then I would recommend a holiday somewhere in February or March to give the best chance of good snow. A great snow making, and piste grooming/snow farming regime should ensure happy times throughout the season though.

The intermediate should take one look at the piste map and realise that there are lots and lots of runs here for them. It does somehow lack the exploration factor which many other resorts have. There aren't a number of valleys and villages to explore, only one mountain and it may seem a little linear. There are however, spectacular views and the sheer number of runs should see you progressing fast as you are encouraged to try and ski every single run before your time is up. Quite a challenge I can assure you!

Expert skiers should really enjoy “threading the needle” between the easier runs which wind down the mountain. There is a lot of vertical to go at here and plenty of it is quite steep. As with many other resorts in France, there aren't actually that many steep piste runs though.

Hardened skiers will love the concept of neighbouring resort La Grave as there is a massive off piste area serviced by a lone cable car. A great place to find the steeper and deeper, but you will need a guide if you are not competent in steep wilderness navigation. This can be a dangerous place and many have died on these steep slopes due to failed way finding: you have been warned. The terrain is incredible.

Les Deux Alpes has the largest summer skiing area in Europe and these high slopes are a magical place to be during the warmer months. There are plenty of runs for everyone to enjoy in the summer, but its definitely the park skiers and snowboarders who will be the most interested in what this place has to offer. In short, there are lots of features and they are really well built and lets face it.. you don't have many other options (although I heard that Les Diablaret in Switzerland has a really outstanding summer park).

Les Deux Alpes is a really good place for beginners if you pick the right time of year to guarantee snow. Its also really good for summer skiing and for the upper end of the expert skiers who could spend a whole season exploring the steeps of La Grave. The village has a decent sized population of locals and season goers who are very up for going hard. This resort seems quite different from most other in France, I just can't quite put my finger on it. I guess that's probably a good thing.