Advantages: Good for beginners, good nightlife, sunny, access to La Grave, free swimming/skating
Disadvantages: Limited skiing, not ideal resort layout, frustrating slope and lift layout at hometime

...Located in the southern French Alps, and close to Alpe D'Huez and Serre Chevalier, Les Deux Alpes might not be the first ski resort that springs to mind when you think of European skiing. It's a little unfair as, on an individual basis, the resort compares extremely well to just about any in France. It is the second oldest in resort in the country, after the world famous Chamonix and can boast more than 200km of runs to itself. However, while 2 Alpes may individually have a large ski-area, it lacks the collective might of areas such as the Trois Vallees or Espace Killy when it comes to a linked network of slopes. Essentially, with 2 Alpes what you see is what you get. For most this won't be a problem - almost 100 different pisted slopes plus good opportunities to drop into off-piste powder fields should keep all but the most... Read review

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Advantages: Ski in, ski out,
Disadvantages: In the middle of nowhere

...My wife and I stayed with some friends at Chalet Isis in the Chalets de l'Altiport area of Alpe D'Huez 1850 in March 08. We booked through skialacarte. The altiport chalets are all pretty new and are in a gated community situated over the road from the small airport, and about 600 metres from the Les Bergers part of Alpe D'Huez, with the main town a few hundred metres further away. Access was via Grenoble International Airport St Geoirs - 99 kms away and the private transfer by the chalet staff took 1 hour 25 minutes. The chalet sleeps 16 and the rest of the rooms were occupied by other guests. Each room had private ensuite facilities apart from one of the rooms on the ground floor which had a shower and WC room which was also the facility for people using the sauna. Nobody using the sauna ever used this room as far as we could see... Read review

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Advantages: An excellent debut album
Disadvantages: Are there any?

...The revival of grunge?? All sorts of bits and pieces bands have attempted this ever since the day Kurt Cobain took his own life, and in the Nine Black Alps, it would appear we have another pretender to the throne...but there would appear to be some substance behind this title. 'Everything Is' their debut release on Island records - a label associated with heavy, hard listening rock bands, and it is an excellent showcase of what could potentially be. 'Get Your Guns' kicks things off - snarling guitar licks and snare drums produce a rhythm that wouldn't instantly signal 'grunge', although you can certainly hear why through vocalist Sam Forrest's crackling voice. 'Cosmopolitan' is a fairly radio-friendly track - I've heard it on Zane Lowe's Radio 1 show a few times - again, it's tempo is slightly pacier compared to 'Grunge... Read review

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Advantages: Everything
Disadvantages: soggy afternoons

...I went with my dearly beloved to Alpe D’Huez for a week in March 2000. We stayed in a First Choice “Fine dining” Chalet (Chalet Telemark). We were glad we didn’t go for their ordinary fare as it was only a bit better than average (I’m a bit of a “foodie” though). The Chalet itself was nice enough, en suite rooms and a good view from the balcony. There are plenty of shops and bars nearby, and it was also located quite close to a lift. It wasn't quite "ski-to-door", but not far off it. The people we shared the Chalet with were a good laugh, and for those travelling as a couple that enjoy socialising, Chalets are a good option. The Underground was our local bar. Nice and noisy, it was full of mad Scandinavians and served a good range of drinks. The skiing area is great, a lot of variety and not much motorway stuff. As we were... Read review

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Advantages: Cheap
Disadvantages: none

...Yes, yes, yes, summer is really on its way now, nights are lighter and I have spent a couple of hours in the garden, planting plants, mowing the lawns and power washing the patio. Oooh I feel in a good mood and when I’m in a good mood I need a cheap and cheerful pick me up. What do I go for Tesco cotes du Rhone?For just £2.78 for 75cl …12.5% volume…who am I to complain. I do complain naughty I know, but if I am working my butt off in the garden, I need cheaper than that, so what do I do. I order a case of six from Tesco and it works out at £2.64 per bottle a saving of 14pence a bottle, it doesn’t sound much but add it up all summer and you’ll be surprised. This is Tescos cotes du rhone. The bottle is green, the label is white with the words cotes du rhone written in deep red. This wine is made from grapes grown... Read review

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Advantages: Great value for money
Disadvantages: Unlucky if you dont shop at Tesco

...I am no connoisseur but know what my taste buds like. Cotes du Rhone is a smooth medium bodied red wine with a juicy fruit flavour and a hint of spice. I like to try different red wines and must admit, this is not the only one I like but find this easy to drink wine leaves no after taste and is not too heavy. I understand this will not be everyone's taste in wine. It's a middle of the road wine and not too sharp. I would urge you to give it a try. It has a subtle aroma and not very dark in appearance. Light on the lips and unlike heavy reds, no sore head in the morning. Selected by Tesco Stores Ltd (which is great because thats where I shop), it has a simple but effective packaging with nice bold easy to read lettering. The bright red and white label stands out from other wines on the shelf and at £2.98 for 75cl I think... Read review

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Advantages: Great range of slopes, good night life
Disadvantages: No tree line ski-ing, expensive

...The island of the sun, as the purpose-built ski resort of Alpe d’Huez markets itself (hmm, I do have to admit I find myself querying the island bit... but it certainly is sunny!) has to be one of Europe’s top ski destinations. I’ve returned year after year, sometimes twice a season, since 1997 and so have tonnes of others and my aim is to let you know exactly why! SKI AREA Alpe d’Huez lies in the southern most area of Isere, in the French Alps in an area known as Massif des Grandes Rousses. The ski area of Grandes Rousses which consists of 5 principle areas Alpe d’Huez, Auris, Oz, Villard Reculas, Vaujany, covers over 10,000 hectares and boasts 86 ski lifts 111 slopes (220 kms), 54 kms of cross-country trails and 30 kms of hiking tracks. 24 “piste bashers” and 700 snow cannons serve... Read review

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Advantages: Varied Skiing for ALL abilities
Disadvantages: One big Road.

...I have been skiing for 20+ years and have visited many of the resorts in the Alps during this time. Last winter though I spotted a cheap last minute deal to Deux Alps. Cost- £299 Catered Chalet (skiworld) this included Flights from Manchester and a transfer of only 11/2 hrs, which is great for the Alps. 'Catered' chalets, I have found, can vary mainly due to the staff running them, but still offer the convienience of having a good bread based breakfast, bread and cakes when you return from the slopes and a 3 course meal in the evening. With food taken care of a Hot dog on the slopes usually surfices. Most Catered chalets nowadays also offer free wine with the meal. If you are in a group then this is fantastic as when you have gotten over the vinigary taste, It sets you up nicely for hitting the bars! The SKiworld chalet in Deux Alps... Read review

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Advantages: Variety of green, blue and red pistes. Wide pistes
Disadvantages: Potentially low snow fall in Dec & early Jan

...I have just returned from a week of skiing in Alpe d'Huez (2-8 Jan 05) staying at Chalet Bruyeres with First Choice. I recommend going on a ski/boarding holiday in a large group to keep the costs down - I went as part of a group of 19 and we booked approx 6 months prior to the holiday. This meant the cost for a skier including hire, ski pass, insurance and chalet with breakfast, afternoon tea, evening meal and free wine was £530 and for a boarder was £544. Not bad! The transfer from Grenoble took approx 1 hour and a half in a coach. Its a pretty drive through the mountains but takes a while as the roads become steep, narrow hair pin bends as you climb up the Alps out of the valley and away fromt he main roads. TOWN Alpe d'Huez is 1865 metres up in the Alps which is a lot higher up (before even ascending the pistes ready... Read review

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Advantages: Outstanding adventure in abandoned nature
Disadvantages: none!

...In summer 2006 i visited Norway with my car. We went to the northest point and therefore i can write a few lines about nice alps - not alps from central europe but alps from Norway. These are close to biggest city above the polar circle called Tromso. As I said it is behind polar circle and therefore in summer the sun there never goes down - there is no sunset for months. This makes climbing mountains verz interesting there because you dont need to hurry to be down before sunset:) We have driven to the village that is on the seaside in front of alps and there i bought a map. It was weird map because there were mountains on it without any path longer than 3km so i decided that we have to go without any road. The highest mountain is 1833 meters high and i have chosen Daltingen - mountain that was close to seaside and has more than... Read review

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