Travel: Les Deux Alpes - Best resort for vertical drop

THE TOP of the top lift on the Glacier du Mont-de-Lans is almost 2,300m (7,545ft) above the chairlift station in Mont-de-Lans, and you can ski without interruption from one to the other. Or at least I think you can: when I did the run the top drag was inaccessible and I started from the slightly lower exit of the funicular beneath the glacier. It is an undemanding run that I enjoyed more than I expected; you don't often get to ski for 40 minutes without taking a lift.

PLUS POINTS Easy skiing on the glacier; lively, towny resort with good apres-ski; convenient row of nursery slopes and lifts; good off-piste potential; splendid views from the ski area; good sports facilities.

MINUS POINTS Piste skiing limited for such a big resort, with resultant crowding; slopes immediately above the village are steep and prone to sun damage; village is busy with traffic, and lacks charm; very little skiing in bad weather.

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