Les 2 Alpes is becoming an increasingly popular destination for trail enthusiasts.
All year round, winter and summer alike, you'll be able to spot runners on the main avenue of La Muzelle or on the surrounding mountain trails.
READ MORE: Les 2 Alpes: mountain activities, highlights, restaurants, hotels... What to do in summer?
The ski lifts, open from 15 June to 1 September, offer sports enthusiasts the chance to start their runs from the summits or return to the resort after a long run.
The origins of the trail base camp
Since 1999, with the first edition of the Maratour des Glaciers, Les 2 Alpes have played host to trail events such as the Raid Light Trail, the Défi de l'Oisans, the Vénoquine and the Défi Vertical. However, it's only in recent years that the sport has really taken off.
The resort has structured its trail paths into different levels of difficulty (green, blue, red and black), in the same way as the ski runs. The Les 2 Alpes Trail association, set up in 2021 by Lucas and Laurent Sabot, is playing a crucial role in this development.
It now has over 200 members and organises flagship events such as Les Lumières de la Muzelle in winter and the Défi de la Muzelle in summer. There are also regular events for locals and visitors, such as the Loop des Sagnes and the Muzelle trails.
Laurent Sabot, co-founder of the association, explains: "Les 2 Alpes offers an exceptional setting for trail running, with varied and breathtaking scenery including waterfalls, lakes and peaks at the gateway to the Ecrins National Park. In fact, this setting is what motivated two great trail athletes, Mathieu Blanchard and Yannick Noël, to settle in Les 2 Alpes. Our aim is to make Les 2 Alpes a must-see destination for trail runners and one of the best spots in the world for trail running.
Mathieu Blanchard, Yannick Noël, ambassadors of shock
The reputation of Les 2 Alpes as a base camp for trail runners is enhanced by the presence of two top athletes: Mathieu Blanchard and Yannick Noël.
Mathieu Blanchard, a member of Team Salomon and ranked among the world's top trail runners, discovered trail running at the age of 26 and quickly devoted himself to the discipline. "Trail running is my reason for living, every day is an adventure, every trail a new chapter.
Yannick Noël, who started trail running in La Réunion, has moved to Les 2 Alpes in 2019. It was love at first sight for him: "The resort offers an ideal environment for trail running and other outdoor sports, as well as for my family. We've found the perfect balance here.
Trail routes for everyone
Les 2 Alpes offers a variety of trail routes to suit all abilities. Beginners can try their hand on the trails close to the resort, such as the green and blue loops of 3 to 10 km in the Vallée Blanche area, or the loop starting from Les Banchets.
For the more experienced, routes such as the Balcons de Venosc (11km), the blue course at Pied-Moutet (20km) and the Brèche du Grand Creux (30km) offer considerable challenges. There's also a training trail with a 700m vertical drop (2.4km) between the village of Venosc and Les 2 Alpes, where you can hone your skills or push yourself to the limit.
With such a diverse range of routes and a vibrant community, Les 2 Alpes is a true paradise for trail runners, offering both challenge and breathtaking scenery. Whether you're a beginner or an expert, the resort welcomes you for unforgettable adventures in the heart of the Alps.