Ski La Grave - Skiing and Snowboarding in La Grave
Ski La Grave - Ski Resort and Snow Summary
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La Grave
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La Grave Ski Facts
La Grave in brief |
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In addition to the skiing in La Grave itself (12 kmkm of pisted ski runs), the appropriate ski Lift Pass will allow you to ski or snowboard in the other Grande Galaxie ski resorts of Briançon, Les Deux Alpes, Puy Saint Vincent and Serre Chevalier.
Awesome for backcountry and off piste skiing.
Only suitable for Confident Off Piste Skiers (but see below for exceptions).
La Grave MUST be skiied with a Guide.
La Grave is a stunning and wild mountain area. The term Ski Resort is barely appropriate; apart from the limited glacier skiing noted below, La Grave has no pistes or marked runs. There is a single telecabine that potters up to 3200 metres, pausing for a quick pick-up at an intermediate lift station with the elaborate name of 'P1'. From the top, there is no easy way down and you are warned that you proceed at your own risk - and they mean it.
You should not ski La Grave on your own, and you should employ the services of the excellent local guides at all times - La Grave is an unpatrolled high mountain region with many lethal dangers; some apparent, some not.
There are a couple of short Blue runs high on the glacier but these are generally only open from early February and depend on substantial snow cover.
Just outside the lower lift station is a wooden hut; the guide in residence can advise you on current conditions, the weather forecast and prevailing avalanche risks before you set off.
Before leaving the top lift station you should have a good idea of your route down. There are two primary itineraries; the Vallons de Chancel and the Vallons de la Meije - either side of the ridge on which the telecabine is installed. Vallons de Chancel provides the easier run but both options offer spectacular off-piste descents with a mixture of steeps, open powder fields and (lower down) forest. Access to each valley requires initial care through fairly narrow, sometimes rocky, entry points. The common route into Vallons de la Meije then requires negotiation of a fairly steep scree slope with an entry that can be narrow and couloir-like.
The start of either run should be enough to get the pulse racing but from then on your guide can choose a specific route to suit your preferences and ability. Cliff drops and steep, narrow couloirs are available for those that wish (or those who ski without a guide!) but good snow conditions should see you enjoying powder all the way down to the tree line where trails will take you back to P1 or the village.
You are strongly advised to research La Grave further; it is a skiing experience with few rivals in Europe but you must acquaint yourself with the dangers. You can contact the local mountain guides through the La Grave website.
Ski Lift Capacity :- The 5 Ski Lifts of La Grave are able to uplift 450 skiers / snowboarders per hour.
There are three airports within two hours drive, so ski weekends, snowboard breaks and short ski holidays to La Grave are perfectly feasible.
Skiing in La Grave
We do not currently have enough information to describe the skiing in La Grave. If you have skiied here, or know the area, please tell us about it in the Ski Forum.
Snowboarding in La Grave
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La Grave Snow Reports by e-mail
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Ski Instructors, Mountain Guides and Snowboard Coaches - La Grave
Dave Morris - Ski Instructor
Ski instruction with Dave Morris, top British ski teacher & trainer, in Meribel and Courchevel. High quality ski courses for enthusiasts covering race training and off piste, including trips to La Grave.
Ski Schools and Snowboard Training - La Grave
European Ski School
European Ski School. British Ski Instructors.
Sensations
Ski school and Guiding in Chamonix, the Three Valleys and La Grave
Also of interest for La Grave, France
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