As long as there is good snow there is great skiing! There are so many fantastic ski runs across the Alps, but here we give you a few tips on those special descents in some of the top European winter sports destinations. From perfectly groomed pistes to moguls and off piste itineraries, here are some classic ski experiences that every alpine fanatic should tick off the list.
1) Chamonix: The Vallee Blanche
The world famous Vallee Blanche starts at the top of the Aiguille Du Midi with a roped descent on foot to the glacier below. Magnificent scenery is not the only distraction, as the huge glacier must be tackled with care due to crevasses. This is a day trip to remember and there are several variations to suit intermediate level skiers upwards. Always go with a fully qualified mountain guide.
2) Courchevel: The 3 Valleys: Combe Saulire
This famous red run in Courchevel gains its reputation from always being immaculately groomed with fantastic snow conditions. Long and wide it provides skiers of all abilities the chance to cruise down with effortless joy. Get there first thing in the morning for the best conditions.
3) Morzine / Avoriaz: The World Cup downhill course
High above the town of Avoriaz at the top of the ‘Hauts Forts’, the world cup downhill run starts its long journey down towards Les Prodains in the valley below. The piste is marked black all the way and is used on the women’s Alpine world cup downhill calendar. Although challenging it is possible for experienced recreational skiers to tackle in good snow conditions. As you arrive at the end of the run you will feel a sense of achievement and a well-deserved rest in the excellent restaurant, before jumping on the cable car back up to Avoriaz.
4) Zermatt: Klein Matterhorn
The Klein Matterhorn lift is the highest cable car in Europe at 3820 meters. You walk through a tunnel carved through the rock and appear on the glacier with fantastic views of the Matterhorn right in front of you. From here you can ski all the way down into the town of Zermatt itself. In total you will descend 2200 vertical meters and ski for 13 kilometres taking in some of the world’s most stunning scenery. Best in good weather conditions and normally fully open between late November and April.
5) Verbier: Vallon d’Arby
Verbier is renowned for its off piste skiing but Vallon d’Arby is a must do route for any powder snow fanatic. It is marked as an itinerary route on the piste map and when closed must always be skied with a fully qualified guide. The access to Vallon d’Arby is via a road carved out of the mountainside by a machine. After a heavy snowfall this route can be tricky, but once the main skiing bowls are reached there is a huge descent through open fields and into trees finally ending up in the village of La Tzoumaz.
6) Val d’Isère: Col Pers off piste ski run
Val d’Isère has an incredible array of ski runs, one of the all time classic off piste routes is the Col Pers, this can be accessed from Val d’Isere’s Pissaillas glacier. This run can be tricky if one descends in the wrong direction therefore it is always advised to take a professional ski instructor or mountain guide to show you the way and how to ski the mixture of powder snow and steep slopes! The ski run route ends up in Le Fornet.
7) Tignes: Vallon de la Sache
Although Tignes has an abundance of fantastic piste skiing it does also have some classic off piste routes. The Vallon de la Sache is located beside the famous Aiguille Percee or eye of the needle, a formation in the rock that has been there for millions of years. The first part of the descent is steep but afterwards the skiing becomes gentler. You can ski all the way down to Tignes le Brevieres way down in the valley which is the lowest point in the resort. This makes the Vallon de la Sache one of the longest off piste itineraries in the Alps.
Take a professional.
8) Les Deux Alpes: Vallons de la Meije and La Grave
Les Deux Alpes is a huge resort and for most skiers or snowboarders you will find enough to keep you occupied for weeks. If your sense of adventure gets the better of you then hire a qualified mountain guide and ask them to take you to La Grave. From the top of the glacier you can hitch a ride on a piste machine that will take you across the high altitude terrain to La Grave. This is not just one ski run but a resort of almost exclusively off piste skiing. Even the marked runs are itinerary routes and are great fun themselves. Deviating from them requires the services of a guide and most of the skiing is on glaciated terrain.
9) Alpe d’huez: La Sarenne
Officially the longest black run in the word the Sarenne is a classic route that will take you from the highest point in the skiing area all the way down to the bottom of the Chalvet ski lift over 1000 vertical meters below. Although not technically challenging as a whole, the run is not usually groomed at all and as it is so long, provides a challenge for all levels of skier and snowboarder. Best to start first thing in the morning when the legs feel fresh and finish with a nice lunch in one of the many mountain restaurants.
10) La Plagne: The Paradiski region: Montchavin powder skiing
The Paradiski region is the combined area of skiing for Les Arcs and La Plagne. The area is fantastic for all levels of skier and in the right snow conditions (light, fresh powder snow) the slopes between the Dos Rond and Mont St Jacques in the Monchavin/Les Coches sector are great for perfecting those powder turn techniques. These big open bowls are easily accessible and not too steep. Closer to the villages lies some excellent tree skiing which on a bad weather day provides excellent shelter from poor visibility. Remember not to go off piste without a qualified mountain guide or instructor.
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