Local Sectors
Other than three blue-graded secured routes on the Glacier de la Girose, there are no real pistes as such. There are no avalanche-protection systems, no slope signs and no boundary ropes. This is a big-mountain station in the true spirit of freeride.
You can roam wherever your inspiration leads, but this requires a very high level of technical ability and mountain-lore expertise.
Vallons de la Meije Route Descending to the skier’s right of the cable cars, this is the most famous of the two classic routes down to La Grave. The top section is steep and rocky, but not extreme; the rest of the upper half is wide and open and often gets tracked-out to a piste-like condition. The lower half is much tougher, descending all the way to the valley floor and requiring a hike out up to the village.
Vallons de Chancel Route This second classic route ranges out into the steep and rugged terrain far to the skier’s left of the cable cars. The upper section passes through some challenging rocky ground before traversing over to the Refuge Chancel, a fully functioning mountain refuge perched atop a cliff.
The mid-section of the run gives a good workout over wild and gnarly terrain, with a tricky traverse through the forest to reach the cable car and/or to join the lower section of the Vallons de la Meije route to the valley floor.
Les Deux Alpes Link Using the uppermost button tow on the Glacier de la Girose, it’s possible to stroll/skate over the relatively flat summit of the Dôme de la Lauze to link into the ski area at
Les Deux Alpes, and vice versa. But, be aware that the link lifts close as early as 15:00 hrs, and they often close completely and unexpectedly when weather conditions deteriorate. In such circumstances, the only way back is an expensive 26 km (16¼ miles) taxi ride!
