La Grave – Freerider mecca of extra class La Grave (1450 m)

The first impression of the idyllic mountain village of La Grave in the ski area Les Deux Alpes does not give you any idea of the alpine challenges that the small ski area offers. The small town with its authentic stone houses, which are grouped terraced on the mountain pistes, is no longer a secret tip of the freerider scene and has long been a mecca for all off-piste fans. At the northern end of the Parc National des Ecrins, La Grave also offers the perfect setting for a relaxing winter break, with its quaint little streets and small traditional shops. No wonder that among the 700 inhabitants of the small ski village are not only locals, but also numerous former guests who have decided to stay forever. Not the least because of the breathtaking view, it presents the unique panorama of numerous glaciers at the highest point of the glacier area at an altitude of 3,550 meters.

Freeride paradise plus family ski area

If you would like to spend your ski holiday in La Grave, but prefer "normal" pistes, you will find a small groomed section of the piste on the Glacier de la Girose and from there by a tow lift up to the Dôme de la Lauze at 3,550 meters, where a transition to the huge ski area of Les Deux Alpes, where skiers of all levels will get their money's worth. However, most winter sports fans come to La Grave due to the unprepared high-alpine terrain. Here very experienced skiers and snowboarders expect extremely long runs with impressive steep pistes, ice channels, huge glacier promontories and crevasses. The gondola lift, which starts in La Grave, has already covered 1,800 vertical meters to the intermediate station at an altitude of 3,200 meters. From there, two tow lifts will take you further into the glacier region at 3,550 meters above sea level.

At the foot of the 3,983-meter-high Meije Glacier, then, from the mountain station on the Dôme de la Lauze, you will find a lot of charming options in the direction of La Grave - the longest tour, l'Orcières, spreads over a length of 2,400 meters. The adventurous downhill runs, ranging from less steep to extremely steep, are therefore also accompanied on request by professional guides. Tour highlights include the Trifides, Glacier de la Girose and, not least, the scenic alternative to the remote mountain village of St. Christophe.

Those who not only want to conquer untouched pistes themselves, but also want to watch other freeride pros, are in the right place at the end of March / beginning of April in La Grave. Every year, the legendary Derby de la Meije takes place. In this famous freeride contest, participants from all over the world start at the Dôme de la Lauze and have only one task: to get into the valley as fast as possible and to negotiate 2,100 meters difference in elevation, no matter the route. Incidentally, the fastest freeriders will manage this route in six to seven minutes.

Relaxing ski village ambience

If you are looking for relaxation and recreation after such skiing adventures on steep and unprepared pistes, La Grave is the right place. Guests have the choice between cozy hotels, inviting holiday apartments and quaint holiday homes for an all-round pleasant ski holiday. If you prefer sports in the snow off the black pistes, you can explore the beautiful area around La Grave on cross-country skis or snow-hiking.

Sporty adventurers, on the other hand, are drawn to the picturesque mountain village even in summer. After all, the alpine landscape around La Grave is also considered a real challenge for climbers, hikers and mountain bikers.