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SKI AREA (for experts)
A limited number of packed-down runs on the glacier
(one in fact!) and ski lifts make way for a superb
free ride area and a 2150m drop. By exploring the
domain of La Grave-La Meije, you are not in a typical
ski resort. This is a real mountain environment as
you head down in an unmarked, and non-patrolled area
at your own risk (guide highly recommended!). You
must be aware of all mountain hazards including
rocks, avalanches, crevasses, and be ready for the
possibility of drastic weather changes.La Grave was
the last great peak to be conquered.
Serre-Chevalier,
well known to serious boarders, is only 25 minutes
drive away as is Les 2 Alpes, with its massive ski
area. 2
Alpes can also be accessed from the top of the
cable car but involves a bit of walking at 3550m.
In 30mins the cable car takes you to 3200m. You can
choose from vast glacial escapes to steep chutes, a
world away from the marked trails, the ropes, and the
signs of a ski resort.
What Snowlegends say about La Grave:
“In a remote corner of the Hautes Alpes; Oisans
is the largest mountain group in the Alps. At 3986
meters, La Meije may not be the highest peak, but it
does have one of the longest vertical drops in the
world (2150 meters; 7100 feet). Two lifts take you up
to an altitude of 3650 meters. From there, the number
of possible descents makes La Grave probably largest
untamed, off-piste site in Europe. The combination of
North and Northeast facing slopes and high altitude
means that snow conditions are often deep powder and
are excellent from Christmas to May”.
BEGINNERS
La Grave itself is not suitable for beginners. It is
predominately off-piste. The small resort of Le
Chazelet (1730m-2300m) nearby (5km away) is good for
beginners and easily accessed by free shuttle. 4
lifts: 1 chairlift and 3 draglifts - 8 pistes (4
green, 2 blue and 2 red) - 8 km of pistes. Open from
17/12/11 to around 22/03/2012 depending on snow.
Lift pass prices (11/12) for Le Chazelet for a day
are €14.50 for adults and €12.50 for
children. 6 day pass is €72.50 for adults and
€62.50 for children.
See piste map here for Le Chazelet
There is also another very small ski area with 1
green, 2 blues and red nearby too which you will see
on the map.
Opening Dates
Resort of La Grave open from 17/12/11 to 01/05/12
Derby de la Meije
The 23rd edition of this mad race is held on
30th March – 1st April
2011. The first ones down (usually over 1000 riders)
share the €10,000 prize money.
Click here for more information.
La Grave – La Meije is one of the world’s
most famous off-piste areas
There are no ski patrols, ski schools, grooming,
marked trails or avalanche control. Just a 3-stage
gondola and more terrain than 4-5 Jackson Holes.
The minimum required level is for skiers to be able
to ski everywhere on pistes and to be comfortable on
red slopes. For snowboarders a minimum of 5 seasons
is recommended.
Within ½ hour drive are also the resorts of
Serre-Chevalier, le Chazelet, Les 2 Alpes, Alpe
d’Huez.
Lift pass prices La Grave 2011/2012
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Cable-Car + skilift
*
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40 €
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1 return ticket + skilift
*
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31 €
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1st Stage Cable-car (If 2nd stage
closed)
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21 €
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6 day pass
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210 €
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Can be pre-booked from the reception at Les Chalets
de la Meije.
From the 17th December 2011 to May 2012 the
1st.
from 9AM (first ascent) to 4.30PM (last descent from
3200m)
It is possible to join-up the domain of les 2
Alpes from the top point but it involves a walk of
15-30 mins which is dependant on weather.
La Grave -> Les 2-Alpes Way
It's free for skiing in Les 2-Alpes with a ski pass
from La Grave.
(not valid for a single-way or return ticket)
As Les 2 Alpes ski resort have hands-free
access, you need to have a free skipass at the
central ski-pass delivery.
Do not take skilift if you had not a valid skipass
from the 2-alpes resort (free delivery at the central
ski-pass delivery).
Les 2-Alpes -> La Grave Way
With a valid ski pass Les 2 Alpes, you can use the La
Grave cable-car for 13€ or 18€ more
(depending of your skipass category - free for 6 days
and more skipass) everyday of the week, but never the
Saturdays and Sunday and the other public-day-off.
The week-end and the public-holiday, you will need to
pay a full ski-pass at La Grave.
St-Christophe and the Vallons de la Selle
With a valid ski-pass of La Grave, you can take a
single-way to the top for coming back to La Grave
from Venosc. (It's not valid with a single-way from
La Grave).
Ski Guides
There are a number of ski guide organisations such as
the Bureau des Guides but we recommend Snowlegend,
which we can pre-book through the hotel. Since 1993,
Snowlegend has been offering snowboard, ski and
telemark classes in La Meije-La Grave.
Snowlegend ski guides prices 2011/2012
(Minimum age: 18 - minimum required level is for
skiers to be able to:
Ski everywhere on pistes and to be comfortable
on red slopes.
For snowboarders a minimum of 5 seasons is
recommended)
(Guide prices)
2
options
Price for rider want to join a group:
90 € Per day with a group of 3 to 5
people
75 € Per day with a group of 6 to 7
people
or
Price for a private guide:
360 € per day for a group of 1 to 5
people
400 € per day for a group of 6 à 7
people
Price includes:
Snowlegend
guiding 9 am to 5 pm, pro, friendly, powder addict
!
Groups of 1 to 7 people, ideal size is 3 to 5 riders
with same technical, physical level &
smile.
+
loan of Tracker 2 - DVA (kit to locate victim in
avalanches + training)
+
loan of freeride helmet (it's better to have) size
XS, S, M, L, XL
+
loan of security bag (25 liters, back protection,
shovel, probe)
+
loan of harness
PAYABLE LOCALLY IN RESORT, NOT PRE-BOOKABLE
http://www.snowlegend.com/eng/index.html
Derby de la Meije
The 20th edition of this mad race is held on 2-4
April 2008. The Derby de la Meije is the only event
to unite so many people for 3 days of riding and
partying. It is also a music festival around a
meeting of riders from all over the world.
The Goal is simple: Start at 3560m and reach the
finishing line at 1800m as fast as possible on skis,
monoskis, telemarks, snowboards, or anything else
that can slide.
There is normally €10 000 of prize money to
share between the winners but with usually around
1000 riders from all over the world you may need a
bit of practice. Time to beat on the 9km long course
and its 2150m vertical drop is something under 6
minutes!!
www.derbydelameije.com
Mountain restaurants
There are two mountain restaurants, Les Vallons at
2400m and Les Ruillans at 3200m. The mountain refuge
Evariste Chancel is about 1 hour walk from the 2400m
stop.
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