Alpe d’Huez Advanced & Off-Piste Skiing
The main area for advanced and expert skiers in Alpe d’Huez is the top of the Pic Blanc Glacier, both on and off-piste. There are several alternatives following the ridge down towards the Sarenne gorge and a few short blacks serviced by the highest Glacier chair, but most runs head back down to the main ski area.
Opportunities on-piste at the top of the Pic Blanc Glacier include a number of routes off the ridge rthat runs down towards the Sarenne gorge and a few short blacks serviced by the highest Glacier chair, but most runs head back down to the main ski area. The Tunnel, named after the passage through the rock that gives access to the pistes, is the toughest way down. The adjacent Les Chocards is a slightly less daunting alternative that forks off after the tunnel.
There are also some excellent runs from Clocher de Macle (2800m), the base of the very welcome new third stage Marmottes lift up to the glacier. The Combe Charbonniere, though often closed and never pisted, is the best of the lot. From here you can also drop of the sides down towards the centre of the ski area.
The glacier also has some excellent off-piste. Traverse skier’s left from Chateau Noir and come down any of the numerous couloirs that later rejoin the Sarenne path. You can also drop off the other side of the ridge through the rock face down towards Clocher de Macle or stay on the ridge line and drop down through the couloirs of Mine de l’Herpie. A half an hour hike from the top and as you to access to the couloirs from Pic Bayle across the Rousses glacier from where you can pick a line all the way down to Enversin. Skier’s right of the Dome des Petites Rousses offers some big cliffs and tight couloirs and there is also some interesting off-piste of the back of Signal de l’Homme.
There are also many different off-piste to three that drop down over 2000 vertical metres from the top of Pic Blanc to different villages around the Grande Rousses Massif, some of which finish within the ski lift area and others require a taxi or helicopter to return to Alpe d’Huez. All of these should not be attempted without a qualified guide.
Lastly advanced skiers should take advantage of the buses or helicopters that for now provide a rudimentary link between Alpe D’Huez and Les Deux Alpes, because a day or two at the latter is included in most Alpe D’Huez lift passes. ‘L2A’ has a smaller ski area but within it are some interesting challenges for advanced skiers, on and off-the piste. And it’s also a gateway to the off-piste mecca of La Grave.
Photo: Copyright © Alpe d’Huez Tourisme | Laurent Salino