Courchevel in Les 3 Vallées has always had challenges for freeriders and off-piste skiers – the alternative couloirs near the official Grand Couloir black run at the top of Saulire, the area between Chenus and Col de la Loze above La Tania, and the scenic Vallee des Avals being just three highlights. But the Les Creux Noirs at 2700m has always the main place where freeriders gathered, especially when fresh powder fell from the skies.
And now for the 2019/20 season, this has been been made an official Freeride area or ‘lab’. The old and notoriously slow Creux Noirs chairlift has been replaced by a quicker draglift (good news for skiers but perhaps not so welcome for snowboarders) and the black run and surrounding two red runs will be left mostly ungroomed. A new run has also been created running into the zone from the Col du Pas du Lac.
The resort has committed to make all the runs as safe as possible, whilst leaving them ungroomed.
For further information about Courchevel, including its off-piste skiing, accommodation and how to get there, please see the Ulltimate Ski Guide to Courchevel.