Resort Overview for La Grave - La Meije: La Grave is an ancient French village with very little to offer except some of the greatest off piste skiing and boarding in the world over a monstrous vertical. This is definitely not a place for beginners, piste cruisers or anyone needing a normal ski resort (except as a base if you have transport to get out again). However if you are exceptionally fearless and knarly, this is the place to meet like minded souls from all over the world. You should we wary that as this is essentially an off piste destination, reliant on one key lift, then if either the winds are too strong for the lift to operate, or there's no fresh snow to make the off piste good, you're in for a very limited or limiting experience. That said, given a set of wheels there are several major conventional ski areas nearby including Serre Chevalier and Alpe d'huez.
The Skiing in La Grave - La Meije: La Grave is a legendary off piste ski destination with very little pisted terrain. Officially there are 12km (7 miles) of prepared terrain, graded either easy or intermediate but this is made up of several very small and basic areas with a couple of drag lifts each and a blue run at the top of the long two-stage gondola which ascends a remarkable 1,750 metres from the village at 1,450m to 3,200m. The blue run is use to make the link over to the huge ski area of neighbouring Les 2 Alpes. However few folk come here to use that service, most are here for the infamous off piste.
La Grave has held its place as an off piste mecca for many decades now. The village is said to have changed little in the 900 years it has stood there and the same can be said for the ski area. Other resorts have opted to create more gentle, recreational skier friendly bashed slopes to compliment their famous steeps, not so La Grave. There are dozens of legendary descents, the longest 2,400 metres. These include lÓrciére de Droites which descends from the Dome de la Lauze at 3550m. Described by those who know as "very serious" and involving avoiding crevasses, avalanche risk and probable wind slab; skiers and boarders attempting it needs route finding skills to successfully get down its complex route - as well as ropes and a harness for one sector. Skiers that have followed locals or guided groups have regretted their mistake as it is a long way up to walk. There are plenty of easier runs, although it is still sensible to use a guide and potentially life threatening not to. The Chancel is one of the easier, probably only about intermediate standard on a good day.
Après Ski in La Grave - La Meije:La Grave is not a good choice if you're looking for buzzing night life. If you're happy to share a few (Probably quiet) beers with some serious skiers and boarders then you shouldn't be disappointed. Believe it or not there is a kind of Irish theme pub even here though - O'Neills, which along with the Glaciers Bar and Les Vallons are usually the livelier of the half dozen choices available. No nightclubs, unsurprisingly.
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For more information on La Grave - La Meije please visit the resort's website http://www.lagrave-lameije.com |
