La Grave Ski Resort Guide
La Grave, France
Rated: 4/5 (from 6 ratings)
| Recommended For | Freeriders, Expert Skiers, Snowboarders and Snowfall! |
|---|---|
| Total Piste Length | 1km |
| Highest Lift | 3,600m |
| Resort Height | 1,525m |
| Nearest Airports | Limoges and Grenoble |
| Save on Ski Hire | Save up to 50%  |
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La Grave
An authentic mountain village with legendary skiing and snowboarding, for confident off-piste skiers (and boarders) only. A huge vertical drop is served by a three stage gondola.
Summary
The ski area of La Grave is in the French Alps at an altitude of 1,525m, with 1km of marked runs.
La Grave has direct access to 1km of downhill skiing, with a single marked piste, served by a total of 2 ski lifts. La Grave is directly linked by Ski Lift to the ski areas of Les Deux Alpes.
The ski resort itself is at 1,525m, so skiing or boarding back to the resort is usually possible. With ski lifts as high as 3,600m, skiing and snowboarding is assured throughout the season.
Notable Ski Runs
The longest possible descent in La Grave is 9km long.
Snow and Weather
When will it snow in La Grave?
The next notable snow forecast is 15cm, expected on 19 December, with around 64cm forecast over the next 7 days.
See our long-range Snow Forecast for the latest update, or Join our Snow Mail Here
Snow this week
| Wed | Thu | Fri | Sat | Sun | Mon | Tue |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Snow to 1,519m | Snow to base | Snow to base | Snow to base | Snow to base | Snow to base |
Ski Area Stats
La Grave Ski Area
| Blue Pistes Easy Trails | 1 | 1km |
|---|---|---|
| Downhill Total Length | 1km | |
| Ski Lifts Number of Lifts | 2 | |
Altitudes & Slopes
La Grave Ski Area Heights
| Highest Lift | 3,600m |
|---|---|
| Resort Altitude (La Grave) | 1,525m |
| Lowest Piste | 1,400m |
| Max Vertical | 2,150m |
Ski Slope Aspects
N, E
La Grave has ski slopes facing north (good for keeping the snow), as well as east.
Ratings & Suitability
| Freeriders | |
|---|---|
| Expert Skiers | |
| Intermediate Skiers | |
| Snowboarding | |
| Snow |
Skiing
La Grave is a stunning and wild mountain area. The term Ski Resort is barely appropriate; apart from the limited glacier skiing noted below, La Grave has no pistes or marked runs. There is a single telecabine that potters up to 3200 metres, pausing for a quick pick-up at an intermediate lift station with the elaborate name of 'P1'. From the top, there is no easy way down and you are warned that you proceed at your own risk - and they mean it.
You really should not ski La Grave on your own, and you should employ the services of the excellent local guides at all times - La Grave is an unpatrolled high mountain region with many lethal dangers; some apparent, some not. Just outside the lower lift station is a wooden Guide's Hut; the guide in residence can advise you on current conditions, the weather forecast and prevailing avalanche risks before you set off.
There is a single Blue run high on the glacier, to enable a ski over to Les Deux Alpes, but this is often only open from early February and depends on substantial snow cover.
Before leaving the top lift station you should have a good idea of your route down. There are two primary itineraries; the Vallons de Chancel and the Vallons de la Meije - either side of the ridge on which the telecabine is installed. Vallons de Chancel provides the easier run but both options offer spectacular off-piste descents with a mixture of steeps, open powder fields and (lower down) forest. Access to each valley requires initial care through fairly narrow, sometimes rocky, entry points. The common route into Vallons de la Meije then requires negotiation of a fairly steep scree slope with an entry that can be challenging.
The start of either run should be enough to get the pulse racing but from then on your guide can choose a specific route to suit your preferences and ability. Cliff drops and steep, narrow couloirs are available for those that wish (or those who ski without a guide!) but good snow conditions should see you enjoying powder all the way down to the tree line where trails will take you back to P1 or the village.
Many more extreme variations are available, including lÓrciére de Droites which descends from the Dome de la Lauze at 3550m. Described by those who know as very serious and involving crevasses, avalanche risk and probable wind slab; skiers and boarders attempting it need solid route-finding skills to successfully navigate 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 back up to walk out.
You are strongly advised to research La Grave further; it is a skiing experience with few rivals in Europe but you must acquaint yourself with the dangers. You can contact the local mountain guides through the La Grave website.
La Grave offers good sking, particularly, for Expert skiers.
Ski Lessons in La Grave
To choose a Ski School, and book Group Ski Lessons or a Private Instructor, see La Grave Ski Schools and La Grave Ski Instructors.
Snowboarding
The un-tamed, natural terrain of La Grave is a freeride paradise, for experienced snowboarders. Beginners should head over to the small ski area at nearby Le Chazelet - or head elsewhere.
Location and Map
Where is La Grave?
This ski resort is in the French Alps in Briançon, Hautes-Alpes.
Map
Tap 
for Full-Screen, or see J2Ski's Resort map, showing Hotels and Ski Shops.
How to get there
By Air
The nearest airport to La Grave is Limoges, 64 minutes drive away.
Grenoble, Chambery, Brive, Lyon St-Exupéry, Lyon Bron, Clermont-Ferrand, Annecy, Geneva and Turin Cuneo airports are all within three hours drive.
Limoges is just one hours drive away, in good driving conditions, so you can be on the piste quickly.
Infrastructure
Ski Lift Capacity
The two ski lifts are able to uplift 450 skiers and snowboarders every hour.
Season Dates
When is La Grave open?
Opened (since 7 December 2024).
Usual opening is early December (Opens start December subject to snow conditions), and usual closing is Late April.
NOTE:- Ski area, lift and piste opening is subject to Current Snow Conditions.
Aprés Ski
La Grave is not the place for banging night life. If you're happy to share a few (quiet) beers with some serious skiers and boarders then you shouldn't be disappointed. The Glaciers Bar and Les Vallons are usually the livelier of the half dozen choices available. No nightclubs, unsurprisingly.
