LA GRAVE, FRANCE
ABOUT
La Grave is a quiet village tucked on the edge of the Parc National des Écrins in the French Alps. It is known for its incredible collection of couloirs, steep ski lines, freeride lines, wild beauty and unique ambiance. There are no groomed runs in La Grave and it is not a “ski area” in the classic sense of the term. There is one main lift that drops you off on the edge of a glacier and two major valleys, and every descent is a backcountry run. It’s like nothing you’ve ever experienced before. La Grave should be on every skiers bucket list!
I spent my first season skiing here when I was seventeen after graduating high school a year early. It was here where my true big mountain education began. In my early twenties, my goal was to eventually become a ski guide in La Grave. I am incredibly happy and fortunate to now call this town home and to have fulfilled that life dream.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Typically groups come for around 4-6 days to explore this incredible ski destination. Every trip and every day is different. We let the mountains and conditions tell us where to ski each day, seeking out the best descents for the group. Depending on your group’s abilities and desires, we can use the Télépherique (the main gondola) everyday to maximize descending, or we can do a combination of lift access and ski touring, or we can ski tour the entire week.
HOW GOOD OF A SKIER DO I NEED TO BE
While La Grave is famous for its extreme skiing, there are also many descents for advanced/intermediate skiers. To truly enjoy La Grave, it’s best to be a strong downhill skier: comfortable skiing in all snow conditions (powder, firm, icy, crusty) on black slopes.
Group Size
4 skiers to 1 guide is the best maximum ratio. This allows us to ski the vast majority of La Grave’s infamous descents.
For extremely technical descents a 2:1 or 1:1 ratio is required. For example: the “Pan de Rideau” descent is a 1:1 ratio.
However, if you are a larger group looking to ski just the classic runs, I can accommodate up to 6:1, but it limits the terrain we can ski.
LOGISTICS
Contact me if you are interested in booking a trip. I will let you know my remaining availability for the season and then you can pick the best dates for you. Once the dates are decided, I will help you with any and all of your questions about travel, lodging and any other logistics. Hope to ski with you soon!
Cost
Contact me for a quote for your trip. Typically up to 4 skiers maximum is the ratio I recommend.
Includes:
UIAGM/IFMGA certified guide
Transportation to nearby ski areas or touring parking lots if necessary
Free use of backpack/transceiver/shovel/probe/harness if you need to borrow
Pre and during logistics assistance. I will help answer all your travel questions to make your trip as smooth as possible.
Not included are your expenses for the trip (travel, lodging, food, etc), and any additional expenses such as nights at huts for you and your guide.
