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Espace Killy Off Piste Skiing
| Off Piste Skiing in the Espace Killy |
It is important to stress that with off-piste skiing, there is not the security of a patrolled, some-times over-safe domain where risk taking is minimal. Skiing or snowboarding away from the marked slopes means higher risks including avalanches and accidents and the skier must be fully aware of this and the responsibility for himself and others.
The Espace Killy is one of the best places in the French Alpes for easily accessible, extensive off-piste. Please remember, the following is not a set of instructions or directions, and you go off piste at your risk. |
| Off Piste in Bellevarde |
The Banana
This is a very large vertical drop. The snow here heats up early so aim to ski this section in the morning. Go down the start of the Face from the top of the Olympique cable car and at the first bend to the left, continue straight on past an obvious rock on the right hand side. The first slope is very easy and leads to a level area with rocks at the end. Go left of these rocks down to another level section before taking the slope right down to the bottom of Santons.
The Charvet Tour
This is the best-known off-piste run in Val. Because of its south-facing aspect however, there is a high risk of snow-sliding so be especially wary in the afternoon.
Take the Grand Pré chairlift and at the top, carry on along the line of the lift before cutting in right at the large flat area. From here, the less experienced skiers can continue traversing to the right towards the far end of the bowl and then follow the bottom of the valley back to the left. Others may prefer to go straight down. Depending on the snow cover, you can take either bank of the Charvet stream towards the gorge, a narrow but lovely pitch. From here, follow the slight descent beside the river to the Manchet valley.
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Off Piste in La Daille |
There is also extensive off-piste around this area which involves no walking or climbing, simply powder practice. In addition, just off the top of the Tommeuses lift, to the side of the Creux, is a pitch of moguls which come and go throughout the winter season. There are also the ‘naturide’ runs (Paquerettes at the top of the Tommeuses), which are left un-groomed for skiers and boarders to negotiate more difficult terrain.
The Lost Valley
This run can involve picking ones way through rocks and branches along a narrow path but it is one of the most beautiful in resort and can be a lot of fun. It can be reached by passing above the bottom station of the Tommeuses chairlift and dropping down to the right. Follow this canyon down through the tricky passages to the La Daille buildings. |
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Off Piste in Le Fornet |
The Shoulder of the Petit Signal
From the top of the Signal lift, go over the col and traverse immediately to the left. Go along the crestline and ski down to the foot of the rock tower at the top of Petit Signal. Traverse to the right of this block, and then ski down a few metres, across a cornice to a wide hilltop. From here, head to the top of the Fornet cable car which you can see easily.
The Great Pissaillas
This run is very close to the slopes and lifts and the snow conditions are good due to the altitude. From the top of the Cascade Express, ski down the Moraine run until you reach a long, level stretch. From here, you can leave the piste wherever you want. To avoid any danger, stay near the lift cables.
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
| Off Piste in Le Solaise |
The Lavancher Couloir
From the top of the Solaise Express, turn left perpendicular to the chairlift. The slope gets gradually steeper and opens out into a wide wall. The Lavancher couloir is below and to the left of this flat section. It is more than 5m all the way down but is quite steep and continues towards Val d’Isere through the trees.
The Super L
From the start of Piste L, follow the Iseran route which leads to the start of the Mattis. Throughout the whole length you can always turn left off-piste to the bottom of the Laisinant valley. The closer you get to the start of the Mattis, the greater the drop.
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last updated 3-Dec-2007 |
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