Conquer the Summits: The Black Runs and Couloirs of Les 3 Vallées

Conquer the Summits: The Black Runs and Couloirs of Les 3 Vallées

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The Most Extreme Routes for Bold Skiers

Les 3 Vallées, a true jewel of the Alps, stands out for its variety of slopes suited to all levels. But for the most seasoned skiers, the real adventure begins in the vertiginous heights of the black runs and couloirs. Here, every descent is a test of strength, where technique and courage are paramount. This vast domain, known as the largest ski area in the world, houses some of the most demanding and spectacular runs, offering thrilling experiences and breathtaking panoramas.

Whether you're seeking steep slopes, pristine snow, or awe-inspiring landscapes, the black runs and couloirs of Les 3 Vallées promise an unparalleled experience. Each resort, Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, and Orelle, has sculpted its mountains to offer the boldest skiers unique descents, where every turn presents a new challenge and every glide is a communion with raw nature.

Prepare for an unforgettable adventure, where the Alpine peaks transform into a playground for extreme skiing enthusiasts. Fasten your skis, take a deep breath, and launch yourself into the most formidable runs in the world of Les 3 Vallées.

Freeride Skiing in Les Menuires
Lac Noir Slope

COURCHEVEL: ALPINE EXCELLENCE

Courchevel, one of the most prestigious resorts in Les 3 Vallées, is renowned for its unmatched quality of slopes and magnificent landscapes. This resort is a prime destination for those seeking to combine the thrill of skiing with the beauty of Alpine panoramas. Courchevel's black runs are no exception to this standard of excellence. Here, every descent is a true adventure. Whether it's the majestic solitude of the Chanrossa run, the technical challenge of the Suisses, or the intensity of the Grand Couloir, Courchevel offers routes that meet the expectations of the most seasoned skiers.

It's an invitation to explore varied terrains, where every turn hides a new challenge, and where nature seems to bow before your skis. Courchevel promises a refined skiing experience, set in a grand Alpine setting, where adrenaline blends with the serenity of snow-covered peaks.

Freeride Run in Courchevel

Courchevel Valley

Chanrossa

Chanrossa

A Journey to Alaska

  • Nestled at the foot of the imposing Aiguille du Fruit, the Chanrossa piste offers a full immersion into a wild landscape, far from the crowds. This black run, although short, captivates with its steep slope that ends on a flatter section, perfect for catching your breath.
  • Why go: For its majestic setting and the ambiance reminiscent of Alaska's vast expanses.
    • Access: Take the Chanrossa chairlift for a journey into the unknown.

Suisses

Suisses

The Timeless Classic

  • The Suisses piste is a must for any skier seeking a challenge. Known for its length and difficulty, it becomes an absolute delight when freshly groomed. With steep slopes and a frequently shaded exposure, it demands impeccable technique.
  • Why go: For technical skiing in a shaded setting, an unmissable classic.
    • Access: Reachable via the Suisses chairlift, or by joining the area from Vizelle or Marmottes.

M

M

The Ultimate Challenge

  • Start your descent from the top of the Vizelle gondola and prepare yourself for a demanding effort on this committed run. The M piste, long and steep, requires maximum concentration, especially when well-groomed. If you prefer moguls, it will not disappoint.
  • Why go: For its challenging nature and the variety of terrain it offers.
    • Access: Suisses or Marmottes chairlift, or Vizelle gondola.

L’Eclipse

L’Eclipse

The Champions' Stage

  • Formerly known as the Jockeys piste, L'Eclipse was redesigned to host the 2023 World Championships. With a vertical drop of 970 meters over 3.3 km, it offers an average slope of 30%, punctuated by tight turns and steep drops.
  • Why go: To relive the experience of champions racing down the slope at over 120 km/h.
    • Access: Plantrey or Bouc Blanc chairlift, or Chenus gondola.

Jean Blanc

Jean Blanc

The Pioneers' Legacy

  • Descend this narrow and winding piste that weaves through the forest from the top of the Plantrey chairlift down to Le Praz. A former World Cup run, it carries the name of one of the founders of Courchevel.
    • Access: Plantrey or Bouc Blanc chairlift, or Chenus gondola.

Grand Couloir

Grand Couloir

Pure Adrenaline

  • A true black run par excellence, the Grand Couloir offers an ungroomed descent where conditions vary between moguls and powder. The high-mountain atmosphere is enhanced by the Croix des Verdons on the left and towering cliffs on the right.
  • Why go: For the aerial ambiance and the dizzying slope.
    • Access: Saulire Express gondola or Saulire cable car.
black run in Courchevel
Combe du Vallon Slope

MÉRIBEL: THE WILD HEART OF LES 3 VALLÉES

Located at the heart of Les 3 Vallées, Méribel stands out with its authentic charm and slopes that wind through wild and unspoiled landscapes. This resort embodies the perfect balance between tradition and modernity, offering ski routes that thrill enthusiasts while immersing them in pristine nature.

Méribel's black runs, such as Grande Rosière and Bartavelle, are a true call to adventure for those who love to confront the mountain at its most raw. 

Technical descents, canyon passages, and breathtaking views of the surrounding massifs make Méribel a top destination for skiers seeking challenges.

Here, the mountain reveals itself in its most authentic form, where every descent is a wild adventure, a moment of communion with majestic and sometimes untamed nature. It’s a skiing experience that goes far beyond mere gliding, where each run tells a story, and every turn is an invitation to explore.

black run in Méribel
Campagnol Slope

Méribel Valley

Grande Rosière

Grande Rosière

The Wild Escape

  • Located on the edge of the national park, far from the hustle and bustle, the Grande Rosière piste is the perfect getaway. With stunning views over the Méribel valley and the village of Mottaret, this run is a real treat on powder days when it's ungroomed.
  • Why go: For a wild skiing experience in a pristine setting.
    • Access: Pas du Lac, Saulire, or Vizelle.

Bartavelle

Bartavelle

The Moguls' Kingdom

  • Beneath the Roc de Tougne chairlift, the Bartavelle piste stands out with its demanding nature and canyon-like passage. With views of Mont Blanc, it is the perfect playground for those who love old-school moguls.
  • Why go: For the technique and challenge of moguls on varied terrain.
    • Access: Roc de Tougne chairlift, Teppes draglift.

La Face

La Face

An Olympic Legend

  • Famous for hosting the women’s downhill events during the Albertville 1992 Olympics, La Face is a sunlit piste with varied terrain, perfect for early morning runs. It gives you the feeling of being a champion in the heat of competition.
  • Why go: To feel the Olympic magic and enjoy breathtaking views over the Méribel valley.
    • Access: Legends chairlift followed by the Olympic chairlift.

L’écureuil

L’écureuil

The Ultimate "Puff" Experience

  • Starting from the ridges between Saint Martin de Belleville and Méribel, this piste is best enjoyed the day after a snowfall. Savor the panoramic view before diving into exquisite powder.
    • Access: Legends chairlift and Tougnète 2 chairlift.

La piste des Bosses

La piste des Bosses

The Post-Snow Delight

  • Fully immersed between alpine meadows and forest, this piste is pure joy after fresh snowfall. Early birds can enjoy an untouched descent, perfect for carving through fresh powder.
    • Access: Legends chairlift.

Ibex

Ibex

The Méribel Couloir

  • A recent addition to the black runs, Ibex is a couloir that promises to challenge you in complete safety. With its 650 meters of length and a maximum slope of 33°, it offers a significant challenge for seasoned skiers.
    • Access: Top of the Bouquetin chairlift / Roc des 3 Marches.

Couloir Tournier

Couloir Tournier

A Breathtaking Panorama

  • From the top of Saulire, this couloir offers a spectacular view of the Méribel valley, Courchevel, and Mont Blanc. It's the perfect playground for beginners looking to try couloir skiing in an authentic mountain setting.
  • Why go: For the stunning view and the technical skiing experience.
    • Access: Saulire Express gondola.
freeride in Courchevel

LES MENUIRES: NATURAL ADVENTURE

Nestled in the heart of the Belleville Valley, Les Menuires offers a wilder side of Les 3 Vallées, where nature reigns supreme. Known for its friendly and family-oriented atmosphere, the resort is also an exceptional playground for seasoned skiers hungry for steep slopes and powder snow.

The black runs in Les Menuires, such as Masse and Rocher Noir, are designed for adventurers who aren't afraid to take on a challenge.

Here, the mountain reveals its most authentic aspect, with dizzying descents where every meter of the slope is a new victory. Whether it's the speed of the Masse run or the intensity of Rocher Noir, Les Menuires delivers thrills in a preserved natural setting.

It’s an experience of pure skiing, where the mountain constantly reminds you of its power and majesty. Challenges abound, but the reward is worth it: breathtaking panoramas and a unique sense of accomplishment.

Masse Run in Les Menuires
Masse Slope

Les Menuires

Masse

Masse

A Direct Dive

  • Right as you exit the Pointe de la Masse gondola, you dive straight into the action. With a vertical drop of 300 meters over 800 meters, this piste offers an intense experience, perfect for fresh snow enthusiasts.
  • Why go: For the immediate challenge and quick descent.
    • Access: La Pointe de la Masse gondola.

Dame Blanche

Dame Blanche

The Experts' Run

  • From the top of the Masse draglift, the Dame Blanche piste begins with an aerial section offering a view over the Vallon du Lou. The steep slope that follows will thrill experienced skiers seeking adrenaline.
  • Why go: For its striking start and sustained steepness.
    • Access: La Pointe de la Masse gondola followed by the Masse draglift.

Lac Noir

Lac Noir

A Solo Escape

  • Far from the crowded slopes, the Lac Noir piste takes you on a wild descent, surrounded by rocky valleys. At this altitude, the snow stays fresh, perfect for a tranquil adventure.
  • Why go: For the experience of an authentic mountain, away from it all.
    • Access: La Pointe de la Masse gondola.

Rocher Noir

Rocher Noir

The Uncompromising Slope

  • From a bend on a blue piste, the Rocher Noir piste dives towards the Doron stream. With a 500-meter vertical drop over 1.4 km, it demands total control, perfect for linking tight turns while enjoying its unique cold exposure.
  • Why go: For the challenge of the small walls and its unique cold exposure.
    • Access: La Pointe de la Masse gondola, Masse 1 gondola.

Léo Lacroix

Léo Lacroix

A Tribute to a Champion

  • Named in honor of French skier Léo Lacroix, this piste offers a demanding descent with 955 meters of vertical drop over 1.6 km. Its steep slopes, exposed to the south and west, are best tackled in the morning.
  • Why go: For a technical descent, reserved for experts.
  • Access: Bruyères 2 gondola, Mont de la Chambre chairlift.
Lac Noir Run in Les Menuires in Les 3 Vallées
Lac Noir Slope

VAL THORENS: THE KINGDOM OF THE PEAKS

Val Thorens, the highest resort in Europe, is a paradise for skiers seeking extreme thrills. Perched at an altitude of 2,300 meters, it offers exceptional snow coverage and breathtaking views of the surrounding summits. Here, altitude merges with excellence to provide some of the most prestigious black runs in the Alps.

Runs like Combe de Caron and Cascades take you into a high-altitude universe, where each descent is an adventure in itself.

With starting points above 3,000 meters, Val Thorens offers vertiginous routes that challenge your technique and composure to the fullest. It's here that the mountain reveals its full grandeur, with descents that defy the laws of gravity and majestic landscapes that stretch as far as the eye can see. For extreme skiing enthusiasts, Val Thorens is an unmissable destination, where every run is a new conquest of the peaks.

freeride in Orelle

Val thorens

Cascades

Cascades

The Safe "Off-Piste" Descent

  • Visible from the heart of the resort, the Cascades piste offers an ungroomed descent, perfect for enjoying fresh powder. Éric Berthon, the first moguls world champion, trained here, and you can follow in his footsteps by tackling this challenging run.
  • Why go: For the high-mountain feel and the proximity to the ice waterfalls.
    • Access: Cascades chairlift, Péclet funitel, Lac Blanc chairlift.

Combe de Caron

Combe de Caron

The Thrill of Height

  • Starting at 3,200 meters, the Combe de Caron is one of Val Thorens' most prestigious runs. Half piste, half couloir, it offers a challenging ski experience beneath the Cime Caron cable car, with a stunning 360° panoramic view.
  • Why go: For the unmatched panorama and the thrilling, challenging ski.
    • Access: Cime Caron cable car, Orelle-Caron gondola.

Armoise

Armoise

The Best-Kept Secret

  • In the sunny Boismint sector, the Armoise piste is an ungroomed technical run, perfect for a leg-burning workout while enjoying panoramic views of the Val Thorens cirque.
  • Why go: For the tranquility and the spectacular view.
  • Access: Boismint chairlift.
black run in Courchevel
M Slope

ORELLE: THE HIDDEN GEM OF LES 3 VALLÉES

Orelle, often regarded as the secret gateway to Les 3 Vallées, is a hidden treasure for skiers seeking technical challenges and solitude. Located on the border between Savoie and Maurienne, Orelle provides direct access to the highest peaks of the domain while remaining off the beaten path.

The Combe de Rosaël run, the only black slope in the area, is a true gem for seasoned skiers. With a 500-meter vertical drop over 2 km, it stands as a solitary challenge, set in a grandiose landscape where the mountain dictates the pace. Here, the snow remains fresh longer thanks to its south-facing exposure, offering optimal skiing conditions. Orelle presents an opportunity to discover a different side of Les 3 Vallées, more intimate, where each descent is a personal adventure in an exceptional natural setting.

Cime Caron in Val Thorens
Cime Caron

Orelle

Combe de Rosaël

Combe de Rosaël

The Solo Challenge

  • The only black run in Orelle is a must for technical skiers. Starting at 3,200 meters, this piste offers a 500-meter vertical drop over 2 km. With its southern exposure, it's best enjoyed early in the season or early in the morning.
  • Why go: For the breathtaking views of La Meije, Les Écrins, and the Aiguilles d’Arve.
    • Access: Orelle-Caron gondola, Cime Caron cable car.
Powder Snow in Orelle

THE CALL OF THE SUMMITS

The black runs and couloirs of Les 3 Vallées are more than just a skiing destination. they represent the pinnacle of mountain adventure, where nature unveils its most extreme challenges. Courchevel, Méribel, Les Menuires, Val Thorens, and Orelle: each resort contributes its own unique element to this unparalleled experience, where every descent is an invitation to push your limits.

Whether you're in search of thrills, breathtaking landscapes, or technical challenges, Les 3 Vallées offers an unmatched playground. Strap on your skis, take a deep breath, and prepare for an alpine adventure that will remain etched in your memory. The black runs and couloirs of Les 3 Vallées are waiting for you to write your own skiing story.

Les 3 Vallées

Exceed
Your Limits

Dive into the extreme with the legendary black slopes and dizzying couloirs of Les 3 Vallées. Face the ultimate challenges on the most demanding runs, where every turn is a surge of adrenaline. For expert skiers in search of thrilling sensations, this is where adventure truly comes to life. Push your limits, tackle unique challenges, and experience pure intensity on the most formidable terrain of the world’s largest ski area.