ChrisC
Well-known member
After skiing Montgenevre/Claviere, I drove over to Alpe d'Huez, France. Over the next hour and a half you pass an amazing French off-piste/freeride resort every 20-30 minutes :
Some photos leaving Serre Chevalier heading up to the Col du Lautaret (2,058 m/6,752 ft) and down to La Grave. The snowline was about 1800 meters, therefore you could see green grass in the Serre Chevalier valley at 1300-1400 meters.
Backside/east-face of La Meije from the pass.
La Grave had a tragic Winter 2024-25 where a calamity of errors snowballed:
La Grave further delayed its opening - finally opening March 29th to May 11th. A very contracted to non-existent winter season!
I inquired with the Skier's Lodge to see if they had any availability for overnight/guided group for a day or two, but no luck. Skiers who cancelled earlier decided to come later. During midwinter they bused skiers to Les Deux Alpes for the day, and groups would cross over to La Grave for a late afternoon home run to the village.
Given the Spring conditions, I was not tempted to get a private guide since I skied most routes during three days in January 2006, and it was not possible to ski to the valley floor on north side or backside. I also skipped La Grave in 2023 since I could not find a guided group, and there had not been recent new snow.
La Grave Piste Map.
There was no snow in La Grave proper at 1500m, but it appeared there was enough at 1800m for skiers to make it to P1, the mid-station of the first section of the gondola. If P1 is closed, you lose the ability to ski the right side of the mountain below.
The surface lift at the to of the Gondola on the Glacier Girose is having issues (barely operable) due to glacier retreat (similar to Blackcomb). The town is debating what to do about it:
www.theguardian.com
Currently, AEON Lift Company (operates Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d'Huez as well as La Grave) is tentatively planning a tram for summer 2026. Likely a good thing in my opinion. https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/la-grave-la-meije/ski-lifts/l112415/
Some pictures of the iconic Téléphérique/Pulse-gondola from just outside the west side of town; it only has a capacity of 440 skiers per hour:
I arrived in Alpe d'Huez near sunset at 7pm+. Alpe d'Huez at 1800m still had deep snow bases, while the historic town of Huez at 1500m had no snow.
Nice alpenglow over the Alpe d'Huez complex, specifically north-facing Signal De L'Homme 2180m which connects to Auris (quicker connection to La Grave/Les Deux Alpes)
There were numerous deals at various inns/lodges in Alpe d'Huez where one could get a room half-board (breakfast and dinner) at 100-150 Euros per night/person during the week. I stayed at the Pic Blanc which is located at the base of the Marmottes 1, 2 and 3 Lifts.
Dinners were great and the breakfast buffet extensive. Generally, I through a few things into my pack for a quick lunch either on the lift or a table.
To be continued.
- Montgenevre/Claviere
- Serre Chevalier (Interestingly, Serre Che's Briancon east base is closer to Montgenevre than to Serre Che's west base at La Monetier)
- La Grave
- Les Deux Alpes
- Alpe d'Huez
Some photos leaving Serre Chevalier heading up to the Col du Lautaret (2,058 m/6,752 ft) and down to La Grave. The snowline was about 1800 meters, therefore you could see green grass in the Serre Chevalier valley at 1300-1400 meters.
Backside/east-face of La Meije from the pass.
La Grave had a tragic Winter 2024-25 where a calamity of errors snowballed:
The 2024-2025 winter season in La Grave experienced a brutal start due to a cable damage issue, which delayed the opening of the Glaciers de la Meije lift indefinitely. Initially scheduled to open on December 21, 2024, the lift faced a safety check that revealed significant cable damage, leading to its closure and a significant impact on local tourism. Further complications arose when a cable snapped during repairs on January 20, damaging a pylon and further disrupting the recovery process. Despite these setbacks, the lift is now scheduled to reopen on March 15, 2025, with extended weekday and weekend operations.
La Grave further delayed its opening - finally opening March 29th to May 11th. A very contracted to non-existent winter season!
I inquired with the Skier's Lodge to see if they had any availability for overnight/guided group for a day or two, but no luck. Skiers who cancelled earlier decided to come later. During midwinter they bused skiers to Les Deux Alpes for the day, and groups would cross over to La Grave for a late afternoon home run to the village.
Given the Spring conditions, I was not tempted to get a private guide since I skied most routes during three days in January 2006, and it was not possible to ski to the valley floor on north side or backside. I also skipped La Grave in 2023 since I could not find a guided group, and there had not been recent new snow.
La Grave Piste Map.
There was no snow in La Grave proper at 1500m, but it appeared there was enough at 1800m for skiers to make it to P1, the mid-station of the first section of the gondola. If P1 is closed, you lose the ability to ski the right side of the mountain below.
The surface lift at the to of the Gondola on the Glacier Girose is having issues (barely operable) due to glacier retreat (similar to Blackcomb). The town is debating what to do about it:

Piste off! Skiers fear new lift will threaten La Grave’s old school charm
Proposals to build a cable car to access the retreating glacier have sparked a debate about the future of this low-key resort loved by ski tourers
Currently, AEON Lift Company (operates Les 2 Alpes and Alpe d'Huez as well as La Grave) is tentatively planning a tram for summer 2026. Likely a good thing in my opinion. https://www.skiresort.info/ski-resort/la-grave-la-meije/ski-lifts/l112415/
Some pictures of the iconic Téléphérique/Pulse-gondola from just outside the west side of town; it only has a capacity of 440 skiers per hour:
I arrived in Alpe d'Huez near sunset at 7pm+. Alpe d'Huez at 1800m still had deep snow bases, while the historic town of Huez at 1500m had no snow.
Nice alpenglow over the Alpe d'Huez complex, specifically north-facing Signal De L'Homme 2180m which connects to Auris (quicker connection to La Grave/Les Deux Alpes)
There were numerous deals at various inns/lodges in Alpe d'Huez where one could get a room half-board (breakfast and dinner) at 100-150 Euros per night/person during the week. I stayed at the Pic Blanc which is located at the base of the Marmottes 1, 2 and 3 Lifts.
Dinners were great and the breakfast buffet extensive. Generally, I through a few things into my pack for a quick lunch either on the lift or a table.
To be continued.
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