La Grave

1. Untamed Terrain

La Grave offers true off-piste freedom – virtually no groomed runs or trail markers, just a single lift accessing an entire mountain of untouched powder and glaciated steeps. It’s off-piste skiing at its purest, with no frills and no boundaries.

2. Massive Vertical

Experience leg-burning descents like nowhere else. The lift-served vertical drop is roughly 2,300 m (7,500 ft), allowing you to ski 6,000-foot runs from high alpine glaciers all the way to the valley floor in one go. Few places on Earth offer that kind of continuous fall-line.

3. Legendary Lines

Challenge yourself on famous routes and couloirs that have drawn the world’s best skiers for decades. This is the terrain where extreme skiing pioneer Doug Coombs made his mark – a bona fide mecca for those seeking the steep and deep. Every run here comes with serious bragging rights.

4. Authentic Alpine Vibe

The village of La Grave is a throwback to a simpler era – a small, historic mountain village with no resort glitz. Expect narrow streets, old stone buildings, a couple of friendly bars, and a laid-back local atmosphere. There are no crowds and no posh boutiques – just the essentials and genuine mountain culture.

5. Expert’s Playground

This trip is built for advanced to expert skiers who want the ultimate test of their skills. La Grave’s unpatrolled slopes and varied terrain (from open bowls to tight couloirs) will push you in the best way possible. It’s a “mecca for expert skiers craving unmarked runs, massive vertical, and untouched terrain” – in other words, if you dream of the wildest big-mountain skiing, this is the place.

Q: What do you recommend packing?

A: Please see the detailed packing list below.

Q: Will I be required to sign a waiver? 

A: Yes, all participants must sign a waiver as a condition of registration. Click here to review the waiver.

Q: Do I need to share a room?

A: No, if you'd feel more comfortable please inquire about our single supplement.

Q: What happens if ability levels are different in the group? 

A:We keep ratios reasonable to manage this and we do our best to create a compatible mix in the presale of the trip.  

Equipment:

• Skis and snowboards (touring setup if required)

• Boots

• Bindings

• Poles

• Helmet & goggles

• Gloves/mitts

• Waterproof outerwear

• Variety of warm layers

• Backpack (25L)

• Avalanche safety Gear (shovel, probe, beacon)

Other items:

• Slippers

• Sunscreen

• Buff/balaclava

• Lip protection

• Sunglasses

• Headlamp

• Water bottle

• Camera/phone

Don't Forget:

• Passport

• R/X / over the counter medications

• Power converter

• Travel & Personal Insurance

• Baggage

• Flight check in time

• Credit Card / Cash

Morning — You’ll wake up to chilly mountain air and a hearty breakfast spread at the hotel (think fresh baguettes, croissants, eggs, cereal, fruit, coffee – fuel for a big day). By 8:30 AM, we’re usually gearing up and convening in front of the hotel or lift. Avalanche transceivers on and checked, backpacks loaded with the day’s essentials (water, snack, extra layer, harness, etc.), and off we go. The lift ascends nearly 2,000 vertical meters, carrying us high into the alpine. At the top station (~3,200 m elevation), final preparations are made – perhaps crampons or harness secured if we plan to venture onto a glacier – and then the skiing. Typically, we’ll drop into a long descent right from the lift: the group follows the guides through vast bowls, powder fields, and maybe into a couloir or tree glade as we make our way down. The run could take an hour or more with brief stops, which often brings us either back to the mid-mountain station or all the way to the valley floor.

Lunch — By late morning or midday, we’ll pause for lunch. This might be at a rustic mountain hut or café partway down the mountain (there are a couple of mid-mountain establishments in La Grave), or we might ski all the way to the base and enjoy lunch in the village. Either way, it’s a chance to rest, refuel, and reminisce of the morning’s epic turns.

Afternoon — After lunch, it’s back up for Round Two. In the afternoon we’ll usually aim for a different route or sector of the mountain – exploring new terrain or revisiting a favorite spot in different light. The skiing often goes until about 3:30 PM (lift closing time can vary). On a great powder day, you might squeeze in two huge runs; on an easy cruiser day, maybe three slightly shorter laps – quality trumps quantity here, as each run is enormous. By day’s end, we ski right back into La Grave village.

Après/Evening — A typical finish to the ski day involves gathering at a local watering hole – picture a tiny stone après bar filled with happy skiers, sharing high-vibes and beers, basking in that La Grave glow. Once we’ve had our fill of après, it’s a short stroll back to the hotel. Evenings are your time to relax and recharge. Some guests visit the hotel’s sauna or enjoy a hot shower/bath to soothe the muscles. Others might browse the village’s ski shop or simply kick back in the lounge. Come 7:00–7:30 PM, everyone convenes again for dinner in the hotel restaurant. Over a four-course feast and plenty of wine, we relive the day’s adventures and make plans for tomorrow. By 9:30 or 10 PM, with bellies full and bodies pleasantly tired, most guests are ready to crawl into bed. A good night’s sleep is important – because tomorrow we get to do it all again!