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Challenging Black runs in les 3 Vallées
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Post category On slope in Courchevel

The most challenging black runs in les 3 Vallées

Which is the steepest slope in the 3 Valleys?

Plan Fontaine, Le Grand Couloir or La Combe du Vallon ?

For the competitive, the crazy, the fearless, those who want to challenge friends or save themselves a personal challenge for the weekend... The choice is yours on the 34 black runs in the 3 Vallées ski area. Here is our selection of the 6 most remarkable black runs in the 3 Vallées, not to be missed if you think you have a mind of steel! Get your thighs ready, they're bound to get hot!

The Grand Couloir in Courchevel, the most challenging black run in the 3 Vallées, no contest!

Other black runs in Courchevel

Eclipse, In the spotlight

The drama of the World Ski Championships will unfold on this stage as the world’s best skiers will race at breakneck speeds down this run which is hailed as one of the most difficult on the circuit. Situated below the Col de la Loze, the descent begins in a luminous open landscape, followed by a succession of turns and jumps in the shade of the forest. This visibility challenge gave the slope its name: Eclipse!

Triumphant skiers will arrive in Le Praz, the mountain village which will buzz with the excitement of hosting this exceptional world ski championships.

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 3,2km,
  • Average gradient : 30%
  • Altitude drop : 950m
  • Access : Bouc Blanc or Plantrey chairlifts or Chenus gondola

The M, An intense descent

Depart from the summit of Vizelle for this long and sustained black run. The challenge: try and ski all the way down without stopping!

Where did the name come from? In the early days, the slopes were named alphabetically (A, B, C etc.) But once 26 pistes had been reached, this way of naming was dropped and a title was given to each slope. Except M, which remains ‘M’ to this day!

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,26km
  • Average gradient : 35%
  • Altitude drop : 440m
  • Access : Vizelle gondola, Suisses or Marmottes chairlift

Les suisses, a name

Under the line of the chairlift of Les Suisses is one of the most famous black runs of the resort of Courchevel: La noire des Suisses. Famous for its length and difficulty, this technical run, often in the shade, is to be added to your checklist of black runs in the 3 Valleys if you haven't tried it yet! Preferably to be skied when the snow is fresh and the slope is groomed: in this case this slope is a treat, otherwise, prepare your thighs to go down a field of bumps!

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,9km
  • Average gradient : 25%
  • Altitude drop : 458m Access : Suisses or Marmottes chairlift, Vizelle Gondola

Chanrossa, Away from the crowds

At the arrival of the Chanrossa chairlift, this black slope is a little jewel of Courchevel, next to the imposing Aiguille du Fruit. The steep and sustained descent is done in this "high mountain" atmosphere, you almost feel like in Alaska!

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,3km,
  • Average Gradient : 30%
  • Altitude Drop : 347m
  • Access : Chanrossa chairlift

Jean Blanc, pine black

From the top of the Plantrey chairlift, this narrow and tortuous run crosses a sublime forest to reach Le Praz. From the top of the Plantrey chairlift, this narrow and tortuous run crosses a sublime forest to reach Le Praz.

Technical average :

  • Lenght : 2,4km,
  • Average gradient : 32%
  • Altitude drop : 770m
  • Access : Plantrey or Bouc Blanc Chairlift, Chenus gondola

Other challenging runs in the 3 Vallées

A perfect spot

Julie - Méribel

A pure moment of great skiing in a north-facing sector - perfect snow guaranteed - and it’s never busy! Get ready to ski “Julie” – a black run with bumps and a sustained slope, perfect for warming up those thighs! If you can lift your eyes for a moment, you’ll spot Mont Blanc in the background of this spectacular setting.

Where did the name come from? Formerly known as Bartavelle, this run was renamed to honour Méribel snowboard champion, Julie POMAGALSKI.

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,3km,
  • Average gradient : 31%
  • Altitude drop : 408m
  • Access : Roc de Tougne chairlift from Méribel-Mottaret
Julie neighbor

Bartavelle - Méribel

Under the Roc de Tougne chairlift, on a little frequented and very wild sector, with a clear view on the Mont Blanc. The descent on the Bartavelle slope is demanding, sustained, with a small passage in a canyon atmosphere that breaks the rhythm. Kingdom of the "old fashioned" bumps, the slope welcomes national competitions of ski de bosse.

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 648m
  • Average gradient : 39%
  • Altitude drop : 255m
  • Access : Roc de Tougne chairlift from Méribel-Mottaret
Black & Wild

Grande Rosière - Méribel

The descent on the Grande Rosière trail offers a wild getaway on the edge of the park. This straight run, far from the other runs and the rest of the ski area, is a delight on powder days because it remains ungroomed. With a plunging view on the valley of Méribel and the village of Mottaret, we love it !

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,2km
  • Average gradient : 39%
  • Altitude drop : 470m
  • Access : Pas du Lac, Saulire or Vizelle
An Olympique run

La face - Méribel

Next to the Roc de Fer piste, this is a legendary black run.

An intense start is followed with some more gentle areas that allow you plenty of freedom of expression. Good to know: it was on this ski slope that the women’s ski races in the 1992 Albertville Olympics took place.

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,8km
  • Average gradient : 26%
  • Altitude drop : 475m
  • Access Olympic chairlift in Méribel
Les Menuires’ hidden gem

Dame Blanche - Menuires

Only accessible by drag lift, and therefore remaining off the beaten track, this piste is definitely worth a detour if you are an advanced skier. After a relatively steep start on a ridge, you drop down onto this piste to overlook the wild ‘Vallée du Loup’ (Valley of the Wolf).

Top tip: try it out the day after a snowfall if you enjoy powder runs… This little-known piste often remains untracked until late morning. Ideal for your trip to the Belleville Valley!

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 1,8km,
  • Average gradient : 30%
  • Altitude drop : 543m
  • Access : Via the La Masse telecabine, then the Masse drag lift.
Epic run

Combe de Caron - Val Thorens

Take in the grandiose panorama at the top of the legendary Cime de Caron cable car, then launch into this iconic black run in Val Thorens. After an initial first section which is relatively steep, then into a bottleneck, it opens into a large valley with exceptional snow due to its north-facing aspect. The landscape that unfurls as you ski is extraordinary, almost lunar.

Technical features :

  • Lenght : 2,3km,
  • Average gradient : 28%
  • Altitude drop : 652m
  • Access : via the Cime Caron cable car
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