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Notre Dame des Neiges

Serre Chevalier

Steep SE facing lines that come into their own in perfect spring snow.

Freeride Skiing Difficult

Distance
1.2 km
Ascent
1 m
Descent
354 m
Low Point
2 km
High Point
2.3 km
Gradient
39˚
Notre Dame des Neiges Map

The chapel of Notre Dame des Neiges was originally intended to be built much lower down the mountain but as soon as the work began, legend has it that the materials used to build it kept mysteriously disappearing at night then reappearing up the mountain in its present location. Taking this as a sign from above, the chapel was instead built here, in its current location. Perhaps it is also divine intervention that the chapel sits just above a steep exciting skiing face? There are cliffs directly below the chapel but to either side of it are two very skiable faces that can be good in cold winter snow. Given they face SE they tend to be quickly affected by the sun though so they really come into their own in spring snow. Time your descent right and you’ll get a run that feels heaven sent.

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between December and April

Features

  • Cliffs

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area