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Chirouze Classic

La Grave

Les Deux Alpes and La Grave

2300m of legendary, serious, wild and committing skiing

Also in Hautes-Alpes, France

Freeride Skiing Severe

Distance
4.9 km
Ascent
0 m
Descent
2.2 km
Low Point
1.3 km
High Point
3.5 km
Gradient
47˚
Chirouze Classic Map

2300 vertical metres of serious adventure down every kind of terrain you can imagine. The route finding is tricky, the route steep and exposed but when the conditions come together for this legendary outing it will be a line you will never forget. It can be useful to leave a car at the Grand Clot avalanche barriers or arrange transport to avoid a long walk home.

Description

The line starts down the glacier from the top of the Girose / 2nd Trifides drag lift. Follow the fall line heading almost directly under the Dome de la Lauze. Just before the small flattening, head skiers right to cross over before the rock face and seracs. Ski the tongue of the glacier to the right of a shoulder. Follow the series of bowls and gullies but make sure you catch the traverse off left to avoid the deep gorge below. When you reach the obvious square rock in the middle of an exposed slope, continue descending very slightly skiers left, until two larch trees. A rope can be useful for the traverse. A fall would almost certainly be fatal. Enjoy the final few turns before reaching the bridge to cross over to the main road.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Extreme Exposure (E4)

4 out of 4

In case of a fall, the skier faces certain death.

Remoteness

4 out of 4

In the high mountains or remote conditions, all individuals must be completely autonomous in every situation.

Best time to visit

between February and March

Features

  • Glacier

Equipment required

  • Rope

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area