FATMAP by Strava

Dou des Lanches Face

3 Valleys

La Tania

Meribel

Vanoise Massif

An easily accessed powder field with lots of drops, trees and open fields of powder

Freeride Skiing Difficult

Distance
1.3 km
Ascent
4 m
Descent
533 m
Low Point
1.8 km
High Point
2.3 km
Gradient
47˚
Dou des Lanches Face Map

As you get off the Dou des Lanches chair turn right immediately and go back on yourself between Le Roc restaurant and the liftie hut. Rather than heading back down under the lift veer left (there will often be tracks already there) about 30 degrees and head over a small rise and keep to the left of the hut. As you pass the hut you'll follow along the ridge of the Dou des Lanches face. The further you go the less tracked it will be but there are four faces separated by three spines that you can ride down. The spines are all difficult and should be taken slowly first time till you get to know them and the two furthest faces also require sensible navigation. The top section is about 150 vertical metres and out of sight of the chair lift but as you come out from between the spines there is an open powder field that shallows out from which you can head right towards the Dou des Lanches black run and chair. Cut right fairly early after you come out into the open field to avoid the cordoned-off grouse hibernation area which is almost always untracked but skiing it is strictly forbidden.

Description

The closer to the chair lift you are, the more cliff drops you'll find and as you begin to traverse further the more trees there are. Once you get to know the different faces you'll be able to link several cliff drops, wide open turns and tight tree sections all in the same run down. There is so much fun to be had here and when the conditions are right you can spend a whole day lapping the Dou des Lanches chair and still find fresh lines at last lifts!

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 March

Features

  • Trees
  • Cliffs

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area