THE BEST FREESTYLE RESORT
Les 7 Laux
This ski area situated 45 minutes from Grenoble and Chambéry is the rising star of freestyle resorts. Like some American resorts, which have put all their eggs in the freestyle basket, the people who run Les 7 Laux have given the keys of the snow-park to a talented group of snowboarders, the HO5 crew. Building a snow-park requires detailed know-how, otherwise the modules (a mound that can take on several shapes: kicker, table, quarter-pipe, etc.) can turn out to be dangerous. "A good 10-metre table is much less dangerous than a bad 3-metre one” explains Nicolas Watier, a member of HO5. The other key to a good snow-park is a variety of modules for all ability levels, and so Les 7 Laux boasts both a park for experienced boarders and a park for beginners. The last key point: for a good park, investment is necessary to have full-time grooming and "shapers" (for surveying and maintaining the snow-park’s modules). A genuine success.
Contact: Office du tourisme - +33 (0)4 76 08 17 86
THE BEST FREERIDE RESORT
Paradiski: Les Arcs, la Plagne, Peisey Vallandry
During winter 2003/2004, the Paradiski ski area was in the news: a new resort and a new ski area came into being, something you don’t see every day in the Alps! Arc 1950 emerged from the ground and a new cable car link, the Vanoise Express, was built to link the areas of Les Arcs and La Plagne. The new ski area of Paradiski lives up to its name: it is a real paradise for free-riders. From the great slopes of Les Arcs to the northern face of Bellecôte at La Plagne, free-riders are spoiled for choice. "Whatever the weather, however much snow there is, given the variety of directions in which the slopes face, you cannot fail to find some good snow", according to a snowboarder from La Plagne.
=> See the info sheet for Les Arcs
=> See the info sheet for la Plagne
=> See the info sheet for Peisey Vallandry
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THE BEST SLOPES
Val Thorens
The highest resort in Europe, at an altitude of 2300 metres, is also one of the sportiest. There are plenty of varied off-piste routes (on the Péclet glacier or toward the neighbouring valley of Maurienne) and the slopes extend their reach right to the top of the 3200-metre Cime Caron peak. The Boismint slope is a good example of what Val Thorens has to offer: it is like a balcony that looks down over the entire Belleville valley and beyond. The view is magnificent and so is the skiing: if you follow the relief of the (blue or red) slope as closely as possible, Boismint gives snowboarders sensations of smoothness and speed that it is hard to find elsewhere. A temptation that you just cannot resist!
Contact : Office du tourisme de Val Thorens - +33 (0)4 79 00 08 08
3 GOOD SPOTS
Les Angles snow-park
For two years now, this resort in the Pyrenees has boasted a good big old snow-park that makes free-stylers jump for joy. It includes three zones with different modules: the first is reserved for experienced boarders, with kickers, hips and rails. The second is open to all and the third has a small half-pipe. Two fully fitted ski-dozers are dedicated to maintaining the snow-park daily.
Contact : Office du tourisme - 04 68 04 32 76
The Sarenne slope at Alpe d'Huez
This slope is amongst the longest in the world: 16 km.
From the Sarenne glacier down to the woods in Auris en Oisans, it snakes across the mountain’s side. The average snowboarder will need almost one hour to reach the foot of the slope. Once an off-piste route, it was marked out in the 70’s to the joy of all skiers.
Contact : Office du tourisme - 04 76 11 44 44
=> See the info sheet for Alpes d'Huez
The Vallon de la Sache route in Tignes
This is one of the worst kept secrets in the Haute-Tarentaise district - so much the better for free-riders! From the Aiguille Percée needle (at an altitude of 2748 m) down to Tignes Les Brévières, you can follow the black run or switch to off-piste (in the company of a guide or an instructor).
Contacts: Office du tourisme - 04 79 40 04 40
=> See the info sheet for Tignes |
