La Meije

The mythical mountain peak of la Meije lends itself to a lift-supported and varied tour in late winter. In the heart of the Western Alps, the 2-day tour leads through steep gullies and a rugged glacier landscape. The route requires frequent changes from ski to carrying passages and, depending on the snow conditions, also offers some technical passages. However, due to its sensational descents over the Glacier de l'Homme, it has more than earned the title of TouringTip.

Steep larch forests, couloirs and descents of up to 2,000 vertical meters make La Grave one of the top destinations for freeriders in the Alps. The future of the ski resort is uncertain - 2017 may be the last winter in which the freeride Mecca still exists in its current form. Long-time PG and mountain guide Stefan Neuhauser is offering a freeride camp in spring, where you can get to know La Grave in its original state.

Perhaps the most famous mass start freeride race in the Alps looks back on an impressive 27-year tradition. On April 3, 2015, 832 freeriders plunged down the normally 2000-metre descent from the glacier (Dome de La-Lauze) at over 3500 m to La Grave. Due to the poor snow conditions, the 2015 race had to be started on a shortened route so that the descent "only" covered 1500 vertical meters.

The sun has been shining on April 2 in La Grave for 22 years. Good karma for one of the most legendary Derby races in the world. And this year, Peter and Mother Hulda made common cause and sent half a meter of fresh snow to the front of the Bluebird on race day. The Meije – the mountain of the race – shines in a fresh, white dress with the faces of the thousands of race participants who have arrived.

Good times were had by all last Saturday just an hour from the metropolis of Grenoble, at the hidden gem of the Alps, La Grave. This rustic little village sits in the shadows of the La Mieje massif and serves as the gateway to the Parc des Ecrins, and it is home to some of the wildest and challenging ski terrain on Earth. On December 20th, the Téléphérique at TGM opened the doors to an excited crowd of backcountry skiers, and the season is off to a great start.