• Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije
  • Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije
  • Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije
  • Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije
  • Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije
  • Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije
Écrins Massif / Hautes-Alpes

Freeride skiing in the Vallons de La Meije

5/5 (3 reviews)
Réf : AMHMVW

In summary

  • Sports
    Freeride skiing
  • Duration
    3 days
  • Level
    Intermediate

    Levels

    Freeride skiing
    Beginner
    For on-piste skiers who have never tried freeride (off-piste) skiing but are comfortable on red and black runs (ESF Class 3 level). Instruction in freeride techniques provided by a guide or instructor. The goal is to learn or review the proper techniques that will improve your skiing in all snow conditions. Short ascents using climbing skins may be included (max. 30 minutes per day); no prior ski touring experience is required. Not suitable for beginners; this is not a standard ski lesson.
    Intermediate
    For skiers comfortable in all snow conditions, capable of skiing black runs with ease and with some prior off-piste experience. Short ascents using climbing skins may be involved—lasting no more than 45 minutes per day—but no prior ski touring expertise is required. An ideal transition for a competent piste skier looking to become a skilled freeride (off-piste) skier.
    Confirmed
    For skiers proficient in all snow conditions. Days spent skiing at a brisk pace. Slopes may include a few short, steep sections. Ascents using climbing skins require prior mastery of ski touring techniques.
    Advanced
    For highly skilled skiers comfortable in all snow conditions and with prior experience skiing couloirs. Ski days involve a brisk pace. Slopes may include steep and sometimes exposed sections (40–45°). Ascents using climbing skins may be required, necessitating prior mastery of ski touring techniques.
    Expert
    For highly skilled skiers proficient in all snow conditions and steep-slope skiing. Skiing days at a very brisk pace. Steep slopes and exposed couloirs. Ascents using climbing skins may be required, necessitating prior mastery of ski touring techniques.
  • Destination
    Écrins Massif / Hautes-Alpes
  • Age
    From 12 - 90 years
  • CO₂-Emissions
    32.4 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This personalized stay offers you the opportunity to experience a sporting adventure with an organization tailored to your needs.
    Type of stay
    Independent traveler
  • Languages
    🇫🇷
    French

In a few words

In a magical and majestic setting, facing the towering peaks of the Southern Alps, you'll be guided by a mountain expert specializing in the area, exploring off-piste routes, including the Vallons de La Meije and the Vallons de Chancel . Here, there are no marked or groomed runs! It's 100% off-piste for maximum enjoyment: La Meije awaits you for the most sensational freeride skiing experience !

Starting from the Dôme de la Lauze at 3568m altitude, you can descend up to 2000m of vertical drop in a single descent!

The highlights

  • A unique off-piste ski area in Europe
  • Guides who love the area and guarantee you advice and safety
  • A warm and comfortable establishment
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Photos

Sport

Level

Freeride skiing

Intermediate

Levels

Freeride skiing
Beginner
For on-piste skiers who have never tried freeride (off-piste) skiing but are comfortable on red and black runs (ESF Class 3 level). Instruction in freeride techniques provided by a guide or instructor. The goal is to learn or review the proper techniques that will improve your skiing in all snow conditions. Short ascents using climbing skins may be included (max. 30 minutes per day); no prior ski touring experience is required. Not suitable for beginners; this is not a standard ski lesson.
Intermediate
For skiers comfortable in all snow conditions, capable of skiing black runs with ease and with some prior off-piste experience. Short ascents using climbing skins may be involved—lasting no more than 45 minutes per day—but no prior ski touring expertise is required. An ideal transition for a competent piste skier looking to become a skilled freeride (off-piste) skier.
Confirmed
For skiers proficient in all snow conditions. Days spent skiing at a brisk pace. Slopes may include a few short, steep sections. Ascents using climbing skins require prior mastery of ski touring techniques.
Advanced
For highly skilled skiers comfortable in all snow conditions and with prior experience skiing couloirs. Ski days involve a brisk pace. Slopes may include steep and sometimes exposed sections (40–45°). Ascents using climbing skins may be required, necessitating prior mastery of ski touring techniques.
Expert
For highly skilled skiers proficient in all snow conditions and steep-slope skiing. Skiing days at a very brisk pace. Steep slopes and exposed couloirs. Ascents using climbing skins may be required, necessitating prior mastery of ski touring techniques.
For skiers comfortable in all snow conditions, capable of skiing black runs with ease and with some prior off-piste experience. Short ascents using climbing skins may be involved—lasting no more than 45 minutes per day—but no prior ski touring expertise is required. An ideal transition for a competent piste skier looking to become a skilled freeride (off-piste) skier.

The expert's opinion

For this trip, you must be comfortable on red and black runs. Ascents are made by cable car.

Accessible by skiing, snowboarding and splitboarding.

You book the hotel individually and will join a group with your guide.

The guide will provide you with the 2 "Meije cable cars" packages at the special price of €61/package instead of the public price of €66/package (the price of the package is not included in the price of the stay, because in case of bad conditions, the guide may have to change areas.

In figures

Freeride skiing

  • Average duration/day: 5h

Management

During this stay, a supervisor will be present to guide and assist you.
Band : 1 supervisor for 4 to 5 people
Languages ​​spoken:
🇫🇷
French
Guide

Our partner's guides are passionate about freeride skiing, snowboarding, splitboarding or ski touring: they know the La Grave and La Meije area by heart.

With this focus on quality and safety for your guidance, they choose the best couloirs and routes based on snow conditions. Furthermore, your guides prefer to take groups of no more than 4 to 5 riders.

Groups of 6 are only for classic routes: the Vallons de La Meije and Chancel or the descent to Saint Christophe.

Program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
  • map

    Arrival in Villar d'Arène

    • Accommodation 3-star hotel
    • Breakfast not included
    • Lunch not included
    • Dinner included

    Upon your arrival at the hotel at 4 pm, you'll have time to settle in and get acquainted with the team. Afterwards, you'll collect your equipment with your guide. You'll receive all the necessary advice in a friendly atmosphere. In the evening, you can relax and enjoy dinner served in the hotel restaurant from 7 pm.

    Day 1

Note

The starting point is at the summit of the Dôme de La Lauze at an altitude of 3568 meters, which you reach by starting from the arrival station at 3200m, then taking the poles on the La Lauze glacier.

This off-piste descent allows you to reach the village of Saint Christophe en Oisans located in the Vénéon valley at 1440m.

This freeride outing in La Grave is one of the more accessible descents, provided you get onto the slope at the right time!

Accommodation

🏨 3-star hotel - Days 1 to 2
  • 🏨 3-star hotel - Days 1 to 2
  • 🏨 3-star hotel - Days 1 to 2
  • 🏨 3-star hotel - Days 1 to 2
  • 🏨 3-star hotel - Days 1 to 2
🏨 3-star hotel - Days 1 to 2

You'll be staying at the 3-star Hotel Le Faranchin , a warm and friendly hotel located in Villar d'Arène at an altitude of 1650 meters. Situated in the Écrins National Park, this picturesque village is an ideal location for mountain lovers and skiers!

Access

Departure
Villar d'Arène
Day 1 : 16h00
End of stay
Villar d'Arène
Day 3 - 17h30

The meeting point (and departure point) is in front of the hotel where you will be staying. At the end of your stay, there will be a debriefing session with our partner's team where you can share your feedback.

Go to the starting point

Access by train
Take the train toGare de GrenobleOrGare de Briançon

Once you arrive at Grenoble train station, you will take the Zou Résalp line 55 bus (remember to check the bus schedules before booking your train ticket ;-)

https://www.reservation-zou-resalp.fr/lignes/55-briancon-grenoble/

You will get off at the "les Agneaux" stop, 100 meters from the Faranchin hotel where the team will be pleased to welcome you.

Access by car
Travel to the place of stay with parking available

Price details

The price includes

  1. 2 outings in the Vallons de La Meije with your guide (on the 2nd and 3rd day)
  2. 2 nights in a 3* hotel
  3. Half-board from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 3
  4. the three-piece safety kit (shovel/probe/avalanche transceiver) provided by the guide

The price does not include

  1. Transportation to the meeting point
  2. Equipment rental: expect to pay around €55 per day for ski rental
  3. 2 passes for the La Grave La Meije cable car €61/day
  4. Lunch
  5. The supplement of €30/day if you are alone in the room.

Options

  1. Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
5/5
(3 reviews)
At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
P

Philippe gilles

march 2026
Translated from French
This discovery of La Grave with Decathlon Travel was a memorable experience for me, one I will repeat.
Published on 14/03/2026
O

Olivier

march 2026
Translated from French

A fantastic experience in La Grave/La Meije. A wonderful discovery of this unique area. Perfect organization with the Snowlegend guides and the nearby 3-star hotel which serves excellent food and whose staff are very friendly and helpful.

Published on 05/03/2026
N

Nelly

march 2025
Translated from French
An incredible experience. Discovering La Grave in optimal conditions with top-level professionals. A wonderful stay at the Hotel Faranchon to relax after the exertion. A warm welcome, not to mention the exceptionally good food.
  • Nelly
  • Nelly
  • Nelly
  • Nelly
Published on 20/03/2025

They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
5/5
(3 reviews)
At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
P

Philippe gilles

march 2026
Translated from French
This discovery of La Grave with Decathlon Travel was a memorable experience for me, one I will repeat.
Published on 14/03/2026
O

Olivier

march 2026
Translated from French

A fantastic experience in La Grave/La Meije. A wonderful discovery of this unique area. Perfect organization with the Snowlegend guides and the nearby 3-star hotel which serves excellent food and whose staff are very friendly and helpful.

Published on 05/03/2026
N

Nelly

march 2025
Translated from French
An incredible experience. Discovering La Grave in optimal conditions with top-level professionals. A wonderful stay at the Hotel Faranchon to relax after the exertion. A warm welcome, not to mention the exceptionally good food.
  • Nelly
  • Nelly
  • Nelly
  • Nelly
Published on 20/03/2025
L
Decathlon Travel Partner

Our partner team

4.9/5 (18 reviews) • 26 stays
Welcome to the Pays de la Meije, in the heart of the Écrins National Park, for a total immersion in breathtaking landscapes. Summer or winter, our local partner will orchestrate your stay from start to finish: snowshoeing, ski touring, freeriding, or hiking. With a 3-star hotel, gourmet cuisine, professional guidance, equipment, and transfers included, you can fully enjoy the mountains with complete peace of mind.
Discover their team and their trips
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