My Favourite Pistes - Courchevel

Hi everyone, and welcome to the latest post from your favourite blogging Méribel ski instructor. Over the years many people have asked me which my favourite ski pistes are in the 3 Valleys ski area. That is sometimes a tough question to answer: "how come?" you may ask. Well, there are so many that make it onto my 'short' list. In fact, thinning out to get to a short list is challenging in itself. So I decided to share them with you, from each of the 3 Valleys, via this blog page. The first post in this series featured my favourite Méribel pistes, first published last winter, click here for the link if you are interested. Right, here goes with Courchevel......

Creux

Of course Creux is on my list. In fact I'm sure it would feature on every intermediate skier's list who has been lucky enough to ski in Courchevel. It starts just below the top of the Saulire peak bordering Méribel and Courchevel, and heads all the way down to the bottom of the Aiguille du Fruit and Roc Mugnier chairlifts. Taking the Roc Mugnier transports you into the Courchevel Moriond (1650) sector, and the Aiguille du Fruit brings you back towards the main Courchevel 1850 bowl. Many people ski down the Creux piste, and cut it short by opting for the Marmottes or Chanrossa chairlifts, which is fair enough. But that means you miss out on the fun bottom half of the piste.

The top is always facing the sun in the morning, a welcome treat on a chilly day. Do note that the bottom part will be in the shade and often feeling fresh early in the morning. It's always immaculately groomed every night, which makes this wide piste an absolute joy to ski first thing in the morning. This piste is so popular that at times there may be a lot of traffic. But if you can manage to get an early lift up, preferably close to the first lift in the morning, I promise you will not be disappointed. Previously graded a red piste, it is now a blue!?!

Biollay

This peach of a blue piste is half way down from Saulire towards Courchevel 1850. It is accessed by the (same-named) chairlift Biollay, and also the Pralong chairlift. I love doing loops on this piste when ski teaching, or even when skiing for myself. It's also beautifully groomed every night, and has cracking character. For the most part it has a gentle gradient, but occasionally wakes you up with a couple of slightly steeper sections. An ideal piste to build confidence before tackling a red piste.

It's worth noting that it is directly north facing which helps keep the snow in lovely condition, ideal in the spring. I love using the 6 person Biollay chairlift because of the views. When on this chairlift the scenery is stunning looking across to the high ridges and the main skiing bowl. Another great piste to tick off above Courchevel 1850.

Gentianes

Some people, even experienced skiers in the 3 Valleys, don't know about this piste. This is why I like it, and use it for teaching regularly, because you don't often see others using it. Gentianes is located in the Courchevel Moriond (1650) sector. It can be accessed by either the Roc Mugnier chairlift or the Signal chair - where you can loop around again. Courchevel Moriond is known for wide, gentle, beautiful and confidence-building blue pistes: Gentianes is definitely in this camp. Granted, there isn't snow cannon coverage, but the quality of snow is often much better than elsewhere. It has great character, with a flowing feel and gradually changing gradients. It's well worth a look if you ever find yourself in the area. Please don't tell many people though, it would be a shame if more skiers found out about this little gem!

Arolles

So, this is a bit of a curveball...it may not be considered by other people as being that great. But I really quite like Arolles. Located above Courchevel La Tania, it has stunning views through the forest and looking further north down the valley, a real alpine forest experience. It's not very long, but is an optional route back to the Méribel valley via the Dou des Lanches chairlift past the popular Bouc Blanc mountain restaurant. Perhaps my admiration stems from my ski-instructing based in La Tania for three winters, many years ago. A good one to remember when there is feisty weather around particularly at altitude; this piste offers good protection.

Combe des Pylones

In my opinion the Combe des Pylones piste is a much-underrated black compared to other Courchevel blacks, including the Grand Couloir and Suisse. Granted, those two pistes are iconic for a reason, but Combe des Pylons is a good example of a what fun a steep black can be. Located within the Saulire bowl high above Courchevel 1850, it is accessed by the Suisse and Marmottes chairlifts, and also the Vizelle bubble and the Saulire cable car (whenever the latter is functional again!?!)

It most often has lovely dry and grippy snow, which is useful on a black piste. It's north facing and rarely receives any sunshine, keeping the quality of the snow tip top. Keep an eye on the 3 Valleys Addict app, which keeps you up-to-date on groomed pistes. Combe des Pylones is probably groomed two, maybe three nights a week, which can make a difference to your skiing experience.

Previously a red piste, which I never understood.... in fact I have a story about this which I don't often talk about. There are many many different exams that ski instructors need to pass on the way to become a fully qualified ski instructor in order to teach in France. One of these exams is to teach in a second discipline, for example snowboarding. I decided to go down the telemarking route (instead of snowboarding); it's the traditional way of skiing, originating in Scandinavia and not often seen in the French Alps. Only one's toes are attached to the skis, and a deep lunge has to be made as part of the turning process. Great fun, but absolutely knackering.

Anyway, in order to pass this particular exam, technical ability had to be displayed to a BASI (British Association of Snowsports Instructor) Trainer on a red piste. Fair enough, and something I trained a couple of seasons for. But when the day came, and the (git) Trainer said that the red piste would be Combe des Pylons, I couldn't believe it. Talk about macho, egotistic nonsense. This was a seriously steep piste to be telemarking down. Anyway I tightened up my belt on my so called big boy (ski) pants; took an imaginary (huge) toughen-up pill, and hoped for the best before setting off on the wibbly-wobbly telemark skis. Performing short edgy turns down this piste started great, but all of a sudden halfway down a damn snow snake grabbed one of my telemark skis, and I took a hip check that ended in quite a long slide down the rest of the piste!?! Goggles, ski poles, internal pocket contents and sense of humour all went for a burton during that fall I can tell you, along with an impressive cloud of snow. After eventually collecting all of my belongings, I flimsily telemarked down to the (sod of a) BASI Trainer. He had a smile on his face, and after watching me telemark for the rest of the afternoon, passed off my performance as successful!?! I still occasionally see this guy teaching over in Courchevel valley, and will never forget this performance.

Combe des Pylones, a majestic steep piste, which many people will have stories about.

Murettes

Another piste name that may have passed people by. A shame, because it is a cracker. Plus, and don't tell anyone again please, you will hardly see anyone ski down here. You know how New Year week, and half term as well, can be a tad on the busy side. Well, would you believe me if I said you can have this piste to yourself during these busy periods? Trust me, it's worth checking out. So much so that I'm not going to tell you where it is on the piste map.

All I would say, again in bad weather, this piste will give you good protection in the lower part of the Courchevel valley.

Well, there you go, the shortlist of my favourite pistes in the Courchevel valley. There have been some obvious belters mentioned, and perhaps a couple of surprise inclusions. Most people will of course have their own choices, and I completely respect that. In fact we should celebrate everyone's selections, and embrace and learn from them. If you think about it, there are no losers here... Everyone can be a winner by enjoying the best that Courchevel offers us. And trust me, they offer a biblical amount of piste skiing fun. Come back soon for another post on favourite ski pistes. As ever, don't forget to.... 'Live. With. Passion'. Martin.