Courchevel Off-Piste

Guide 3 Chanrossa & Creux

Creux Bowl

The Creux Bowl is huge, it encompasses the entire area between the Vizelle telecabine in the east to the Chanrossa Chair in the west. There are loads of great spots to ride here. Check the map and pictures below for info on the best spots.

Map location 1:

From the Vizelle telecabine or the Suisse chair take the long cat track directly in front of you, this leads to the easy wide open run, Creux. Once on this track, and if the snow permits you can drop off the side towards the Creux run. This area gets tracked out really quick as it is a nice gradient and very, very accessible for intermediates. You will probably get about 2-300m of powder run if you are up there early enough. Simply run out to the creux run in front of you, or you can traverse around the bowl towards the Marmottes chairlift for a little longer ride. There are some nice features, rocks and drops to play around on for the more advanced freerider. Now ride towards the chanrossa chair for an even larger powder descent. See the description below.

Map location 2:

This area provides a nice gradient suitable for intermediate and advanced riders. There are some really nice features, lots of small trees to jump over and push through and some rocks and small drops. To access simply ride half way down Creux, then take the left hand run Lac Creux. When the Park City run joins into this (about half way along) you can drop off the side of the cat track. Simply follow the fall line into the valley and rejoin Creux. You can also drop in further along the cat track and ride underneath the Gravelles lift, although this is not as good as dropping in earlier. This area can be accessed from the park city run also which is uplifted by the Aiguille de Fruit chairlift. You would take this chair if you wanted to ride it again also.

Chanrossa Chair

The Chanrossa Chair allows access to some amazing, easy to access slopes. With a a good dump of snow and the sun shining it seems asthough everyone in resort heads to this area to snatch a few face shots. Providing there is a good base then there are no real issues with riding off the chair....The terrain is quite rocky so just keep your eyes open.

Map location 1: Access to this area from 1850 is from the Chanrossa chair, access from 1650 is via the Roc Merlet chair.

As you look down the right hand side (RDM) of the mountain from the top of the chanrossa chair you will see tracks traversing to the right....you will also often see tracks as you make you way up on the chanrossa chair. This whole face is accessible, simply put in a longer traverse than the person before. The reward is a nice pitch with very easy access. This results in a a lot of traffic though, especially when the sun is shining after snowfall. Simply ride the chanrossa chair to do it all again. You can also look at Map area 2 for a more interesting descent.

Map location 2: Access to this area from 1850 is from the Chanrossa chair, access from 1650 is via the Roc Merlet chair.

The Left hand side (LDM) of the Chanrossa bowl provides a wider range of pitch and terrain than the riding on the right hand side (RDM) seen in map location 1.

From the top of the chair turn right and ride off the left hand edge of the piste onto the obvious traverse. You can ride along this traverse for up to approximately 1.5km, but to be honest some great riding lies only 100-200 m along. This traverse is avalanche prone but is well monitored and will be closed if there is any doubt. Enquire at the pisteurs hut if in doubt. These slopes are north facing and even after a sunny day with good snow pockets of powder can still be found several days after....Unlike the more obvious areas in map location 1 which seem to get tracked out within hours.