It's a mountain of stories and records. At theAlpe d'HuezIn the winter, the legendary runs follow on from one another, with names that have become emblematic: Sarenne, Tunnel, Combe Charbonnière, Brèche... Four itineraries that have forged the reputation of the Isère resort and continue to attract skiers from all over the world, eager for great vertical drops and pure thrills.
Sarenne, queen of the downhill
From the summit of the Pic Blanc, at an altitude of 3,330 m, the legendary Sarenne winds its way down 16 kilometres of uninterrupted descent to the village of Alpauris. A trail that is unique in the world, both in terms of its length and the emotion it arouses.
From the very first slopes, a feeling of vertigo mingles with excitement: an impressive first wall, reserved for experienced skiers, before the piste softens and winds its way through an imposing setting. As you move away from the ski lifts, the silence takes over. The only sounds left are the crunch of skis and the gust of wind.
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"The first run is a bit frightening, but Sarenne soon becomes very smooth and enjoyable". says Pauline Zini-Smith, local councillor responsible for tourism. Further down, the slope becomes gentler, the rocks disappear and the light illuminates a wild valley bathed in sunshine.
In total, over 1,820 m of continuous vertical drop: a marathon of skiing, a white odyssey that every skier dreams of completing at least once in their life.
The Tunnel, a feat of vertigo
Carved out of the mountain in the 1960s, the Tunnel remains an audacious masterpiece. 200 metres long, this impressive tunnel links the Sarenne glacier to the main slope of Alpe d'Huez.
The exit is a slap in the face: a vertiginous 70 % slope where only the very best skiers dare to venture.
The project, dreamt up by Georges Rajon, a visionary hotelier and pioneer of Alpine tourism, was long considered unfeasible. But in 1964, the gamble paid off. The tunnel opened and instantly became a legend, hailed for its sheer size and spectacular nature.
"It takes a week and three people to cover the tunnel with snow using a motorised wheelbarrow". the story goes, proof of the technical challenge represented by this mythical passage.
La Combe Charbonnière, the wild soul
Less well known, the Combe Charbonnière will appeal to purists. Off-piste, groomed by hand and facing due south, it stretches across a wide gorge, between cliffs and boulders.
Traces of former mining operations can still be seen in the Herpie area.
With its 1,000 metre vertical drop, this trail offers a raw, almost mineral atmosphere.
No crowds here: just wind, sun and the sensation of skiing in a forgotten setting. A hidden gem, described by regulars as a "wild nugget".
La Brèche, the well-kept secret
A neighbour of Combe Charbonnière, La Brèche shares its untamed character. Even more isolated, rarely groomed, it seems to float out of time.
- READ MORE: Unmissable winter events at Alpe d'Huez
The 1,130 metre drop plunges down to the valley in absolute silence. For many, this is the most beautiful off-piste descent... without actually being one.
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