◼️ What are your favourite slopes in Méribel and les 3 Vallées ?
In Méribel, I like to ski around the Olympic Express and do Face; it's a beautiful piste which retains its varied terrain. I like Bartavelle too, the black at le Roc de Tougne. And then la Combe du Vallon, which is a beautiful long piste with a good aspect, often quite bumpy, with cold, high altitude snow, and finally Mouflon which has a fairly steep part and which is well groomed: the last two have natural snow, which makes a difference...
In Courchevel, there is Saulire, which is very varied in terms of slope and has interesting changes in terrain.
◼️ What are your favourite areas for off-piste?
"There are loads of them! They are all quite different. I like le Raffort: it's quite steep and with almost 1,000 metres off-piste vertical drop, this area really stands out. I also really like the high parts of the valley, Mont Vallon, Côte Brune, the Borgne valley: it's quite Alpine, you are well above the treeline and you can walk from the lifts…
In fact, for freeride, the Méribel valley is very extensive, but the scale of les 3 Vallées is really vast and complementary. For the Dent de Burgin for example, you can ski on the Courchevel side then hop to the Méribel side, and vice versa… And then there are also a few easy routes into the Vanoise National Park, where there is great skiing!"
◼️ What advice do you have for people learning freeride?
"It’s worth repeating that if you’re not accompanied by someone experienced, go with a professional. And of course, don't go out without your trio of transceiver, shovel and probe, and make sure you know how to use them! From having been the victim of an avalanche, I know that it's not the equipment that saves you, but the person using it ...
Several organizations can train you for freeride, The best known being Anena which offers freeride initiation and dedicated training in the use of safety equipment. Also refer to the weather conditions and progress at your own rythm to gain experience and practice. The mountain can be magic but also tragic ... So take pleasure in the heart of the 3 Valleys, but in complete safety!"