Top 23 black runs and steeps – 3 Valleys & Méribel

This black run is the most demanding in the 3 Valleys. After the tricky run in along a narrow ridge where there’s no room for mistakes, drop into the most difficult couloir run in the 3 Valleys: 692m long over 350m vertical descent and a max gradient of 85% (yes, you read that right!)… Get ready for an adrenaline rush reserved for only the best skiers.

Features:

• Length: 692m

• Average gradient: 56%

• Vertical descent: 340m

• Access: Saulire cable car from Courchevel or Saulire Express gondola from Méribel.

This black piste played host to tests of incredible speed at the World Alpine Ski Championships in 2023. After a rapid start from the summit of the Bouc Blanc chairlift, you will plunge through the forest down to Le Praz for this demanding journey of contrasts: start in the sunshine on the open piste with a view of the peaks, then drop into the shade, where things get technical, surrounded by magnificent pine forest and a view over the village of Le Praz.

This is a competition run par excellence! Imagine these champions speeding down at over 120km/h with jumps of 50m on an icy slope… Of course you don’t have to rush down like them. But it’s definitely worth a detour here to give it a go!

Features:

• Length: 3.3km

• Average gradient: 30%

• Vertical descent: 940m

• Access: Plantrey or Bouc Blanc chairlift, Chenus gondola in Courchevel.

Below the majestic peak of the Aiguille du Fruit, you can often find yourself alone on this slope with a very steep and demanding start followed by a successful of bumps and gulleys where speed is essential… to not have to skate out at the end. Yes, this nice black run has two very different ‘sides’!

Features:

• Length: 1.4km

• Average gradient: 26%

• Vertical descent: 347m

• Access: Chanrossa or Roc Merlet chairlifts in Courchevel.

This was the home of Courchevel’s very first ski race competitions. Its name comes from Courchevel’s first French ski champion, Mr Jean Blanc. This black run is a local institution and Courchevel’s mecca for challenging alpine skiing. Don't be fooled by the gentle start, some tricky steeps are waiting just around the bend.

Features:

• Length: 2.4km

• Average gradient: 34%

• Vertical descent: 770m

• Access: Plantrey chairlift (Courchevel).

No-one can see you skiing beautifully at the top of this piste, where there’s a lovely sequence of slopes, flats, turns and narrows… But at the very end where there’s a monster steep section, bad luck if you don’t ski it so well, as everyone waiting at the Dou des Lanches chairlift is watching! (This is your warning to save your best technique until the end!).

Features:

• Length: 1.4km

• Average gradient: 30%

• Vertical descent: 395m

• Access: Dou des Lanches chairlift in Courchevel or Loze chairlift in Méribel.

One of the more addictive black pistes: steep-but-not-too-steep slopes, a little plateau in the middle to get your breath back and plenty of room for carving turns! In the mornings don’t be surprised if you see the same faces doing the same run several times just for fun. This piste is a nod to our Swiss (Suisse) friends and neighbours!

Features:

• Length: 1.9km

• Average gradient: 25%

• Vertical descent: 468m

• Access: Courchevel’s Marmottes/Suisses chairlift or Vizelle gondola.

To finish, discover two black runs in Courchevel that start almost at the same point: the fearsome M run and the intriguing Combe des Pylônes.

1. M, the benchmark black run

   In Courchevel, if you’re happy skiing M with its camber at the start and steep wall at the end, then that means you can ski almost any black run on the planet (except perhaps the GRAND COULOIR or the TOURNIER COULOIR). So test out your skills on this run: look out for the days when it has been groomed, it’s an absolute dream! Fun fact: its name harks back to the days when Courchevel’s ski slopes were all named after letters of the alphabet… But after 26, they ran out of letters! Eventually all the pistes were renamed, except Piste M.

   Features: Length: 1.2km | Average gradient: 40% | Vertical descent: 446m | Access: Marmottes or Suisses chairlifts or Vizelle gondola in Courchevel

2. Combe des Pylones, the black run no-one mentions

   It’s not very easy to find the start of this run, plus the locals do like to keep it to themselves! Why? Because the snow is always exceptional and the slope is steep from top to bottom, plenty to put a big grin on your face. But shh, if you find it, don’t tell a soul!

   Features: Length: 600m | Average gradient: 70% | Vertical descent: 343m | Access: Marmottes or Suisses chairlifts or Vizelle gondola in Courchevel.

A must-try piste for all experienced skiers, from the Mont de la Chambre down to the chairlift of the same name: the upper section is sublime with successive turns and steeps. Not-to-be-missed if you like variety in your skiing challenges!

Features:

• Length: 1.6km

• Average gradient: 36%

• Vertical descent: 555m

• Access: Via Mont de la Chambre chairlift from Les Menuires or the Côte Brune chairlift in Méribel Mottaret

It might be short but that doesn’t mean it’s not worth the effort. Launch yourself down La Masse on this gorgeous slope with its magnificent Three Valleys view.

Features:

• Length: 800m

• Average slope: 33%

• Vertical descent: 254m

• Access: Via the gondola Pointe de la Masse in Les Menuires

You’ll need to take the button lift you’ll find half-way down La Masse to reach this nice black run that not many people spot, with its lovely view over the wild Vallée du Lou. You can’t help but fall in love with this little surprise black run in Les Menuires.

Features:

• Length: 1.8km

• Average gradient: 32%

• Vertical descent: 543m

• Access: Via the Masse button lift

This piste is well off the beaten track in the fantastic sector of La Masse in Les Menuires. It has all the classic characteristics of a black run: steep, long, tight hairpins.

Features:

• Length: 1km

• Average gradient: 56%

• Vertical descent: 490m

• Access: Via the Pointe de la Masse gondola in Les Menuires

With its start at 3200m and a vertical descent of 900m, this black run is one of the most popular and prestigious in Val Thorens. Between piste and couloir, it’s north facing and the skiing and atmosphere are sensational as you ride down with the Cime Caron cable-car overhead.

Features:

• Length: 2km

• Average gradient: 50%

• Vertical descent: 900m

• Access: Cime Caron cable car, Orelle-Caron gondola.

From the summit of Cime Caron, the slope begins gently before an abrupt drop which switches you suddenly into the Maurienne valley. With 500m of vertical descent over 2km, this run is steep and long: get ready for a technical ski on a serious black run!

With a southerly aspect, this is a great choice at the start of the season or in the mornings.

Features:

• Length: 2km

• Average gradient: 26%

• Vertical descent: 500m

• Access: Orelle-Caron gondola, Cime Caron cable car.

Never groomed, you’ll find this black run has bumps or “off piste” style powder following a snowfall. The frozen waterfalls forming on the surrounding rocks make for a dramatic atmosphere during your descent. The first ever moguls world champion in 1986 – Eric Berthon, from Val Thorens – used to train on this piste!

Features:

• Length: 500m

• Average gradient: 64%

• Vertical descent: 319m

• Access: Cascades chairlift, Péclet Funitel, Lac Blanc chairlift.

Marielle Goitschel, the double Olympic slalom champion and seven times World Ski Champion lends her name to this challenging black run which has bonus views over the mountain cirque in Val Thorens – all at least 3000m high!

Features:

• Length: 800 m

• Average gradient: 33%

• Vertical descent: 251m

• Access: 3 Vallées chairlift or gondola (Val Thorens), Côte Brune gondola (Méribel-Mottaret), Bruyères gondola and Mont de la Chambre chairlift (Les Menuires).