La Grave: An April Adventure Beyond the Ordinary
It’s April 10th, and while many will tell you the ski season ended a month ago, they couldn’t be more wrong. I’ve been skiing powder for weeks now - even sharing my first runs with my daughter - and it’s been nothing short of magical. The MD of Serre Chevalier put it best:
"I've got enough snow to stay open until May; I just don’t have the people."
Today, though, I want to take you somewhere truly legendary: La Grave. Just one lift, no marked runs, and a massive 2,150 metres of vertical descent, from 3,600m down to 1,450 m. This wild gem sits just over the Col du Lautaret, a scenic 30-minute drive from our base at the Chalet-Hotel Charlotte in Monêtier.
The Journey Begins
With the season winding down, Chalet Charlotte’s last guests had just left. The resort teams deserved a well-earned treat, so Nick and I joined them for one final adventure. Some friends from Montgenèvre came along too, and from the Oxygène shop just 40 yards away, we hopped into the minibus with Adrien and Julien, two locals who have skied these mountains since they could walk.
Arriving in La Grave felt like stepping back in time by a century, as the village still stands with its timeless, classic alpine charm. The lift wasn’t open yet, so we did the only sensible thing: grabbed a proper French espresso and waited for the wind to calm.
First Lift, First Turns
By 10am, the lift had opened, with a queue of just 20 people - practically nothing here. On powder days, lines can snake far down the hill for this single lift (well, technically two lifts if you count the T-bar at the top).
Riding up, the views were absolutely jaw-dropping and some of the most spectacular you’ll find in the Alps. At the top, some headed further up on the T-bar or even skinned up to climb the glacier, but that would have to wait for another day.
Easter Magic on the Main Face
Our plan: to head straight across the main face to a dark shoulder where the snow was still fresh from a storm just 36 hours earlier. Easter is hands-down one of the best times for skiing - I’ve been coming here with my family since my first child was born 16 years ago, and these spring trips have given me some of my fondest memories.
Julien led the group, carving smooth lines as I hung back to snap photos with Adrien. Watching the team link turns effortlessly down classic mountain terrain was a joy. The snow was a bit of a mix - from fresh, heavy powder to spring snow that had frozen overnight and turned velvety smooth under the morning sun. This was pure heaven. The pitch was no steeper than a red run, making it a perfect warm-up.
Into the Wild
We soon dropped down the westernmost descent, weaving past snapped trees - reminders of the power of avalanches, and a good reason why Oxygène include avalanche packs as standard! As we approached the mid-station, the spring warmth became obvious: 26°C down here. La Grave doesn’t have snowmaking, but thanks to its natural snow channels, you still find a solid two-metre base right down to the famous black run.
Navigating patches of melting snow, Adrien even jumped a river - I, on the other hand, chickened out and took off my skis!
The Call for More
We weren’t done yet. Even with tired legs, the team was buzzing for more. We re-boarded the gondola at the halfway point, this time entering a rather intimidating structure - metal grating underfoot with snow drifting through it. Not for the faint-hearted!
Back at the top, Adrien checked in: More? The unanimous answer: Yes! This is what makes Oxygène’s guiding so special - they tailor each run to your ability and fitness level, pushing you just enough without overwhelming you.
Next, we tackled the second couloir on the face, steeper and narrower than the first. The group took it one at a time: some flowing non-stop, others pausing midway, all leaving joyous trails of powder like icing sugar dusted over a cake. I finally managed the river jump on the next lap - a small victory!
Big Vert, Big Smiles
The vertical drop here is big, and each run takes serious commitment. The final run of the day was the classic La Grave glacier descent - a vast, open face with endless options, from pristine powder to chopped lumps. You have to know your terrain here, but if you do, it’s a dream.
I managed a quick chat with Adrien before setting off to pick my final lines, soaking in every last moment.
Finally, we descended in the gondola, swapping stories of the day and the season just past. What an ending! Huge thanks to all the Ski Miquel team, plus Adrien and Julien, for an unforgettable day.
If you’ve been inspired, Oxygène’s top-end skis are available to rent or buy, and experiences like this can now be booked directly through the Ski Miquel online portal - whether you happen to be in Tignes, Serre Chevalier, or Montgenèvre.
