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Bellevarde Skiing Area
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Val d'Isere is one of the top ski resorts in the world providing over 150 kilometres of pistes and this, together with vast areas of accessible "off piste", makes it ideal for skiers and snowboarders of all abilities. Skiers seem to outnumber the snowboarders a little but there is a comfortable balance of both sports – each taking advantage of the different areas Val d’Isere has to offer (Le Fornet, Le Solaise and Bellevarde). |
| Bellevarde Ski Area |
Bellevarde offers a wide range of skiing because it has slopes facing three different directions in a triangular shape bowl. The East facing slopes face Val d’Isere itself and include Epaule du Charvet and the ex-olympic Face which are very steep runs and reserved for good skiers only. Santons is classified as a blue run for intermediates but be careful on this slope as it runs through a narrow valley and can get extremely busy and full of moguls by the end of the day.
The South/ South West facing slopes (Grand Prè) which are at the top of the area are fairly shallow but increase in steepness as they get lower down. Finally, the West/North West facing slopes offer an excellent view of the Grande Motte, Grande Casse and the Mont Blanc. This area includes many long and gentle slopes which lead down to La Daille (Diebold and Verte) as well as more difficult options for intermediate skiers (Ok, Orange).
Bellevarde is accessible via the Olympique cable car or the high speed Bellevarde Express 4-man chairlift from the town centre. From La Daille, the Funival, La Daille bubble or the Etroits chairlift will take you there. It is also linked to Tignes by the Tommeuses and Borsat chairlifts.
Bellevarde is also home to the recently renovated snowpark. It included numerous different hips and jumps, handrails and a boarder cross for all levels. A recreational area is also available with music, BBQ, facilities, chairs and tables.
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last updated 13-Feb-2008 |
| Leisurely Runs in Bellevarde |
There is plenty of variation for all levels of skiers at Bellevarde and there are different ways up the mountain depending on how confident you are.
For leisurely skiers, there is a slightly steep, busy section to the piste at the top of the Funival and Olympique in the Bellevarde area. To avoid having to ski this, take the Train Rouge to La Daille and here, take the La Daille bubble, then the Mont Blanc chairlift. Here you have access to the easier slopes and the Borsat Express which will give you access to Grand Pré, Genepy and Borsat a selection of long, easy slopes. There is a small circuit from the top of the Borsat Express, to the Fontaine Froid lift and down Verte, Diebold or 3J which will conveniently take you to Folie Douce or Fruitiere for lunch. After lunch, head up the Tommeuses where you can ski the blue runs Creux and Edelweiss at a leisurely pace before taking Verte or the bubble back to La Daille.
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last updated 13-Feb-2008 |
| Intermediate Runs in Bellevarde |
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Take the Olympique from the Solaise area or the Funival from La Daille up to the top of Bellevarde. From here, there are several green and blue run options in the La Daille direction. You can aim to cover these as the Marmottes chairlift will bring you up to the same spot. The circuit detailed above can also be followed – perhaps adding in the red Fontaine Froid piste which runs under the lift. After lunch, there are also red run options off the top of the Tommeuses lift – Rocs and Crêtes – although look out for moguls as you go up the lift! There are a couple of options back down to La Daille for the intermediate skier, but one of the nicest runs is OK. |
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last updated 13-Feb-2008 |
| Advanced Runs in Bellevarde |
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From the top of Bellevarde, there are several options for steep descents down to both Solaise and La Daille. It is best to do all these lower slopes in the morning while they are quieter and then perhaps have a lazier afternoon! You can ski Face (the ex-Olympic run), Santons (a blue run through a valley but absolutely stunning when quite and freshly groomed), or Epaule du Charvet (steep black moguls) back down to the Olympique. OK (world cup run), Orange, Diebold and Raye are then options down to La Daille. In the afternoon, there is the network of blue runs available which are detailed above, and there is also the option to attempt the Vallee Perdue. This is an off piste run which starts at the bottom of the Tommeuses lift and involves negotiating rocks, nooks and cranies. Depending on the time of year, you may have to clamber through holes without your skis on – but it is good fun. Just make sure you have the experience and confidence to negotiate the valley. |
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last updated 13-Feb-2008 |
| Off Piste in Bellevarde |
The Banana
This is a very large vertical drop. The snow here heats up early so aim to ski this section in the morning. Go down the start of the Face from the top of the Olympique cable car and at the first bend to the left, continue straight on past an obvious rock on the right hand side. The first slope is very easy and leads to a level area with rocks at the end. Go left of these rocks down to another level section before taking the slope right down to the bottom of Santons.
The Charvet Tour
This is the best-known off-piste run in Val. Because of its south-facing aspect however, there is a high risk of snow-sliding so be especially wary in the afternoon.
Take the Grand Pré chairlift and at the top, carry on along the line of the lift before cutting in right at the large flat area. From here, the less experienced skiers can continue traversing to the right towards the far end of the bowl and then follow the bottom of the valley back to the left. Others may prefer to go straight down. Depending on the snow cover, you can take either bank of the Charvet stream towards the gorge, a narrow but lovely pitch. From here, follow the slight descent beside the river to the Manchet valley. |
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last updated 13-Feb-2008 |
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