The Best Black Pistes in the Trois Vallees

In our opinion, of the 37 black pistes in the Trois Vallees these are the ones that stand out.

Cascades - From the Cascades chairlift. This has got to be the bump run in the Trois Vallées.

Suisses - One of our favorites - very good bumps. The start is very daunting, but it does get easier about half way down and it's possible to just do the easier bit if you take the Aguille de Fruit chairlift.

Combe de Caron - From the highest point in the Trois Vallees, with a north facing slope this piste always has good snow. A very long, black run with a 900m vertical drop but don't be put off as the snow quality means it's often easier to ski than you'd expect.

Combe de Rosael - From the top of Caron, you are faced with a real dilemma - scream down Combe de Caron or bounce into Rosael via the Combe de Rosael piste. Less people take this piste than Caron, plus it tends to be in the sun and (for some inexplicable reason) builds up momentous bumps.

Pierre Lory - This used to be one of our favourite off-piste runs before the Bouchet chairlift was built. Check the current piste map to see if they're keeping it as a piste or a well-skied itinerary (it's a bit wild up there and we were surprised when they proposed it as a piste). The top is very steep (we once had to help someone take his skis off so he could walk back up!) and the remoteness of the descent adds to the excitement.

Grand Couloir - from the top of Saulire. This is the only remaining piste down the couloirs from the top of Saulire - the rest have become itineraries (which makes no difference at all!). Often closed as a lot of snow is needed to cover the very steep, rocky terrain. Jump turns essential and no fear of heights. If you're feeling particularly adventurous, try the off-piste couloir which goes down the other side of the ridge towards Meribel (needs even more snow!).