The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Alpe d'Huez

This is a beautiful open off-piste run in a quiet part of the ski area. Most of the skiing is on sunny, grassy slopes at fairly low altitude, so be aware of the state of the snowpack and avoid the area on warm afternoons or sunny days after fresh snow....

This is a beautiful, sunny off-piste run in a quiet corner of the ski area, at fairly low altitude. The skiing is fun and not too hard, but be aware that the area can be very avalanche prone and has been the scene of some huge avalanches in the past....

Another fantastic off-piste line on the Petites Rousses wall, but again the difficulty of the skiing is far outweighed by the seriousness of the terrain and the route-finding complexities. Start as for La Fare Canyon and follow the same approach until you reach the bowl below cliffs at the head of the canyon....

A fabulous, varied adventure; the skiing is never too hard, but the terrain is complex and serious. Excellent route finding skills are required to follow the right path, and there are a number of more difficult variants, so be very careful not to blindly follow tracks, as they may lead to extreme terrain....

Though not really a true couloir, this is nevertheless a majestic route, finding a skiable line through very serious terrain. Expert mountain navigation skills are a prerequisite to safely finding and following the correct line, so don't attempt this unless you are well prepared and experienced....

This provides a slightly easier way to access the Perrins bowl, but the terrain is still serious, and very good route-finding is required. From the Dôme des Petites Rousses, follow the first part of the La Fare routes northwards into the shallow valley....

Having exited the tunnel itself, the really exciting skiing begins! Turn right immediately after leaving the tunnel and make a 25 metre traverse to the top of a 35 degree pitch overlooking a huge bowl....

Les Perrins is a large, fine bowl in the Petites Rousses wall, with two main entry options which are somewhat confusingly named - North refers to the aspect, not the location....

A classic couloir; steep, straight and narrow, facing south-west. In addition to the technical difficulties of the couloir itself, the approach is complex, through serious terrain and requires good route-finding skills....