Steep, Technical Couloirs for Freeride Precision
Looking to refine your steep-skiing technique in Tignes? The P1, P2 and P3 couloirs are perfect for expert freeriders wanting to sharpen their skills on narrow, challenging descents. Nestled beneath the Grande Motte glacier, these three parallel lines are clearly visible and share similar profiles: consistently steep, enclosed, and ideal for repeated training.
They’re especially popular among experienced skiers, ski mountaineering clubs, and riders preparing for more exposed alpine descents.
👉 Book a guided freeride session with Snocool in Tignes
Access from the Glacier of Grande Motte
Reach the couloirs from the top of the Grande Motte glacier, using the funicular or cable car or Lanches chairlift. A short uphill approach takes around 20 minutes—use skins if you’re skiing, or bootpack if you’re snowboarding.
The access requires careful route-finding, as snow build-up and wind-formed cornices can affect access conditions. A good eye for terrain and snow stability is key.
Once committed, each couloir offers a direct, narrow line with sustained gradients before merging into the Double M piste below the Lanches chairlift. This provides a quick and easy return to Val Claret.
⚠️ This is not a secured or marked area. Full avalanche safety equipment is essential: transceiver (DVA), shovel, probe, helmet.
Technical Information
- Start point: Top of the Grande Motte glacier
- End point: Double M piste, below the Lanches chairlift
- Total vertical drop: approx. 900 m
- Vertical drop in couloirs: approx. 350 m
- Gradient: 40° to 45°
- Aspect: North-facing
- Difficulty: Expert only
- Recommended equipment: DVA, shovel, probe, helmet
- Specific equipment: wide touring skis (90–100 mm) with skins, and freeride-touring boots.
👉 Meet our instructors in Tignes to find the right line for your skill level
You can contact us to enjoy a safe, guided experience.
Who Are the P1, P2, P3 Couloirs For?
These couloirs are best suited for skiers who:
- Have strong technical ability in natural snow
- Can control speed in narrow terrain
- Are experienced in terrain reading and avalanche awareness
- Want to train for even steeper lines, like the Pramecou North Face
They’re also a good challenge for expert snowboarders, provided they can handle the often tricky couloir exits, which may be crusty or uneven.
Want More Steep Descents in Tignes?
- Grande Motte North Face – A long glacier descent with technical sections
- Tufs Couloirs – Ideal first steps into steep terrain
- Chardonnet Bowl – A series of varied lines to progress your technique
