The Longest Ski Run in the World
The 16km Sarenne, Skiing in Alpe D'Huez in the French Alps
Nov 15, 2009
Alpe D'Huez is situated high above the town of Bourg D'Oisans in the Ecrin National Park in the French Alps. the nearest large city and airport is Grenoble. Also known for the grueling hairpin road that leads to the resort and which regularly features as a stage on the Tour De France cycling race, Alpe D'Huez provides 240km of pistes including at 16km the Sarenne the world's longest ski run
Skiing the World's Longest Ski Run
At 16km in length the Sarenne, situated in the ski resort of Alpe D'Huez, claims to be the worlds longest ski run.
From Alpe D'Huez at 1860m it is necessary to take either the Pic Blanc cable car to the Pic Blanc summit station at 3,330m, or the Marmottes cable car and the Glaciers chair lift to reach the same point of Pic Blanc.
From here its downhill all the way!
The Sarenne piste is graded black. The hardest part of the piste is at the top of the run and after this part is done the overall grade is more red in nature. (European gradings)
The route descends the Gorges of Sarennes to reach the Chalvet cafe and then the Alpauris lift which takes the skier back into the Bergers Area of Alp D'Huez.
It is necessary to time the descent from Pic Blanc in order to leave adequate time to get to the Alpauris lift before it closes for the night.
The Sarenne Piste can get very busy during peak periods at which times it can be worth getting one of the first few cable cars up the mountain or waiting until later in the afternoon.
Skiing the World's Longest Ski Run by Moonlight
On approximately ten nights each year the ski service in Alpe D'Huez offers night descents of the Sarenne piste. The last cable car is taken up to the Pic Blanc. A meal and cocktails are enjoyed at the summit station whilst watching the sunset, before descending the world's longest run with a guide, the way lit only by the moon or a headtorch.
The Alpauris lift is closed for the night by the time the descent is made and thus a bus service is provided to return skiers to their accommodation in Alpe D'Huez.
Other Skiing at Alpe D'Huez in the French Alps
The resort of Alpe D'huez is situated on a south facing plateau at a height of 1860m. It has a reputation for skiing in the sunshine. The resort offers a broad range of pistes to suit all, but with an emphasis on family skiing. There are 38 green runs, 32 blue, 34 red and 16 black runs.
The official website for Alpe D'Huez contains all necessary information about skiing and staying at the resort
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