So many people are asking can I ski the longest black run in Europe Sarenne in Alpe d'Huez?
Well I reckon if you're asking the question, then you probably can.
The key question is, can you control your speed? If you are comfortable controlling your speed, there is only one section which is the very first section which is a little steep and a little narrow, but if you wait your turn and just gently go down controlling your speed, whether that be in a snowplough or sidestepping, it's not very far at all.
The rest of the run is nothing more than a decent red run.
But, Sarenne is long, so if you're taking kids or people that need that extra bit of energy, I would suggest taking a few chocolate bars in your pocket and maybe some water, it's surprising how long it is once you get going, but it's a fantastic run with epic views and don't forget once you're up there, if you feel like you don't wanna do it, you can always get a lift back down!
But take my advice, if you're asking the question, you're probably able to do it!!
So we are at the top of Pic Blanc, the highest point in Alpe d'Huez Grand Ski Domain, reaching
an elevation of 3,330 meters, that's nearly 11,000 feet, of stunning panoramic views of
the surrounding mountain. It's also the starting point of two legendary ski runs, La Sarenne,
which is the longest ski run in Europe, stretching 16 kilometers, that's 10 miles from the summit
of Pic Blanc down to the valley. As you can see, the scenery behind me is absolutely breathtaking,
just check out those views around me, it looks absolutely spectacular. We've chosen an absolutely
fantastic day to come up here, we're up at 3,330 meters just in the early weeks of December 2020-24
and the conditions are absolutely superb. We arrived with some nice snowy afternoon and the
evening and woke up to beautiful sunshine and lovely skiing. There we are at the top of Pic Blanc,
let's go and see what this 16 kilometer, 10 mile run Sarenne is like. We'll chat to you when we get
down to the bottom. For those wondering whether you should tackle Pic Blanc in Alpe d'Huez, when
you get off the lift the very first bit, which is about I would say about 20 or 30 meters,
is steepish, quite narrow, but you can just side slide or snow plough down if you're not
feeling confident. The next 100 meters is a big wide open fast red stroke black but to be honest
with you it's a fast red really and then you come down and it smooths out. So actually so far
if you're an intermediate skier you can definitely manage this, so don't be put off by the altitude
or the fact that everybody says it's a massive run and it's a black. If anything the views are
absolutely exceptional and that very first little bit you can get down. If you're a decent intermediate
skier you don't have to be a pro by any stretch of the imagination. We'll let you know what it's
like as we get further down. So still coming down from Pic Blanc here, still graded as a black but
as you can see it really levels out here a lot. We're coming down with a 13, a 15 year old and a
mum and dad. If you're intermediate skiers and pretty comfortable with controlling your speed
that's all it's about. As long as you can control your speed you're going to be safe on this slope.
I wouldn't be videoing while I'm going down. Very very scenic, very beautiful.
Seeing the surrounded villages embedded in the mountains it's really really pretty indeed.
There you see so it's just a sort of fast walking blue straight road. Nice!
And towards the end of the Serenne Gorge you can come down by the river that's flowing. There's a
lovely little bar restaurant you can grab a hot dog for the kids if that's what you want,
but it levels out into a beautiful tree-lined run as you can see behind me now. Glorious,
great snow, great conditions and pre-christmas skiing. Can't beat it and it's quiet. Look at
the runs behind us, there's never anybody around. Every time we go somewhere we think
is it supposed to be closed? Amazing! So great time to come skiing. We're about to pick up the lift
to head back up over to Alpe d'Huez. So having survived Serenne, the 16 kilometre black,
the longest black in the Alps, 10 miles, we've managed to get to the base and no problem getting
down and as you can see the Alps down behind us stretching out as far as you can see up here and
Alpe d'Huez down at the base. We've rewarded ourselves by coming up to the signal lift up
to the signal restaurant which is just behind me. Really nice restaurant which has just got
a terrace overlooking Alpe d'Huez for a nice little rest before we go out skiing this afternoon.
