La Clusaz is a fantastic ski area for off-piste and freeride skiing.  There are many options, some without too much hiking or climbing.

The Combe de la Creuse is an off-piste valley in the middle of the La Clusaz ski area. It is accessible from the top of the Aiguille chair lift and offers a variety of challenging freeride skiing.  When you get off, head over the edge on your right.  You’ll climb a fairly steep rise along a cliff wall for about 20 minutes, as shown in the photo above.  When you reach the top of the ridge, you access an open valley on the other side.  The first part of the run is steepest and most challening (but not too bad, really) and then opens up to a large bowl when you can really let it rip.  

You’ll finish back on the ski trails midway under the Fernuy cable car.  You can ski down to the Balme area of the resort or continue off-piste to your left and ski back to the Crêt du Loup chair lift.

The combe is clearly marked on the ski trail map so you can see where it is in relation to the rest of the mountain.

For your first time, I recommend hiring a guide.  There are lots of options in La Clusaz for ski schools.  In the video, I’m sking with one of the instructors from the ESF (Ecole du Ski Français).    

Enjoy!