Roof Drop

Access

From the top of the Chenus, Coqs, Plantrey or Bouc Blanc lifts, head to the red Lanches piste. Follow the piste until it takes a sharp right turn onto a path. This is also the point where Lanches intersects with the black Dou des Lanches piste. A few metres along the path to skiers left, there is a break in vegetation, depending on snow depth, running from the piste all the way to the Dou des Lanches lift line. Sometimes you may need to duck under or go around a rope designating the edge of the path to get into the line.

There are effectively 2 sections:

The upper can, depending on snow depth, be peppered with wood brush poking through the snow surface, this can add a little spice and mean you need to approach it more like tree skiing and pick a path through.

The lower is a little narrower but generally clear of vegetation, the optional roof jump is clearly marked with a danger sign and is best attempted when you’ve had a chance to scope the landing and take a view on snow depth and line for take-off.

Tech

All you need is your TSP and the knowledge of how to use them and you’re ready to Ride.

Stoke

The basic line is relatively low on the stoke meter but is a great alternative to the last icy and busy section of the Lanches piste. That said, there are a couple of factors that can amp the stoke beyond the norm:
1) This line runs directly under the Bouc Blanc chair, so when the chair is running at capacity you have an audience, skiing it well can leave you feeling like a hero.
2) There is a service door to an electrical plant room, this has a flat roof that you may, or may not want to take as a drop (see GNAR for more details).

Gnar

Roof Drop certainly wouldn’t be described as GNARLY but there is an option halfway down the 2nd section to boost the level of GNAR by taking on the Roof Drop after which this line is named. It’s clearly marked with danger signs and totally optional. It is best attempted when you’ve had a chance to scope the landing and take a view on snow depth and your preferred line for take-off.

Assuming a Snowpack of 30cm or more, you’ll be very unlikely to find any rocks or tree stumps, but you will likely find yourself picking a line through some brush. On deeper days the brush is all but invisible.

We wouldn’t advise Roof Drop in the following conditions:

1. When the avalanche danger scale is 4 or above.
2. Very early season when snowpack depth is less than 30 cm
3. After a weather system where the freezing level has been around 2000m
4. Very late in the season when the snowpack depth is less than 30 cm

If none of the above factors are an issue, then Roof Drop is a fun diversion from the piste and puts you directly into the Dou des Lanches lift line.

Remember, as with all off-piste lines, it’s up to you to make your own risk assessment and decide if it’s right for you.

Awe

Roof Drop isn’t particularly picturesque in itself or commanding amazing views, however if you take an aggressive line over the roof drop and nail the landing, then you’ll most likely be leaving those riding the Bouc Blanc chair in awe.