The speed-skiing run at Les Arcs

The most famous speed-skiing course in the world is here at Les Arcs, in the renowned Aiguille Rouge Couloir above Les Arcs 2000. It is a truly record breaking run and one that all the world's best skiers have used to try and get their names in the record books. In 2006, the Italian Simone Origon set a new world record with a speed of 251km/hr!

Today, you can set your own personal record, supervised by the Les Arcs Sports Club, and collect a certificate showing your speed.

Altitude: from 2,800m to 2,000m

Vertical drop: 800m

Distance: 3km

Gradient: 70% at its steepest

Access: Varet Gondola

That little extra: Accelerate faster than a formula one car!

World Championships in March.

Tourist office to contact: http://www.lesarcs.com/

Avoriaz: The Swiss Wall

The Swiss Wall may not be impregnable but, like Switzerland, it won't be conquered easily! A black slope between Chavanette and Planachaux, the Swiss Wall is the hardest descent in the Avoriaz ski area. The figures speak for themselves: the Wall itself has a vertical drop of 300m and a gradient of almost 80%. And that is just the beginning! You need to be really sure of your technique and avoid days when the snow is icy!

Altitude: from 2,217m to 1,230m

Vertical drop:  1,000m

Distance: 6km

Difficulty:  the first wall has a slope of 80%

Access: From the Chavanette gondola

That little extra: A superb view over the Swiss Alps.

Tourist office to contact: http://www.avoriaz.com/

Les Contamines-Montjoie: The Noire de Greuvettaz

Pronounced "Noire de Greuvett" by the locals, and situated on the "wild" side of the Mont Blanc Massif, this face is an interminable series of walls and schusses. To get the whole experience, start with the Croche black run and, if conditions allow, finish by the Collombaz off-piste trail - a combination that provides one of the best, longest and most sustained descents in Savoie Mont Blanc.

Altitude: from 2,450m to 1,200m

Vertical drop:  1,250m

Distance: 12km

Difficulty: walls with gradients of 60%

Access: Tierces and Aiguille Croche gondolas

That little extra: magnificent views of Mont Blanc from a run that ends in the middle of Alpine farms.

Tourist office to contact: http://www.lescontamines.com/

Val d'Isère: L'épaule du Charvet

A very steep and technical run characterised by a huge wall with moguls. Snow machines hardly go on this part of the domain. At the bottom nested in the valley, the village of Val d'Isère: 1000m downhill and you are back home for tea!

One of the best black run in Val d'Isère!

Altitude: 2 827 m

Vertical drop : 1 000 m

Difficulty: black

Access : Olympique cablecar, down to Fontaine Froide and then the Epaule.

That little extra: At the bottom of the « Epaule » stop at the restaurant « les Clochetons » for lunch or tea. A good address - with a nice sunny terrace - in the small valley Le Manchet.

Contact office de tourisme : http://www.valdisere.com/