The Premières Traces experience at the Dôme des Rousses, departing from Vaujany, invites you to enjoy a rare and privileged moment before the ski area opens. In the stillness of the early morning, you carve the first tracks on freshly groomed pistes alongside the ski patrol, who guide you behind the scenes of the mountain and reveal its secrets, as the light of dawn gradually illuminates the surrounding peaks.
The beginning of the adventure at the summit
The meeting point is set for 8:05 a.m. at the foot of the Vaujany cable car, or at the Alpette lift for departures from Oz 3300.
From the very first moments, immersion begins.
You board the cable car alongside ski patrollers and locals, sharing this suspended moment as the resort slowly comes to life.
The ascent to 2,800 metres above sea level is already an experience in itself.
Through the windows, the landscape unfolds and gradually transforms: fir forests and dense vegetation slowly give way to more open spaces, culminating in the majestic world of high mountain terrain. The sun rises shyly, casting its first golden light over the peaks.
A journey in its own right, gently preparing you for the unique experience that awaits at the top.
Price per person | |
|---|---|
First Tracks Dôme des Rousses Departure from Oz-en-Oisans and Vaujany Meeting point at 8:05 a.m., departure at precisely 8:10 a.m. | €19 |
SEASON DATES 2025/2026
Tuesday 23 December 2025
Tuesday 30 December 2025
Thursday 8 January 2026
Thursday 15 January 2026
Thursday 22 January 2026
Thursday 29 January 2026
Thursday 5 February 2026
Thursday 12 February 2026
Thursday 19 February 2026
Thursday 26 February 2026
Thursday 5 March 2026
Thursday 12 March 2026
Ski level
To fully enjoy this experience, a good skiing level is recommended.
Purchase
Available only at the ski pass sales points of the Alpe d’Huez domain.
Information
Outing organised on the following days
Limited to 30 people
Information
A valid ski pass is mandatory to participate in the activity
Behind the scenes of a ski patroller’s work
Once you arrive, the immersion begins. The ski patrollers welcome you and take the time to explain how the morning will unfold, while giving you a glimpse into their daily routine. You learn how their day starts with a detailed weather briefing—covering wind, snowfall, and the condition of the snowpack—elements they analyse every morning to ensure the slopes open safely.
This time together is warm and interactive. The patrollers share their experiences, explain their responsibilities, and introduce their essential but often little-known equipment. All questions are encouraged, offering a unique opportunity to understand their role on the mountain.
3, 2, 1… the slope is yours.
You set off alone on the piste in absolute quiet. No other skiers, just fresh snow and the rare feeling of having the mountain all to yourself. From the start to the finish of the descent, you are accompanied by the ski patrollers.
First tracks, first sensations!
Accompanied by the ski patrollers, you savour the rare privilege of a solo descent on freshly groomed snow in a still-slumbering resort. The silence, the morning light, and the sensation of gliding before the first skiers arrive make this moment truly unique.
Throughout the run, the patrollers share insights into their daily work and carry out tasks before your eyes: marking sensitive areas, signalling icy patches, and securing tricky sections. You gain a close-up view of the scale and precision of their duties—checking icy zones, carrying out preventive avalanche control after heavy snowfall, and inspecting posts and markers to ensure nothing has shifted overnight.
An immersive and privileged experience, where the joy of skiing blends with the discovery of work that is often unseen, yet essential for the safety of all skiers.
A gourmet break on the Alpette Plateau
Reaching the Alpette Plateau marks the end of this privileged descent. It’s time for a well-deserved treat: hot chocolate, coffee, croissants, and pain au chocolat await you at the ski patrol hut. A friendly moment to recharge and enjoy a few more minutes in the company of the patrollers before continuing your day on the slopes.
The Premières Traces experience is much more than just a ski descent—it is a timeless interlude. A morning suspended in time, lived up close with a fascinating, demanding, and essential profession that ensures the safety of everyone on the mountain.