The Pas de Chavanette, universally known as the Swiss Wall, is one of the most famous ski runs in Europe — a brutally steep mogul field that drops directly on the Swiss-French border, connecting the Champéry side to Avoriaz in France. The gradient reaches 78% in places, and on a busy day the moguls are enormous: hard-packed lumps the size of small cars stretching the full width of the face.
Expert skiers come here specifically for the challenge. The lift line for the drag lift back up is a reliable indicator: if it is short, the conditions are good and the experts are out. If you are not at that level, a chairlift bypasses the face entirely and offers an excellent view of those brave (or foolish) enough to take it on. The Wall is at its most dramatic when it forms after a week of heavy traffic in spring conditions.