Category: Ski Touring

Ski Touring Val d’Isère, La Rosière Tignes Sainte-Foy. Get inspired for your next Ski Touring experiences with the most beautiful routes told by local instructors and guides.

Freeride, Ski Touring

Ski touring Le Bec Rouge in La Rosière

Ski touring in La Rosière: Le Bec Rouge 2515m

Le Bec Rouge is a summit located between La Rosière and Sainte-Foy, culminating at an altitude of 2515m. In winter, Le Bec Rouge ski touring is a very diversified and authentic route, starting in the villages, the first part of the hike is in the forest, then a wide ridge dominating the Haute-Tarentaise valley until its summit. The descent is also a huge playground with many options to make your tracks!

Start of the ski touring hike of Le Bec Rouge from La Rosière villages

We will talk here about Le Bec Rouge route starting from the village of Les Moulins. The village of Les Moulins can be reach by car from the road that goes up through La Rosière’s villages, at the level of Le Villaret you have to continue the road towards Sainte-Foy, the village and the starting path are after the bridge on the left. This is where we put on our touring skis at an altitude of 1400m to take the Cavette forest path which runs alongside the Moulins torrent. The atmosphere is quiet and fresh in the morning due to the proximity with the torrent.

This first climb reaches the village of Le Vaz which is also possible to access from Le Chatelard. Once arrived at Le Vaz, we continue our climb towards La Roche. Through the snowy trees, we can see the village of Chatelard and Mont Pourri during the ascent to La Roche.

Reach the top of the Mousselard forest.

Montée du Bec Rouge en ski de randonnée

At La Roche, we have to continue by the forest paths to leave the forest of Le Mousselard. Sometimes it is not easy to spot the path if you are on the first track, the main thing is to keep climbing until the forest let place to a more mountainous and open landscape around 2000 meters. The change of scenery is quite obvious, you have now a clear view of Mont Pourri and the entire Haute-Tarentaise valley.

The transition between the forest and the long ridge that leads to Le Bec Rouge.

This is the steepest part of the climb, a few conversions will be necessary to go up the little steep part towards the North-East which permits to join the last part of this ascent by ski touring towards the Bec Rouge. It is also the place where awareness  must be the most important because it is a part with slopes sometimes steeper than 30 °. If the visibility is not good, it is before this part that we advise you to give up, because afterwards there are no more trees to find contrast!

The breathtaking ridge that leads to Le Bec Rouge.

Once the steepest part is behind us, all that’s left is this wide and beautiful ridge to the top. Nevertheless, there is still some distance that should not be overlooked! However, the 360 ​​° panorama which allows you to observe La Rosière, Sainte-Foy, Les Arcs as far as Val d’Isère and the summit, will make you forget that your legs are getting heavy.

Ascension finale vers le Bec Rouge
The beautiful final ridge toward Le Bec Rouge

You have reached the summit of Le Bec Rouge by ski touring at 2515m!

slalom dans la forêt en descendant du Bec Rouge à La Rosière
Descent until Petit Bois

For the descent, several routes are possible depending on your level and your experience. During the ascent it is possible to observe the descent route, in particular the most obvious and less steep descent, exposed North-West. You also have the option to chose a steeper slopes between the rocks facing North or for locals and experts of steeper slopes to switch to the side of Sainte-Foy to reach the Miroir. For all downhill routes, do not underestimate the avalanche risk, right down to the bottom of the valleys! Once you have went down the North-West face, the most obvious, you will arrive in the at the valley of Piche. From this point, you will have to slalom between trees and the Nant du Piche torrent to Petit Bois and Le Vaz. This last part is probably the most technical of the descent with a lot of obstacles so keep some energy until the end!

Main information of Le Bec Rouge ski touring route from the villages of La Rosière:

Le Bec Rouge depuis La Rosière
Le Bec Rouge seen from La Rosière

Access: From the village of Les Moulins at 1400m on the climb to La Rosière

Starting point of the hike: The path of La Cavette next to the bridge in the village of Les Moulins.

Intermediate point: The summit of the Mousselard forest at an altitude of around 2000 meters.

Summit: Le Bec Rouge at an altitude of 2,515 meters

Return: By the North-West Face and the Piche valley to Petit Bois, then take the Cavette path again along the torrent to finish to the starting point.

Come and discover this ski touring route with our qualified instructors!

    Ski Touring

    Ski touring in La Rosiere: Le Clapet

    The most beautiful ski touring routes in La Rosiere: Le Clapet

    L’Aiguille du Clapet 2615m

    Ski touring Le Clapet – The Aiguille du Clapet is a summit located in Haute Tarentaise, in the southern extension of the Roc de Belleface ridge. Le Clapet is on the West side of the Petit Saint Bernard pass. It is clearly visible from La Rosière ski resort, especially its immense white slopes of its South face. There are no lift in this area, the only access is by ski touring to Le Clapet.

    The route : Ski touring Le Clapet

    Several climbing routes are possible to get to Le Clapet. The first option is to go through La Rosiere ski area. Go down the North-East face of Roches Noires in the direction of Plan Gerbier then go straight up the South face of Le Clapet by La Colonne, Prariond … The second option is to start from the village of Le Mont. It is located about thirty minutes from La Rosière, passing by Saint-Germain. In this article we will mainly talk about this last route because the landscape changes throughout the climb and the view of the Haute Tarentaise Valley is impressive. In addition, if the risk of avalanche is high, it is better to go through Le Mont because the slopes are smoother than the South face and less exposed.

    Ski touring Le Clapet through Le Mont

    ski touring le Clapet
    Le Clapet and all the way up visible from the end of the forest

    We park the car in the village of Le Mont, we are at 1500m, it’s time to put on the skis. It’s cold, the snow cracks under our skis and the legs get hot, we have a 1000 meters of denivelation to gain to the summit! We follow the direction of Plan du Mont, some summer trails allow us to reach the South West shoulder easily through the forest. Once on the shoulder the forest stops and the summit appears. Almost the entire climb is visible.

    The ascent continues, and we pass a few alpine chalets, ideal for a short break.

    They are 600m of elevation left for the summit. The second part of the climb get a bit steeper, the view emerges over the Col du Petit-Saint-Bernard and the Italian peaks. Once on the ridge, you still have to make a little effort for the last few meters. Accessibility to the summit changes a lot from season to season. The amount of snow can facilitate progression. We attach our skis on our bags and continue to climb. We are lucky the amount of snow facilitates the progression and rapidly, we reach the summit and its 2615m! It’s time to stop for a while and enjoy the landscape. The 360 ​​° view is splendid. Of course, Mont Blanc is here, very close! We can also see summits well known to heli-skiing amators such as the Miavidi or Lechaud.

    Skiing down Le Clapet

    Couloir face Nord le Clapet
    North face Couloir of Le Clapet

    Then it is the time for the descent. By the same route, well exposed to the sun, or by the north face for skiers looking for fresh snow and big thrills! Twenty meters below the summit, on the Eastern ridge, is the entrance of the Northern couloir. The entrance is very obvious and the couloir is very wide. It will be necessary to leave a car in advance in the village of Versoye if you choose to go down by the North face, the other possibility is to climb up again by the Col de la Forclaz to then return to La Rosiere.

    There are many options of uphill and downhill combinations for all levels on this mountain, a classic for local skiers.

    Le Clapet, the balcony of the Haute Tarentaise

    The Clapet has the particularity of being at the exact location where the valley begins a 90 ° turn. The view is from Val d’Isère to Valmorel, revealing all the most beautiful resorts of Haute Tarentaise, Sainte Foy, La Rosiere, Les Arcs (and the majestic Mont Pourri), La Plagne …

    Main information for Le Clapet ski touring route by Le Mont and descent to Versoye:

    Map: 3532 ETR Les Arcs La Plagne, Pn de la Vanoise

    Access: From Bourg Saint Maurice, go in the direction of La Rosière until the village of Villard Dessus. Then turn left towards Saint-Germain. Cross the village and continue to a place called Le Mont

    Starting point: Le Mont at 1523m

    Summit: Aiguille du Clapet at 2615m (+ 1092m)

    Arrival: Village of Versoye at 1400m (- 1185m)

    Orientation: South / East – North – South / East

    Ski pass: No

    If you want to drop a car off at Versoye, follow the direction of Cormet de Roselend from Bourg Saint Maurice then turn right at Bonneval les Bains. You will need a 10-minute drive to reach the village of Versoye.

    Discover Le Clapet ski touring route with our certified ski instructors !

    Contact us for more information !

      Freeride, Ski Touring

      Ski touring in La Rosiere : Le passage des Trois Moines

      Find the most beautiful ski touring routes in La Rosiere !

      Le Passage des Trois Moines at the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass

      La Rosiere is keeping up its reputation for ski touring! Therefore, there are many and diversified routes of ski touring in La Rosiere. From the Ecudets forest to the Franco-Italian ridges or the Pic of La Louis Blanche, terrains and expositions are very different. This allows you to adapt the trip depending on the weather but also on your level and your experience. In this article, we will talk about about a ski touring route accessible from the La Rosiere ski area. It is an easy technical one but quiet long, the change of scenery it provides and the panorama really worth the effort!

      Le Passage des Trois Moines (The passage of the Three Monks)

      The passage des Trois Moines is located in front of the slopes that link La Rosiere to La Thuile at the level of the Petit Saint-Bernard pass. Between the Roc de Belleface and the Lancebranlette! Above the “Lac sans Fond” (the Bottomless Lake), for those who know the area in the summer. Le passage des Trois Moines peaks at 2812m and dominates on one side La Rosière and the Haute Tarentaise valley and on the other the Versoyen valley which remains untouched in winter.

      Your efforts will be rewarded!

      Of course, in ski touring you have to climb, even if the elevation remains reasonable, about 700 meters from the Petit-Saint Bernard hospice, the distance is still to be taken into account. These said, this relief allows a pleasant hike from start to finish, with regular slopes and some flat. A few conversions will wait for you at the end of the route before you can find out what’s on the other side.

      Le plateau du lac Sans Fond enneigé en ski de randonnée à La Rosière
      Sans Fond lake, you are at the half way !

      Once passed on the other side of Le Reclus (the torrent that separates the two face of the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass) we are already far from the ski area that we observe from the opposite, and therefore alone in the world, from there begins a steady climb. The intermediate stage is the plateau of Lac Sans Fond located at 2460 meters. A peaceful place where a refueling break is essential. Indeed, the slope is a bit steeper from this point to the top of the route, but the scenery that is emerging under our eyes pushes us to continue more motivated. As we approach the Passage des Trois Moines, we can see a tapered ridge before us, as if it has been sculpted by the wind.

      You are arrived at the Passage des Trois Moines!

      ski touring in La Rosiere Le Passage des Trois Moines

      You can now enjoy the panorama from both sides of the mountain. A high mountain atmosphere with this aerial ridge will make you forget all the efforts endured. For this beautiful hike a ski like the Zag Ubac 95 is an ideal compromise for the long climb, and to be able to enjoy the descent! You will appreciate your turns in these isolated valleys and to impress your relatives you will be able to see your tracks from the ski area! Once back at the starting point, there is an extra little effort to make, you have to put again your skins on your ski to reach La Rosière ski area at the Piccolo chairlift or the at Bellecombe 1 druglift.

       

      Ski touring in La Rosiere, le Passage des Trois Moines itinerary, main information:

      Access: From La Rosiere ski area, you can start with the beautiful North face of the Fort, by the “Combe à Justin” descent for example or simply from the bottom of the Chardonnet chairlift to the Marquise bridge.

      Starting point for the hike: The flat under La Marquise bridge at 2115 meters.

      Intermediate point: Lac Sans Fond at an altitude of 2460 meters.

      Summit: Passage des Trois Moines 2812 meters.

      Return: From the starting point of the hike, put on your skins to reach the ski area at the Piccolo chairlift at the Petit-Saint-Bernard pass or to the Bellecombe 1 druglift.

      Need liftpass: Yes

      Comme discover this ski touring intinerary with our certicated ski instructor !

      Contact us for more information !

        Ski Touring

        Ski touring equipment

        Ski touring requires specific equipment, and the more we are looking for performance and fun, the more accessories there are !

        Basic equipment :

        Touring skis or a split board :

        Of course, touring skis or a split board are required. There is every type of touring skis, some that focus on the descent, wider and heavier to have a better flotation and stability on the snow during the descent like the Zag-BAKAN (112mm under the foot for 1,5Kg), other ones are finer that bring a better compromise between climbing and descent like the Zag – UBAC (94,5 mm under the foot for 1,240Kg), and others even finer and lighter shapped for long distances where the search of performance is pushed to its maximum (like the Zag-ADRET 81mm under the foot for 0,980Kg). It’s up to you to choose the ski according to your abilities and ambitions. Discover ZAGSKIS range

        Bindings :

        There is also a varied choice for bindings compatible with ski touring.

        As for the choice of your skis, the choice of the ski bindings depends on the experience you have, and of course it is preferable to have a correlation with the choice of your skis. It would be absurd to equip a city car with rally tires!

        There are 2 mains types of bindings:

        The standard inserts (specific to ski touring): lighter, which have a very good performance but which requires specific hiking shoes with an insert.

        Semi-Alpine bindings: This is exactly the same as conventional alpine ski bindings, they offer a very good downhill stability but are heavy on climbing. This is ideal for small hikes and occasional users.

        Touring skins

        Touring skins simply need to be adapted to the size and shape of your touring skis to have a good adherence during the climb up.

        Ski touring boots.

        With or without inserts, they must be adapted to the ski binding. Of course the weight varies according to the models. As for the choice of skis and bindings, it is necessary to find coherence in this trio according to your level of skill.

        Crampons :

        When you start being an expert in ski touring and you are likely to end up on slopes with hard or icy snow, it is better to have crampons to avoid slipping sideways! They must be adapted to the width of your skis.

        Poles :

        Some people prefer adjustable (or telescopic) poles to adjust the size when climbing and descending for comfort, but let’s not forget that it’s not the poles that make the skier!

        Contact us for more information!