Vanoise Ski Touring. Paul Henderson
The itineraries described are not necessarily identical to the ski routes marked on the maps. However, the detailed description of the itinerary and the sketch map are designed to be used in conjunction with the relevant topographical map; the sketch maps give an overview of the tour to help in orientating yourself on the topographical map. Neither the description nor the sketch map can replace the topographical map since snow conditions, changes in the weather, accidents or even fatigue may necessitate major changes to your itinerary.
Alternatives
The Alternatives section, placed in the introduction to each chapter, suggests a number of ways of making the tour longer or shorter and harder or easier. It also mentions other interesting tours in the same general area.
Other itineraries
This section, in the introduction to each chapter, locates other itineraries in the same region that may be followed in addition to those described in the tours. Details of the climb, such as the name, the height and the difficulty, are given. Some comments about the nature and features of the climb are also noted.
Skinning up to the Pointe de Combe Bronsin (Day 1) with the Pic du Rognolet and the Grand Pic de la Lauzière in the background
Chapter 1: The Lauzière
Introduction
The Lauzière is a relatively small massif lying between the entrances to the Tarentaise and Maurienne Valleys, and extending for approximately 35km from Albertville in the north to La Chambre in the south. It is essentially one long line of rocky summits running from north to south, forming the watershed between a series of south-east and north-west facing combes. The highest point of the chain, the Grand Pic de la Lauzière (2829m), is home to the massif’s only glacier.
Ease of access, reliable snow conditions throughout the season and the moderate nature of much of the skiing, make the Lauzière one of the most popular ski touring areas in Savoie. Sunny Sundays can see the area invaded by up to 1000 ski tourers and snowshoers. Do not expect to find virgin snow! Fortunately, during the week most of the locals are at work and then it is easier to appreciate the beauty of the mountains and the fantastic skiing that is to be found here.
As the geography of the area does not really lend itself to multi-day tours, I have presented three of the best one-day trips that are to be had. There is also a three-day circuit, which will allow you to combine two great classics with a lesser known tour.
Access
Access is possible both from the Tarentaise Valley, via Le Biollay or Celliers, and from the Maurienne Valley, via Lieulever. All the tours described in this chapter start from the Tarentaise side of the Lauzière. That being said, the direct, and more usual access, for the Grand Arc (Day 3), from the Maurienne Valley to Lieulever, should be used if snow conditions are not stable enough for the traverse of Mont Bellacha.
From Chambéry take either the A43/A430 motorways, or the N90 route nationale, to Albertville. From Albertville continue along the N90, towards Moutiers, as far as Feissons-sur-Isère where you pick up the D94 to the Col de la Madeleine. For Le Biollay, turn right just before Villard-Benoit (about 12km from Feissons-sur-Isère). The road is always kept open as far as a hairpin bend just after the village, at 1340m. At the end of March the road is usually opened as far as the hamlet of La Pautaz at 1500m. For Celliers, continue along the D94 as far as Celliers-Dessus at 1360m (21km from Feissons-sur-Isère). By the beginning of May it is usually possible to continue a few kilometres further up the road, thereby gaining another 150m of altitude. By the time the road is open all the way to the Col de la Madeleine it is usually too late for skiing.
Both Le Biollay and Celliers are about an hour’s drive from Chambéry.
Snow Conditions
Good snow conditions can usually be found from the beginning of January to mid-April and sometimes until early May. Because of the relatively low altitude of the area, the snow on south and south-east facing slopes transforms very quickly: spring snow conditions can sometimes be found as early as February.
Maps
3432 ET Albertville and 3433 ET Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne
Resort Skiing
The nearest ski resorts are Valmorel (accessible from the Tarentaise Valley) and St.-François-Longchamp (accessible from the Maurienne Valley). The ski areas of these two resorts are linked giving a total of 160km of pistes, most of them green and blue, although there are enough reds and blacks for an interesting day or two. Despite, or perhaps because of, the gentle nature of much of the skiing, these two resorts do not suffer from the ‘ski-factory’ atmosphere of some of the larger ski areas.
Several short ski-tours are accessible from St.-François, some of which use the lifts to reduce the amount of climbing. Among the many possibilities are the Roc Rouge (2375m, moderate), the Col de Sarvatan (2439m, moderate), the Col de la Flachère (2655m, moderate) and the Cheval Noir (2832m, quite difficult). It is very possible to do a short tour in the morning before enjoying a relaxed afternoon on the pistes.
Approaching the summit of the Pointe de Colomban (an alternative route for Day 1). Looking down towards the Combe de Savoie and Chambéry.
Alternatives
DAY 1
The Pointe de Colomban (2455m, moderate), via the Colomban valley, provides a quieter alternative to the Pointe de Combe Bronsin.
DAY 2
If you do not want to traverse Mont Bellacha, the south-east side provides a very pleasant descent, as do the Mont de la Perrière (2436m, moderate) and the Pointe des Marmottes Noires (2339m, moderate).
DAY 3
The Petit Arc (2365m, moderate) is a slightly shorter and easier alternative to the Grand Arc.
DAY 4
The Pas de la Mule is by far the easiest way back to Le Biollay. The other hypothetical routes are either extremely long or extremely steep on one or both sides.
DAY 5
The Portes de Montmélian (2459m, easy), Les Frettes (2527m, easy) and the Pointe Saint Jacques (2531m, quite difficult), to the north of the Pic du Rognolet, are all accessible from the Bridan Valley. The Col François (2495m, easy) provides an alternative to the south.
DAY 6
The Pointe de la Balme (2683m, difficult) to the north of the Aiguille de la Balme, provides an interesting though quite short challenge. Stable snow conditions are essential, as this face can develop some very impressive wind-slabs.
TOUR 1
The Lauzière
DAY 1
The Pointe de Combe Bronsin (2499m)
| Starting Point | Le Biollay (1340m) |
| Finishing Point | Le Biollay (1340m) |
| Height Gain | 1159m |
| Difficulty | Moderate |
| Time | 6 hours |
| Orientation | South-east |
This is a favourite single-day tour, combining a good circuit with wonderful views and a fabulously sustained but never difficult descent. From the end of March or early April it is possible to drive up to La Pautaz at 1500m, cutting the height gain to 1000m, though you then have to descend by the ascent route.
An early start is essential to ensure good conditions on these very sunny slopes as the Colomban Valley can be quite avalanche-prone after a snowfall. From Le Biollay follow the