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Ski Touring in the Valle d'Aosta

Ski Touring in the Valle d'Aosta, Italian Alps

Ski touring on the Argentiere Glacier after a sustained descent from the Grands Montets and before the steady 1000m climb to the Col d'Argentiere.

This rising traverse from the Floria basin can be accessed from a high traversing ski line (exposed) or by descending further on the Floria pistes to a lower but less exposed skinning ascent. Either route reaches the Refuge & Lac Blanc.

The Col de la Fenetre is a fine short ski journey but is only really half a day so can be well combined with other good off piste skiing from the lifts of Les Contamines or, for fit teams, another of the classic short tours in the area, like the Rochers des Enclaves.

With the 4 big North Faces of the Argentiere Basin stacked up on the centre left of the picture - Triolet, Courtes, Droites, Verte

Ski Touring in the Valgrisenche, Valle d'Aosta

This long, sustained glacial descent can be a tough warm up to the day, especially if snow conditions are 'sub-optimal' after windy conditions but it is a stunning descent into the Argentiere Basin with great views to the Col du Chardonnet & big north faces of Les Droites, Courtes and, closest, Verte.

North Face of Les Droites in the background

With the Fiz Range beyond on the North Side of the Arve Valley

Beautiful Back Drop To Ski Touring High Above The Glacier Tre la Tete

Mont Velan in the background

Skins are put on here in the Salle à Manger at C. 2400m on the Vallee Blanche descent, approached from either the French or Italian side of the Geant Icefall. The latter offering the possibility to remain a little higher before starting the upward journey. The zig zagging skinning track takes the long & sustained ascent left of the picture and leads up and slightly right to the base of the hidden couloir leading to the Breche Puiseux.

Good sustained fall line skiing up to 35 degrees with superb views to the rest of the Aravis & Mont Blanc Massif

A super low altitude ski tour in the Aravis above the pleasant Arve Valley town of Sallanches.  This offers up to around 700m of climbing with the option of a stop in for lunch at the Refuge Tournieux en route which is open in winter.

With the superb 45° West face of Mont Charvin beyond. One of many inspiring ski mountaineering objectives in this western part of the Aravis.

Ski Touring in Italy. Dent du Geant and Grandes Jorasses in the background

Excellent ski touring peak above Megeve & Praz Sur Arly, with many variations possible on different aspects. 

Situated between La Thuille, La Rosiere and the Colle Piccolo San Bernardo Mont Valaisan commands a fine position and offers great lift served off-piste in addition and on the same day to ski touring.

Light north facing powder snow providing great ski touring surrounded by the magnificent peaks around the Aosta Valley - Grivola, Paradiso, Combin, Velan, Mont Blanc, Monte Rosa, Matterhorn....the list goes on. Fantastic alpine views!

After the initial forest tracks & attractive lower valley has been negotiated this ascent marks the start of the sustained climbing, with lots and lots of kick turns!

Pointe Percee Beyond. Ski Touring in the Aravis

Ski Touring from the Contamines Lift Area and Into the Classic Cols

Various approaches exist to the Chalets at 1610m and various lovely meadows exist around them for shorter skinning journeys if the weather / snow conditions dictate avoiding the summit!