The “Col des Grands Couloirs” from the hamlet of Les Fontanettes.
15 May 2017
Beautiful two day ski tour in the Vanoise National Park Tuesday 9th and Wednesday 10th May.
Day 1 – hike to the refuge of the “Col de La Vanoise” and then to the next climb of the “Glacier des Grands Couloirs” until “Col des Grands Couloirs”
Still good snow conditions above 2000m and this thanks to the snow last weekend.
The “Col des Grands Couloirs” from the hamlet of Les Fontanettes.
Practical Information:
Map: IGN TOP25 3534 OT The Three Valleys – Modane & IGN TOP25 3633 ET Tignes – Val d’Isère
Departure altitude: 1650m
Arrival altitude: 3665m
Elevation gain: 2010m
Description of the route:
From the parking at Fontanettes, go up the ski slopes and join the Chalet Refuge des Barmettes. Cross the torrent of Glière. Continue in the valley leading to the “Chalets de la Glière” then to the Cows “.
On the right is the Aiguille de la Vanoise. .
Going east, you come to almost flat ground. On the left Is “le lac Long”, and a few meters further on the right is the the lake of the Assiettes. We quickly arrive at “Col de la Vanoise” and the refuge of the Col de la Vanoise, dominated by the Grande Casse (3855m).
After a night at the refuge, day 2 is the ascent of the Glacier des Grands Couloirs.
Go down slightly towards “le lac Long” and then pull up to the left, climb on the right bank of the glacier as indicated on the IGN card. At 3350 m we meet the rimaye. Then the slope becomes steeper (a little more than 40 ° by 300 meters) and then emerges at the “Col des Grands couloirs” (3665m).
