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Col de la Grande Pierre
Backcountry Skiing Route
Details
6.36 mi
2,242 ft
One of the easier ski tours linking Courchevel and Pralognan
One of the easier ski tours linking Courchevel and Pralognan this is a great introduction to the area and gives plenty of opportunities to scope out the access to other tours in the area - Col du Biol, Breche Portetta, Couloir des Chamois and so on… The tour is described here without lift access but can also be started by any of the descents or tours dropping in to the Les Avals valley from the Courchevel 1650 lift system.
From the Granges hamlet above Courchevel 1650 follow the cross country track for 1km to its end (at a warning sign!) and then continue on the path into Les Avals. Once you reach the big flat area at Le Biol start a gradual climb leftwards then work your way up the steep lower part of the Plan des Tincavets/Combe des Roches - looker’s right is generally easier ground for skinning, and good kick-turn technique will help here :-).
Once you reach the ‘bench’ at half height head leftwards on mellow ground to reach the Col at 2393m. The North side of this often holds good cold snow (but is also a lee slope for many storms…) and gives a good descent down to the hamlet of La Montagne. From here follow the summer road on a long traverse rightwards then down a series of zigzags to come out by the Poucet button lift in Pralognan - it is possible to cut the corner on the road in various places, but if you pick the wrong line then be prepared for some horticultural fun! Written by Simon Christy
One of the easier ski tours linking Courchevel and Pralognan this is a great introduction to the area and gives plenty of opportunities to scope out the access to other tours in the area - Col du Biol, Breche Portetta, Couloir des Chamois and so on… The tour is described here without lift access but can also be started by any of the descents or tours dropping in to the Les Avals valley from the Courchevel 1650 lift system.
From the Granges hamlet above Courchevel 1650 follow the cross country track for 1km to its end (at a warning sign!) and then continue on the path into Les Avals. Once you reach the big flat area at Le Biol start a gradual climb leftwards then work your way up the steep lower part of the Plan des Tincavets/Combe des Roches - looker’s right is generally easier ground for skinning, and good kick-turn technique will help here :-).
Once you reach the ‘bench’ at half height head leftwards on mellow ground to reach the Col at 2393m. The North side of this often holds good cold snow (but is also a lee slope for many storms…) and gives a good descent down to the hamlet of La Montagne. From here follow the summer road on a long traverse rightwards then down a series of zigzags to come out by the Poucet button lift in Pralognan - it is possible to cut the corner on the road in various places, but if you pick the wrong line then be prepared for some horticultural fun! Written by Simon Christy
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