Valaisで一番のバックカントリースキーのルート

This is a famous and historical tour with no technical difficulty and minimal objective hazards. It is possible whenever there is snow on the ground and the road to the Monastery is closed (which it generally is between November and May)....

When you ski down the Mt-Lachaux slope, just before the steep part you should cut to the right. There is an open first 'steep' part, to get into an open forest....

You can either drive (via Essert Romand and Cote D'Arbroz) or take the lifts up Mont Chery (TC Mont Chery, TS de la Pointe) and ride the Marmottes, Mouflon or Chevreuil pistes down to reach L'Encrenaz and access this gentle line down from Col Ratti....

From the middle of the blue slope "Ecosti's 49", we will need to turn right below a big patch of trees. Some 10-15 minutes hiking will be needed. The main danger will be the lack of snow and rocks, as our face is takes a lot of sun due to the southerly aspect- this is an early season line....

At the top of the "Chermillon" ski lift, follow the blue slope "Chermillon Muave Milka" but instead of carrying on right with the blue slope, continue straight. Speed needs to be taken and kept to join this line as our line is quite flat....

Easy access on this line as we do have more or less 2 options either the top of the Petit Chatel chairlift or we can go down the Barbossine chairlift. This is more like a way home line we will do instead of taking the lift....

This is an easy access line by the bottom of the ski lift "Le Lac" on the left of the bottom of blue slope. The line is not steep and can feel like a piste but there are some stones all along the track and trees as soon as a mistake is done from the track....

Again another easy access line with 10 minutes hike needed from top left of "Grand-frémoux" ski lift. The line is not steep and can feel like a piste in the forest where the line gets a lot of sun so make sure there's enough snow before heading in due to the south West exposure what make the snow often wet....

This is an easy access line close Avoriaz plateau. The line is not steep and can feel like a piste but there are some trees and few stones about if there is low snow cover....

Take a left on the second flat section towards the bottom of blue slope "Retour Village". The line is not steep and can feel like a piste but there is often a lack of snow cover so make sure there's enough snow before heading in....

This is a satisfying day taking in the summits of the Weisshorn and the Wildstrubel, crossing a huge glacial plateau, and a long gentle descent to the hut. Start with a short skin up behind the hut to the summit of the Weisshorn at 2948m....

The Col du Bastillon can be done as a final day after a night or two at the Grand Saint Bernard Hospice, or as a day tour in its own right. It is perfect for continuing the progression as part of a first hut trip....

Ski Boulevard slope until you arrive at Chetseron Restaurant. Go to the left side of the restaurant and here you will find the access to the run. All the forest is clear....

The snow transforms rapidly on the sunny side of the Mont Gele so you have to be quick to enjoy fresh snow here. But you can often find good spring conditions here in the early afternoon too....

The Rock Garden is Verbier classic that offers some great off piste skiing without too much commitment. If you are prepared to hike for your turns, it is a more interesting alternative than the standard itinerary from the Col de Chassoure....

The Col Ferret gives access to a number of routes. Skinning is the most sensible way to reach the col - read essential after snow - but occasionally snowboarders will have put a boot track in - which can make skinning tricky! There are two main ways to reach the Col Ferret....

This off-piste area is very popular on a powder day because it is not difficult and it is easy to access. To get there, take the Chaux-Fleurie chairlift from Lindarets. Once at the top, turn left towards the arrival of the opposite chairlift....

From the top of the Bochasses chair traverse immediately left off the Bochasses piste towards the obvious gap in the ridge (marked by hiking signposts). Follow the track left down into and then around the shallow bowl until you reach the trees and then choose your route down through the glades....

This is easily accessed from the top of the lift of the same name, skiing roughly next to the lift itself, through the trees. The main hazard is looking out for others as you cross the "Culet's" piste....

A really short shortcut getting you back to "Panoramique (Chaux Longe)" slope instead of taking the "Onnaz" ski lift. There's nothing complicated on this line. This is nice if there's fresh snow as you can get some powder turns, and there's not much steepness so avalanche risk is low....