Challenging Big Mountain Ski Tours Above Pralognan

A selection of tough ski tours beneath, around and to the summit of the mighty Grande Casse, high above Pralognan-la-Vanoise.

Ski Touring Moderate, Difficult, Severe, Extreme

Description

Pralognan-la-Vanoise, in the heart of the Vanoise National Park, is the final settlement before human civilisation gives way to the wilds of the high mountains. It's only a small town but its location, right beneath the legendary Vanoise peaks, make it a ski touring mecca.

The town lies just to the east of the 3 Valleys ski area - the largest ski resort in the World - but it is amazingly quiet despite its proximity to that most famous of mountain destinations. The character of the 2 places couldn't be much more different either - the 3 Valleys is flashy and modern but Pralognan-la-Vanoise is much more rough and ready; a "real" mountain town.

Listed in this guidebook are some of the toughest ski tours accessed from Pralognan-la-Vanoise, including 3 lines on the Grande Casse, one of the most famous mountains in France. Some of the routes described here are day hits, other are multi day missions and all are mountain adventures of the highest calibre.

One option for starting your Vanoise ski touring career is to work your way through these routes which start in nearby Courchevel, and 2 of which finish in Pralognan-la-Vanoise itself.

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Another fabulous trip from Pralognan-la-Vanoise is the 5 day Vanoise Circuit, which might just be the best hut to hut tour in France. That's a big claim but don't just take our word for it - ski it yourself!

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Suffice to say that whatever ski tour you do in the area, there is a lifetime of further exploration to be had in this most scenic of mountain regions.

Routes included

Grande Casse, Grand Couloir

A ski mountaineering classic involving a steep climb from the Refuge de la Vanoise to the summit of the Grande Casse, the highest in the Tarentaise.

Severe Ski Touring

Distance: 7.4 km
Ascent: 1.4 km
Descent: 1.4 km

Grande Casse, Face Nord Centrale

The huge line straight down the centre of the North Face, starting with a very steep, narrow opening from the centre of the top ridgeline of the Grande Casse. One only for the experienced skiers and mountaineers.

Extreme Ski Touring

Distance: 1.5 km
Ascent: 22 m
Descent: 834 m

Grande Casse, Petit Face Nord

Only slightly easier than neighbouring ‘Face Nord Centrale’, the Petit Face Nord offers a great alternative to the Face Nord Centrale with slightly less exposure whilst retaining the amazing feeling of skiing on this wild north face.

Extreme Ski Touring