FATMAP by Strava

Bonningtons Ski Traverse Day 1 - Bombi Summit to Grassy Hut

A positioning day which ends at a superb hut

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
10 km
Ascent
821 m
Descent
143 m
Duration
4-5 hrs
Low Point
1.2 km
High Point
1.9 km
Gradient
24˚
Bonningtons Ski Traverse Day 1 - Bombi Summit to Grassy Hut Map

There's no point pretending that this is the most scenic of ski touring days, but it's enjoyable enough and ends at a comfortable hut in a beautiful spot. The touring itself isn't hard at any stage and the route is a nice warmup for the days to come.

Description

One of the tricky parts of the Bonnington traverse is - like so many other ski traverses - getting to and from the start and end of the route. Sadly the various parking lots around the area see a lot of car break-ins, so leaving a vehicle in a public parking lot is a risky call, and getting dropped off at the start of the route is preferable. Logden Lodge (at the end of the traverse) allow you to leave a vehicle with them for 20 bucks per day, so using that option and then organising a drop off at Bombi Summit (where this day begins) is the best way to do the trip.

From Bombi Summit follow the road/skidoo track which winds north, vaguely following a powerline. After 6 easy kilometres on the road, take a smaller track off to the right and begin climbing more steeply. If you miss the turn-off onto the smaller track (which you really shouldn't if you have FATMAP and keep an eye on the km markers on the road!) then you can cut up to it a kilometre or so later without too much additional effort.

Follow the smaller track (which is often "ploughed" by snowmobiles, making life easier for you) until it peters out as the trees begin to thin out, about 100 metres below the col you're aiming for. Punch a track up to the col and then descend in a west-northwest direction to the wonderful Grassy Hut. It was renovated in 2020 and is now a modern, comfortable hut with room for 6 people and space to spare. Get the log burner lit and settle in!

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

Low Exposure (E1)

1 out of 4

Exposure is limited to that of the slope itself. Getting hurt is still likely if the slope is steep and/or the snow is hard.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between January and March

Features

  • Tree Skiing
  • Single Descent

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area