Col du Belvédère

From the top of the Floria draglift, traverse around Combe des Aiguilles Crochues, holding as much height as possible, until at the foot of the long blunt ridge above the Cabane de la Tête Aubuy. Sidestep/shuffle uphill for 10 vertical metres to a large flat area. Put skins on here and climb up to Lac Blanc, which is completely frozen in winter. Cross the Lac and make a long and beautiful ascent up to the Col du Belvédère. On the north side of the Col is a narrow and very steep (c.50 degrees) couloir, which can be side slipped but is abseiled by most parties using an in-situ bolted anchor. (The abseil requires at least 2 50 metre ropes but 60's are better.) From the bottom of the abseil there is another bolted anchor on the left (when facing downhill) that allows for another abseil down the 45 degree slope below but most people ski (or sideslip!) from the bottom of the first abseil. Either option leads to gradually the gradually mellowing slopes of the Glacier de Bérard. Stay skiers L down this glacier- it is more of an old icy tongue rather a true crevassed glacier- crevasses are very rarely found here if you stay L. After this you join the Bérard valley itself with many additional tracks joining from Col Berard. Descend to the tree line and then stay right of the river and ski to the hamlet of Le Buet via a good track and the occasional tricky section of tight tree skiing. From Le Buet, take the train back to Les Praz and the Flégère carpark.