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Pointe de Chalune - From the Combe du Foron

Portes du Soleil

A Chablais Classic!

Ski Touring Difficult

Distance
9.9 km
Ascent
933 m
Descent
933 m
Duration
4-5 hrs
Low Point
1.2 km
High Point
2.1 km
Gradient
40˚
Pointe de Chalune - From the Combe du Foron Map

The Pointe de Chalune ski tour is a real Chablais classic and an ideal itinerary for newbie and experienced backcountry enthusiasts alike.

Description

If you're looking for a challenging and rewarding adventure with 950m+ of ascent, big mountain ambience, an iconic summit, immense views and real powder skiing potential, the Chalune has it all.

An understandably popular route, it's worth bearing in mind that the Chalune can be busy so we recommend avoiding weekends if you're seeking a ski tour with solitude.

Follow the road to the hamlet of Bonnavaz and park as far up as the snow allows. Skin up the valley in the direction of Le Roc d'Enfer (2,244m).

When you reach the Chalets du Foron (1,355m), the route swings round in a NW direction between the steep slopes of the Roc d'Enfer on your right and the Pointe d'Uble on your left (1,963m).

Make your way up the Combe du Foron until you reach the Col du Foron at 1,832m. At this point traverse in a SW direction towards the Col de Chalune (1,896m).

At the col, head in a N direction before joining the arete that leads steeply to the summit - the Pointe de Chalune at 2,116m.

The views from here are spectacular so make sure you take the time to soak up the panorama. On a good visibility day you will be able to see most of the Haute Savoie, the spectacular Mont Blanc Massif, Lake Geneva, the Aravis, and much more.

The classic descent from the summit takes broadly the same line as the ascent. It's worth bearing in mind that the majority of the ski will be on S /SE facing slopes so can be sun affected.

Seek out fresh tracks where you can by staying skier's right of the skin track where the slopes are more shaded from the sun.

NB The track back to the car from the Chalets du Foron has long flattish sections so be sure to carry speed. Snowboarder? Make sure you've got your poles out!

Difficulty

Difficult

Serious gradient of 30-38 degrees where a real risk of slipping exists.

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

3 out of 4

Little chance of being seen or helped in case of an accident.

Best time to visit

between January and April

Features

  • Face
  • Single Descent

Equipment required

  • Skins

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area