Pan de Rideau

An incredible and unforgettable journey under the North Face of the Rateau. Few places in the world have this kind of skiing so close to the lift. Steep and exposed from the start - a definite no fall zone - the line continues down a crevassed glacier that it pays to have carefully inspected from the lift on the way up - for both crevasses and icy patches. None the less for those seeking this kind of adventure, this is definitely a classic. From the top of the Dome / first Trifides lift, head upwards to the Breche de la Girose at 3405m - around 15-20 mins. The traverse in is exposed and often tricky when snow cover is thin. You can avoid it by climbing the small snow slope above the breche. The skiing is steep from the start and you must trend right towards the Rateau all the way, heading further right to avoid the serac band and pick up the amazing line down the glacier to rejoin the main classic Vallons line. The line is a solid 45 degrees and closer to 50 in places.