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Rocher Colombe South East Couloir

Briançon

A great couloir that is quick to access, with cool skiing.

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
8.1 km
Ascent
1.1 km
Descent
1.1 km
Duration
4-5 hrs
Low Point
1.7 km
High Point
2.8 km
Gradient
47˚
Rocher Colombe South East Couloir Map

A great couloir, which is easy and quick to access, yet feels remote and a wild place to ski. Because of the easy access to the mountains the parking can get full quickly in the holiday season.

Description

Park at Le Pont de l'Alpe. Follow the obvious path past the waterfall that leads up to the higher valley, as the valley opens up you see the small commune of L’Alpe du Lauzet (there's a great via ferrata here in summer) - on a good snow year you just see the roofs of the buildings. At the buildings turn north and cross a bridge and follow the Torrent du Plan Chevalier. You should see the Rocher Colombe in front of you, the line goes to the left of the main rock face. Follow the valley floor and then start to climb westwards towards the line. Once it starts to steepen it’s normally easier to boot up. It passes a few narrow gaps to the final headwall, which is steep. This leads to the top which is a small col.

Leave the col and descend the couloir, the top is steep and a slightly different aspect so be aware, a fall from the top above where the rock walls narrow wouldn’t be nice. Ski down to above where the rocks narrow and you can avoid this by turning skiers right to more open slopes. Descend back to the small commune and continue down past the waterfall - the path here can be bare of snow or ice so care is needed on the tighter bits.

Difficulty

Severe

Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.

Medium Exposure (E2)

2 out of 4

As well as the slope itself, there are some obstacles (such as rock outcrops) which could aggravate injury.

Remoteness

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between December and March

Features

  • Alpine
  • Couloir
  • Single Descent
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area