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Glacier de la Leisse via Pointe de la Sana

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

Tignes and Val d'Isère

Vanoise Massif

A rarely visited gem that takes you through some breathtaking alpine terrain.

Ski Touring Severe

Distance
1.9 km
Ascent
15 m
Descent
577 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.9 km
High Point
3.4 km
Gradient
44˚
Glacier de la Leisse via Pointe de la Sana Map

Taking in the classic peak of Pointe de la Sana and dropping down into some epic high alpine glacial terrain - this one isn’t one to miss for advanced backcountry ski tourers!

Description

The summit of Pointe de la Sana is reached by starting at the top of the Grand Pre chairlift and taking the Tour du Mont Roup ascent path, going onto the Barmes de l'Ours ascent path when it veers off right at the rocky pass.

Before reaching the Col de la Barmes de l'Ours which splits Pointe de la Sana and Rochers Barmes des l'Ours, leave the ascent path and head right towards Pointe de la Sana. You’ll begin to feel the altitude as you start to climb to fairly steep south east face of Pointe de la Sana, so make sure you’re feeling fit! The climb isn’t anything technical, but it’s recommended that you’re happy with completing kick turns on a fairly steep gradient, on an aspect which is usually icy in the morning.

Attach your skis and drop down in a southerly direction for around 45 vertical meters to reach the very obvious Col below the summit. Take your skis off at this Col to allow you to start the bootpack up the ridgeline in a south westerly direction. Once you have reached the top of the first small summit, you can then reattach your skis to carefully ski/sideslip down to the couloir that leads onto this face.

The short couloir can be skied which then leads to a broad ridgeline. Keep on and drop over the left hand side of this ridgeline which then leads to open slopes where you can pick you line down into the Leisse Valley. Once you in the Leisse Valley, try as best as possible to keep your height and head in a north west direction to join back onto the return skin back to the Génépy piste.

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

3 out of 4

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

Best time to visit

between January and May

Features

  • Face
  • Alpine
  • Cliffs
  • Ski Safari
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Rope
  • Skins
  • Ice axe
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area