FATMAP by Strava

Pointe de la Sana, SE Face

Albertville

Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne

Tignes and Val d'Isère

Vanoise Massif

A great peak that provides an epic day out for strong ski tourers, or the perfect training peak for the fit!

Ski Touring Moderate

Distance
3.2 km
Ascent
20 m
Descent
792 m
Duration
0-1 hrs
Low Point
2.6 km
High Point
3.4 km
Gradient
34˚
Pointe de la Sana, SE Face Map

The ‘easiest’ way down from Pointe de la Sana, but don’t let this fool you as your legs will be feeling it after almost 1000m of ascent up from the Charvet valley!

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/board and ski the south east facing ramp that you have just ascended - due to the aspect, you may wish to wait for this to soften and begin your descent late in the morning if you find yourself up on the summit early morning. The skiing is very straightforward back down to the foot of the east face of the Sana, never passing 30 degrees.

Once you’re at the foot of the east face, you can then follow a long and mellow descent into the wide Pisset valley leading back to the Manchet chair.

Difficulty

Moderate

Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.

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

2 out of 4

Away from help but easily accessed.

Best time to visit

between January and June

Features

  • Alpine
  • Ski Safari
  • Ski Mountaineering

Equipment required

  • Skins
  • Crampons

Similar routes nearby

Guidebooks in this area