8 m away
Refuge du Col de la Vanoise Ski Tour
This multi-day tour takes you around the Grande Casse in spectacular scenery.
Severe Ski Touring
- Distance
- 21 km
- Ascent
- 1.7 km
- Descent
- 1.5 km
A stunning face on the large mountain of Pierre Brune which flanks the southern end of the Vallon de la Leisse, descending back into the valley towards the Refuge de la Leisse.
Ski Touring Severe
Start skinning up the northerly facing slopes that head towards the Col de la Pierre Brune from Refuge de la Leisse, which never becomes too strenuous and is a great way to warm up the legs before things start to steepen out a little more on the North East face of the Pierre Brune.
Once you start to head up the North East face, you’ll need to begin kick turning up this slope which then leads to a short bootpack up towards and along a ridgeline which then gives way to the summit line of Pointes de Pierre Brune, offering varying areas to drop down into a perfect north facing powder bowl. You can start your ski down from different areas along the ridge at the top, but be aware of the exposure below you as there are few areas on the face were you aren’t skiing above cliffs.
This wide open north facing bowl steeply descends and you’ll soon arrive at a narrow section that is frequently icy or rocky and may require a side step to pass before you’re spat out onto the apron slopes which lead back into the Vallon de la Leisse & through the rolling terrain towards the Refuge de la Leisse.
The snow will most likely be fantastic on this sheltered north face but as with any steep face, ensure that you’re 100% certain of snow stability before planning this descent as you’ll be take over some nasty terrain if you do release any snow slabs when skiing the upper bowl.
Severe
Steep skiing at 38-45 degrees. This requires very good technique and the risk of falling has serious consequences.
8 m away
This multi-day tour takes you around the Grande Casse in spectacular scenery.
Severe Ski Touring
1.9 km away
Ski this huge descent which starts from the col splitting the two Tarentaise giants - the Grande Motte and the Grande Casse.
Severe Ski Touring
2.8 km away
What this ‘descent’ lacks in quality skiing, it more than makes up with some of the most stunning ski touring available for beginner backcountry skiers.
Easy Ski Touring
3 km away
Steep, consistently exposed and tricky route finding - one for the seasoned experts.
Extreme Ski Touring
3 km away
A wild face which quickly funnels into a narrow couloir leading back to Tignes via the Vallon de la Leisse.
Extreme Ski Touring
3 km away
A rarely visited gem that takes you through some breathtaking alpine terrain.
Severe Ski Touring
3 km away
A great peak that provides an epic day out for strong ski tourers, or the perfect training peak for the fit!
Moderate Ski Touring
4 km away
An imposing ENE facing line that watches over Val d’Isére.
Extreme Ski Touring
4.4 km away
The huge line straight down the centre of the North Face, starting with a very steep, narrow opening from the centre of the top ridgeline of the Grande Casse. One only for the experienced skiers and mountaineers.
Extreme Ski Touring
4.9 km away
Only slightly easier than neighbouring ‘Face Nord Centrale’, the Petit Face Nord offers a great alternative to the Face Nord Centrale with slightly less exposure whilst retaining the amazing feeling of skiing on this wild north face.
Extreme Ski Touring
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