426 m away
Aiguille du Chardonnet, South Couloir
A very rewarding descent amongst beautiful granite formations, but not easy to find in good condition.
Extreme Ski Touring
- Distance
- 1.6 km
- Ascent
- 571 m
- Descent
- 570 m
A classic high mountain excursion, the Trois Cols is a fantastic journey through three major glacial basins.
Also in Haute-Savoie, France
Ski Touring Moderate
A relatively long tour at high altitude, the 3 Cols takes in some breath taking scenery amongst golden granite spires and wide glacial expanses. While the skiing is straightforward and low angle there may be some mountaineering involved to get up and over the cols themselves.
From the top of the Grands Montets descend the Glacier des Rognons and follow the line as described for the Col du Chardonnet (ski crampons often useful at the start).
Descending the Col du Chardonnet into the Saleina basin has become increasingly difficult as the Saleina Glacier has lost volume. The initial slope is 50 degrees, which can be skied or downclimbed. Most teams opt to abseil here. However, it is best to get up to date information regarding the length of the abseil due to the shrinking Saleina Glacier.
Continue to the Fenêtre de Saleina where you will need to crampon up some steep snow. From there, ski down onto the Plateau du Trient before transitioning back to skins again and skinning up a short way to the Col Superior du Tour. This is a better option than taking the Col du Tour which is harder to get off and onto the Glacier du Tour. Ski down the Glacier du Tour in the direction of the Aiguille du Chardonnet, then trend right to meet up with the slopes of the classic Col du Passon run that finish in the village of Le Tour. There are infinite options to descend from here and all involve fantastic, exciting skiing. From Le Tour, ride the ski bus back to Chamonix.
Moderate
Slopes become slightly steeper at around 25-30 degrees.
426 m away
A very rewarding descent amongst beautiful granite formations, but not easy to find in good condition.
Extreme Ski Touring
880 m away
The West Couloir is yet another reason why the Aiguille Chardonnet is one of the best summits for steep skiing in the Alps.
Extreme Ski Touring
989 m away
One of the best steep faces in the area and a much sought after descent
Extreme Ski Touring
1.7 km away
A fantastic route which is surely on every steep skier's tick list
Extreme Ski Touring
2.7 km away
A mythical line down the true north face of Les Courtes, it has still seen hardly more than a handful of descents.
Extreme Ski Touring
2.7 km away
One of the lowest angle ski tours in the Argentiere basin, to a fabulous viewpoint.
Moderate Ski Touring
2.7 km away
A spectacular hanging couloir, this line is a 1000m TD alpine route that has seen only three known descents
Extreme Ski Touring
2.7 km away
An inspiring couloir past a bulging tongue of ice.
Extreme Ski Touring
2.7 km away
A great introduction to the steep north faces of the Argentière Basin.
Extreme Ski Touring
2.8 km away
A beautiful wide and open steep ski face, one of the most popular of the Argentière Basin's celebrated North Faces. Shorter than the rest but steep and exposed in the upper half.
Extreme Ski Touring
10 routes · Freeride Skiing · Ski Touring