Vallon d'Arby - Les Plans

The Vallon d'Arby is a beautiful wild valley well away from the crowds and can be accessed from the Col des Mines or from the Col de Chassoure as described and shown here. This route doesn't get tracked out as quickly due to the walking required. Whilst the walk is short, it is useful to have a set of skins. From the Col de Chassoure, start down the red piste and then leave the piste to ski down and under the chair lift. Try to keep as much speed as possible to save on the walking. Walk with skis or using skins until underneath the Col des Champs Ferret. Continue the traverse, staying as high as possible. Choose a line, avoiding the rocks and follow the fall line to join the exit of the Ocean Drive couloir. When you reach the flattening, step up 15-20m to join a path that heads in to the forest. When the slope opens out again continue down directly to join the bottom of the valley. Exit the valley over the small bridge and follow the path to the road which you follow to join the ski area of La Tzoumaz.