Description

A fine ski touring peak that is hard to beat, long but never really steep and with a skin-to summit.

The summit is on the Italian/French border and it is (rightly) popular.

It is glaciated but you are unlikely to see or encounter crevasses.

However as it is a glacier, carry the appropriate equipment and know how to use it.

The summit is a great viewpoint into France and towards the popular ski resort of Val d’Isère, in the other direction is the highest mountain in Italy the Gran Paradiso.

From the Benevelo hut there is a gorge running up the valley, this description follows the valley on the west side of the gorge but both sides can be used.

It is worth having couteau (ski crampons) handy if there is a spring snowpack and the snow is firm.

At the point, where the sides of the gorge become shallower cross it to the other side (if it is not well filled in low down you can do this higher up).

Follow the low angled terrain through small valleys and ridges until the terrain steepens.

Skin up the glacier to the Col Basagne and over into the French side where you can follow the glacier to the superb summit.

The summit area is wide and the perfect place to soak it all up. From the summit traverse to the top of a north facing slope which has some great fall line skiing and will take you back to your ascent line.

From here ski down the playful terrain maximising the best snow in the small valleys and ridges, you can then bypass the gorge on either side to arrive at the hut.

Here you can enjoy a proper coffee, a warm welcome and some food.