A fantastic journey to a traditional rustic French hut in the Maurienne .

Statistics

5 - 6

hrs

1,245

m

647

m

37

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Moderate

Description

This key passage in the Vanoise circuit takes you deeper into the National Park.

Although not glaciated, reasonable visibility is desirable for the traverse.

Due to its southerly aspect the descent is ideal for skiing spring snow so good timing is necessary.

The kit listed assumes you are doing the full Vanoise circuit. Leave the comforts of the Refuge du Roc de la Pêche and skin up the flat valley on its west side until you see a gorge on the hillside.

Cross the stream and climb up a steep slope with some bushes, it is highly likely couteau (ski crampons) will be required and it may even be easier to walk up in boot crampons carrying skis.

When the angle eases skin up the valley ahead before turning and ascend the steepening slope to the wide and flat Col d’Aussois.

After a pause and a transition into downhill mode descend the beautiful south west facing slopes.

There is plenty of space for variation to maximise the fall line skiing.

Lower down you will ski to the Refuge du Fond d’Aussois which is ideal for having a break, buying a drink, and transitioning again.

From here skin up a rising traverse to pass a small cliff band via an easier angled passage to flat terrain.

Continue along this until reaching the rustic and traditional Refuge de la Dent Parachée.

This is situated above the village of Aussois and the Val de Maurienne and an escape from the tour in poor weather would be possible here.

The guardian is a mountain guide and the hut is a great place to enjoy the evening.