A great tour on mellow terrain and which has a long season.

Statistics

4 - 5

hrs

845

m

845

m

33

max°

Difficulty

FATMAP difficulty grade

Moderate

Description

The Col du Bastillon can be done as a final day after a night or two at the Grand Saint Bernard Hospice, or as a day tour in its own right.

It is perfect for continuing the progression as part of a first hut trip.

Due to its aspect it can have great spring snow for some fun skiing.

Most of the terrain is mellow but there are some steeper sections, so careful assessment of the snow conditions is needed.

Accurate navigation would be required in poor visibility.

The day is described from the car park but also easily started by skiing down the large track from the hospice. After leaving the car park skin along the road until you cross the river bed towards the Combe de Drone.

There is a steepening which takes you (via a few kick turns) close to the cliffs of Pointe des Lacerandes and then into the mellow angled valley above.

Follow the valley then go up a rising traverse and another steepening before gaining easy terrain again.

Skin along and up the rolling terrain in between the Grand Lé and Petit Lé which is featured with some re-entrants.

Finally a short steeper slope takes you to the Col du Bastillon.

The views looks down into Val Ferret and over to Mont Dolent, which famously has its summit in three countries! If you have timed your day right there is plenty of terrain to maximise the spring snow.

Play with the terrain and the slight changes in aspect to enjoy your turns to the full.

Finally cross back over the river and back to the car park.

It is worth stopping in Bourg-Saint-Pierre for a well earned coffee or beer.