Description

On the face of it, this is a route that requires a lot of effort for pretty scant reward in terms of vertical descent but the quality of the terrain makes it worth it for powder-hungry steep skiers! Bootpack up the ridge on your left when you reach the top of the Cugnai chair.

Depending on snow conditions this steepish ascent can be quite straightforward or a real battle in deep snow.

When you reach the summit, turn right and continue south along the ridge.

This is usually a fairly technical scramble and be very careful of what can be huge cornices. The most obvious route is a well-sheltered wide couloir that descends the first 200m of the face.

Alternatively, continue along the ridge to reach a small face featuring numerous spines and rocks that will make you think you've taken a wrong turn and ended up in Alaska.

After the top pitch, a long traverse round to the left will take you back to the bottom of the Pays Desert drag (may need to pole/skate/walk up the road).

Alternatively descend directly down to the road to join the route to the Col des Fours.