Description

Start skinning up the northerly facing slopes that head towards the Col de la Pierre Brune from Refuge de la Leisse, which never becomes too strenuous and is a great way to warm up the legs before things start to steepen out a little more on the North East face of the Pierre Brune. Once you start to head up the North East face, you’ll need to begin kick turning up this slope which then leads to a short bootpack up towards and along a ridgeline which then gives way to the summit line of Pointes de Pierre Brune, offering varying areas to drop down into a perfect north facing powder bowl.

You can start your ski down from different areas along the ridge at the top, but be aware of the exposure below you as there are few areas on the face were you aren’t skiing above cliffs. This wide open north facing bowl steeply descends and you’ll soon arrive at a narrow section that is frequently icy or rocky and may require a side step to pass before you’re spat out onto the apron slopes which lead back into the Vallon de la Leisse & through the rolling terrain towards the Refuge de la Leisse. The snow will most likely be fantastic on this sheltered north face but as with any steep face, ensure that you’re 100% certain of snow stability before planning this descent as you’ll be take over some nasty terrain if you do release any snow slabs when skiing the upper bowl.