Description

This is one of the remotest and best ski tours anywhere in the southern Alps.

The terrain is intricate and beautiful, crossing many cols and going past 3 mountain huts.

These are usually unguarded but may open on request if you make contact with the guardians in advance.

We hadn't done so, as it was off the cuff at the end of the day.

Consequently much of the route we experienced in darkness- one to go back for.

Follow the easy track and road up from the Col de Turini, heading towards the impressive war relic at the Pointes des Trois Communes, 2078m.

You are once again roughly following the route of the GR52 here, and indeed for much of your route.

You pass under the Cime du Tour, 2151m, over the Cime de Raus, 2160m, then, after initially following a spur, you traverse into a bowl, then over the Pas du Diable at 2430m and then past the first of the 3 mountain huts, the Refuge des Merveilles, 2111m.

You then head N over the Baisse de Valmasque at 2549m, following which a short descent leads into a rising bench over the Baisse de Basto at 2693m.

A lovely descent the far side to the W leads you past the Refuge de Nice at 2232m.

You go to the E side of the Lac de la Fous then over the dam wall, then up to your next col, the Pas du Mont Colomb at 2548m.

You can skirt above the final of the 3 huts, the Madone de Fenestre, before your final climb to the Pas de Ladre at 2448m.

A long and beautiful descent down a wooded valley takes you to the hamlet of le Boreon at 1480m.

We stayed in an excellent gite run by a local mountain guide.

http://www.giteduboreon.com