Description

This route starts at the Grand St Bernard Monastery; in winter you'll have to skin up to this but in early summer, you can drive up to the Monastery and then (if there's still enough snow) do this tour.

From the Monastery ski west to reach the Italian side of the Col Grand St Bernard and continue following the road as it drops down and goes through a tunnel.

You can't ski through the tunnel but there's a pavement on the outside of it and you can generally ski along this.

If, for whatever reason you can't, then drop into the valley to the south and start touring from there. From the far side of the tunnel keep following the road until you're beneath the bowl east of Mont Fourchon.

Skin up this bowl, which is easy but can feel something of a slog, to pass under the Tête de Fênetre. The valley steepens here and leads you onto the North-east ridge of Mont Fourchon, which you follow to the summit.

The final ascent to the summit is slightly exposed so in icy conditions it might be prudent to walk this section instead of skinning. The ski down follows the ascent route and is just pure fun, with minimal avalanche concerns once you're off the top section, and lots of playful terrain to explore.

All too quickly you'll find yourself back down on the road, and retracing your steps back up to the Monastery.