Description

As with the other days on the Queyras Traverse, this one can be done several different ways, and the line drawn here is the most ambitious and enjoyable route.

There are countless ways to reach the village of Ristolas from the Refuge Agnel but hopefully you'll have the weather required to do this line.

One good option (if the previous few days exertions are catching up with you) is to do this route but skip out the final ascent to the Pic Ségure. The day starts with an ascent to the Col de l'Eychassier and it's an easy enough climb to get you underway.

Ski due north down some lovely rolling terrain into the broad valley just south of the Lac Égorgeou.

Turn left and skin up the quite steep slope which leads to the Col du Clot du Poulain.

Ski west off the col into a bowl which narrows and then leads you northwards into a wild valley due west of Le Sparveyre - a 3002 metre peak right in the heart of the Queyras.

It's perfectly possible to simply ski north out of the valley on a track to reach Ristolas, but a much better option is to turn north-east and skin up to the summit of the Pic Ségure.

Ski north-west off the summit down some incredible open bowls to reach the treeline.

Ski the trees down towards Ristolas village, drifting right to reach a jeep track.

Either follow this down or (if there's enough snow) keep skiing the trees in the vicinity of the track. Ski to the edge of Ristolas village and stroll triumphantly into the centre for a drink!