Ski touring in Beaufortain in Savoie

Between Savoie and Haute Savoie, there is a small massif, the Beaufortain. Paradise for ski touring, it has been hosting for more than 20 years the famous “Pierra Menta”.

Here you can ski almost anywhere. The passes can be linked easily. The major peaks are Mont Grand, the Pierra Menta. At the heart of this massif we can find some refuges. They are not guarded in winter, however they’re very comfortable because they are all equipped with a wood stove!

I propose to you the following activities for this 4-day trip. The altitude change stated corresponds to what it is imperative to do to reach the next refuge. However it is easy to add one or more peaks according to your wishes.

Day 1: Grand Mont ascent (2686 m) – La Croire Refuge
Meeting at Arêches Beaufort at 8AM. By ski lifts and then ski touring we make the ascent of Mont Grand (2686 m). From the summit we reach Louze pass and then Pointe du Riondet (2357 m). Finally through pastures we reach La Croire refuge. Overnight in the refuge (2059 m).
Positive vertical drop: 1100 m – Negative vertical drop: 1300 m.

Day 2 : La Croire refuge  –  Presset Refuge
From the refuge a gentle climb leads us to the Coin pass. From there, there are different ways to reach Bresson pass (2469 m). The Presset refuge is located on the other side. After unloading the bags it’s possible to do a nice loop via the Mont Rosset and Charbonnière passes, located at the foot of the Pierra Menta. Anecdotally, this is according to Rabelais a piece of Aravis massif that the giant Gargantua kicked, and crashed in the middle of Beaufortain.
Positive vertical drop: 800 m – Negative vertical drop: 500 m.

Day 3 : Presset refuge  –  Plan de la Lai refuge
From the refuge we climb up the Grand Fond pass (2671 m). It’s also possible to ski in the Aiguilles de Presset (2858 m). We also can climb the Pointe de la Combe (2811 m) to go skiing its North face. From there a short descent gives access to the ascent of the breach of Palozan. This step shows us a superb viewpoint over Mont Blanc.
By gentle and hilly slopes we then reach the Plan de la Lai refuge (1818 m). Maybe we’ll have to shovel to clear the entrance to the refuge!
Positive vertical drop: 600 m – Negative vertical drop: 1000 m.

Day 4: Plan de la Lai Refuge – Hauteluce
A short descent leads us to Lake Roseland. From there we reach the Gittaz Valley. Short stop in the hamlet of Gitte, drowned in the snow at this time of year. Then we go back to Rochers des Enclaves before diving into the long descent to Hauteluce. Roche Pastire (2108 m) / Charmette pass (2058 m). We conclude this loop with beautiful postcard landscapes.
Positive vertical drop : 800 m – Negative vertical drop : 1320 m.

Does this off-road adventure in the Beaufortain interest you? Then I invite you to contact me to discuss! I will love giving you more information and seeing with you how we can arrange this nice stay to meet your expectations.