Pointe de Chalune

One of the ZigZag team’s favourite routes, Pointe de Chalune is a well-known route for ski touring enthusiasts.  It is a ski tour that allows you to reach a summit, as long as the difference in altitude is not excessive which makes the exit affordable, while allowing you to reach a magnificent viewpoint to admire the surrounding peaks (Roc d’enfer, point d’Uble, Mont chery) but also the great summits more distant (massif of Mont Blanc, Point Percée). A true winter ascent, accessible to all.

The start is from the parking of Bonnavaz (1187 m), about 25 minutes from Samoëns by car. Once the skins attached to the skis, we follow the summer road from the col de l’encrenaz to the chalets of Foron (1355 m).

Once you arrive at the chalets du Foron, you will have the pointe d’Uble just to your left, the steep slopes leading to the Roc d’Enfer on the right and the pointe de Chalune in line of sight facing you. Then climb the Foron towards the north-west, you will first pass through the Foron du Milieu (1499 m) and then the Foron d’en Haut (~1680m) located at the bottom of a small plateau. Cross this short flat before resuming the climb towards the col du Foron (1832 m) which is slightly to the right.

By an ascending crossing on the left (South-West), under the rock bars, reach the col de Chalune (1896 m) which will open up the panorama on the station of Praz de Lys below. After that go up on your right, rather steep passage, to then follow the ridge until the point of Chalune, summit of this rando!

For the descent two possibilities:

– By the ascent route (classic route), considered not difficult.

– By the vast SSE face of Chalune and the crossing of the Bolire pass (1649 m). The descent begins towards the station of Praz de Lys, before keeping left to reach the col de Bolire which then allows you to reach the Foron valley until the chalets of Foron, and thus find the route taken up the climb. Some passages a little more steep and narrow but short and not mandatory.

This hike will make you do 929m of positive (but also negative don’t forget it!) for 10 km. It is a popular route and frequented especially by locals and regulars. The slopes are exposed south and southeast and therefore quickly affected by the sun. It is a wild route, involving some notions of orientation, for more tranquility it is always interesting to be accompanied by a local professional and passionate ski touring.

Go up the old tracks of Sixt Horseshoe

Many of the slopes in the ski area of Sixt Fer à Cheval are closed today, but it is still possible to ski there, provided you climb by your own means of course!

From Salvagny (817m) or Passy (1050m), you will only have to go back up the slopes, now closed from the station of Sixt Fer à Cheval. We start by following the line of the former Balme butthole, then go up the former red track Coutaz (from Passy we join the track Coutaz halfway). You will first reach the cross of Vagnys, where you can take a break to enjoy the view of the small village of Sixt and the impressive point of Sales that dominates the village.

This ascent with the skins is made on the first slopes of the emblematic Mont Buet, which dominates the Haut-Giffre from its 3098m. The last effort of your climb will take you to the top of the Pralet chairlift (1600m)

For the descent it’s simple, you can go down on the red and black slopes of the area, which are closed since 2018; Sunny, Cathedral, Nant Sec, Coutaz; you have a choice! Skiing the historic slopes of Sixt is a pleasure reserved only for the brave who decide to put on skins to go get this beautiful descent.

Just under 800m of difference in altitude for this route, but you can leave with peace of mind, it is easy to find your way on these old alpine ski slopes, even if they are no longer groomed.