TouringTip | Pierriers d'Arpette

The best-known and most popular descent is certainly the north gully, which is reached directly from the south-facing Cabanne d'Orny via the Col d'Arpette at 2942 metres. However, the Aigulles Tourelles, Aiguelles d'Arpettes, Aiguille du Glacier Rond and the Pointe d'Orny are in the immediate vicinity and offer many other moderately steep, easily accessible north-facing runs.

Ascent & descent

From the Col de Champex car park at 1597 m, you can reach the Perriers d`Arpette basin, which lies at the foot of the aforementioned lines, in a leisurely ascent first via the piste and then through the Val d`Arpette in just over an hour or 4 km and 500 metres in altitude. The descent from the ski resort meets the ascent from the car park and you could save a few metres in altitude using a lift. Apart from the great view from the ski resort of other interesting north faces, however, this is hardly worthwhile in terms of the metres in altitude gained, as you end up putting on your skins at around 1700 m. A single ascent costs 17Chf.

Heading up to the descents, we walked our chosen lines, including a break, for a little under three hours, about 45 minutes of which were spent bootpacking up the couloir. The descents are all between 35 and 45° steep, depending on which one you choose. The highly motivated will certainly do one or two extra couloirs here.

Crossing the Col des Escandies on the approach via the Combe des Escandies is another classic. The view of the glacier to the west is certainly worthwhile and as soon as the conditions are right, I will have a look at it.

Information on

Difficulty (5-level scale): ***

Exposure: N-NE

Best time of year: January - March

How to get there: From Martigny in the Rhone Valley into the Val de Bagnes, turn off in Vallettes towards Champex-Lac.

The PowderGuide tour tips are general descriptions of tours that we subjectively like. They do NOT refer to the current conditions. Read the weather and avalanche report and plan your tour accordingly.