Sat, 26 September 2020
Vertical Climbed: 651 meters (2,136 feet)
Vertical Descended: 642 meters
Rating: 1.1
Avalanche Risk: -
The Croix de Chamrousse is the summit of the Chamrousse ski pistes at 2250 meters. It can be reached from the Recoin, la Roche Berenger or Casserousse at 1400 meters. There are marked randonee trails in the resort when the runs are open and these should be followed when climbing. It is very popular when there is snow on the ground as it is not too rocky so doesn't need a base layer to be skiable - at least on the ski runs.
Snow in September is not that unusual. We get a sprinkling most years in the French Northern Alps and perhaps a more serious dumpage ever 3 years or so. Skiable snow in September is much more unusual but you have to sieze your chances when they arrive. There is about 30cm at Chamrousse at 1750m and 50cm at the summit of the mountain at 2250 meters. On the ridges it is windblown - the snow is a bit crusty to ski but at mid altitudes there is good, dense powder.
