Ski-Areas > Northern Alps > Isère (38) > Belledonne > Chamrousse > Chamrousse Off Piste > Grand Eulier East Face
There are a number of different possibilities but the best plan is to start from the Casserousse car park if the snow cover is sufficient (until mid-April) and climb by the edge of the ski run to the bottom of the Marmottes drag lift (building), turn north to the very first corner (attention skiers) then follow the walking route to the lac de Pourettes then Breche de Robert Nord, after the Breche de Robert Nord take a couloir to the left which leads to the summit of the Grand Eulier. Note that the Grand Eulier is not named on the IGN map but is point 2232 meters to the north of the lacs Robert.
From the summit there are two possibilities on the east side. Ski to the north east down a shallow slope, this is split by a large rock outcrop, either follow a couloir to the south-east which brings you down above the lacs Roberts or continue in a north-easterly direction to follow a couloir to the left side of the rock outcrop. This second option is good if you want to link a tour with the Vaudaine. Return via the Croix de Chamrousse and the Casserousse couloir. This avoids the long traverse via the Pourettes although this can be shortened somewhat by returning via the Breche de Robert Sud.
| Mountain Range | Belledonne |
|---|---|
| Summit | Grand Eulier |
| Altitude | 2232m |
| Orientation | East |
| Starting Altitude | 1410m |
| Vertical | 1100m |
| Maps | IGN n°3335 OT Grenoble |
| GPS Waypoint | N 45.1373°, E 05.9162° |
| GPS Route | Google-Earth:Chamrousse |
| Grade[1] | Danger: 2, Climb: PD, Ski: 3.1 |
| Snowboarders | Yes but return via the Croix de Chamrousse |
| Road Access | Grenoble -> Uriage -> Chamrousse -> (Parking de casserousse) or Recoin |
| Refuges | Cabane des Lacs Roberts?, Chalet de Chamrousse? |
| Author | davidof |
The weather was very warm, +10C at 6am at the Chamrousse weather station (1800 meters) but the refreeze was surprisingly good except in the forest where the trees had stopped the snow re-radiating heat. The climb up the south face of the Eulier was on hard snow with good grip at 8.30am. Descent of the east couloir at 9h15 in perfect spring snow. I linked the climb with the Grand Sorbier west bowl returning via the Croix de Chamrousse.
Category: Trip Reports << Petit Van - west couloir | Chamrousse Off Piste | Le Croix de Chamrousse >>