Sat, 6 March 2004
Vertical Climbed: 1,311 meters (4,301 feet)
Vertical Descended: 3 meters
Rating: 2.1
Avalanche Risk: 3
Snowline: 1,250
Route
From St Collomban des Villards climb the Fremezan road. This is possible with a car if the road is cleared of snow.. At the hairpin (left) at 1741 meters altitude above the chalets of Prés du Rivage take a wide valley on the left bank of the Croix stream to the lac des Balmettes (2190 m.) and then the col des Balmettes.
Other Options
Vallorin Couloirs loop via the Merlet valley (1400 m, ski 3.2, North)
From the Col des Balmettes, cross to reach the Col de Montfossé (or Col du Villonet: 2457 m.) to the NW. Cross over the pass and climb the NW face which leads to the Rochers de Vallorin. From the summit, choose one of the couloirs to reach the Merlet valley and les Granges (1750 m). Refit skins and climb to the Croix de Balais (1981 meters) to rejoin the Fremezan via a traverse under the Grand Jarnalet summit. Alternatively ski the Jovières ridge. to reach the road between St Colomban and St Alban.
Pointe des Balmettes, north couloir (1000 m, ski 3.1, North)
After the Lac des Balmettes, around 2250m, take a clearly visible north facing couloir on the left which leads to a gap on the ridge of the Pic de Fremezan between the points 2479m and 2432m on the IGN map. Short slope of 35-40°.
Trip Report
CAF Ile de France trip. We stopped just below the col due to the visibility and fresh snow. Nice ski down for lunch in the hotel.
Fresh snow. Limited visibility, a test of map reading.