Ski-Areas > Northern Alps > Haute-Savoie (74) > Bornes > Reposoir-Plainejoux? > Pointe du Midi south-west couloir
From the car park at la Sallaz (Reposoir-Plainejoux drag lift) climb towards the col de la Colombiere. At point 1535 follow a narrow valley to the right into the Balafrasse bowl. After a short climb the slope flattens and opens out and you can see the Pointe Blanche to the right. Keep to the right hand side of the valley under the Pointe Dzérat. At around 1900meters you will see a couloir to the right with the Pointe du Midi to the west. The couloir is quite steep, around 30-35 degrees. Normally leave your skis at the col (2300 meters) and climb to the summit (2364m). It is possible to ski from the summit when the snow is good.
| Mountain Range | Bornes |
|---|---|
| Summit | Pointe du Midi |
| Altitude | 2364 meters (2290 meters col) |
| Orientation | South-West/South-East |
| Starting Altitude | Sallaz 1344m |
| Vertical | 1020 meters |
| Maps | 3430ET La Clusaz, Grand Bornand |
| GPS Waypoint | |
| GPS Route | Google-Earth:Pointe-Midi |
| Grade[1] | Danger: 1, Climb: PD+, Ski: 3.2 |
| Comments | |
| Snowboarders | Yes |
| Equipment | Ski Crampons, ice-axe/crampons for the summit |
| Road Access | le Reposoir then la Sallaz direction col de la Colombiere |
| Refuges | |
| Author | davidof |
Very sunny and warm weather, it was +10C at la Sallaz at midday. I wanted to take a look at the the Grand Bargy but there was no snow at the St Bruno car park. So instead followed the crowds to the Balafrasse. The snow was very hard at 9am and needed ski crampons to climb the steeper slopes. Spring snow for the descent with powder on the shaded right bank of the combe de Balafrasse. The ski lift at la Sallaz was working
The couloir transforms later than the combe de Balafrasse but you can generally find softer snow skiing the right hand bank, at the expense of steeper slopes.
Started the descent from the col about 2pm. Everything was a bit mushy, but very skiable. Stayed to the N side of the valley to get the best Southerly exposure. The lowest narrow section is starting to show some rocks on the N sideI would guess that will increase getting into the weekend. Good coverage everywhere else. Except an exposed band just W above the colso it really makes sense to leave skis at the col and boot to the summit from there.
The narrow couloir on the N side of the col looked kinda skied out. Anyway it violated my goal of enjoying southerly slopes.
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