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Tignes ski touring?
 Poster: A snowHead
Poster: A snowHead

I've got a two week trip to Tignes in March. If possible it would be nice to fit in some touring. Ideally a two day tour with a hut stop but if not a good day tour or two. Can anyone suggest anything or point me to some useful information? Thanks
ski holidays
ski holidays
 Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person
Obviously A snowHead isn't a real person

You will probably need to get a few more people together to make it worthwhile, as there are not many trips organised by the schools 'in the hope of'. However, keep an eye on Flossie's website here: http://www.freefloski.com/. She occasionally does trips like this. Otherwise a trip to the Bureau de Guides may be of assistance: http://www.guides-montagne-tignes.com/

If that looks a bit daunting go to Mountain Attitude in Rue de la Poste and ask for Ludo, he seems to have a lot of contacts in the 'ski rando' world. He speaks good English (especially if you buy an airbag and touring boots of him in one season!).
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latest report
 Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?
Well, the person's real but it's just a made up name, see?

You can get some ideas and lots of info from here:
https://www.refuges.info/nav/9

We've been to the area many times. If you've got two days to spare then I'd suggest you start at the top of the Grand Pre chair then head south, over the Glacier des Balmes d'Ours to the Refuge de la Femma - possibly our favouritest hut - and say hello to Claire. Next day head east to the Pointe de Mean Martin then north across the Glacier des Fours (mind the cracks) past the Refuge Fond des Fours and back into the system at Le Manchet.

Pick up more ideas from my trip reports:
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=2887720
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=110576
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?p=1774991

Refuge de la Leisse (well, part of it):


Refuge de la Femma:
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snow conditions
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You need to Login to know who's really who.

@altis, Thanks, that's very helpful and interesting. My preference would be to link up with similarly experienced skiers for an unguided 1 or 2 day trip but would consider sharing cost of a guide if need be. I'll get the map and do some research, approx. how much climbing is involved in the route you suggest?
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snow conditions
 Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.
Anyway, snowHeads is much more fun if you do.

Adopts route planning mode...

From the top of the Grand Pre (2700m) carry straight on (as you would for the Tour Charvet) but contour right as much as you can without ending up in the undulating lands. End up in the Grapillon valley at somewhere over 2500m. Then ascend to the Col des Balme d'Ours (or Barn Doors 'cos it'll probably be windy) at just under 3100m. That's less than 600m and the rest is all downhill - apart from a short (~100m long) bootpack over an inconvenient hump. You'll be at the hut in under an hour.

If you're all feeling strong then you could turn round at the col and head up the Pointe de la Sana (3436m) before returning to the col.

Next day from the Femma (2352m) head back the way you arrived but keep going straight on up the valley. Ignore the blue line up the Ruisseau des Roches Blanches and straight-line the small valley to the south - much easier. At the top bear slightly right and head steadily uphill to the Col de Mean Martin. Here you need to bootpack through the col and round the corner (bit airey) then back on skis up to the Pointe de Mean Martin (3300m). That's nearly 1000m of ascent but it's, mostly, a steady climb and the views from the top include Mont Blanc and the Matterhorn. Return down the slope a bit then bear right down the Glacier des Fours. For an afternoon coffee stop pass the Ref Fond des Fours by and head for what I think is called the Chalet des Fours a little further down.

If the weather craps out then just head straight for the Col du Pisset (3000m) and on down past the Fond des Fours. There's a long flat section before the refuge (no need for skins) but, if it's claggy, avoid contouring left as you might very nearly end up skiing off a crag. Embarassed

1:25K IGN maps are available online here:
http://www.skitrack.fr/
This will also allow you to overlay in red any slopes over 30 degrees.

This is taken from near the Pointe du Gran Pre:

The Sana is the big mountain in the middle. Follow the ridge down to the left until you reach a dark crag with a shadow - that's the Col des Balme d'Ours. The glacier of the same name is the big white stripe coming towards the camera. You'll start uphill from somewhere just out of picture to the left.

For more info on my suggested day 2 check out Wednesday, 16 April here:
http://snowheads.com/ski-forum/viewtopic.php?t=110576
ski holidays
ski holidays
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@altis, Thanks again for such a detailed and informative reply. Looks like first week for the huts will be second week of my holiday, will just need to find willing and able partners (my better half would enjoy a rest/easy day or two while I'm away). Maybe an idea to join the Eagle Ski Club (been thinking of doing so)
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