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Écrins
Ski touring route

Col du Bal

ski grade

3.2 E1 F

Dec - April

1045M

Ascent

1045M

Decent

35°

Gradient

2702M

High Point

1704

Low Point

North

Slope Aspect

7.5KM

Distance Up

6.2KM

Distance Down

North

Slope Aspect

3437 ET

Map IGN Number

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How to use the ski touring guides

A great line in a stunning valley, this line is just alongside the Puy Saint Vincent ski station but you can’t see it and it feels wild. It can be accessed from resort with a bit of booting and skiing over a crête, so don’t be surprised if you see a few more people coming down than you expected.

Description:

From the parking near 1800 resort cross the road on the bend and follow the path, it quickly crosses a piste and then continues flat in a NW direction. Cross a metal gantry and continue until you reach the valley of Narreyroux. Here turn SW and follow the valley floor, after some steeper steeps turn north and climb to the Col de Bal. From the col it is possible to follow the ridge west for a few hundred meters. This gives access to some steeper lines which can be scouted on the way in.

Descent

There are a few options for descent depending on snow levels etc. The easiest is to just follow your track back, but it is possible with a bit of planning to ski across and descend the valley on the left hand side if you are skiing down, this side is often less tracked, but does need a good snow level as there are some rocky sections that need covering. There are also some steeper lines if you have travelled further up the ridge, but you need to have scouted them first and its not alway obvious what goes and what ends in a drop.

Recommended kit
Millet - EXTREME RUTOR ALPHA COMPO HOODIE

3437 ET

Map IGN Number

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