When the Pierra Menta area did not yet link its name to one of the main mountain skiing races of the world, began to meet almost by chance. It is an area of relatively small ski resorts and whose tourist propaganda brochures boast that their ski instructors act as farmers in the summer.
The area is a paradise for mountain skiing during the winter months, because unlike other places in the higher Alps, the classic itineraries of ski touring are frequently traveled by local skiers, among whom are some of the main French figures in the specialty, by those responsible for the layout of the Pierra Menta-Tivoly and by competitors or practitioners who come there to explore the area. This means that traces are frequently found and that the Tourist Office or sports stores can provide you with more or less updated information on the status of the itineraries. In Arêches, unlike other areas, the mountain skier is king.
The Beaufortain is a very nice place to spend the Christmas holidays, we recommend it as gift. The alpine ski resorts of Arêches, with spectacular off-piste, or Les Saisies, with a good hotel offer and of apartments, they are not very large but they meet the conditions for an interesting stay. The latter complements its offer with one of the most beautiful cross-country ski areas in France with the starting point located in the Col de Les Saisies itself.
In this resort the cross-country skiing events for the Albertville Olympic Games were held in 1992. The atmosphere is calm and very pleasant, especially for those who flee the urban agglomerations and want Stay away from the crowds that populate the French ski resorts. Be careful, it would be almost an offense to leave Beaufortain, a cheese-producing area with one of the most renowned designations of origin in France, without tasting Savoyarde fondue or tasting local specialties.
The recommended time is from December to mid-March. In case of bad weather, don't miss the opportunity to practice cross-country skiing on the slopes of Les Saisies. Its black slope is magnificent.
The Grand Mont (2686m). Magnificent belvedere of the Alps
It is one of the highest and most accessible peaks in the area, being just 600 meters from the Arêches-Beaufort station lifts. The ascent route described is the one followed by an average of 3,500 people on the third day of the Pierra Menta-Tivoly mountain skiing competition. The Italian Fabio Meraldi, with his nine wins in this competition, is one of the clear references of this sport and during the 2000 European Youth Championships held in this area, the Spanish runners achieved a historic victory in this mountain.
The spectacle of thousands of people cheering on the legendary runners who climb this peak three times in the same day is impressive.
Itinerary
- Ascent difference: 620 m
- Descent gradient: 1600 m
- Departure point: Arêches Station
- The simplest itinerary and with the least energy expenditure is to take the ski lifts that from the town of Arêches go up to le Cuvy (1710 m) and from there to Les Bonnets Rouges (2050 m). From this point ascend towards the South along an obvious route in good weather and quite frequented by local mountain skiers. Towards about 2400 meters above sea level, head west and reach the top of Grand Mont without any particular difficulty. In good conditions, this route constitutes an excellent introduction to mountain skiing, reaching an exceptional viewpoint over the Savoy Alps.
- Descent: Follow the uphill route to the ski slopes and from there return to Arêches or Le Chornais following the resort's marked slopes.
- Variants: From the Grand Mont descend towards the Col de la Louze and from there to the Lac de Saint Guerin and Arêches. (if there is little snow it is inadvisable due to the bushes)
- From the top of the Grand Mont, it is also possible to descend to Lac Tournant (2002 m) and from there to Le Chornais and Le Planay following one of the most interesting descents of the Grand Mont. Attention, this route is more involved and has several variants. Consult your condition before undertaking it. Here, the presence of descent traces does not imply safety or an easy route.
La Legette du Mirantin (2,353 m). An ascension that does not leave you indifferent
- Ascent gradient: about 1,100 m (depending on snow cover)
- Descent gradient: about 1,100 m
- The vision of the normal path of The ascent to the Legette du Mirantin is impressive for the beauty and inclination of its eastern slope, which is the one that follows the itinerary described. The last two to three hundred do not go below 35-40º, so this peak should only be ascended in good snow conditions. The name Legette refers to its lower height compared to its older brother the Mirantin.
- Leave Arêches behind and continue towards Le Planay and La Dray (1,240 m) parking the vehicle at the end of the track.
- Ascend between chalets towards Plan Villard (1,530 m). From this point ascend westwards with a northwesterly tendency to take the valley that leads quite clearly towards the Legette du Mirantin. It is also possible to follow the summer path that will take us to a point overlooking the neighboring valley of the Mirantin chalets. From there the eyes will be directed towards the majestic Mirantin (2,371 m).
- Converge with the previous itinerary and ascend the impressive final blade of the Legette that will probably make us use our technique of double turns ("conversions" for the locals).
- The descent is done along the same ascent route.
- It is possible to complete the day with the ascent of Mirantin. The flanking to enter the valley that leads to Mirantin is technical, difficult and somewhat exposed, achievable only with stable snow and reserved for good mountain skiers. It is preferable to do it with skins removed and skis in the downhill position. Once located in the valley, ascend without many problems to the top of Mirantin. The last section is steep.
Other classic ascents of this paradise for mountain skiing are Mont Coin (2,539 m) or Punta de Riondet (2,357 m) accessible from Lac de St-Guerin (actually a reservoir), Punta de the Grande Journée (2,460 m) or even the nearby Bosse du Catex (2,173 m) well recognizable from Le Planay by the presence of a Catex (anti-avalanche device based on a cable with bollards from which explosives are released) near the top.
