Ski Tour, Grand Mont stream

The forecast was for a bright start to the day, but degrading later on. Bryon and Jenny were off skiing (both areas) and Steph and I set off to explore a track we had seen at the bottom of the descent piste between the intermediate station above Areches and Le Plannay - Les Perches. This track disappeared into the woods along the Grand Mont Stream. The map shows several footpaths that climb up to the refuge des Arolles in the Le Planay ski area as well as a forestry track that ends in the head of the valley. I had hoped that we could easily pick up one of the footpaths

We all started outside the apartment and walked down to the Grand Mont chair lift. Whilst the other two went off to buy a ticket, Steph and I walked down to the car park and the end of the liaison piste to Le Plannay. If we wanted to go higher we could have caught the bus up to Le Planay, however a start along the liaison piste would warm us up.

The track was iced over after the night preparation work, however there were few people on it and we could slide up it side by side.

Closer to Le Planay we encountered more foot prints on the track - it is shared us after all. There were several groups walking down as we made our way up.

Arriving at the end of the liaison piste we crossed over the road to the bottom of the chair and gondola lifts. Then along the connection red route (Les Perches) along the valley heading for the centre de vaccances at the end of the steep slopes. There were a large number of boot prints going down from here.

We had our first proper views up the valley from here - quite heavily wooded, but we knew there were several tracks to follow. We continued up the piste to the edge of the woods - beyond here rando skis are banned from climbing - too much objective danger for those descending with little control.

At the barrier, there was a much used track into the woods beside a hut - this was our jumping off point. Behind the hut was a footpath sign - this was confusing for me as the route to the refuge was to the right, but there were no ski tracks going that way, whereas to the left were numerous tracks (and going both ways).

I chose to stay with the ski tracks - safety in numbers! and we followed the larger and more used track as it climbed into the trees.

The track zigzagged climbing up the slope - unfortunately it was getting further up the wrong side of the valley.

At the next junction there was a track across to the other side of the valley, passing the fenetre du Chornais - an access tunnel tot he water collection scheme in these valleys. The only question was the lack of recent tracks (there were traces under the latest snow)

I set off along the track making new ones, until I reached a small waterfall across the track. This was the final straw with the indecision and I retreated. We would return tot eh used track and follow it to see where it went.

Back on the track, Steph took over the lead and we continued to climb as the track rose through the trees.

We were passed by several groups coming down, however we could not tell where they came from - there was a high probability it was the col de Forclaz or else the tour de Beaufortaine track.

The track left the woods and continued into the depths of the valley. Outside the trees we passed a point where ski tracks came down the slope - we found out later that these were just cutting the corner off.

Into the end of the valley and a hairpin in the track that took us back above. This gave us good views down the valley to the connection piste we had left earlier.

As the track contoured back towards the woods it turned back to aim for the end of the valley again (only higher up). The track also got a little narrower, as we passed another short cut dropping down. We also crossed a couple of avalanche debris trails, which showed that caution would be needed if we ever came back.

the track ended (where the map showed it did!) at a clearing going up the side of the slope. We were running out of time so chose this as our high point for the day.

stop for a refreshment break and to adjust for down hill, before setting out back the way we had come.

Down the track - the snow was softish with the major difficulty being the narrowness of the trail here. The avalanche debris also added some excitement with only a single trail across it in an uncontrollable point and shoot approach required.

With tired legs we stayed on the track to the second shortcut, where the open slopes were too inviting to miss. The snow here was good and we dropped quickly to the track below where it entered back into the woods.

Down through the woods on a train track - swinging side to side along previous tracks. Control around the hairpins.

On the final section there were a few indications of the thawing, with one large area leading to some nervous moments as the skis caught on the gravel underneath. Back on the piste where we had left it.

A very sedate ski down to Le Planay. There we ran into Bryon and Jenny who were having a quick picnic. We crossed over the road and a repeat visit to the Telemark bar for coffee but no chips, before continuing down the liaison route back to Areches and a walk back to the apartment.

We had discovered a way people were descending from somewhere on the Areches ski area - either the col de Forclaz, or the top chair lift off-piste. We also believe there is a way up to the refuge in the Le Planay area.