- Timing: 4h 0' up
- Best season: November to March
- Aspect of the descent: E then N
- Ascent length: 6.700m
The most popular destination, by far.
This is the most popular ski touring route in the Grand Saint Bernard valley, and rightly so.
The route goes along a gentle N-facing valley, granting good snow conditions pretty much for the entire season.
Constantly climbing up the valley, this itinerary follows clearings and short sections in the wood; it is a very pleasant itinerary, despite its nearly 1400-metre length.
Skis are usually left on the large knoll below the pre-summit to continue on foot: you may need crampons if the snow is icy and hard.
An ascent from the Citrin valley is another option, descending on this face.
From the car park, head SW and climb the snowy pastures, leaving the ski lift to the left, aiming to reach the houses of Rond on the edge of the wood. Keep going along shallow slopes and enter the valley, keeping to its orographic left side, before crossing the gentle stream shortly before the Flassin Dessous mountain pasture.
Keep climbing freely, mainly following the summer bridleway, passing the Flassin du milieu farmhouses and entering the valley that slowly opens onto the superb Flassin coombe. Reach a flat stretch with a view to the Tsa de Flassin (2.250m) that is reached by climbing a short slope.
Leave the pastures to the right and continue along a steeper slope towards the hollow between Mont Flassin and the TĂŞte Cordellaz, climbing the broad slope until you reach the arĂŞte that marks the divide with the Citrin Valley. Turn left and climb the broad ridge with the skis, then continue on foot.Â
Descent
From the pre-summit, descend the first steep slope on foot (or skidding if the snow is good) as far as the wide arĂŞte where you can put your skis on.
Continue briefly and then turn sharp right to reach the Tsa de Flassin mountain pasture via plaisir slopes.
From the cabin, cross the wide basin entirely to reach the other face and go down the sparse larch trees as far as the wood.
Carry on in the wood (eventually along the track), ski past a house and then reach a clearing. Carry on until it gets narrower, then cross the stream and reach the parking via the last slopes.