Top Ski Touring Routes in the French Alps

Ski touring keeps winning over skiers looking for quiet slopes and untouched snow. Skinning up at your own pace and earning your run down changes the way you experience the mountains, all effort and fresh air. We have picked nine routes across Savoie, from beginner to experienced level, to help plan your next outing.

Before You Go

Even on a marked route, ski touring carries a level of risk. Before you set off, check the avalanche risk and the weather forecast, and let someone know your route and when you plan to be back.

As a minimum, carry a fully charged phone, a transceiver, a shovel and a probe, and don't forget layers, water and snacks.

Méribel

Méribel valley offers a wide variety of ski touring options, from Les Allues at the entrance of the valley to Mottaret at the top: groomed and signposted routes for beginners, and excellent off-piste routes for the more adventurous. Equip yourself at La Varappe, a specialist ski touring rental shop just a few doors from our office, next to the newsagents.

Beginner: Altiport de Meribel, forest route

• Length: 3km
• Climbing: 345m (from 1,680m to 2,025m altitude)
• Time: allow 2.5 hours

A signposted and groomed route through the Altiport forest, up to the Pic noir in the direction of Col de la Loze. The descent back down is on blue and green runs.

Intermediate: Refuge de la Traie - Col de la Lune

• Length: 5km
• Climbing: 615m (from 1,170m to 1,785m altitude)
• Time: allow 3.5 hours

A great route for getting away from the crowds and finding some tranquility in the forest. Setting off from the village of Les Allues, you climb through the forest to a plateau where you will find two refuges, the original Refuge de la Traie and the newer Refuge du Christ. From there, the forest thins out as you make your way to the Col de la Lune, for an off-piste descent back to resort.

Experienced: Col du Fruit via plan de Tueda

• Length: 8km
• Climbing: 820m (from 1,705m to 2,525m altitude)
• Time: allow 4 hours

Setting off from the car park below Lac Tueda in Mottaret, you cross the Tueda plain to reach an area of the Vanoise National Park authorised for skiers, then climb to the imposing Col du Fruit, beside the Emilienne Point. The descent is off-piste down the north face of the Aiguille du Fruit, on the Courchevel side.

Val d'Isère

Val d'Isère is known worldwide for its skiing, and that reputation extends to its ski touring and off-piste routes too. On touring skis or a splitboard, it's easy to get away from the most tracked routes and find yourself in a wilder landscape. Book your ski touring equipment with OxySki and choose either shop pickup or delivery to your accommodation.

Beginner: La Daille - Folie Douce

• Length: 3km
• Climbing: 500m (from 1,850m to 2,350m altitude)
• Time: allow 2 hours

A simple climb along the edge of a green run, or a signposted route through the forest, takes you up to the famous Folie Douce bar and restaurant. Descend back to La Daille however you choose, off-piste or on green, blue or red runs.

Intermediate: Montée de Solaise

• Length: 7km
• Climbing: 615m (from 1,850m to 2,400m altitude)
• Time: allow 2 to 3 hours

Two options to climb to the top of Solaise: a physical route that takes around 1 hour 45 minutes, or a gentler route via Le Fornet and the summer road to Col de l'Iseran. Descend back to resort on blue or red runs.

Experienced: Bellevarde summit (by the off-piste)

• Length: 3km
• Climbing: 850m (from 1,850m to 2,700m altitude)
• Time: allow 4 hours

The climb is well worth it for the views over Val d'Isère and its off-piste couloirs.

La Plagne

At La Plagne, ski touring is part of the fabric of the resort, with routes for every level. Book your ski touring equipment with OxySki and choose either shop pickup or delivery to your accommodation.

Beginner: Col de Forcle from Plagne Bellecôte

• Length: 5km
• Climbing: 350m (from 2,000m to 2,350m altitude)
• Time: allow 2.5 hours

An ideal route if you're new to ski touring, alternating groomed and off-piste sections with a fine view of Mont Blanc. Join the route just above the Roche de Mio gondola station and wind your way up to the Dou du Praz plateau, then follow the Col de Forcle trail. From there, cross the ski slope and climb into the bowl, an ungroomed final stretch that eases you into off-piste climbing. The descent back to resort is on a blue run.

Intermediate: Verdons

• Length: 5km
• Climbing: 500m (from 2,000m to 2,500m altitude)
• Time: allow 3 to 4 hours

Leaving from Plagne Centre, follow the slope towards the start of the Verdons Nord chairlift, then continue either along the piste or through the bowl to the right for a wilder feel. At the summit, a 360 degree view takes in the Vanoise mountains, the Three Valleys ski area, the villages of La Plagne and Mont Blanc. For the descent, it's up to you: off-piste, or red and blue runs.

Experienced: Mont Jovet

• Length: 8km
• Climbing: 750m (from 2,100m to 2,850m altitude)
• Time: allow 4 hours

From Aime La Plagne, climb the slope to the Bécoin ridge, follow the ridge line to pick up the Crêtes draglift track, then descend slightly to Col du Martinet. Climb a further few metres into a wide bowl, follow it up to Pas des Brebis, then take the ridge to the summit of Mont Jovet. Descend off-piste through the bowl until you reach the bottom of the Etroits black run.

Before You Head Out

These routes call for good fitness and, for less experienced tourers, the support of a professional who knows the terrain and the day's conditions. Discover our guided ski touring and splitboarding trips and let an OxySki instructor take you out safely.