With Maxence in the North Couloir of La Blanche: a first taste of steep skiing, five-star powder and one memorable descent all the way to Ailefroide!
The next installment of our adventures with Maxence after Our day yesterday at the Reychard Ridge… Today, the Hautes-Alpes are pulling out all the stops. Azure blue skies, powder snow, and the whole shebang. The idea is to combine our desire for great backcountry skiing with family life, getting back early enough to take our kids skiing… To do that, there’s one ideal way to avoid the rigors of mountain life without breaking the bank: take the ski lift!
It's the perfect day to head up toward La Blanche, a classic ski-touring route in the Écrins, but a fantastic one nonetheless—especially in the current conditions! The latest snowfalls have once again added plenty of snow to the cornices, and the cross just before the ridge isn’t to be messed with!
The ascent is a crucial part of the ski tourer’s experience. Admiring the scenery, slowing down the flow of thoughts, watching the worries of the valley slowly fade away, and immersing oneself in the magnificent spectacle the mountains offer… And for the guide, it’s also an opportunity to assess the conditions and take the time to weigh the various options…
We head over the summit ridge “just to see,” knowing that it doesn’t really commit us to anything! Maxence has no experience with this kind of steep descent and is relying entirely on my judgment…
After a quick assessment of the conditions on site, the route seems reasonably doable to me. The lower part of the couloir has drained out well… As for the first section, it’s like Alaska! And the entrance is so packed that it’s actually easier than usual!
I sense that Maxence is torn between a desire to explore and some apprehension. That apprehension is perfectly normal, by the way—it’s a sign of good mental health! Fortunately, the snow is like a thick mattress, cushioning every fall!
The North Couloir of La Blanche It more than lives up to its promises, and aside from a few short sections that are slightly harder due to yesterday’s runoff, it’s a 5-star experience… The narrow section isn’t even that narrow anymore!
As I’d seen from above, the lower part of the couloir is badly ravaged by the heavy avalanches from the day before. So, to avoid this vast field of snowballs, we make our way across the left bank to reach a ridge. From there, we put our skins back on for 5 minutes, then we reach the Clapouse Valley… A great option that gives us 300 meters of fantastic skiing in perfectly firm powder! At first, we ski through two areas that were spared by the snowplows—not very wide, but absolutely amazing!
The rest of the run goes by in a flash! And the skiing stays excellent all the way to Ailefroide!
Practical Info / Route Topo
North Couloir of La Rouya – 4.3 E2
A beautiful north-facing couloir in the Écrins offering approximately 700 m of continuous skiing at an angle of about 40°, with a few 45° cuts. The slope is already quite steep, but relatively even, making it a great introduction to steep-skiing for a technically skilled skier. The upper section is the most technical.
A narrow section marks the middle of the passage and may be more or less difficult to navigate, depending on how much debris has accumulated. Depending on the conditions and the skier's skill level, a rope may be necessary at the entrance to the couloir and to navigate this narrow section.
Its north-facing aspect helps keep the snow cold and powdery for a long time. Depending on conditions, however, some areas may be hardened or cluttered by snow drifts.
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