Plan-du-Juc

A pleasant and not too demanding ski tour, passing through landscapes very suitable for ski touring.
The route traverses sparse larch forests and wide clearings. Its north-west exposure and the forest often provide excellent snow for skiing.
Being a well-known excursion, the ascent route is usually already tracked.
For the first part of the descent, as an alternative to the ascent route, it is possible to ski down the beautiful Crest clearing, a slope very well suited to skiing. This option requires a short five-minute climb in a zigzag.
Ideal in mid-winter after a heavy snowfall, when the environment becomes magical with trees laden with snow.
Up-to-date snow conditions can sometimes be found at www.gulliver.it.

From the Pont-Saint-Martin motorway exit, turn right towards Turin. At the second roundabout, turn left in the direction of Gressoney.
The road climbs for a few hundred metres, then take the Lys Valley road on the right and follow it to Fontainemore.
Pass through the village centre and continue for less than two kilometres, where you will see the signs for Coumarial on the right. Follow this road to its end at the large car park.

From the Coumarial car park, follow the country road, passing two hairpin bends until you reach a fork, where you continue straight ahead.
At the first curve, leave the road and begin ascending through the forest. You pass through an area of large fir trees before re-entering the sparse larch woodland. The route follows the snowshoe trail markings, and with some steeper sections, reaches the beautiful clearing of Alpe Creux.
Just beyond the alpine huts, cross the road and continue over pleasant slopes. Where the incline increases, veer to the left to enter a small valley.
Now tackle the final slope and, with a last traverse to the right, reach the broad ridge and easily the summit at 2051 metres, which is unnamed on the maps.
From this point, it is possible to descend a short ten-metre section to reach a wide saddle and the classic mountain hut where hikers often stop.
Alternatively, instead of retracing the ascent, you can descend directly into the beautiful Crest clearing, almost to its end, then climb a short ten-metre section in a zigzag, and follow the snow-covered road for a stretch to rejoin the ascent route back to the car.
The track is indicative only; depending on snow conditions, follow the safest and most suitable route.