Miage Meander

The Domes de Miage is just south west of Mont Blanc, and although it’s only 45 minutes drive from the hot spot of Chamonix, the area is quiet with a remote feel. A warm up day tour at Les Contamines will be followed by days out on various options from the modern and comfortable Conscrits hut. I have run this tour on behalf of the Eagle Ski Club twice Click here for the report on the trip.

Tour Outline

Day 1

Travel out and meet at the CAF hut in Les Contamines. For those wanting to warm-up and acclimatize, it would also be possible to travel out a day earlier and spend Saturday on the piste at Les Contamines, St Gervais or Chamonix.

Day 2

A day tour from Les Contamines to check kit and ski legs. Possibilities include the Col de la Fenetre or the Col de la Cicle.

Day 3

Ascend from Les Contamines (1190m) to the Conscrits hut (2730m). A full day of uphill, starting in pine forest and finishing in the comfort of the Conscrits.

Day 4

Ascent of the Pointe de Berangere (3425m), a straightforward skin with a short boot up at the end to give a good overview of the area .

Day 5

Ascent of the Aiguille des Glaciers via the Col des Glaciers. A steep day with some technical some S4 skiing so will only be done if all the team are up to it.

Day 6

Ascent of the Domes de Miage (3670m). Depending on snow conditions and team abilities, we could traverse anything from 1 to 3 summits of the Domes.

Day 7

Ascent of the Pain de Sucre de Mont Tondu (3196m) followed by almost 2000m of descent to Les Contamines via the Lac de Mont Jovet, and a well earned beer!

Day 8

Travel home.

Travel

The best way to access to Les Contamines is by plane to Geneva and from there by Airport Transfer Services (www.a-t-s.net)

Standard

The majority of the terrain on this tour is moderate in nature, i.e. in the S2 area. The Col des Glaciers is steep, calling for good technique, and we will only do this if conditions are ideal and the whole team is comfortable skiing that kind of terrain. Most of the ascents will be in the mid to upper hundreds of meters per day.

Equipment

Usual touring gear including skis, skins, harscheisen, shovel, harness, ice axe and crampons. I can organise hire of avalanche transceivers for those who do not have their own.