Cabane de Bovinette and Pointe Ronde

March 6, 2025

A friend’s birthday was the perfect excuse for a group getaway to the Cabane de Bovinette. The summer car park beside Champex-Lac was completely free of snow, and driving a very urban Skoda Octavia up the forestry road turned out to be the most adventurous part of the weekend.

By the time we arrived, the cabin was warm and welcoming, putting to rest any worries about the cold. The evening was clear and still, and the sight of multiple planets aligning across the night sky was spectacular. It was a special night—made even more so by our friend’s six-month-old daughter, a reminder that parenthood doesn’t have to mean missing out on mountain adventures.

We were a diverse group, and the ascent of Pointe Ronde presented no real obstacles. The day remained calm and clear, and from the summit, we admired the Aiguille du Tour and the Grand Combin in the foreground, with the Dent Blanche, Weisshorn, and Matterhorn standing proud to the east. One of our group, a trainee opera singer, treated us to a few Catalan mountain ballads at the top, accompanied by slices of chocolate cake.

The first 600 meters of descent were glorious—fresh snow over a firm base on the north side. The final 400 meters, down a frozen track, weren’t quite as enjoyable but still made for a fun ride.

Back in Chamonix, we capped off the day with a well-earned celebratory beer.

Stats:

Depart 09h19, Summit:13h00, parking 15h45

11.46 km 1104m+

Tête de la Combaz 25

February 16, 2025

It had snowed a bit during the week but it was again warm. This seems to be a recurring theme this year. The way up was fine through the forest and after the Auberge de Colombaz it started to really heat up. It was south facing all the way up. A quick change of skins about 300m from the top and that was that.

We only saw three other parties all day and this route is normally well frequented, which probably reflected the condition it was in. Our rather late start meant the slope had been in the direct sun all morning and the snow was destroyed. A quick photo at the top and to the descent. The snow was poor, but enjoyable nonetheless. We encountered one group waiting on a helicopter with a guy lying in the recovery position. I asked if all was ok and they said it was ok and kindly asked us to leave, so we duly did so. Ten minutes later we saw the helicopter flying low over the valley.

A tasty muffin and a coffee at the bottom in Bol d’air and we were back in time for the Osasuna match. They even managed a draw against Madrid, not a bad day’s work.

Looking north to Mont Joly from Tete de la Combaz

Col de la Fenetre and Col de la Cicle

February 10, 2025

Ever since buying the apartment in les Contamines the Col de la Fenetre has become our go to outing on the skis. The conditions didn’t look promising but in the end were quite ok. The pace was strong and we charged up the Col de la Fenetre. A quick snack and then a romp the couloir behind the Tete de la Circle with some tight kick turns.

The northern side of the Col de la Cicle feels intimidating from below, but the snow was firm and enjoyable to ski down.

Even with 2km of skating we arrived in plenty of time to watch Scotland get horsed against Ireland in the Six Nations.

It felt like a long day, definitely not used to these big days on the skis at the moment.

Stats:

Depart 09h35, Summit:13h39, parking 15h15

18.7km 1352m+

View south over to Lacs Jovets and Col du Bonhomme

Mont Blanc massiv from Col de la Fenetre

High treaverse off the Col de la Fenetre

Mont Blanc and Val Montjoie from Col de la Cicle

Croisse Baulet and Petit Croisse Baulet

February 3, 2025

Not the first day of the season but the first that I have remembered to write about. We started too late from just above Cordon. It was a nice skin up the track but the moment we hit the sun, the skins got sticky.

The snow on the way down was terrible. A nice day nonetheless and a route to be repeated in better conditions and without every man and his dog there.

Stats:

Depart 11h04, Summit:12h28, parking 16h01

14.85km 1167m+