La Trapette, Chamonix Valley
Ski Fit route - 730m height gain:
La Trapette: ski-fit and ski-touring route from Argentiere to Lognan.
The old popular hiking footpath that hikers utilized in summer has now been widened and in some places new sections of the path have been cut into the mountainous terrain to accommodate ski touring.
The Collective Communes of Chamonix (CCC) have created a new ski-touring route, ideal for ski fitness and ski touring. La Trapette was created in response to numerous requests from the local ski-tourers and ski fitness enthusiasts.
There are three points from which to access the route (see the map):
1. Les Chosalets - follow Chemin de Chosalets through the village - pass the camps site - follow signs for La Trapette.
2. La Rosiere - follow the Chemin de la Rosiere through thje village untill reaching the T-junction - turn right onto the ski de fond track - follow the track to the beginning of La Trapette.
3. Parking Grands Montets (1230m) - Pierre a Ric - Chemin de Glaciere - from the bottom station of the Plan Joran chair lift head up the Pierre a Ric for 100 m and turn right onto the ski de fond track.
From the ski de fond track the steep ascent of La Trapette begins. The height gain to the top of the route is 730 metres with 45 hair pin bends over a distance of 4.5 kilometres. On both sides, the forest is dense with spruce and a desiduous larch.
On reaching the foot of the Tabé chairlift, there is a choice:
1. Continue to the left on the track to the top of the Plan Joran lift and take the lift back to Argentiere.
2. Continue further along the track to Lognan and either take the telecabine down to Argentiere or ski down the Pierre a Ric
3. Take the Tabe lift and from the top of the lift, ski down to Lognan with the choice of telecabine or ski touring to Chamonix
Estimated time: 2 to 3 hours
Caution is advised because this trail may be shared with downhill skiers coming off the slopes above Lognan. However, downhill skiers and snowboarders are encouraged to descend by the Pierre a Ric. The Trapette has been created to segregate ski tourers from downhill skiers.
This route has a very low risk of avalanche. Preparing for a fall or a medical emergency is more realistic. It is recommended to bring a smarthphone with GPS location finder and the number of the PGHM stored in the phone (+33 (0)4 50 53 16 89).
Descent: Descend via the Pierre a Ric (red slope) or take one of the two lifts to Argentiere. It is not advised to descend the Tabe via the same route - this will ruin the track and increase chances of accidents with other ski-tourer ascending the route.
