Spot functioning
During the season:
Access to the spot is via La Thuile resort on the Italian side or via La Rosière resort on the French side.
Access via La Thuile (Italy), there is a "snowkite" lift pass for €18 that allows you to reach the spot. It gives access to a series of lifts that take you to the spot, here's the route:
- "Les Suches" gondola
- "Chaz Dura Express" chairlift
- Trail 7 to the pass
Return:
- Trail 7 back to the resort
- OR "Piccolo San Bernardo Express" chairlift then return via the slopes toward "La Thuile".
Access via La Rosière (France), take a day pass "Espace San Bernardo" for €41.50 (With FFVL license). It gives access to a series of lifts that allow you to go to the spot and return at the end of the day, here's the route (allow at least 45min):
- "Roches Noires" chairlift
- "Fort" chairlift
- "Bellecombe 1" drag lift
- Trail 26 to the pass
Return:
- "Piccolo San Bernardo Express" chairlift
- "Chardonnet" chairlift
- "Plan du Repos" chairlift
- Return to the resort via the slopes
Off-season:
Access is via the Col du Petit Saint Bernard road. Depending on snow conditions, you'll also need to count on skins to go all the way (almost every time).
From La Thuile, at the very beginning or end of the season, you can drive up to Pont Serrand (1602m, 600m elevation gain remaining) or up to la Cretaz (1861m, 400m elevation gain remaining). The area has no particular dangers.
From La Rosière, at the very beginning or end of the season, you can drive up to the Zittieux ridge (1900m, 250m elevation gain remaining, 6km), or to Pont de la Marquise (2072m, 100m elevation gain remaining, 2km, or kite if Southwest wind for the more experienced). The area is very avalanche-prone, the road is overlooked by a 2km long rocky ridge.
Spot type
Resort (Ski lift access)
Altitude
2188m
Parking
La Thuile ski resort:
Ski resort parking. The later you arrive, the further away you'll be parked! Paid parking, about €5/day.
La Rosière ski resort:
Ski resort parking. Fills up quickly, paid parking.
Hazards
You are in a mountain area, the snowkite spot is in an unsecured zone. The flat part is safe, but the slopes quickly become quite steep. Therefore, the trio of Avalanche Transceiver, Shovel, and Probe is mandatory (for access to Lancebranlette, access to Lac Sans Fond, etc.).
On the "slope" side of the pass, there are high-voltage lines, so don't wander around there.
Wind specificities
Pass oriented Northeast / Southwest. There you'll experience the main wind systems of the Alps. Normally if there's a wind forecast, it will enter the pass from one direction or the other.
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