Col de la Terrasse - via Loriaz

Ascent

From Le Couteray take the forest road leading up to the Grange and then the Loriaz chalets. It is possible to leave the forest road after the second hairpin, taking a path on the right leading to the Loriaz chalets. This path rejoins the forest road for 100m near the Granges chalets. Shortly after leaving the forest road for the second time, the path becomes awkward with skis, depending on the snow, but these difficulties are short lived. On arriving at the chalets de Loriaz at 2020m traverse the W flank of the Charmoz following the line of the summer path., going diagonally left across a plateau towards the cwm which leads to the foot of a steep gully at about 2450m. Climb the gully avoiding the cornice at the top to the left or right, (varies from year to year).

Descent

By the same route. Early in the season one can descend straight down through the forest to avoid the long traverses on the forest track. If not follow the road. If snow conditions are good it is possible to ski down the gully under the Tête de la Chevrette by leaving the forest road at the top hairpin. Re gain the road at the level of the Granges chalets, having exited the bottom of the gully to the left.

A long way through the forest then gains height more quickly. The really steep bit is just before the col, 50m at S4. The normal summer footpath leaves the forest track after the second hairpin above Le Couteray.