Les Courtes - Northeast face

The Northeast face of Les Courtes (3,856m) in a great classic climb around Argenière, Mont Blanc Massif.

Grandes Jorasses, Rochefort, Geant, Mont Blanc from Les Courtes (© P. Gatta)

I took advantage of the great conditions to ski down from Les Grands Montets (3,240m) to the base of Les Courtes Northeast face at around 2,800m. Distance: 5.8km.

Les Courtes and the NE face in red (© P. Gatta)

I was not sure about the snow conditions, so I left the skis at the bottom. Too bad, the face was good enough to be skied down.

Aiguille Argentiere and its Y Couloir, the Tour Noir seen from Les Courtes (© P. Gatta)

I climbed the face up and down and ski down to Lognan. Total: 15.5km, +1240m / -2500m, 4h30. The route is graded AD II, 45-50°, 750m.