Ski de randonnée from Les Près

Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans is no less than THE village of Gaspard de la Meije, the distinguished conqueror of the Meije. It's also a really pretty village, with a cafe open year round, a mountaineering museum and ski routes that you will remember for years to come. You need to climb up above the village into the Vallon de la Selle (well-known for a descent from Les 2 Alpes) or on the opposite side of the valley, towards the Refuge de l’Alpe du Pin.

Descriptif Ski de randonnée from Les Près

> Classic day routes :
- Refuge de la Selle (2673 m) + 1000 m
It is interesting to climb up to the Refuge de la Selle for the pleasure of sleeping in a mountain hut, watching the sun rise in the morning and preparing other routes. An easy, but long route.
> Route "steep slopes" and "techniques"
- Couloir du Burlan (3207 m) + 1570 m
Day 1 : Refuge de la Selle (2673 m) + 1000 m
Day 2 : Classic day routes :
- Brèche du Râteau (3235 m) + 560 m
- Col du Replat (3335 m) + 680 m
- Col et couloir de la Gandolière (3233 m) + 600 m
- Tour de la Meije

> Getting supplies: Bar/restaurant in St-Christophe.
> Accommodation: Gîtes and rooms in St-Christophe.

Once you have entered the Vénéon valley, you will be enchanted for life, as it's a real goldmine for ski-touring. Opportunities appear endless and the beauty of the surrounding scenery often makes skiers stop on their way down to admire the views…
This is the homeland of Père Gaspard, who first climbed the Meije in 1877. The valley can sometimes look harsh, but it has a soft heart that skiers need to take time to discover.
Once the iconic road to La Bérarde opens up, day-routes spring up all through the valley, with high-altitude routes located at the end of the valley.
There are a plethora of routes starting from mountain huts. To follow are some ideas to get you started, but you'll quickly discover that ski-touring in the Vénéon is like eating peanuts, once you've started you can't stop. So it's up to you to join routes together, work out trips over several days basing yourself at one or more mountain huts. Skis start shivering in delight once you enter Père Gaspard's homeland.


Map and GPX marking

Ski de randonnée from Les Près

Getting There


Languages spoken

  • French


Depending on snow conditions.

Subject to favorable weather


Free of charge

Location supplement

From Bourg d'Oisans, join Saint Christophe en Oisans, cross the village and turn left the first pin (direction Leyrette) to the car park after the hamlet des Prés.