Val Thorens and Face Ouest (Face West)

Billed as the finest descent on the massif by the Companie des Guides de Val Thorens, the Face Ouest (Face West) is not lacking arguments.

This immense slope, never extreme, leaving the summit of the Aiguille de Péclet, tempts all who gaze at it. A true monument, the Face Ouest fascinates throughout the season – from an ephemeral pink in January to the flaming orange of a spring sunset – it truly crowns the entire massif.

It is the route which requires the longest approach, but it is also the most popular.

For the descent, an embarrassing alternative; large freeskier curves, exploiting the width of the face, or short turns – infinitely even?

With the snow feather-light on top of a hard smooth base, the Face Ouest is always in condition, ensuring the descent of the week, year, century 😀

Itinerary

From the “intersection” head due north, passing to the right of the rocky spur bordering the cirque du Roc des Saint Peres. Pass the base of the rock-ridge leading to the Aiguille de Péclet; long, rising “flat” hill. At the back of the glacier, the ridge running from the Aiguille de Péclet to the Col de Gébroulaz curves – go towards the lower point in the middle of this snowy ridge.

At the foot of the steep snow-slope leading to the ridge – two choices;

• Either climb this slope strait up, and follow the ridge to the left, leading to the summit (150 m easy mixed).
  Exposed route, overhanging the glacier de Gébroulaz to the right.
• Or, if conditions permit, climb diagonally left, about 100 m before arriving at the foot of the ridge – a steep slope, but without rocks – leading directly to the summit. Much faster – between 1-2 hours in total!

Route to Aiguille de Péclet

Descent

Facing Val Thorens either;­

• Descent towards the square breach to the right (easily visible from Val Thorens); 20 m of mixed ground (delicate).
  On foot or skis according to the conditions.
• Or follow the ridge several meters to the left, where a short (20 m) couloir lets one reach the Face Ouest on skis.

The slope is even (35 degrees) for nearly 200 m then steepens (40-45 degrees).

Make a wide turn to the left of a rocky knob, where the slope is steepest (45 degrees) for about 100 meters, then head right a little and drop down, avoiding the terminal ice and crevasses to the left (steep and broken).

Bottom / Lower itineraries;

• Gain the Christine piste, crossing toward the left, leading to Val Thorens – or the Moraine chairlift, if you’re go for another descent on the Péclet mountain 😀
• Or keep right to cross the Tête Ronde piste descending between the piste and the Arête de Tête Ronde – this run leads almost down to Val Thorens with almost an extra 1000 m of vertical drop (easy)!

These lower itineraries are also recommended of finishing the Triangle and The Petite Face Nord.

Face Ouest bowl from below