It is all change in Chamonix for the second ChamLines of the winter. If there was a lack of snow at the start of the season the mountains are now in their winter clothes but there is no question of getting carried away. If the slopes look idyllique the conditions, in particular the snowpack, is a different matter.
The wind has been blowing strongly at altitude. The snow is unstable. For this session Aurelien is joined by Jérémy Prévost (3rd in the 2010/11 freeride world tour) and old timer, high mountain guide Stéphane Dan. They are going to ski down in the valley for a real freeride run in the trees: le couloir du Chapeau.
From the Grands Montets and the Bochard gondola you descend for a dozen mintues to the left following the west ridge of the Aiguille de Bochard to the first col which is also the entrance to the couloir. The sky, covered until now, begins to clear. The team head into the couloir offering 500 vertical meters of skiing in a meter of powder between the trees down to the Lavancher. The essence of freeride skiing and pure pleasure, the first real big session of the winter.
The couloir is easy to access and is pefect when there is poor visibility and has excellent condtions at the moment. Remember to take a left near the end of the couloir to avoid cliffs.
COULOIR DU CHAPEAU
Start Altitude : 2765 mètres
Finish Altitude : 1200 mètres
Couloir Vertical : 500 mètres
Total vertical: 1565 mètres
Aspect : West