The Best Backcountry Skiing Routes in Haute-Savoie

If you are looking for some great views, a bit of a tranquility and some mellow skiing, look no further. However, this tour does pass through (and underneath) avalanche terrain so this is not an entirely stress-free route in the wrong conditions....

This run is easy and there are no major shocks on the way, just a simple and easy-to-follow path that winds gently down the mountain to Val Veny. However this path is there because there was a massive land slide over a decade ago that cleared this area....

Head down Marvel (probably the best green piste in the world ever!) and then before it goes into the trees turn left off the piste and head towards an electricity pylon....

Ascent: Front de neige du Bettex - Take the cross-country ski trail on the left towards the Communailles and pass in front of the ESF snow garden. The itinerary quickly leaves the groomed track to go up to the right in the forest of Crêt Mortet until you find yourself below the green track of Chateluy by which you will go down....

Ascent: Communal ski lift - The itinerary starts parallel to the ski lift and goes up into the forest for a long time before leaving just under the farm of the Great Montaz....

Ascent: Front de neige du Bettex - Take the cross-country ski trail on the right in the direction of Prapacot. The start is smooth along a groomed itinerary allowing the equipment to be taken in hand and a good warm-up....

Ascent: Communal ski lift - Follow the markings of the blue piste of Les Orgères at the departure of the Communal ski lift. Continue on this same slope after passing the arrival of the ski lift....

This is a popular ski tour with a lot of mellow terrain and makes for a good start to getting to know the area. There are good views of the inspirational queen of the Aravis, Mont Charvin, a difficult, serious but beautiful ski touring peak to aspire to....

Follow the Les Rognons descent onto the Argentiere Glacier, then skin as you would initially for the Col d'Argentiere line. Head up very gently until the first glacial basin on the left after the obvious Argentiere Hut, visible on the moraine above....

Perfect for newbie backcountry skiers and high risk avalanche days, Pointe d'Andey is a mellow, safe and relatively short ski tour that's very popular with locals. If you're into ticking boxes and hard charging Type 2 fun then please proceed directly to the Chamonix valley where you will find all the iconic steep descents your ego is looking for....

This is the classic ski touring summit of the Chablais, offering stunning views of the Dents Blanches, and surrounding mountains. It is a long but rewarding ski tour, where you really ‘earn your turns’, the antithesis of the nearby huge Portes du Soleil commercial ski area....

This quiet ski tour journeys into the wilder side of the a popular neighbouring peak - the Croisse Baulet. The view towards the Mont Blanc Massif is spectacular as it is towards Pointe Percée and the Aravis....

A unique ski touring peak with novelty value and a great viewpoint. It is very prominent on the road between Cluses and Annemasse and in a good winter you can see tracks on it from your car! The Môle is on the fringes of the Chablais but stands entirely on it’s own....

An often quiet ski tour on the shady side of the Col de la Colombière which offers an excellent vantage point from which to view the more popular ski tours on the sunny side of the Col....

You can access this direct from the top of the Plan Joran lift or skiing diagonally down and R from the top of the slow Tabe chair. Assuming the latter ski diagonally down and R across a wide clearing in the trees, which itself makes a nice run, passing over the top of a thicker area of trees, to enter the slopes that pass roughly underneath the Plan Joran lift line itself....

From below the end of the Mer de Glace, look out for the ski tracks leading to the 10-20 min bootpack that leads up to the buvette des Mottets, where you can enjoy a drink after carrying your skis for a while....

Perhaps a contender for the most famous ski route in the world, the Vallée Blanche offers excellent off-piste skiing in an absolutely breathtaking setting. Whilst requiring only moderate technical skiing ability, the environment is very serious and should not be underestimated; it is not maintained, secured or controlled, and the route follows extremely crevassed terrain....

A serious run but one with fun, flowing skiing. From the Helbronner, take in the outstanding views before heading down the mellow slopes to the north, passing between the Aiguilles Marbées and Petit Flambeau....

From the top of the Tabé chairlift, ski down a broad ridge just to skier's left of the chairlift cables. When the ridge ends, drop right into the broad gully below and ski down to the Plan Joran restaurant....

From the exit point of the Bossons Glacier walk across the road and put your skis on at the little green bridge. Ski this first slope and link trails and walking paths until you arrive back at the roundabout just before the town of Chamonix....