We all know the massive silhouette of the Grand Combin that stands out on the horizon of our French Alps as soon as we look towards Switzerland. But did you know that there are four “Combin” peaks for cartographers? Let’s go for a tour while greeting its neighbor Mont Vélan.
Before embarking on a week-long ski raid, which requires more physical commitment, here is a beautiful four-day itinerant route in French-speaking Switzerland, with three refuges on the program combining tradition and modernity.
DAY 1 Bourg St Pierre – Vélan Refuge
Meet at Bourg-Saint Pierre, at 1650 meters, on the road to the Grand St Bernard pass, where Bonaparte had lunch in May 1800 during the second Italian campaign. All history books show the triumphant Bonaparte on a rearing horse from David’s painting. In reality, he crossed the snowy St Bernard pass on the back… of a mule.
Today there is still free parking at the start of the Bourg St Pierre hikes. We are four accompanied by Ferran, a Catalan guide who allows himself an infidelity to the Pyrenees. The snow at the end of March facilitates an immediate fitting for a quiet ascent along the Valsorey torrent, a thousand meters of elevation gain to the Vélan refuge.
LOCATION
WEB EXTRA
PREVIEW OF THE SUPPLEMENT
