Mont Rogneux a classic ski touring peak in the Val de Bagnes

Stunning views of the Petit Combin

At 3084m high, Mont Rogneux sits proudly along the ridge linking Six Blanc at the top of Bruson to the Grand Combin, a 4000er.  It is one of the classic ski touring peaks in the area and can be done in one or two days and from a variety of start / end points.  This makes it skiable for most of the winter season.  If you would like to take two days you can spend the night at the Cabane Brunet.

Views towards Verbier and beyond from the summit of Mont Rogneux

I chose to ski the peak from Loutier via the Cabane Brunet.  This seems to be the most popular way up the peak, although it is also skied from the top of the Bruson ski lifts via the Tete de la Payane, and from the Val D'Entremont to the west.

The Barmasse parking above Loutier and the road to the Cabane Brunet from Switzerland Mobility

The Barmasse parking lot at 1302m sits on the main road to Fionnay just beyond Loutier, it is large enough to accommodate numerous vehicles, and needs to be as the walk to the Cabane Brunet is a popular outing in its own right.

A multitude of ski touring possibilities within a short walk from the Cabane Brunet

From the parking there is a road heading west towards Le Tongne which is normally pisted by the hut, and you can follow this the entire way.  It is about 800m vertical from here to the Cabane Brunet and is well signposted.  If you want a slightly steeper and quicker variant, after around 1km of skinning there is a summer track that heads south up the hill (and is signposted for ascending only).  The track has a pleasant gradient and makes for a more interesting route to the mountain hut, unless you want to chat with friends, in which case the road would work best.

Smiling skimo selfie

Most people will take around 1.5 - 3 hours to reach Brunet where the hut guardian will happily serve you a hearty lunch, coffee, or on a Wednesday evening, cheese fondue.  And for a lot of folk, this will be the high point of their day out, returning via the fields or the road depending on snow conditions.

Cabane Brunet

However, if you're hungry for another 1000m of ski touring and the possibility of peaks and untouched snow, Mont Rogneux is most peoples next target.

Mont Rogneux from the Cabane Brunet from Switzerland Mobility

From the hut head SW across gentle slopes for a few km, the route is pleasantly angled with hardly any steep slopes around or above you until the final summit push itself.  Eventually you will end up on the NE ridge which starts pleasantly and then continues more steeply.  If snow conditions are good you will be able to skin the entire way to the summit, but you might need ski crampons and given the dots on the map at times you may need to walk to the top with crampons and an ice axe.

The summit of Mont Rogneux looking very snowy

Once on the summit there are a multitude of options in descent from the steep and committing to the gentle.  You can also ski on nearly any aspect and still return to the Cabane Brunet.  This means that you can generally find some good and safe snow to ski, grab a coffee on your way down and follow the road to the bottom if conditions aren't great lower down. 

Exploring the Alps, it's always good to see a sign post that confirms your navigation!

This route took five hours, four to go up and one to return.  And I can see why it's so popular.  I'll definitely be back.

Powder turns from summit to the Cabane Brunet

Dynafit Feline trail running shoes review

Every now and then I come across a piece of gear that I think is so good I can't help talking incessantly about it and recommending it to everyone I come across!  Therefore on my blog I will be reviewing the odd piece of outdoor equipment that I really like.  These shoes fit the bill perfectly.

Trail running in Snowdonia

What trail running shoes did I use before?

When I first started trail running I just used some Saucony road trainers, then I bought some Salomon Speedcross which meant I could actually run (and not slip over) on grass and mud.  After a couple of pairs of these I switched to the Inov-8 Roclite which increased my grip on rocky terrain in addition to having a good enough tread to cope with grass and mud.

Winter running with Kahtoola crampons on

Why did I buy these shoes?

If you've never heard of Dynafit, don't worry, unless you are a ski tourer I'll forgive you!  They are relatively new to the running world, particularly in the UK.  However their ski equipment and clothing is highly functional and well regarded, especially in the ski mountaineering racing world.  So, when I saw they were making trail running shoes I had to have a look.

Loving these shoes

Highlights

1: The Sole

The sole (and their reputation as a gear company) was the sole (excuse the pun!) reason I bought my first pair of Dynafit Feline running shoes.  They were made of Vibram rubber and had a tread in a similar pattern to that of the Salomon Speedcross.  Therefore I expected them to race down muddy hillsides but also stick to rocky scrambles.  Just what you need when the UK mountains are your trail running playground.

Dynafit Feline Vibram sole

2: Fit

The fit feels snug, stable and precise.  This has allowed me to take the shoe on graded scrambles in addition to running over uneven terrain with ease.  I have also worn them for multi-day backpacking trips without any problems.

Enjoying the shoes in the Scottish Highlands

Lowlights

To be honest I struggled to find any real lowlights, the ones below are me being a bit picky.

1: Price

They are pricey, as are most high end trail running shoes, currently £110.  

2: Lacing system

It works, is quick and easy to use but not quite as good as Salomon's, as the pocket for the laces is on the side not in the middle of the tongue.

Cold feet in the snow, these aren't really made for winter runs

Click here to view them on the Dynafit website

How to go ski touring in Snowdonia

With winter just around the corner, and hopefully one full of snow and mountain adventures, I thought I would write an article about how to go ski touring in Snowdonia.

Ski touring at dawn in Snowdonia

Weather and Snow Conditions

First things first, you can and people do, get avalanched in Snowdonia so make sure you learn about snow before going skiing.  There is no avalanche forecast in Snowdonia either.  Below are various ways I build a picture of what the snow conditions may be like:

1. Looking at the weather forecast, has it snowed, is snow forecast, does the Met Office mountain weather forecast mention anything under Ground Conditions?
2. Read between the lines of the latest UKClimbing welsh winter conditions thread, are there any useful comments or photos of routes recently climbed
3. Scour Facebook groups such as Snowdonia winter climbing conditions, north wales skiing etc... for snow updates
4. Look at instagram photos taken recently on the peaks you are hoping to ski off
5. Look at various webcams, most usefully OVMRO webcams and the Snowdon Webcam.
6. Actually get out there and have a look - probably the most reliable method!

An avalanche in Snowdonia above Nant Peris Photo by Brian Wills

Psyched after a great day of skiing in Snowdonia, I took a chance and had a look, and there was more than enough snow to ski and enjoy

Another really useful too is the BMC Cwm Idwal winter conditions page which provides live temperature readings at various heights and depths of turf.

The BMC Cwm Idwal winter conditions page

Iona's snow seeking guidelines

Normally there is more skiable snow than there looks, particularly if there has been a good freeze thaw cycle

More snow than there looks, the view from the A5

The Carneddau tends to hold more snow than the Glyderau and Snowdon ranges

Looking towards the Northern Carneddau where there is often more snow than elsewhere

If it's been windy, has the snow been swept onto one side of the hills more than the other? - normally the case in Snowdonia but watch out for the avalanche conditions that come with this.

The spread of snow across Yr Elen and Carnedd Llewelyn, notice the lack of snow in some areas, particularly ridge lines, or the increase in snow in the gully between the two peaks.

You don't actually need that much snow to ski on, as when it's frozen the patches of grass between the snow ski quite well too!

Skiing the lines of snow between the grass, and the frozen grass too!

When you're out hiking in the summer look for slopes that are grassy underfoot as normally there is only enough snow to cover grass and not rocks and small boulders.

A variety of terrain in Snowdonia, some of which I had checked out in the summer months before hand

For the steep skiers amongst you have a look at a the winter climbing guidebooks for inspiration, grade one gullies can sometimes make great skiing.

The steeper lines here can provide great skiing in addition to climbing

Often conditions are better in the morning before it gets warmer, so go out and enjoy a dawn patrol

Setting a skin track before work in March

Stay safe and have fun

Keep smiling, it's not every day you get to ski in Snowdonia