A Classic local line and one that is very popular, this line offers easy access using a ski du fond track.
Description:
From the parking at Le Laus follow the road south (towards the Col d’Izoard) until it is blocked off. On the left there should be a ski de fond track. Follow this into the valley on the left (south-east). From the hut, after a long straight section, it bears left and climbs steadily - follow it for a while. At around 2052m you should find a small bridge on the right of the track (care is needed crossing it). Take it and then work your way south- west through the trees. As the trees thin out you will see L’Arpelin east face on your right. Continue going south into a small bowl. Côte Belle should be straight in front of you. There is an open face on the right and an hourglass shaped face on the left, climb the open one to a small ridge. From here it is sometimes possible to climb the ridge and another face to the summit, or descend from the ridge. If you cut to skiers right you can traverse and access the hourglass shaped face.
Descent
From the summit you drop straight down and in to the hourglass shaped face, it gives great skiing and as you exit the hourglass you can ski back to you tacks, or you can head skiers right down through some trees (this can be tricky route finding). When you get back to the little bridge you can cross it and follow the ski de fond track back.
