Col des Annes

Take the shuttle bus from Le Grand-Bornand resort to the terminus of Line G, the Auberge Nordique de Lormay.

(S) Head north-east, following the road and avoiding the cross-country ski trails. Trails lead easily to the hamlet of Les Troncs, where the road ends in winter. Continue along the road to the summer car park

(1) There is some useful information on the noticeboard.
Follow the tracks that correspond to the summer path. The slope is quite steep. You’ll reach a crossroads with a sign for horse riders; there’s a footbridge if you continue straight on.

(2) Turn right, heading up the north-eastern ridge; it’s steep but safe. Continue to the Chalet de Plattuy. The slope becomes even steeper. This is the section that accounts for this route’s ‘difficult’ rating.

(3) Go round the back of the chalet, then head straight north until you reach the hairpin bend on the main track. Take the right-hand branch, the one that goes uphill. Ride a few hundred metres until you reach the junction with the track coming from Le Planet and Gramousset.

(4) Carry on straight ahead, crossing a few streams with the usual caution.
Follow this wide path to reach the Col de Borne Ronde. Here you’ll come to a crossroads with several routes.

(5) Take the path straight ahead towards the Les Annes chairlift.
Pass under the Les Annes chairlift, walk alongside it for a few metres, then turn left.
Continue north-east towards the Col des Annes, taking care when crossing the numerous ski runs. You’ll reach the Col des Annes.

(6) Turn left and follow the edge of the wide blue run back towards La Duche. There are plenty of shortcuts in this vast ski area. Take care, however, when crossing a substantial stream (flowing north to south) before the La Duche chapel.

(7) Carry on along the piste, heading broadly towards the middle of the first section of the Vacheret chairlift – the one on the right. Take care when crossing the pistes to reach the winter car park.

(8) Continue south-west, staying off the road for as long as possible, then join it – it is always well cleared. Pass through the hamlets of Tavaillon, Servelanche, Liardaz, Mollards and Côte Braudet in turn, finally reaching the village of Les Plans.
Please note that there are a few existing shortcuts along this route, but do check their condition – for mud or snow – before taking them.
Walk through the hamlet to the junction by the chapel; after the restaurant on the right, you’ll find a shelter and a bus timetable display (E). Take the bus back to Le Grand Bornand station.

For guests staying at the resort, a pass is issued, allowing use of the shuttle buses which provide good coverage of the area (otherwise the fare is €2 as of February 2020).
There are no water sources, apart from the streams that you cross, which may be more or less covered in snow.
Standard mountain kit: snowshoes, poles, hats, gloves and warm clothing.
We strongly recommend the ‘safety trio’ of an avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe, and, of course, that you read the BERA (Avalanche Risk Assessment Bulletin) carefully. See Météo France Montagne’s snow and avalanche bulletin.

Keep your eyes open and have your camera ready for the scenery.