Pointe de La Norma

Who'd think the sense of escape could be so strong as you kick off your hike from the ski slopes of La Norma? Soon, spruce trees of all ages surround you as you walk through a shady forest. Intrepid squirrels may escort you some of the way. Skipping from branch to branch or sprinting at the edge of the paths, they'll spark your curiosity as you pass through the forest. Soon, the ski slopes give way to high-altitude meadows where herds graze in summer. Here, on "ubac" (north-facing slope), the mountain gets rocky and rugged at a lower alpine zone than on "adret" (south-facing slope). All of a sudden, the hike's reward jumps out at you! A panoramic view of the Vanoise, the Écrins and Italy. Enjoy! It's a good diea to leave early in the morning, in order to reach your destination before the sun is at the zenith. The descent will be more comfortable and you can happily take as many refreshing breaks as you need.