Access

Park the car at Pont Serrand, which is several hairpins above the ski resort of Thuile.  The Petit St Bernard road is normally closed above this point in winter.

Route

From the Pont Serrand follow the road up the vallon des Chavannes. At the level of the alpage des Orgères go up steep slopes interspersed by easier angled areas towards the Orgeres valley. Once in the valley the angle eases greatly to give a long valley in which two small steps allow you to gain some altitude. Only at the end of the valley, where two 150m gulleys on the right, looking up, lead steeply to the col des Orgères, do you appreciate the grade given to the outing.  The cairn on the col clearly visible from below. The angle is between 35 and 40°.  The slope frequently purges itself and so the top part may well be hard snow/ice: crampons.

Descent

By the same route
Variant
The route can be made much more interesting by traversing towards the Youlaz valley. The slope on the Youlaz side is less steep and gives good skiing to the valley floor.  However, when you arrive at La Balme, you then need to go back up to the Pont Serrand.