Col du Petit Saint Bernard due to open end of May

Thanks to the mini-heatwave this week, the snow clearing machines have been out in force to prepare the col du Petit Saint Bernard for opening next weekend, the 29th May.

The col, which reaches 2188 metres above sea level, is one of the most famous cols in the Alps. Much loved by walkers, skiers and road bikers alike, this year will see the Tour de France bike race head over the col to the finish line in Bourg St Maurice on 21st July.

This spectacular col is unpassable in winter, in fact much of the route becomes part of the pistes of La Rosiere, but in summer it's a spectacular route that links the Tarentaise with the Aosta region in Italy.

The route is the RD1090, departing from Seez just outside Bourg St Maurice off the main road to Val d'Isere and Tignes, passing through La Rosiere, before reaching the famous hospice and the former border control buildings at the summit. The route then descends into La Thuile in Italy, itself a ski area linked to La Rosiere in winter.

We've actually driven the col during a massive thunder storm and it was scary, but one of the most impressive natural sound and light shows we've ever seen! In fine weather, the col is a great challenge on a bike, if you fancy following in the bike tracks of the likes of Lance Armstrong!