Comparing to the same date last year, this year the TMB has a lot more snow (maybe between 50 and 100cms more) and the snow line starts lower in most of the parts of the route (1700-1800m). 2022 was a very dry year, so looking over trip reports from early June 2022 might look similar to what you can expect this year up to 2 or 3 weeks later.
Les Houches – Les Contamines
- Bionnassay bridge is set
- No snow from Les Houches to Col de Voza
- Some snow up to Col de Tricot, but not difficult to hike in and there are good marks already. It will probably go away in a few weeks.
Les Contamines – Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme
- The snow starts at Plan Jovet, right after the Refuge de la Balme, at ~2000m alt.
- The climb to Col du Bonhomme was mostly on snow, the last part being quite steep. The poles and spikes definitely helped. In the Col the snow depth was probably around 2 meters (as high as the sign pole), so it will be there for a while.
- From the Col du Bonhomme the traverse to the left towards Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme was also covered with snow. In some places the slope is steeper (close to 45 degrees) and it might be sketchy with no spikes.
Refuge du Col de la Croix du Bonhomme – Courmayeur
- Path up to Col des Fours and then to Col de la Seigne still had a lot of firm snow and the microspikes can help a lot. Snow bridges started to form and might become sketchy until the snow clears completely.
- The alternative, through Les Chapieux, is much easier and has a lot less snow as it goes down to the valley, although there are still some big steep snow patches on the climb to Col de la Seigne.
- Going down to Italy the snow line was just below Rifugio Elisabeta. As the way down is not too steep, it can be fine without spikes. The refuge was already open and welcomes you with great espresso and sometimes even with cakes 🙂
- The valley trail towards Courmayeur is clear of snow from the road below Elisabeta.