Col de la Croix - Snow!
By Will • May 3rd, 2008 • Category: Climbs, Cycling
The final day of our mini Swiss Alps cycling trip.
We had driven from Gstaad to Villars yesterday - and had to take the long way as the Col de la Croix is still closed due to snow.
But it was our cycling goal, so we decided to have a look from the Villars side. This is a giant climb (20 kilometres 1,370 metres ascent - about 4,500 feet). But today our goal was just a leisurely ride up the far more scenic top half starting in the ski resort of Villars.
See this link for grade details of the entire climb from Bex.
Another perfect day surrounded by the Alps. Although there was a barrier down blocking cars, the route had obviously been ploughed. As we got higher, the snow steadily increased but as we reached 1700 metres I was hopeful of reaching the top.
Suddenly around a bend the road was blocked with a metre of snow! But we were nearly there, so we left the bikes and hiked to the top.
The only Col sign is a plaque (in the above link) but it was buried under piles of snow and I wasn’t sure where to dig 
.
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Will is Happiest while cycling uphill. More enthusiastic than talented, his 2008 Challenge is to (again) cycle 160,000 metres of vertical ascent.
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Crazy snow, pretty weird to see the road end like that and the snow suddenly start!!! Great pics though
Jamie has his first 2 wheeler( with training wheels) and would like to know why Uncle Will does not wear a helmet!
Nice little getaway Will! We’re having sunny weather with the temps close to 80 degrees today. Still… the snow looks refreshing and beautiful. Maybe you’re ready though to have it gone. Once again… great pictures.
[…] that link, slogfester. I’ve been wondering when the Col de la Croix is going to open, and they have a report of someone trying to go up last week, but finding a 1-metre high wall of snow at the top (the pass […]
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