In reply to Rob Exile Ward:
Sorry, have no current knowledge. Can only suggest you enquire at the refuges, or phone the Pralognan guide bureau or National Park office (though from experience they're cautious of offering advice on local conditions).
On several early-season crossings in years past, I've been glad to have had an axe for the steep snowfield on the north slope, where the snow always seemed quite hard. And the run-out is potentially damaging. It was worrying to watch parties without gear very slowly and cautiously picking a way down the steep blockfields either side to avoid the snow as far as possible. But that was before most recent climate-change effects.
The trouble of course is it's a long way back down and around if you decide when you see that slope that you'd rather go round by the Chaviere instead. Good luck!
