Col du Lautaret   The Col du Lautaret lies at the head of the valley of the river Guisanne. The col is 2057 metres high and is often closed to traffic in winter. Attempts have been made to improve the access across this col. The Col du Lautaret provides one of only 5 'gateways' into the Ecrins National Park. It has attracted little development however, having only two hotels, an Alpine Garden, two ski lifts (no longer in use), abandoned farm buildings, a bar, snowplough centre and a few houses. It is however recognised as a popular site for tourists to visit and there is a spectacular viewpoint above the main road close to the Alpine Garden. The Lautaret glacier and the local geological structure (including slate and schist) can be identified from here. It is an area of very high relief having four peaks at an altitude of over 4000 metres. The high mountains have been extensively glaciated, leaving behind deep valleys and craggy peaks. Permanent ice and snow still dominates the highest parts of the region. Introduction to the glacial and post-glacial environment, Col du Lautaret. Students at the Col du Lautaret.