In reply to Alex Buisse:
> Goûter can avalanche after big snowfalls in the spring, especially if there has been wind accumulation (and there was, foehn is blowing out my window right now). Also, it's likely to be a terrible slog up untracked, unconsolidated snow.
I soloed the Gouter N ridge in April in a big snow year, using skis for much of it, kicked my own steps for the steeper section. I was disappointed that the other (group) parties ascended the glacier (exposed to serac fall). I thought climbing the ridge was great. Did it another time with partners (unroped) again April with big snowpack to cover crevasses. In non-wind-blasted snow conditions, I've also descended it on skis.
Avalanche is surely a concern for Gouter N ridge, but I don't see it as having much to do with a decision whether to do it solo or with partners -- because if a wind-slab big enough to bury someone released, it would likely catch multiple climbers, or otherwise carry a victim so far down the (very open exposed) slope that it seems unlikely that a partner could find them in time for digging and resuscitation.
> Aiguille du Tour is also probably doable solo.
I did it as a daytrip in April approaching on skis from the Grands Montets lift crossing Col du Passon, then descending to le Tour. It was a big snow year, so crevasses where well-covered. Wonderful outing. First time I did went up and back over Col Superieure du Tour. Another time I did an anti-clockwise ski circuit around the Aig du Tour with the obvious descent South then West to le Tour. (next time I would do that obvious circuit clockwise, or I've heard there's a less obvious finish to anti-clockwise finishing more West, or finish at Trient Switzerland).
Ken