In reply to Flinticus:
Not sure about the lower ridge, but once managed to scare ourselves slightly by cutting up to it on a diagonal from the ski centre, near GR255526, steep ground, pretty chossy, bits of ice but below snow line etc, etc. Once on the ridge, it was a deep snow plod to the top.
I'd imagine that lower down you'll be able to see if you can get through the craggier bits below the 498 top, and if not, just keep right (west) on the ascent to avoid any problems.
