4-Day Guided Ski Tour – Val de Rhêmes & Val d’Isère

4-DAY SKI TOURING ADVENTURE

This four-day ski touring adventure takes you through some of the most spectacular high-mountain terrain between the Italian Alps and Val d’Isère. The itinerary combines remote mountain huts, high-altitude passes, glacier crossings, summit objectives and long, rewarding ski descents. From the peaceful surroundings of Rifugio Benevolo to the glaciers around Punta Galisia, this is a true alpine ski touring experience. As always in the high mountains, the itinerary may be adapted according to snow conditions, weather, avalanche risk and the group’s ability.

DAY 1: RIFUGIO BENEVOLO

We drive to Rhêmes-Notre-Dame in the Italian Alps, where we begin our ascent to Rifugio Benevolo. After settling into the refuge, we may use the afternoon for a short ski tour around the refuge with light packs. This gives us a chance to stretch our legs, get familiar with the terrain and enjoy the beautiful alpine surroundings before the bigger days ahead.

DAY 2: COL DE RHÊMES / COL CALABRE – VAL D’ISÈRE – REFUGE DU PRARIOND

We leave the refuge early and ascend the Tsanteleina Glacier towards the Col de Rhêmes / Col Calabre (3,076m). From the col, we enjoy a magnificent and sustained ski descent towards Le Fornet (1,950m) in Val d’Isère. From Le Fornet, we use the ski lifts to regain altitude before making a short ascent towards Col Pers (3,000m). From Col Pers, we make another spectacular descent through the high alpine terrain to Refuge du Prariond (2,300m), where we spend the night.

Elevation gain: +850m
Elevation loss: -1,800m

DAY 3: PUNTA GALISIA – RIFUGIO BENEVOLO

Today’s objective is Punta Galisia (3,343m). We climb the Bassagne Glacier, gradually gaining altitude towards the summit. From the top, we cross the border between France and Italy before skiing down the Fond Glacier. The descent takes us back into Italy and eventually to Rifugio Benevolo, where we spend the night. This is a classic high-alpine ski touring day, combining glacier travel, a spectacular summit, a border crossing and a long descent through wild mountain terrain.

Elevation gain: +1,100m
Elevation loss: -1,100m

DAY 4: PUNTA PALETTA – GRAN VAUDALLA – RHÊMES-NOTRE-DAME

For our final day, we climb towards Punta Paletta before setting off on a long and beautiful descent through the Gran Vaudala valley. The route gradually brings us back down to Rhêmes-Notre-Dame, with one final opportunity to enjoy the exceptional scenery and varied terrain of this beautiful part of the Italian Alps. Once back in the valley, we meet our vehicle and begin the journey back to Chamonix, bringing our four-day ski touring adventure to an end.

Elevation gain: +700m
Elevation loss: -1,300m

A CLASSIC ALPINE SKI TOURING ADVENTURE

Over four days, this itinerary combines hut-to-hut ski touring, glacier travel, high-altitude passes, summit ascents and long alpine descents between the Italian Alps and Val d’Isère. The route is designed to make the most of the best available snow and mountain conditions, with the final choice of itinerary remaining flexible throughout the trip.

This 4-day guided ski touring adventure is designed for experienced ski tourers with a good level of fitness and solid off-piste skiing skills.
You should:

• Have previous experience in ski touring and have completed several days with around 800–1,000m of elevation gain.
• Be comfortable with 6–7 hours of continuous effort in the mountains, carrying a backpack, without experiencing unusual fatigue.
• Have a good off-piste skiing level and be confident skiing in a wide range of snow conditions, including challenging snow such as hard, icy, crusty or wet snow.
• Be comfortable skiing in high-alpine terrain and prepared for long ascents and descents over several consecutive days.

This is not a beginner ski touring trip. A good level of fitness, endurance and technical skiing ability is essential to fully enjoy the itinerary.
If you are unsure whether your physical condition or skiing level is suitable for this trip, please contact us before booking. We will be happy to discuss your experience and help you determine whether this adventure is right for you.