Gran Paradiso ski tour

A wild and spectacular ski tour for experienced skiers, topping out at 4061 m! The Grand Paradiso National park is an unspoiled mountain treasure. Comfortable huts contrast the testing mountains!

Hut to hut

MAKE ENQUIRY

REMOTE FIVE DAY SKI TOUR SUMMITING ITALY’S 4000M PEAK

The summit of the Gran Paradiso was first climbed in 1860 by J. J. Cowell, W. Dundas, M-A. Payot and J. Tairraz. Over time it has become a landmark for beginner mountaineers, and climbing it will be an unforgettable day. The first ski tour was completed in 1932, and today’s route is the route taken by these pioneers.

Standing at 4 061m, the Gran Paradiso is a proud, solitary summit in the western Italian alps. Located in the Valle d’Aosta region, it is the only 4,000m peak not sharing a border with another country. It lends it’s name to the massif (which is the only summit to exceed 4,000 meters) and to the national park.

The Gran Paradiso National Park was created in 1856 as the royal hunting reserve of King Vittorio Emanuele II , to protect the ibex, and in 1922 became the first Italian national park. There is an abundance of wildlife in the park. Located between Piemonte and the Valle d’Aosta, it covers an area of 70,318 hectares and is a wild, wonderful environment for ski touring.

A 5-day circuit leaving from and returning to Cogne via the summit of the Gran Paradiso and the beautiful and wild valley of Piantonetto. We will enjoy legendary Italian food and hospitality, taking in this mythical mountain from a special and unique perspective.

From: 1450 €

Advanced

You regularly practice backcountry skiing and have a solid repertoire. You ski confidently in all types of backcountry snow, and are comfortable in couloirs (gullies) up to 35°. You’d like to improve by learning the methods of ski alpinism – climbing couloirs with an ice axe and crampons – skis on the backpack, skiing longer and more committing itineraries. Randonnée (ski touring) applicants are comfortable with the necessary techniques and material for, and have participated in, longer hut tours – spending consecutive nights in mountain huts.

Fitness level 5/5
Guiding ratio 1:4
5 days of skiing
Available March – April
4 nights in huts

View dates

Av.

Space available
2

Two More to Guarantee
G

Guaranteed
LA

Limited Availability
FB

Fully Booked

Itinerary

Arrival day – Welcome meeting in Chamonix

The evening before the start of the course, you will have the chance to meet your guide and the other course members to discuss the itinerary, mountain conditions and ask any questions. Your guide will also use this time to check over your equipment and help you prepare what you will need for day 1 of the course. Those who have reserved rental equipment will be accompanied to our partner shop to pick up what they will need for the duration of the course. It is a good idea to bring with you any clothing or technical gear that you would like checked over prior to the start of the course.

Day 1 Vittorio Sella (2580m)

Verify equipment, refresh basic skills, and ski to the Vittorio Sella (2580m) where we stay for the night. Depending on the conditions this day can be more or less long and complicated.

Ascent 910m / Time 4 hours

Day 2 Chabod hut (2750 m)

We climb to the Grand Serra (3550 m). The top of the Grand Serra and the Timorion glacier reveals technical terrain requiring the rope. We continue to the Grand Neyron glacier and climb to the Col Hononyme (3400 m), from which a nice descent leads us to the Chabod hut (2750 m).

Ascent 1490m / Descent 1300m / Time 8-10 hours

Day 3 Vittorio Emanuele II hut (2735 m)

Grand Paradiso Day!!! From the hut, we go up the Laveciau glacier until we reach the “Dos d’âne” (3400 m) and the Gran Paradiso glacier (which we will follow on the descent). We leave the skis at the base of the mountain ridge and follow it back and forth. The summit (4061 m), with it’s iconic virgin statue offers us a wonderful view of the Mont Blanc, Mont Rose, and the Matterhorn. A lovely ski from the top of Italy leads us to the famous Vittorio Emanuele II hut (2735 m).

Ascent 1310 m / Descent 1330 m / Time 6-8 hours

Day 4 Pontese hut (2220 m)

From the refuge we climb to the Col du Mont Gran Paradiso (3335 m) by the Montcorvé glacier. We descend the Noachetta glacier to the Ivrea bivouac (2770 m), and ascend to the Col dei Becchi (2990 m). A nice descent brings us to the Pontese hut (2220 m) located in the Piantonetto valley (Piemonte).

Ascent 850 m / Descent 1380 m / Time 5-7 hours

Day 5 Return to Cogne

Last and magnificent day of our tour. Climb to the Teleccio pass (3312 m) by the Homonymous glacier. A long descent on the Valeille glacier, and through the valley of Valeille leads us to the small village of Lillaz (1630 m), a hamlet of Cogne.

Ascent 1100 m / Descent 1680 m / Time 6-8 hours

Level requirements

Technical level

This trip is for intermediate to advanced ski tourers. You should have the following skills:

Good and efficient skinning technique, solid kick turns on steep and icy terrain
Experience using boot and ski crampons, ice axe
Experience in basic level roped climbing and scrambling using boot crampons and ice axe

Physical fitness

You can expect ski days of up to 9 hours with up to 1300 vertical meters climbs per day. You will need to be very fit and strong, be able to skin uphill 400m/h for up to 4 hours per day without being exhausted the next day. In preparation, you should commit to a dedicated training plan that combines cardio and endurance workouts incorporating sports such as biking, hiking, and running.

Equipment

Included or not

Clothing

Warm hat

Clothing

Thermal underwear

Clothing

Fleece or woollen layers

Clothing

Light puffer jacket

Clothing

Windproof and waterproof jacket

Clothing

Windproof and waterproof trousers

Clothing

Warm gloves

Clothing

Thin gloves

Clothing

Sun hat

Technical gear

Ice axe

Technical gear

Climbing harness

Technical gear

Ski goggles

Technical gear

Ski poles

Technical gear

30 – 40 litres rucksack with attachment loops for skis or snowboard

Technical gear

Crampons

Technical gear

Ski touring skis

Technical gear

Ski touring boots

Technical gear

Ski / splitboard crampons

Technical gear

Lanyard

Technical gear

Screwgate carabiner x 1

Safety Equipment

Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe

Other essentials

Sunglasses

Other essentials

Water bottle – Ideally two 1L bottles

Other essentials

Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)

Other essentials

Headlamp with fresh batteries

Optional items

Sleeping bag liner (Opt)

Included in price

Guide Fees

5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.

Mountain huts

4 nights accommodation in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner included.

Transport

Return transport from Chamonix to Italy.

Group Equipment

Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.

Office Support

Our team is based at the foot of the Aiguillle du Midi cable car and will be happy to help you with any questions you may have before, during or after your trip to Chamonix.

Not included in price

Accommodation in Chamonix

Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.

Food & Drink

The price does not include lunch or snacks. You can bring your own food and we can stop for a picnic, or there may be the option to buy lunch at a mountain hut. Please make sure that you are carrying sufficient water and snacks as we will be in the mountains for a number of hours.

Insurance

Travel insurance including a mountain search and rescue insurance is mandatory on all our trips (we can organise the mountai search and rescue insurance for you on request). We highly advice to have a policy covering the cost of medical treatment and to protect the value of your holiday in the event of cancellation. When taking out insurance please ensure the policy you choose covers you for the activities and altitude included in your itinerary.

Skis / Snowboards

The price does not include skis/snowboards, boots or clothing. If you do not have your own we can help you organise rental, please ask us for details.

Travel to Chamonix

The price does not include flights, airport transfers or any other travel to/from Chamonix. However, we can organise airport transfers for you on request, please contact us for details.

Gran Paradiso ski tour

VISIT THE GRAN PARADISO NATIONAL PARK

SKI A 4000M PEAK

SAVOUR ITALIAN FOOD AND WINE