Advanced tech level |
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Fitness level 5/5 |
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5 days of skiing |
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4 nights in huts |
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Guiding ratio 1:4 |
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Available March - April |
The Grand Paradiso national park, created from the private game reserve of Victor Emmanuel II and donated by his grandson, Victor Emmanuel III in 1920, is Italy’s oldest national park. There is a multitude of wildlife, including large herds of ibex (for which the game reserve and park was created) and chamois.
The skiing and mountaineering are great, with a multitude of options and itineraries to suit experienced ski alpinists. Previous ski touring experience and solid technique both ascending and descending are prerequisite. The gear used on the trip cannot be changed along the way, so some practice days with the specific equipment is recommended highly. Good physical fitness and familiarity with hut to hut touring also add to the margin for enjoyment.
This tour is a traverse of the Grand Paradiso National Park, finishing with an ascent of the Grand Paradiso, the only 4000 meter peak in Italy not bordering another country. An excellent ski touring peak, this tour offers steep, wild, and complex mountain terrain accessed from a series of relatively comfortable huts.
Group of 2 skiers 1950€ per person
Group of 3 skiers 1420€ per person
Group of 4 skiers 1150€ per person
Start date | End date | Spaces |
Price from
Price
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March 16, 2020 | March 20, 2020 | 1,150.00€ | ||
March 23, 2020 | March 27, 2020 |
2
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1,150.00€ | |
April 03, 2020 | 1,150.00€ | |||
April 06, 2020 | April 10, 2020 |
2
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1,150.00€ | |
April 13, 2020 | April 17, 2020 | 1,150.00€ |
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Limited Availability | |
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Fully Booked | |
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Guaranteed | |
2
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Two More to Guarantee |
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.
Verify equipment, refresh basic skills, and ski to the Rifugio Bezzi. Depending on the conditions this day can be more or less long and complicated. If the road to the summer village of Surier is not open, a longer tour from the Val Grisenche is necessary, and an early start (4 hours, +600m). If the road is open leaving from Surier the access is quick- perhaps leaving time for some crevasse rescue practice or a small tour around the hut. (2.5 hours, 500m). The Bezzi hut is very comfortable, with showers available and smaller rooms (2-4 guests). Great food, warm welcome, and a selection of locally produced wine!
Ascent 500m / Descent 600m / Time 2.5-4 hours
Another early start for this lovely tour. Flat skiing straight out of the hut lead to a steep and improbable looking passage up a ramp to the Gliaretta glacier. Super views of the Grand Sassière and easier touring lead to a final, inclined step to the Col Bassac Dere. From here, conditions permitting, an ascent of the Becca Traversiere (3337m) is possible with a descent of the Glacier de Goletta. A fine ascent, incorporating basic mountaineering with the crampons and ice axe, and a beautiful descent to the Lac de Goletta. A quick tour from the lake up to the ridgeline (+100m) leads to the day’s last descent to the hut (-500m).
Ascent 900m - 1100m / Descent 900m - 1100m / Time 7 - 8 hours
A long tour from the hut up the Dora di Rhemes river valley, and eventually gaining the Glacier de Lavassey and the Col Basei (3176m). The option to summit the Punta Basei (3338m) and descend the north facing Ghiacciaio di Basei offers a great option for stronger parties and a memorable descent, often in good condition. After winding through the cliffs below the glacier, the skins go back on the skis for a short tour up to the hut. The final climb is rewarded by a one of a kind refuge and an unequaled welcome.
Ascent 800m -1000m / Descent 700m - 1000m / Time 7-8 hours
A big day in the high mountains. After an initial traversing descent from the hut, the climb up to the Col de la Pointe Foura is relatively straight forward, while the descent on the other side offers technical steep skiing into the upper Val Savaranche. Options include skiing down to Pont for lunch (- 1100 m) before climbing back up to the hut, or traversing the Breuil and Monciair glaciers, before a short descent to the hut. An ascent to the Tete du Grand Etret (3201m) is also possible. The Victor Emmanuelle hut is relatively comfortable, with a nice bar for Italian coffee or on tap beer.
Ascent 1100m - 1300m / Descent 500m - 1200m / Time 8 - 9hours
The last day of the trip.... but a beautiful summit, standing alone in the Italian alps, with unequaled views of the Mt. Blanc, Matterhorn, Mt. Viso, and the Mt. Rose. The skin up from the hut finishes with an unforgettable scramble to the iconic summit Madonna. The ski descent is beautiful. There are a few variants, and with good conditions it’s possible to ski straight to the parking lot. A taxi ride back to Chamonix and a well deserved shower.
Ascent 1350m / Descent 2160m / Time 8 – 9 hours
This trip is for intermediate to advanced ski tourers. You have to have the following skills.
You can expect up to 9h ski days with up to 1300 vertical meters climbs per day. You have to be very fit and strong, be able to skin uphill 400m/h for up to 4h per day without being exhausted the next day. As a preparation, you should regularly do about 4 hours od cardio training per week – either biking, hiking or running.
Warm hat
Thermal underwear
Fleece or woollen layers
Light puffer jacket
Windproof and waterproof jacket
Windproof and waterproof trousers
Warm gloves
Thin gloves
Sun hat
Ice Axe
Harness
Ski goggles
Ski poles
30 - 40 litres rucksack with attachment loops for skis or snowboard
Crampons
Ski touring skis
Ski touring boots
Ski / splitboard crampons
Lanyard
Screwgate carabiner
Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
Sunglasses
Water bottle - Ideally two 1L bottles
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Sleeping bag liner
5 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
4 nights accommodation in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner included.
Return transport from Chamonix to Italy.
Ropes, safety equipment, etc will be provided when needed by your guide.
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.
Accommodation in Chamonix is not included in the price but we would be happy to advise or organise it on request.
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.
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.
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.
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.