Guided Ski Ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m

Day 1: Travel to Gran Paradiso National Park and Ski to the Hut

Depart early for Gran Paradiso National Park. You’ll be transferred by vehicle to the starting point of the ski tour, where we’ll begin our ascent to either the Vittorio Emanuele II Refuge or the Chabod Refuge.
The journey to the hut is a thrilling ski tour through the stunning alpine terrain. Ski through forests and open valleys before entering the heart of the park. The ascent takes approximately 2-3 hours, depending on snow conditions and group pace.
Arrive at the refuge, settle in, and enjoy a well-deserved meal. You’ll have time to rest and prepare for the big day ahead. Overnight at the refuge to acclimatize and get a good rest.

Day 2: Ski Ascent of Gran Paradiso (4061m) and Descent

Rise before dawn to begin the ascent of Gran Paradiso. The climb is not too technically difficult, but you’ll need to be comfortable skiing on glaciers and snowy ridges. The first part of the ascent is on easy snow slopes, and as you ascend, you’ll traverse the glacier before reaching the final rocky ridge leading to the summit. The climb takes approximately 4-5 hours.
Reach the summit of Gran Paradiso (4061m), Italy’s highest peak entirely within its borders. Watch the sun rise over the Alps—a truly spectacular moment with panoramic views stretching across the mountains. This is a highlight of the trip!
After enjoying the summit, begin the descent back to the refuge along the same route, taking about 3 hours. Skiing back down through the pristine terrain is an exhilarating experience, and you’ll have a chance to take in the stunning views on the way down.
Once back at the refuge, we’ll descend back to the starting point and travel to Chamonix to celebrate your successful ascent of Italy’s iconic Gran Paradiso.

Technical Level

This guided ski ascent of Gran Paradiso 4061m is best suited for advanced ski tourers with solid off-piste skiing and ski mountaineering experience. Participants must be confident skiing in variable snow conditions—such as wind crust, spring snow, or powder—and proficient in performing kick turns on steep terrain.
The route features a mix of wide open slopes, occasional narrow passages, and inclines up to 35°. Certain sections will require boot packing with crampons, especially near the summit ridge. Prior experience using crampons and handling an ice axe is strongly recommended.

Physical Level

This is a demanding 2-day alpine ski tour, suitable for individuals with good all-round fitness and recent ski touring experience. Expect daily elevation gains of up to 1,300 vertical meters, with 7–8 hours of continuous physical effortper day. You should be accustomed to long mountain days carrying a pack, and able to sustain energy and focus in high-altitude environments.
While this is one of the more accessible 4,000 m ski ascents, it still requires endurance, mental resilience, and a solid foundation in mountain fitness.