Expert tech level |
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Fitness level 5/5 |
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2 nights in mountain huts |
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1 night in a hotel |
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4 days of skiing |
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Guiding ratio 1:4 |
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Ecrins National Park, La Grave |
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Available end of March - April |
Nested at the foot of the Col du Lautaret, in the shadow of the North face of la Meije, La Grave is known to freeriders worldwide as a reference for extreme skiing and remote, wild, backcountry. Made in the mold of it’s untamed surroundings, La Grave has distinguished itself from other ski areas by it’s adherence to simplicity and modesty - offering some of the purest lift access backcountry in the Alps with an unparalleled authenticity. This mountain town is the entryway to a renowned classic of high alpine ski tours; a must for the passionate ski adventurer. Mythic couloirs, bowls, and forests give La Grave it’s reputation. Discover these classic runs the first day, before turning the skis toward la Meije’s untamed mountain kingdom.
Standing almost 4000m tall, the Meije isn’t quite the highest point in the Ecrins range, but it is certainly the most emblematic. The surrounding valleys are wild and the access is difficult- giving a true alpine feel- requiring the use of crampons and ice axes to affront steep terrain. High perched huts, a demanding and technical itinerary, splendid glacier descents and the untouched natural splendor of the Ecrins national park will please lovers of wild ski touring - weaving high altitude back country skiing and technical alpinism.
1890€ per person for a group of 2
1390€ per person for a group of 3
1190€ per person for a group of 4
Start date | End date | Spaces |
Prices
Prices
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March 21, 2021 | March 24, 2021 |
A
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1,190.00€ | |
March 28, 2021 | March 31, 2021 |
A
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1,190.00€ | |
April 02, 2021 | April 05, 2021 |
A
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1,190.00€ |
A
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Spaces available | |
L
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Limited Availability | |
F
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Fully Booked | |
G
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Guaranteed | |
2
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Two More to Guarantee |
The given itinerary is a program realized with good weather and good mountain conditions. The guide may tailor the program to suit the needs of the group and the weather/ snow…
You arrive in Chamonix the day before starting the trip. In the evening, around 6, a briefing with your UIAGM certified mountain guide and the other course participants takes place in the Chamex office. The guide will present the trip plan, possible options or variations, and answer your questions. The guide will also take the time to verify your equipment and give advice on preparing your backpack for the tour. If you have reserved rental equipment we’ll visit the neighboring ski shop and acquire the needed gear.
Morning departure from Chamonix to maximize our time on the innumerable descents in La Grave- off-piste paradise! The lifts access 100% backcountry terrain (no groomed/ pisted runs on the entire slope). Pure freeride or free-rando (short tours from the lifts) depending on the group’s wishes. Warm hotel and a gourmet dinner in the mountain village of La Grave, at the foot of the Meije glaciers.
From the summit of the lifts in La Grave, we turn our skis toward the southern aspects of la Meije, and plunge into the heart of the Écrins national park. The guide will choose the timing- ideally skiing great snow on the beautiful and sustained slopes of the Selle valley. A traverse with skins and a descent of the couloir from the Brèche du Râteau (gained with ice axe and crampons) into the Étançon valley. The Promontoire hut is here, perched on the Meije’s south facing, sunlit granite. Nathalie and Fredi will reserve a welcome equal to the heights of this majestic hut!
Ascent 1000m / Descent 11000m
A demanding, technical, high alpine mountain day. First business- climb up the Brèche de la Meije and over to the La Grave side. High mountain ambiance awaits- an exposed traverse at the foot of La Meije’s impressive north face. Crampons and ice axes are again needed to climb the narrow Serret du Savon. On the glacier’s other side the mythic Aigle hut awaits, practically floating in the sky. Recently remodeled, but keeping it’s soul and it’s original feel, this alpine sanctuary is one of the oldest in France- and is thus a piece of history. The unique position and the storied nature of the refuge is enchanting- we’re walking in the footsteps of the Alps’ finest mountaineers…
Ascent 700m / Descent 400m
The last day! Departure at first light to climb the Tête des Corridors, a beautiful summit surrounded by the spires flanking the Meije. From here on we turn our tips downhill, toward the 2000m of descent separating us from the comforts of the valley. The Tabuchet or the l’Homme glaciers to choose from- better conditions will dictate our choice. In both cases a fabulous run awaits to close out our trip. We leave La Grave, the skyline filled by La Meije’s striking profile. Return to Chamonix.
Ascent 300m / Descent 2000m
You have to be physically fit, ready to hike and ski for up to 8 hours per day without being too tired the next day. You have to be able to move reasonably fast (climb up to 1100m per day at 400m/h).
Don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions about the ski & fitness levels for this trip, we will be happy to help.
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
Climbing harness
Ski goggles
3 x Screwgate carabiner
Belay device
Ski / splitboard skins
30 - 40 litres rucksack with attachment loops for skis or snowboard
Crampons
Ski touring skis
Ski touring boots
Ski / splitboard crampons
Lanyard
60 cm tape sling or cordelette for prusik
Avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
Sunglasses
Water bottle - Ideally two 1L bottles
Sun cream high protection (for lips and face)
Headlamp with fresh batteries
Washbag and toiletries
Earplugs
Sleeping bag liner
4 days of guiding and instruction by a UIAGM qualified mountain guide.
1 night accommodation in a hotel with breakfast and dinner.
2 nights accommodation in mountain huts with breakfast and dinner included.
Return trip Chamonix - La Grave.
The cost of any lift access that is required during the course for the itinerary described above.
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.
Please see the "Equipment" tab to find out what you will need on this trip / course. For private customised guiding, please contact us directly to confirm your personalised kit list.
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 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.
In case bad weather or snow conditions do not allow the realization of the normal program, we will propose a suitable plan B, (similar cost, difficulty, and length). Safety is a priority for us at Chamex, and our guides will adapt the course to offer the best possible ski touring experience.
Chamonix is one of the easiest alpine resorts to get to, being just over an hour's drive from Geneva international airport. Lyon, Turin and Milan airports are also all within a few hours drive. The best way to get from Geneva airport to Chamonix is by transfer bus, either shared with other passengers or private. You will be met in the arrivals lounge by your driver and dropped at your accommodation in Chamonix; there is no extra charge for your luggage or equipment. We work only with the most reliable transfer companies in the valley and are happy to organise your journey for you, please contact us for prices and booking.
We suggest you bring with you or buy in resort snack food that you can take out on the hill with you each day. Things like cereal bars, dried fruit and nuts, chocolate, sugary sweets or your favourite hill snacks. When you’re staying overnight in huts it's best to take supplies for the days you are away. Huts do sell food but it’s expensive and sometimes stocks run low.
If you have any food allergies or dietary requirements especially if you are a Coeliac (Gluten free) or have a dairy allergy we strongly recommend you bring some food to supplement your hut dinners. The huts are fairly good at providing for vegetarians but less so for other dietary needs. The huts can provide a small basic packed lunch of bread, salami, cheese and chocolate that you can buy each day but it’s important that you don’t rely on this option only. You do need to carry some snack food for each day.
You will also generally stop for short breaks every hour where you should eat and drink something in order to maintain your energy levels throughout the day.
The high alpine huts are one of the big attractions to mountaineering or trekking in the Alps. They allow us the time to enjoy the mountains with only light packs and without having to worry about meals or finding somewhere to sleep! Most huts have only very basic facilities. Sleeping arrangements are in mixed sex dormitory-style rooms with bunks; there can be up to 20 people in one room.
Washing facilities are limited and generally there is no running water in any of the huts although this may vary in some huts. There are basins in which you can use bottled water to wash and clean your teeth, but they are NOT generally in private cubicles and are mixed sex. Toilets are generally septic-tank type (so non-flushing) and again mixed sex. You need to be prepared for simple living in the huts and appreciate they are located at high altitude and in inhospitable terrain.
The guardian and his/her team serve a 3-course evening meal and breakfast - food is usually nourishing and filling. Beer, wine, soft drinks and snacks are also available. All food and drink in the huts is delivered by helicopter and consequently prices will be high e.g. between 5 -10€ or 10CHF for a 1.5litre bottle of still water.
There are a few basic hut ‘rules’ that you need to follow so that you (and your fellow climbers) have a pleasant stay:
1) On arriving at the hut you must take off your boots and leave these together with your ice axe, crampons in the foyer. Be sure to store these carefully as the hut is likely to get very busy and you’ll need to find all your kit in the morning rush!
2) House slippers are provided and must be worn in the hut
3) Your guide will register you with the guardian and will assign you your bunk
4) Follow the instructions of your guide and keep requests to the guardian and his team to a minimum – they are usually very busy sorting out groups, cooking meals, keeping the hut clean
5) In the morning your guide will often want to leave early – be sure to have all your kit ready to go the night before. Be organized and everything will be much easier!
6) It is recommended to bring earplugs for the nights – but make sure that you wake up on time!
7) Top Tip: clearly name or place a small amount of coloured tape on your boots, axe, crampons, harness and skins to help you identify them amongst all the others
All Chamex mountain guides are fully qualified, highly experienced and passionate about what they do. Everyone who works as part of the Chamex team has been thoroughly vetting and is trusted by us to give our clients the best experience possible - you are in safe hands! If you would like to know more then you can meet the Chamex team here.
Please see the list of recommended equipment on the other tab. Most technical equipment can be rented here in Chamonix, please contact us if you would like prices and advice on whatever you need. Chamonix has dozens of outdoor shops selling everything from basic head torches to expedition standard sleeping bags, so whatever you don't already have you can find it here.
We highly recommend that you take out specific insurance for mountain activities. We can organise this at a cost of 8€ per day for EU citizens and 12€ per day for non-EU citizens. This will cover you for search and rescue services, evacuation by helicopter and emergency medical treatment. You should also make sure that you have adequate travel insurance that covers you for the usual things such as cancelled flights, lost luggage, hospital treatment, etc. Please contact us to organise mountain rescue insurance for your trip.
If you wish to book accommodation in Chamonix we would be happy to recommend some local hotels, gites, self-catered apartments, or chalets and advise on the best locations. Please contact us if you would like help finding accommodation in Chamonix.
We can help you to organise your transport to/from Chamonix. We work with well-established airport transfer companies which use new and comfortable vehicles and which have the capacity and know-how to handle everything from delayed and cancelled flights, to unexpected traffic jams with professionalism and efficiency.
To book your transfer, we will need the following:
This is the most economic and ecologically friendly way of travel. The driver will meet and greet you at the airport, gather you and the rest of the passenger group together and then head off to your chosen destination. The door-to-door service means that you will be dropped off and picked up right at your hotel /chalet / apartment. From 40€ per person for one-way and 80€ per person for a return trip.
Private Transfers are the quickest way to get to and from the airport. Your driver will meet and greet you at the airport and guide you to your vehicle. There is no waiting for other passengers. Private transfers are available for one to eight person bookings and travelling together and you are guaranteed sole occupancy of the vehicle for your transfer. And, of course, it's a door-to-door service, so you won't be lugging any bags very far. 250€ per car for one-way and 500€ per car for a return trip.