Join Azimut, a certified mountain guide, for this scenic, exciting and fun 6-day ski touring adventure. Spend the nights in a cozy mountain hut and enjoy all the incredible powder waiting in the Alps.
Group
Alps
6 Days
Jan - May
High
Intermediate
Head out on a stunning ski-touring traverse in the gorgeous Briancon, Ecrins, and La Grave!
On this 6-day tour, you will have the chance to become more involved in the glories of ski touring. We will find the best spots each day and practice some of the techniques involved in this exhilarating sport. We will explore different terrains, including a larch forest and glaciated terrain, which will give you a broad spectrum of what you can enjoy out in the backcountry. In the evening, you will rest in a comfortable lodge with a shared room and amenities. You can find a detailed day-by-day itinerary below. Keep in mind that the itinerary may change depending on weather and external conditions.
This tour is perfect for people who have never practiced ski touring but have the technique and skill to go down black slopes in alpine skiing (course III ESF, parallel turns ok). Ideally, you will have already done off-piste or inter-piste skiing. Although you will receive training from the guide regarding ski touring techniques, safety techniques, and training in the use of safety equipment: transceiver, shovel, and probe, this tour is not suitable for ski beginners.
Regarding the fitness level, you should be physically fit and able to spend around 4 hours skiing per day. The elevation gain will range between 300 to 1000m/day.
If you do not have the required level, the guide will be able to ask you to leave the group for the well-being of the whole group. Do not hesitate to ask us if you have any doubts, and we will be happy to point you in the right direction. Safety is always our primary concern.
This is an amazing ski touring experience that you will thoroughly enjoy, and we look forward to guiding you. Please contact us if you are ready and interested in this exhilarating ski-touring adventure in the Briancon, Ecrins, and La Grave.
Reception at the Briançon or Oulx-Cesana SNCF station (TGV). You will meet the guide and departure by minibus for the resort of Claviere (Italy) or Montgenèvre. This first day will be dedicated to off-piste skiing in the resort to check each person's level and learn and/or review safety techniques. In the afternoon, we will transfer to our lodge, which is close to the agency and all of the equipment, in the small village of Cervières. Depending on the weather and the snowfall, we may even be able to ski down to our lodge.
Elevation: +50/-1500m
A lovely hike that begins gently in the larch woodlands. A beautiful panorama of Arpelin, Côtebelle, and Rochebrune is waiting for us when we emerge from the forest. We will have a breathtaking view by ascending to Col Perdu. Possibility of climbing to the summit of the Arpelin, with a 120-meter drop.
Elevation: +/-700m
For a change of scenery, we will transfer to Pont de L'Alpe. It is one of the very popular circuits, although there is room and a variety of options with easy slopes. At the base of the spectacular Aiguillette du Lauzet, we set out for the Aiguillette du Lauzet pass (2537m). The descent resembles a market candy stall since it has items for all skill levels, gentle slopes, powder, and transformed snow, and we can cross anywhere we choose.
Elevation +/- 800m
Today we will prepare for the descent. Departure for La Grave-la Meije's famous cable cars. La Grave is known as a must-visit location for freeride skiing. Depending on the local weather, a day of all-snow off-piste skiing can be combined with a glacier skiing experience. We will transport to a station close by if the Grave cable car is not operating, as it might be before the Christmas holidays.
On this day we will stay in. On the right side of the Col d'Izoard, we enter one of the broad, sunny valleys. The setting is breathtaking, and the slopes are huge for free skiing on the way down! When we reach the summit, we may take in the views of Queyras' solid mass. We will descent to the Lodge's terrace and relax there.
We will depart for the village of Puy Chalvin backed by the Ecrins. Before reaching the Serre Chevalier pass, where a breathtaking vista awaits us, we ascend the Combes valley and travel through the Partias natural reserve. The location will be ideal for the picnic. Separation in Briançon and Oulx-Cesana at the end of the afternoon.
Crampons
Ice axe
Harness
Water bottle
Backpack
Helmet
Poles
Ski equipment
Sunglasses
Goggles
Equipment rent on site
Climbing skins
4.2
(15)
Mountain Guide
We enjoy very much discovering and rediscovering the most beautiful spots in the world, in the Ecrins mountain range but also all around the planet.
Together with the guides in the team, we will share with you unique moments and an amazing journey. From les Ecrins to Chile, from Morocco to Greenland, from Les Gorges du Verdon to Japan, from Italy to Norway… tons of destinations offering all types of mountain activities, different every season. It makes us so happy when I can share them with my friends and clients.
Languages
French | English
Oscar
Thierry
Awesome experience, knocked another item from my bucket list.
Yogesh
Well organised trip with excellent guides and admin support Highly recommend 😊
Oscar
jozsef
The Guide did not even know I'am on splitboard. Everyone else was on skis, I was the only one on board. Guide has no experience on board, so the daily trips was designed for skiers, not borders. I would like to know which company is responsible putting me in a ski group, Azimut or Explore-Share? If you don't know the difference between what is doable with skis and splitboards, you would not sell trips for splitboarders! In the only day I could enjoy somehow, I did very hard time to stay on my feet on icy steeps, because I should have had a crampon, but I did not have it, because the list of necessary equipment does not mention it. All the skiers had one. The guide anyway did what he could to help me, all the respect for Rafael. But the whole trip was a fuckup for me that way. I really want to know who is responsible!?
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