Ski Touring at Monte Rosa, Piramide Vincent and Punta Gnifetti
Join an expert certified mountain guide for a 2-day ski touring adventure on Monte Rosa, climbing Piramide Vincent and Punta Gnifetti. Enjoy high-altitude glacier terrain, spectacular Alpine views, and a long ski descent back toward Gressoney.
Alps
2 Days
Apr
Very high
Intermediate
Highlights
- Two peaks at 4000 in just two days.
- Take in views of some of the most iconic 4,000-meter peaks in the Alps.
- Stay overnight at the Città di Mantova Refuge, set at almost 3,500 meters
Description
Experience two unforgettable days of ski touring in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif, with the goal of reaching two 4,000-meter summits: Piramide Vincent at 4,215 meters and Punta Gnifetti at 4,556 meters.
Starting from Gressoney, you’ll use the ski lifts to quickly reach the high glacial terrain of Monte Rosa.
On the first day, you’ll climb Piramide Vincent before heading to the Città di Mantova Refuge, set at almost 3,500 meters, where you can rest and acclimatize before the main objective the next day.
On the second day, the main objective is Punta Gnifetti. The climb is gradual and takes you through spectacular glacier terrain, surrounded by some of the highest peaks in the Alps. From the summit area, you’ll finish with a long descent of almost 3,000 vertical meters back toward Gressoney.
This trip is ideal for experienced ski tourers who want to take on two high-altitude summits, enjoy spectacular alpine scenery, and do it all with the support of a certified mountain guide.
If you want to discover Monte Rosa on skis and experience two 4,000-meter peaks in just two days, join this guided adventure and take on one of the great ski touring objectives of the Italian Alps.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Dinner
- Group equipment
- Avalanche equipment
Price details
- * NOT INCLUDED *
- Personal ski touring equipment, including touring skis, ski touring boots, skins, and ski crampons.
- Ice axe and crampons.
- Lunch at the Mantova Refuge, so you can choose what you prefer to eat.
- Roundtrip ski lift ticket from Staffal to Punta Indren.
Meeting point
Itinerary
Day 1: Gressoney to Piramide Vincent (4,215 m) and Città di Mantova Refuge (3,498 m)
Elevation gain/loss: approximately +950 m / -750 m Duration: around 6–7 hours
Meet your guide in Staffal, at the foot of Monte Rosa, near the Punta Indren gondola.
After a quick equipment check, you will take the first lift at around 7:30 a.m. to reach approximately 3,275 m. From there, you will cross the Indren Glacier and begin the ascent towards Piramide Vincent (4,215 m).
The route offers a gradual climb through high-alpine terrain, with impressive views of the surrounding 4,000-meter peaks of Monte Rosa. From the summit, you will descend across the broad Lys Glacier, with views of the Matterhorn, Liskamm, Monte Rosa, and Mont Blanc in the distance.
Dinner and overnight at the Città di Mantova Refuge.
Day 2: Città di Mantova Refuge to Punta Gnifetti (4,554 m) and return to Gressoney
Elevation gain/loss: approximately +1,100 m / -2,750 m Duration: around 8–10 hours
Start early in the morning for the main objective of the trip: the ascent of Punta Gnifetti.
The route climbs through spectacular high-altitude terrain, passing close to the previous day’s route before reaching Colle del Lys and the broad glacial plateaus above. From here, you will continue towards the summit area of Punta Gnifetti.
Near the summit stands the Capanna Regina Margherita, one of the highest mountain huts in Europe. If it is open, there may be time to stop, warm up, and have something to eat.
From the summit area, enjoy wide views across the Monte Rosa massif, including its impressive east face above Macugnaga.
The trip finishes with a long descent back to Staffal (1,850 m), where the program comes to an end.
Details
Accommodation
If you would like to stay in Staffal the night before meeting the guide, we recommend the Walsertal Residence, a charming and convenient B&B, or the Gletscher Hotel, located about a 5-minute walk from the cable car.
During the trip, you will stay overnight at the Città di Mantova Refuge.
More info
Level
Technical level: 3.5 / 5
Quite difficult off-piste skiing
You should be a very confident skier with previous ski touring and off-piste experience. You are comfortable skiing in different snow conditions and tackling steeper sections of around 35–40°, and can ski black runs confidently and efficiently.
Physical level: 4.5 / 5
Very well-trained
Expect demanding days with approximately 1,500 to 2,000 vertical meters of ascent.
You should have an excellent level of endurance and regularly practice activities such as ski touring, hiking, cycling, running, or other endurance sports.
Equipment you will need to bring
Equipment for your Monte Rosa ski touring trip
Technical equipment
- Lightweight, good-quality touring skis with well-sharpened edges.
- Ski poles.
- Good-quality ski touring boots with good range of motion.
- Harness, crampons, and ice axe.
- Avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, shovel, and probe. The guide can provide these if you do not have your own.
- Ski crampons.
- Climbing skins.
- 40 L backpack.
Clothing
- Lightweight, good-quality touring skis with well-sharpened edges.
- Ski poles.
- Good-quality ski touring boots with good range of motion.
- Harness, crampons, and ice axe.
- Avalanche safety equipment: transceiver, shovel, and probe. The guide can provide these if you do not have your own.
- Ski crampons.
- Climbing skins.
- 40 L backpack.
Clothing
Base layer
- Thermal, breathable top, ideally merino.
- Thermal, breathable tights, ideally merino.
- Warm ski socks.
Mid layers
- Warm, breathable technical fleece.
- Waterproof and windproof ski touring trousers, Gore-Tex or similar.
Insulation
- Warm down jacket.
- Lightweight insulated jacket.
Outer layer
- Waterproof and windproof Gore-Tex jacket or similar.
Do not forget
- Headlamp.
- Two pairs of warm gloves, ideally ski gloves and mittens.
- Warm hat.
- Category 3 or 4 sunglasses.
- Ski goggles.
- Buff or neck warmer.
- Spare pair of warm socks.
- Mobile phone.
- Small personal first-aid kit and any medication you need.
- ID documents and passport.
About the guide
Esprit Montagne
5.0
(4)
Languages
English | French | Italian | German
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about Esprit Montagne
Jean-Louis
Made the safety as the top priority.
Lucas
Luke
Kajus
Alberto was an awesome guide
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