Guided ski touring on Mount Etna
One of the IFMGA-certified guides in the Peakshunter team will take you on this extraordinary ski touring adventure in Mont Etna (Italy), the highest active volcano in Europe.
3 Days
Jan - Mar
Description
Join me in this unique adventure in Mount Etna, in Sicily, Italy. Mount Etna rises to 3350 meters. In fact, it's the highest active volcano in Europe!
A different experience from the one you can have at the classic ski touring destinations. A grandiose panorama of white slopes that contrast with black lava and the blue sea below. Dedicated to those who want to live an unforgettable weekend in an unusual environment. All while enjoying the scents and flavours of the superb island.
The descent of this singular mount skiing is an amazing experience. The snow is very special: in fact, it's sometimes covered by a thin layer of ash. Moreover, the views of the deep blue sea in the distance are amazing. The snow slopes alternate with black lava rocks creating striking contrasts.
Indeed, thanks to its unique conical shape, Etna offers numerous ski touring alternatives on all sides.
We can reach the 4 summit craters of the volcano (over 3300 m) using skins and crampons in about 3 hours. Of course, this is if the weather and volcanic conditions are favorable. Besides, we can use the cable car up to 2500 m if we want to reduce the ascent time.
In general, the ascents ski touring don't have particular technical difficulties. Only a few brief parts may require using crampons or knives. The alternative itinerary on day 2 including the south-north crossing is a bit more challenging.
Did you find this tour in Mount Etna tempting? Then please contact me so we can set a date and leave together. I would love guiding you ski touring in this unique volcano. Italy is a great ski destination. Another trip that I really like is Backcountry skiing in the Aosta valley.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Transport during the trip
Price details
The price doesn't include: (1) Research and rescue insurance (recommended): €5 per person for 3 days (2) Lift tickets (3) Return flight to Catania (4) Mini-van related expenses (fuel) (the rental is included) (5) Meals, drinks, and other expenses not specified above (6) Surcharge for single room in the hotel or B&B (7) The guide’s expenses (lifts and meals) (8) Personal equipment (ARTVA, Shovel, probe and crampons): €40/day per person (9) Personal travel Insurance which must cover trip cancellation, early return, assistance during the trip, baggage loss, etc. (10) Anything else not listed in "Price includes"
Itinerary
Day 1: Montagnola
From Milan, Turin, Verona or another airport you can fly to Catania.
We meet at the airport and transfer to Nicolosi, on the south side of the volcano, where we go to the B&B or refuge (mini van for 7-9 people).
Depending on the arrival time or the flights and the weather conditions, we can do a short excursion to Montagnola (2700 m), starting from Rifugio Sapienza (1910 m) and visit the famous Crateri Silvestri (south side).
After stopping at the Rifugio Monte Scavo, we return to the B&B or refuge for dinner and overnight.
D +250m
Duration: 2hs (using the lifts)
Day 2: Piano del Lago - Torre del Filosofo
Starting from Rifugio Sapienza (1910 m), we go up the lava slopes next to the ski slopes using the cable car, up to the mountain station (2504 m).
We continue to the right leaving the new craters of 2001 and 2002 (the area called the Piano del Lago). Passing by the Torre del Filosofo, we reach the edge of the southeast crater (3250 m). From there it’s a short climb to the saddle between the central and northeastern crater (3350 m).
We use the same route to descend and return to the accommodation.
D +850m
Duration 5hs
Alternative plan: great crossing of Etna from South to North
(Altitude change 1400m, duration 7hs)
After reaching the northeast crater, we go down along the cresta della Valle del Leone/Bove. We can enjoy the wonderful panorama, Taormina on the Peloritani mountains and the Strait of Messina. We descend towards the Volcanological Observatory.
Day 3: Pizzi Deneri - Piano delle Concazze, Gorges della Quarantore
We transfer to Linguaglossa on the north side of the volcano. A beautiful scenic trip along the southeastern shoulder of Pizzi Deneri (2847 m), an excellent vantage point over the Valle del Leone / Bove and the craters of the summit.
From Piano Provenzana – Monte Conca we go to the craters, then go to the Piano delle Concazze towards the Volcanological Observatory. From there we can admire the magnificent panorama over eastern Sicily, the Ionian Sea and even Calabria.
Descent to the fantastic gorge della Quarantore and return from the ski resort to Piano Provenzana.
Transfer to Catania airport.
D +1000m
Duration 6hs
Alternative plan: visit to the Grotta del Gelo
(Altitude change 1200m, duration 6hs)
We climb to Monte Pizzillo (1400 m), where you can visit the “hornitos”, mini craters from 1947. Through several lava flows we reach the Grotta del Gelo: a lava cave located at 2100 m on the northern slope of Etna, famous for having the southernmost glacier in Europe. The best time to visit is spring, when the outside snow melts, allowing access to the cave and the stunning ice structures whithin it.
Details
More info
Equipment: AVD, shovel, probe, personal hygiene kit, energy bars or dried fruit, 1l water bottle or thermos, sunscreen and lip balm with sun protection, first aid kit, headlamp (with spare batteries), camera, duct tape, sealskins, axe, ski knives, crampons with anti-balling, alpine ski boots, touring skis and poles, 30/40l backpack.
Clothing: wool cap or hat, buff, 2 pairs ski socks, fiber turtleneck, waterproof jacket, ski gloves, light gloves, windstopper, ski mask, sunglasses for glacier-high mountain, ski pants, duvet (optional), waterproof pants, underpants or tights, breathable tshirts.
Not included, here is an estimation : Price for each, ski equipment rental, 150 € for 3 days, 2 nights in b&b 80/120€, car rent 100/200€, my extra fees (transfer and accommodation) 350/500€.
Meeting point
FAQs
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About the guide
-PeaksHunter
4.70
(376)
Mountain Guide
Giving and receiving smiles, seeing the satisfaction on the faces of our customers, seeking opportunities for growth, stimulating authenticity in personal and group relationships, in sharing mountaineering disciplines, fears, efforts, and moments of difficulty, which are part of the integrated with experiences, essential ingredients of every summit climb: these are our focus, our beliefs, and our most important results, as outdoor Professionals and as people who love the mountains and their work as Alpine Guides!
Founded in 2013 by Elis and Silvia, PEAKSHUNTER Mountain Guides is a team of IFMGA-certified Mountain Professionals and outdoor activities experts, based in the town of Aosta, not far from Courmayeur-Chamonix, on the Italian side of the Mont Blanc massif.
We live and work in the beautiful Aosta Valley region, very close to French and Swiss borders near to Geneva, Milan, and Turin international airports.
Mont Blanc, Matterhorn, Dufourspitze, Pyramide Vincent and Regina Margherita Hut, Gran Paradiso, Breithorn, Lyskamm, Castor and Pollux are only a few of several 4000 Alps summits you can climb with us: most of our team of Guides were born and grew up close to these mountains and they have explored the ascent routes several times during different seasons, with skis or crampons!
- We love our work: we plan all our trips with great commitment and deep respect for the Alpine environment, for its inhabitants, and its territories. Including local traditions in different valleys and Alpine areas.
- We love Mountain, Nature, and Outdoor activities, that we like to share with people from all around the world. We are enthusiastic to meet like-minded adventurers and share new experiences and memorable emotions with the support of our Mountain Guides.
- Safety and Risk Management are essential for us, as elements of fundamental importance during every single trip we plan and carry out with our customers: for this reason, we offer introductory courses to the different alpine disciplines (Mountaineering, Rock climbing, Ice climbing, Ski mountaineering, Freeride, Rescue Crevasse, and Avalanche) to convey awareness and responsibility to our customers.
- We offer solid Experience, with several years organizing outdoor disciplines around mountain and wild areas, in many different countries of Italy and Europe, for individuals or groups, including 7-day customer support for booking, logistics, and personal assistance for planning and reservations.
- As certified Mountain Guides, we offer training courses, to improve technical skills and to learn basic knowledge about mountaineering in the Alps, which is essential to explore and climb the Mountains safely in any situation or conditions.
- We are happy to provide customized programs for every customer's demand: our Experience is synonymous with Professionalism and Customer Care to guarantee unforgettable emotions and beautiful smiles!
Fulfill your dreams, discover breathtaking views or simply enjoy an extraordinary day: you just need to use your imagination and we will carry out your trip as you desire to live it!
Let’s plan your next mountain project together!
Certificates
IFMGA
What people are saying about -PeaksHunter
Luke
5.00
Successful summit to the top of Matterhorn! Managed to get a clear day which was lucky. Views and pictures were incredible. The guide Franchini was a top guy. His experience put me at ease having climbed Lhotse in the past. Very knowledgeable. He prioritised safety the whole time. Me being English and him Italian. We found it hard to understand each other occasionally. Which I felt could be very frustrating for him at times. I didn’t take this personally as I just tried to follow his instructions as best as I could. Considering our differences we always laughed in the end. I would consider him a friend now. Silvia was also helpful for preparation. Much appreciated.
Yury
5.00
We've got an amazing accent to the beautiful place. Team was very proactive to identify that weather would be not so well at the day we planned originlly and suggester to move it earlier or later one day. I took an option to stay one day longer and the weather vaw beautiful, conditions were great. Thanks a lot to the team and our guide Livio!
Arnaud
5.00
Wonderful first experience over 4000 m! Booking was so easy thanks to Explore-share and guide was as nice as professional. It’s unusual but don’t have a simple suggestion, everything was perfect!
Priscilla
5.00
Daniel was fantastic as a guide. He was very knowledgeable of the mountain and the route. I highly recommend him for any climbs and will use him when I come back to climb any other peak!
Cesar
4.00
It was greatfull Matteo is a great guide We hope climb with him next year
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