Ski Tour in Gran Paradiso, Haute Route

Dive into an unforgettable ski adventure in Gran Paradiso, a majestic 4,061-meter peak in Italy's Aosta Valley. Over five days, explore the heart of Gran Paradiso National Park with the help of certified guide Martin, traversing rolling hills, navigating glittering glaciers, and conquering breathtaking peaks. Start in Valnontey and prepare for a tapestry of ascents, descents, and landscapes that will steal your breath.

Group

Alps

5 Days

Mar, Apr

High

Intermediate

Description

Come face to face with the wild nature, spectacular landscape, and beautiful ski descents make this ski touring in Gran Paradiso one of the best skiing destinations in the Alps.

Discover the wonder of Gran Paradiso - a 4,061-meter mountain located within the Aosta Valley region of Italy. While it is not as high as other mountain ranges such as Mont Blanc or Monte Rosa, it is a very wild area with few ski lifts. This five-day tour of the national park, taking in hills, glaciers, peaks, and of course, the highest point of the massif, the Gran Paradiso peak (4,061m).

Our alpine adventure begins in charming Valnontey, where we strap on our skis and take on an ascent to the Vittorio Sella refuge, nestled within the peaks. The first day sets the tone with a thrilling climb to the summit of Grande Serre, followed by a thrilling descent down the Timorion glacier.

Leave the Chabod refuge behind and tackle the ascent through the Neyron pass, where our efforts will be rewarded with a spectacular summit at 4061m. From this celestial perch, a glorious descent stretches out before us, leading us to the Vittorio Emanuele refuge.

After conquering Gran Paradiso, our journey takes a turn towards the rustic Ivrea Bivouac. Gear up for a short skin ascent and then prepare for an exciting descent, carving fresh tracks down to the Pontese Refuge. On the final day we'll summit our last peak, Punta Onndezana, soaking in the breathtaking panorama before descending towards Lillaz. A taxi will then whisk us back to Valnontey, where our adventure began.

So if you want to join me on this tour through the slopes of Gran Paradiso, just send me a request and we will start planning this amazing trip.

Price includes

Guiding fee

Itinerary

Day 1: Valnontey (Cogne) – Ref Vittorio Sella

We will move to the small town of Valnontey from where we will put on our skis and ascend to the Vittorio Sella refuge.

Elevation: 800m

Day 2: Ref. Vittorio Sella – Ref.Chabod

We will begin with the ascent to the Grande Serre peak 3552m and then descend the Timorion glacier. We put the skins back on and climb the Neyron pass from where we will ski down to the Chabod Refuge.

Elevation +1500 -1300m

Day 3: Ref. Chabod-Gran Paradiso- Ref. Vittorio Emmanuel

The star day of the week! We will summit the highest point of the massif, that is, the Gran Paradiso 4061m. After reaching the summit, a beautiful ski awaits us to the Vittorio Emmanuel refuge.

Elevation + 1300 -1300

Day 4: Ref. Emmanuel

We continue the tour, as we ascend the Gran Paradiso hill. From here, we head towards the Ivrea Bivouac, where we put on our skins and after a short climb we'll descend to the Pontese Refuge.

Elevation +800 -1300

Day 5: Ref. Pontese -Lillaz-Valtoney (Cogne)

On the last day of the tour we will ascend Punta Onndezana 3439m, from where we will ski down to Lillaz. From Lillaz we will take a taxi where it will drop us off again in Valnontey.

Elevation difference +1300m -‐1800

Details

Accommodation

We'll be staying in hotels and mountain huts throughout our journey

Meeting point

We'll meet in Aosta, Italy

Equipment you will need to bring

Crampons

Ice axe

Harness

Water bottle

Backpack

Helmet

Ski equipment

Sunglasses

Goggles

Avalanche eqmnt

Climbing skins

FAQs

How fit do I need to be to for this ski tour in Gran Paradiso?

Participants must have good skiing skills in all types of snow and be in good physical shape to be able to ascend more than 1000m per day.

How much skiing experience do I need before embarking on this Gran Paradiso tour?

It is advisable to have experience in hut to hut ski touring, and it's necessary to have good off-piste skiing level.

How will accommodation be handled?

Lodging will be arranged in mountain huts.

Will I need to bring any technical equipment of my own?

For a safe and complete skiing experience in Gran Paradiso you will need the following: Ski equipment (skis, boots, poles), Climbing skins, Helmet, Goggles, Sunglasses, Avalanche equipment (beacon, probe and shovel), Crampons, Ice Axe, Harness, Backpack, Water bottle

What is the guide-to-client ratio?

We will have a 1:5 guide-to-participant ratio.

About the guide

Martin

4.9

(14)

Mountain Guide

Martin Elorza Alday (Donostia,Basque country,1967) Although I was born near the sea, I started very young to enjoy the nearby mountains. This hobby gradually become a passion, which led me to be a UIAGM Mountain Guide To share and trasnmitir everything the mountain had given me. During several years I have been practicing my passions: Traveling all over the world,mountaineering, climbing and skiing. . Actually I’m a full profesional High Mountain Guide UIAGM Since 2000 I lead my own clients around the world as a freelancer Mountain Guide. . I have take part in many expeditions to The Alps, atlas (Morocco),Andes (South America) and Himalaya, I’ love showing the Pyrenees to all peolple who likes mountaing:all the year. In Winter,ski touring is my especiality, but in summer, rock climbing in Pyrenees is amazing! I would like to guide you till de top of Mont Blanc, Matterhorn (Alps),Monte Perdido and Aneto (Pyrenees), Naranjo de Bulnes (Picos de Europa) and other mountains.

You can contact me and know what others activities we can do together

Languages

French | English | Basque

Certificates

UIAGM

Request more information

What people are saying about Martin

Daniel

fantastic 2 days out! nice weather both days! good platform to find experienced certified guide like Martin!

John

We had the best time ever, what a stunning place Silvretta is, I'm in love! Martin was utterly brilliant, relaxed but professional - keeping us safe at all times. We will definitely return, so many mountain's to climb, glaciers to ski and huts to drink beer in! Thank you all so very much. Love to all xx

Jason

Although weather prevented 100% completion, Martin was great and had a couple of great alternatives. We had a great trip!

Dave

Martin provided us with a challenging weekend that stretched and developed our skiing a lot. He was very responsive to our feedback tailoring the programme as we went. Would absolutely book him again.