Ecrins and Piedmont Highlights Ski Touring Week
Join a certified mountain guide from the Azimut Montagne team on a great ski touring program in the Ecrins and Piedmont region in Italy.
Group
Alps
6 Days
Jan - May, Dec
High
Intermediate
Highlights
- Wild days spent out ski touring in the beautiful mountains.
- Great accommodation and delicious cuisine.
- A variety of terrains of both geological and historical importante.
Description
This thrilling 6-day tour in the French Ecrins and in the Piedmont region in Italy is just what your ski touring dreams are made of.
We will meet in at the train station of Briançon or Oulx-Cesana, and then hop onto a minibus that will take us to Piedmont, where we will warm up, go over some skills and assess the group's level. From then on, each of the following days will take us on a different adventure that will highlight the landscapes, geology, history, cuisine, and of course skiing opportunities of each place. In the evenings, we will rest in our warm and cozy accommodation. You can find an outline of a day-by-day itinerary below. Keep in mind that it is flexible in order to accommodate to weather conditions and group needs.
In order to join, you need to have some notions of ski touring, however, it will not be a technically difficult tour. We will explore mostly easy and wide slopes, maybe cover some very easy glacial terrain, and the guide will also help you advance in your ski touring technique. That said, you will need to have a very good fitness level. You will spend around 4 to 6 hours skiing per day and tackle some small ascents on foot. The elevation gain you may tackle each day ranges between 800 and 1300m each day.
Keep in mind that the safety of the group is our priority, therefore If you do not have the required level, the guide will be able to ask you to leave. If you have any doubts about your preparation or if this tour is suitable for you, then contact us and we will be happy to discuss this with you.
If you're interested in joining, then send us a request and we can start planning this wonderful adventure together!
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Mountain guide expenses
Price details
- The price includes:
- The organization
- All trips by minibus from one of the meeting points
- Half-board accommodation in a comfortable gîte or simple hotel, 5 nights on a twin or triple basis
- Picnics for 6 days
- Training/revision in the use of safety equipment
- Supervision by a mountain guide for 6 days and all costs (accommodation, meals, travel)
- The loan of safety equipment (DVA, shovel and probe), if you are not equipped
- Christmas and New Year's supplements
- Welcome pack
- The price does not include:
- A&R transport to one of the meeting points
- The possible rental of equipment
- Your personal insurance
- All drinks including those with meals, extras in accommodation, personal costs, everything that is not provided for under the heading "the price includes"
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome and warm-up
Meeting at the Oulx or Briançon train station. Meeting the guide and leaving in a minibus. For a solid warm-up and review of the basics of ski touring, we aim for the Cima del Bosco (2377 m) on the SW side of the lovely village of Thures (1633 m) or the N side of Monte Giaseez. This first day will be dedicated to the setup and distribution of the equipment. We take advantage of the chance to stop in a typical village on the way back.
Elevation +/- 800m
Day 2: Ski touring at Azimut
Cervières is the national capital of potatoes, tucked away in the Col d'Izoard's base. You will love the ski touring routes there. All of them have been tried and tested, and we will customize your excursion based on the group's motivation, the terrain, and the weather at the time: Cime de la Charvie (2881m), the Côte Belle and its crests, Grand Peygu, and Col des Portes.
Day 3: Ski touring at Mont Chaberton 3131m
This French mountain, which was taken from the Italians during the last war and is powered by returns from the East, rules the area across from its companion Mont Thabor (3178m). It is a true geological and historical bastion, and the view and variety of skiing it offers make the hike worthwhile! The fort of Lenlon in Clarée will be a lovely option if a retreat to another military outpost is not possible due to the circumstances.
Day 4: La Vallouise
This valley is protected from the wind by its shape, and occasionally, even when circumstances elsewhere are not great, we still find great powder here. You'll see why La Blanche (2914m) from Puy Aillaud is one of our all-time favorites!
Day 5: Clarée Valley
From Névache there are also a number of possibilities, including a south-west to south-east loop toward the Pic du Lac Blanc (2980m) or the Grand Aréa (2869m) on the north side, which crosses the stunning ridges of the Eichaillon. We feel at home among expansive views, ruiniform reliefs, and the Hautes-Alpes' distinctive cliffs.
Day 6: The Morefreddo (2770 m) in Italy
Our climb will be fantastic! We will put on our skins and head for the lovely Morefreddo since Pattemouche. We rapidly arrive at the wide ridge that leads to the top as we gain height and emerge above the larches. We will have a panoramic view of the valley and the mountains around! The ski touring course concludes in the late afternoon.
Details
More info
Group Size: from 5 to 8 participants.
I recommend you to have a cancellation insurance. I propose you to hire insurance through Europ Assistance.
Technical equipment: Skis with ski touring fixations, seal skins, poles, ski boots, airbag backpack, AVD, shovel and probe. If you don't have the required equipment, you can rent it with us!
Meeting point
Equipment you will need to bring
Backpack
Helmet
Ski equipment
Equipment rent on site
Please check with us for the extended equipment list and keep in equipment rental prices.
FAQs
What are some recommended accommodations near our adventure location?
About the guide
Azimut
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
What people are saying about this trip
Olivier
The tourski experience was absolutely great. The accommodation and food in the Galaberna hut were absolutely top. The excursions with Paolo were nice. There wasn't too much snow, which meant carrying skis for the first couple of hundred meters, but apart from that ... a magic first toursking experience. Olivier
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