Briançon, Ecrins and La Grave Ski Touring Initiation
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
Highlights
- Enjoy the stunning scenery of the Alps.
- Ski in some of the most renowned freeride spots in the world.
- Take advantage of high-quality powder throughout the trip.
Description
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.
Price includes
- Accommodation included
- Guiding fee
- Breakfast
- Lunch
- Dinner
- Transport during the trip
- Avalanche equipment
- Lifts tickets
Price details
- The price includes:
- *The organization
- *All trips by minibus from one of the meeting points
- *Halfboard accommodation in a gîte for 5 nights, and 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, lifts)
- *The loan of safety equipment (DVA, shovel and probe), if you are not equipped
- *Christmas and New Year's supplements
- *A welcome pack
- The price does not include:
- *A&R transport to one of the meeting points
- *Ski lifts
- *Possible rental of equipment
- *Your personal insurance
- *All drinks including those with meals, and extras in accommodation, personal costs, everything that is not provided for under the heading "the price includes".
Itinerary
Day 1: Welcome and warm-up
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
Day 2: Skiing under the Arpelin
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
Day 3: Aiguille du Lauzet
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
Day 4: La Grave
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.
Day 5: Col des Ourdeis (2421m)
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.
Day 6: Col de Serre Chevalier (2350m)
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.
Equipment you will need to bring
Crampons
Ice axe
Harness
Water bottle
Backpack
Helmet
Poles
Ski equipment
Sunglasses
Goggles
Equipment rent on site
Climbing skins
Warm hat or buff/scarf Ski goggles (2 pairs) and sunglasses: UV factory 4 protective lenses. Photochromic glasses adapt to light intensity and are very useful Helmet (strongly recommended) Under layer: breathable long sleeved tops to maintain heat. A tip: merino wool is breathable and has anti-bacterial properties and is therefore less likely to smell as opposed to synthetic fabrics. Take this into consideration if you need to update your wardrobe. Middle layer: a light polar or synthetic jacket for an extra layer of heat during breaks Outer layer: a Gore-tex or similar type of jacket with a breathable waterproof membrane. Make sure it's lightweight and compact so it doesn't take up too much space in your backpack Bottom layer: trousers with a breathable waterproof membrane (Gore Tex or similar) with long side zips allowing air to flow, recommended on climbs Hight fleece or soft shell gloves, a pair of silk glove liners to go underneath, warm gloves with a breathable and waterproof membrane. Mittens are always a good idea for really cold days of for those of you who feel the cold ! Swimming gear: it takes up such little space, it would be a shame not to bring it just in case. Avoid swimming shorts or bermudas, they are not usually allowed. Ski socks: merino wool socks are breathable and have anti-bacterial properties and are less likely to smell as opposed to those made of synthetic fabrics. Think about them if you need to stock up. Slippers / Crocs recommended for evening wear. A 1 litre flask (Thermos or Camelback) A pocket knife Duck tape Factor 50 suncream A duffle bag holding up to 110 litres to leave at the hotel or in a vehicle. No suitcases. Personal toilet bag
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 Azimut
Thierry
Awesome experience, knocked another item from my bucket list.
Yogesh
Well organised trip with excellent guides and admin support Highly recommend 😊
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!?
Yelena
the trip did not correspond program description which forced me to leave on the second day, with huge financial losses. the guide checked and confirmed ny capabilities to ski - indeed after it was failed off road asked me to make a decission to give up. When I asked the agency to organize a transfer at least back to the meeting point (from the middle of nowhere) they pretended they can't do it (indeed, it was included to the program...) the worst every trip in my life. And explore and share instead of any invistigation simply did not care.
Raphael
Had a great trip. Unfortunately the guide was not fluent in English as written in the description. That is something that could lead to a very tricky situation if there would‘ve been a dangerous situation. The selection of the group by azimut was not the best as at least one person was physically not capable of doing this trip. However, the service by explore-share was great!
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