Ski touring course Switzerland
3 days between Champex-Lac and the Grand Saint Bernard

Your ski trip

Ski touring trip Switzerland : 3 days between Verbier and Chamonix

You'll spend two nights in a small refuge 30 minutes' walk from the ski slopes of Champex-Lac resort.
On the first day you'll meet the mountain guide in the morning in Champex-Lac, for an initial tour above the resort: this will be an opportunity to check everyone's skiing skills.

On the following two days, you'll start the day with a short descent from the refuge before heading off to your next departure point: the guide will decide the daily itinerary depending on the weather and snow conditions.

You'll discover the Val de Bagnes, above the Cabane Brunet and opposite the ski resort of Verbier, and the Swiss-Italian border in the Grand Saint Bernard valley: an ideal terrain for ski touring with its wild valleys, wide-open slopes and stunning views of the most beautiful 4000 m peaks between Chamonix, Zermatt and Monte Rosa in Italy.

It's a high-mountain atmosphere that's well worth exploring, right in the heart of the Swiss Valais and the Alps!

This type of logistics gives the guide a great deal of flexibility, allowing him to change the itinerary if he deems it necessary.

Programme

Programme of the ski touring trip in Switzerland:

Important note: The day-by-day itinerary may be modified by the mountain guide depending on the conditions encountered on the terrain. The area offers a wide range of options in terms of vertical drop and slope.
This programme has been designed to be as flexible as possible, allowing the guide to choose the routes according to the weather and snow conditions. This approach guarantees optimum safety management throughout your mountain adventure.

DAY 1
Champex-Lac - Col des Ecandies (2793m) - Refuge (1630 m)

Meeting with the mountain guide at the Champex-Lac ski resort at 9.00 am.

After checking your equipment, you'll head for the Col des Ecandies, located between the Petite Pointe d'Orny and the Pointe des Ecandies. You first climb the ski slope and then continue into the wild Arpette valley. The guide will have a chance to get to know you and assess your skiing ability on this first day.
Ski back down to the refuge, where you will spend the night.

Vertical drop: + 1290m; - 1160m
Length: approximately 3 hours uphill

Day 2 
Val de Bagnes - Bruson

Vertical drop: +1200 mt (depending on the shape of the group, the itinerary may be extended); -1100 mt + 100 mt to return to the mountain hut
Ski touring time: about 5 to 6 hours

After a good breakfast, we ski down from the refuge, a descent that takes just 5 minutes, to reach our cars.
A short 25-minute transfer takes us to Bruson, where we begin our ascent to the Mont Rogneux valley, a magnificent summit that proudly dominates the Val de Bagnes, opposite the famous resort of Verbier. The ascent is easy, first through the forest, then following charming little valleys to the Goli des Otanes plateau (2550m).

If the group is fit and conditions allow, you can continue towards the east ridge: the final section of the climb becomes a little more alpine, with the occasional need to use your hands to reach the summit.

The route is exceptionally beautiful, with total immersion in wilderness alongside the Combins range, offering 360-degree panoramic views once at the summit.

On the descent, several routes are possible, and the guide will choose according to the day's conditions. Once back in our vehicles, we return to Champex-Lac, then set off again for a 20-minute climb to the refuge, where we have dinner and spend the night.

DAY 3 
Several possible routes: Vallée du Grand Saint Bernard / Val Ferret / Finhaut - Barrage d'Emosson

Vertical drop: approx. +1000m / +1200m
Ski touring time: between 5 and 6 hours

Descent from the refuge after breakfast to reach the car in Champex.

Transfer by car either to the Grand Saint Bernard valley or to the Val Ferret.

The mountain guide will choose the day's itinerary according to the conditions on the mountain, where snow conditions and safety are the best, depending on the season.

You will be back at the car between 2.00 and 4.00 pm.

See you soon for another powder trip!
 

Equipment

Equipment for your ski touring trip

The guide will provide you with safety equipment:

• Avalanche transceiver;
• Shovel and probe.

If you do not have your own ski touring equipment, we can arrange for you to hire it, please ask when booking.

Personal ski equipment :

• Touring skis, touring boots and skins (if you do not have your own touring skis, we can arrange for the necessary equipment to be hired, please specify when booking);
• Lightweight and durable ski poles, telescopic or classic, with washers for off-piste skiing;
• A good backpack of between 25 and 30 litres.

What to wear for ski touring

Suitable ski touring clothing:

• A waterproof and breathable jacket and trousers, preferably in Goretex (or alternative fabric);
• A thin down jacket;
• Base layers (tights and breathable technical T-shirts);
• A breathable fleece;
• Gloves, socks, neck warmer, hat etc.

Do not forget :

• sunglasses and sun cream;
• a thermos flask and a water bottle;
• a head lamp;
• a sleeping sheet for the nights at the hut;
• a survival blanket.

Difficulty

Ski level required :

A previous skitouring experience is necessary.
For good skiers: you enjoy skiing on black slopes and off-piste skiing, 35 degree slopes do not scare you, especially as they will arrive progressively during the stay.

Technical level 3.5/5

OFF-PISTE SKIING QUITE DIFFICULT
You have already done some off-piste skiing or hiking and you have a very good level of skiing, a steep passage at about 35-40 degrees does not scare you.
You can ski in all types of off-piste snow and ski quickly on the black runs.

Physical level 4/5

SPORTY & TRAINED PEOPLE
Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1700m of ascent per day.
You like and practice endurance sports at a good level.

Useful Infos

Useful information for organising your ski trip

Insurance

Travel insurance including cancellation, repatriation and mountain search and rescue is mandatory.
In the event of your cancellation of the trip or in the event of an accident, the costs will be entirely at your charge.

For more information: check our Terms and Conitions. 

How to reach Champex-Lac (Val de Bagne, Switzerland)

• By plane via Geneva - then you will need to hire a car;
• By train, possible access by TGV to Martigny station - then you need to rent a car;
• By car from Geneva: Champex-Lac is a 2 hour drive from Geneva airport;
• By car from Chamonix Mont Blanc:Champex-Lac is an hour's drive from Chamonix train station.

Meeting point on the first day:

At 9:00 am in Champex-Lac at the start of the chairlift: click here to see the google map point.
Free parking on site.

Departure - dispersal of the group :

On D3 between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
Do not plan your return transport before 4.00 pm.

Accommodation

In mountain refuge, in dormitory with shared toilets.

Meals during the ski touring programme

• Dinners in the refuge in the evening, where you can taste local Swiss specialities.
• Picnics and lunches are not included, to allow everyone to eat as they wish (you can ask for a picnic at the refuge).
• Don't forget to bring some food to eat before you leave (cereal bars, dried fruit, chocolate, etc.).

Transport during the ski touring course

For short transfers to get to the starting point of the tour on D2 and D3: use of your own vehicle (car-pooling possible with the Mountain Guide depending on the size of the group).

Parking

You can park your car at Champex-Lac, at the start of the resort's chairlift. The Guide will show you exactly where.

Luggage

Nights in refuge. No luggage transport possible. What you take with you, you must carry on your back.

Day 1: from the car, you will skin up 100 metres to reach the refuge. Before continuing your day, you can lighten your backpack and leave some things at the refuge, but it is preferable not to carry too much and to avoid anything superfluous.