Ski Touring Trips
Ski touring Switzerland | Champex-Lac and Grand St Bernard
Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5
OFF-PISTE SKIING QUITE DIFFICULT
You have already done some off-piste skiing and touring 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 lev. : 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.
The area between the Entremont and Val de Bagne valleys, just a stone's throw from the ski resort of Verbier, and the Col du Grand-Saint-Bernard is the perfect terrain for ski touring. There are many summits suitable for ski mountaineering, with excellent ski touring routes on both the Swiss and Italian sides of the border.
. Small groups, up to 6 people, in order to guarantee better safety and to better enjoy your trip
. Short stay in the Valais, at the heart of the Alps between Switzerland and Italy
. Flexibility in the choice of itineraries, depending on weather and safety conditions
. Wild and isolated areas
. Exceptional views of the prestigious French, Italian and Valaisan peaks: views of the Mont Blanc range in Chamonix, the Gran Paradiso massif, Monte Rosa and the Matterhorn in Italy and the Pin d'Arolla in Switzerland.
Dates & Prices
Arrival
End
Price *
Status
* Price per person (without insurance)
Dates available on demand. Contact us at info@espritmontagne.com.
Your ski trip
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
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.
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
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.
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!
Materiel
If you do not have your own ski touring equipment, we can arrange for you to hire it, please ask when booking.
Suitable ski touring clothing:
Level
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.
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.
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
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.
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.
On D3 between 2.00 pm and 4.00 pm.
Do not plan your return transport before 4.00 pm.
In mountain refuge, in dormitory with shared toilets.
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).
You can park your car at Champex-Lac, at the start of the resort's chairlift. The Guide will show you exactly where.
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.
. Guiding of the UIAGM Mountain Guide of our team;
. Safety equipment for each participant (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe)
. Half board at the refuge (dormitory and commun bathrooms).
. Personal technical equipment: touring skis, skins, skitouring boots, ski poles (rental possible, specify in the booking if you need to rent the equipment);
. Car transfers during the programme (transfers can be organised together with the Guide, depending on the size of the group) ;
. Lunch, to give you the freedom to eat what you want; drinks and personal expenses;
. Your personal travel insurance (cancellation and mountain rescue);
. Everything not mentioned in the "price includes".
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Ski touring, also known as ski touring, is an outdoor winter sport that allows skiers to venture off the beaten track to explore snow-covered mountains. It is practiced in the mountains and sometimes on marked routes in a ski area.
To start ski touring you need to be comfortable skiing downhill on black runs, with off-piste descents in different snow conditions. It is essential to have a good level of skiing and not to overestimate yourself to avoid the risk of injury.
Ski touring has become increasingly popular in recent years, with many ski resorts also offering ski touring routes. For those who want to discover this activity or train in a safe area, you should be in good physical condition. You will work on your balance and coordination!
You need to coordinate the movement of your legs on the skis and your arms with the poles. This will help to improve your agility.
You will feel the pleasure of the effort while passing through breathtaking landscapes!
Skiers can learn ski touring in the Alps, where beginner courses are offered. These courses are designed to teach you how to ski tour, both uphill and downhill.
Here are some suggestions to help you find a ski touring holiday that suits your needs:
The most important thing is to choose a course at your level so that you can enjoy the course both on the way up and on the way down. If you overestimate yourself, at best you will go home faster or, on the contrary, with crutches...
Esprit Montagne's mountain guides run both introductory and more technical ski touring courses. The courses are tailored to the needs of the participants and can be personalised according to their level of experience and physical fitness on tailor-made programmes. The guides will ensure safety and teach you techniques to improve your skills and learn to read the dangers of the mountain in order to gradually become more independent. The courses include safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe).
To see our proposals for ski touring courses in the Alps, click here!
It is important to choose a course that suits your level of experience and expectations. It is also recommended to be careful and to respect the safety rules of ski touring by listening carefully to the instructions of the guides, especially concerning the risks of avalanches...
- 3 days in the Grand Paradis ski touring !
- 4 days in the Beaufortin massif
- Ski touring course in Switzerland: 4 days between the Val de Bagne and the Grand Saint Bernard
Ski touring can be enjoyed in a number of different environments, depending on your level and preferences. In the mountains, marked itineraries in ski resorts such as Chamonix and La Clusaz offer a safe start, with moderate slopes and low avalanche risk. In the mid-range mountains, massifs such as the Jura, Vosges and Vercors offer gentler, more accessible terrain, ideal for an introduction to ski touring without steep gradients. In forests, wooded itineraries offer a calm, sheltered environment, as in the Beaufortain or the Pyrenees, while avoiding the wind and steep slopes. On snow-covered plateaus, such as in the Queyras or Massif Central, wide-open spaces facilitate fluid progress with magnificent views. Finally, for wilderness enthusiasts, the little-visited glacial valleys of the Haute-Maurienne, for example, offer an exceptional setting, provided you are well-prepared and follow the safety instructions.
The ideal period for ski touring is generally from December to April, depending on snow conditions and region. At the start of the season, around December and January, the first snows offer interesting outings, especially at low and medium altitudes, where access is easier. However, the days are short and the temperatures cold, so good preparation is essential. February and March are often the best months: the days get longer, the snow is abundant, and the risk of avalanches becomes more predictable as the snowpack stabilizes. It's also the period when sunny days make for longer, more enjoyable outings. In April, with the return of spring, ski touring remains possible at altitude, thanks to the spring snows, which are often more transformed and buoyant. It's also possible to ski in the off-season, especially on glaciers or in high-altitude massifs such as the Alps and Pyrenees, but this requires good equipment and heightened vigilance against the risk of crevasses or collapses.
Cross-country skiing and ski touring are two different disciplines, although they are both practiced in snow-covered environments. Cross-country skiing takes place mainly on groomed and marked trails, with flat or gently undulating terrain. It is practised with light equipment consisting of thin skis and soft boots, favoring gliding and rapid movement. On the other hand, ski touring allows you to go off-piste, in the mountains or in wilder terrain, thanks to wider skis fitted with special bindings that free up the heel when climbing. Skins are also used to grip the snow and prevent slipping on ascents, before being removed for descents. Unlike cross-country skiing, which focuses on endurance on groomed trails, ski touring requires technical skills to tackle steeper slopes, varied terrain and sometimes difficult snow conditions. It's a more adventurous discipline, combining the effort of climbing with the pleasure of off-piste descents.
