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Learning to manage your races
Skiing and training: ski touring course in Valle d'Aosta

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Ski Touring Trips

Aosta Valley training: 3 days to boost your skills

Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5

Technical lev. : 3.5 / 5

ALL-TERRAIN SKI TOURING
You've already done some ski touring and you have a very good level of skiing. A steep section (around 35-40 degrees) doesn't scare you. You can ski in all types of snow off-piste and ski quickly on black runs.
Physical lev. : 4 / 5

Physical lev. : 4 / 5

TRAINED ATHLETE
Effort corresponding to approximately 1200 - 1500m of ascent per day.
You enjoy and practise endurance sports at a good level.
  • 3
  • Participants : 5
  • January to April
  • Half board in a ** hotel

You already have experience of independent ski touring. This experience has led you to ask yourself questions about how to choose and organise your trips, balancing enjoyment and safety. This is the right time to develop: your understanding of snow conditions, your skills in reading snowy landscapes, your management of the group and the race in the field.
This comprehensive course allows you to draw on your experience, share your feelings with other skiers and benefit from personalised support from an expert guide. These three days of skiing will also give you the opportunity to enjoy some great runs in a wild and exotic environment.

From 640

Highlights
of the 3 days

. Days supervised by an experienced UIAGM Guide trainer
. Training that combines preparation time and implementation in the field
. Skiing pleasure in a wild region offering the charm of Italy
. Conviviality and sharing of experiences within a group of skiers with plans for mountain races.
. Small groups of no more than 5 people, to optimise and personalise learning.
 

Dates & Prices

Discount if booked 4 months before departure

Arrival

End

Price *

Status

Du 03/03/2025 au 05/03/2025

au 05/03/2025

640.00€

CLOSED

Du 21/03/2025 au 23/03/2025

au 23/03/2025

640.00€

Bookings in progress

* Price per person (without insurance)

The trip

You're a ski tourer and your aim is to become more independent and share this activity with friends. However, you have the feeling that the ‘white paradise’ hides traps and you would like to better understand the terrain and conditions in which you are evolving.
We've devised this three-day course with a guide specialising in training to develop your specific ski touring skills. The course covers: race preparation, active observation and decision-making in the field, leading a group and crisis management.
Each day, you'll work on the map and the snow and weather reports, so that you can play an active role in the ski touring project. During the trip, you will regularly share your observations of the conditions and the terrain with your team in order to validate your choices, even if it means changing your itinerary. The emphasis will be on the method of decision-making... and caution, of course.
The idea is to put together some great races that provide an opportunity for active training in the field. 
The icing on the cake is the particularly suitable setting and terrain of the Aosta Valley for this course. This Italian region, bordering Savoie and Haute-Savoie, with peaks between 3000 and 4000m, is remarkable for its wild immensity. It is alternately sprinkled by southerly and north-westerly winds, making it an ideal place for skiing, with generous snow cover in winter.

The Programme

Programme of the ski mountaineering training course in the Aosta Valley

Here is an idea of the programme. The aim of this course is to learn by doing some beautiful itineraries, so it's not a question of having already decided on the 3 routes of the trip. This programme is presented as a guide to give you an idea of the physical and technical level required, but it will be adapted and discussed together on a day-to-day basis depending on the snow and weather conditions.

 

Day 1 - Val de Rhêmes

Difference in altitude: + 800 m, - 800 approx.

Duration: 6 hours ski touring

Meet in Val de Rhêmes at around 8am in the café of the Granta Parey hotel. We'll make contact, check our bags and equipment and then set off for the Sort valley. This is one of the best areas to get to know each other, as it offers many options for adapting the day. What's more, this unassuming valley on the edge of the Grand Paradis park has a breathtaking view of the Grande Rousse range, a sublime mountain with a haughty appearance.

THE OBJECTIVES of this first day :

  • walk around the Cima di Entrelor; at least 800 m of ascent
  • Revision of the use of the avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe;
  • snow: read the avalanche risk bulletin in detail, relate it to what can be seen in the field, describe the avalanche problems of the day;
  • terrain: map-terrain relationship, communication within the group about progress;
  • skiing: improving ascent/descent technique.

After the tour : debriefing over hot chocolate and work on the next day's ski tour.

Night and dinner at the hotel in the valley.

 

Day 2 - Valgrisenche

On the strength of our first day, we make the most of our physical freshness for a slightly longer outing and a summit flirting with 3000m. L'Arp Vieille, in the heart of Valgrisenche, fits the bill perfectly.

Meet at Bonne en Valgrisenche at 8am.

THE OBJECTIVES of this second day :

  • comparison with the previous day's preparation: terrain/conditions; possible adaptations ;
  • leadership sequences led by the participants: choosing a comfortable and safe route up and down;
  • team rescue scenario.

After the tour : debriefing in the bar and preparation for the next day's race.

Difference in altitude: + 1100 m; - 1100 m approx.

Duration: 6 hours ski touring

Night and dinner at the hotel in the valley.

 

Day 3 - Valdigne

Difference in altitude: + 1200 m , - 1200 m approx.

Duration: 7 hours ski touring

We can approach the Mont Blanc massif to complete this course. Depending on the physical abilities of the participants on day 3, we could head for Mont Cormet or Testa di Frà, for example.

OBJECTIVE: practice and assessment.

At the end of the day, we'll take time for a final debriefing and to share the experience of the 3 days. The course ends at around 5.00 p.m.

The course ends at around 5.00 pm.

 

It is not out of the question to take a lift (one way) during the course to adapt to the conditions or to find the most interesting run. Maximum budget: 35€.

Equipment

Equipment for your ski touring holiday

Personal equipment :

  • touring skis, touring boots and skins, knives (if you don't have your own touring skis, we can organise the hire of the necessary equipment, please specify when booking) ;
  • ski poles, telescopic or classic, light and strong, with washers for off-piste skiing;
  • a helmet;
  • a good rucksack of between 25 and 30 litres;
  • avalanche transceiver;
  • shovel and probe.

What should I wear for ski touring?

Click here for detailed information on ski touring equipment.

Suitable ski touring clothing :

  • a waterproof, 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.

Don't forget :

  • sunglasses and sun cream ;
  • Thermos flask and water bottle
  • a headlamp
  • a survival blanket.

Level

Preparing for your mountain trip :

Accommodation

Overnight in a hotel in the valley on a half-board basis, in a double room.

 

Food

Breakfasts and dinners are taken at the hotel.

Picnics are not included, to allow everyone to eat as they wish.

Don't forget to pack some food to suit your tastes before you leave (cereal bars, dried fruit, chocolate, etc.).

 

Getting around during the ski touring course

For short transfers to reach the starting point of the tour on days 2 and 3: use your own vehicles (car-pooling possible with the Guide depending on how full the group is).

 

Car pooling

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to carpool to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of participants on your course who are interested in carpooling, enabling you to contact them directly.

 

How to get to Valle d'Aosta

  • By plane via Geneva - you will then need to hire a car;
  • By train, you can get as far as St Gervais-Le Fayet - then you'll need to hire a car;
  • By car via Chamonix Mont Blanc and then the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
  •  

Meeting point on the first day :

In Val de Rhêmes at 8:00 am at the bar of the Granta Parey hotel click here to see the meeting point.

Free parking on site.

 

Departure - dispersal of the group :

D3 between 16:00 and 17:00. Do not plan your return transport before 16:00.

 

Insurance

Travel insurance including cancellation, repatriation and mountain search and rescue is compulsory.

In the event of cancellation of your trip or in the event of an accident, the costs will be borne by you.

For more information: see our General Terms and Conditions.

 

Booking

Once you have booked your place online, we will take care of confirming the booking with the hotel on your behalf (places for online dates have been pre-booked in advance).

 

Accommodation before or after the course

It is possible to arrive the day before the course and stay in the hotel where we have arranged to put you up. This extra night will be at your expense, but will allow you to start the course in optimum conditions, without the stress of arriving by car early in the morning. Contact us to arrange accommodation.

Useful infos

Preparing for your mountain trip :

Accommodation

Overnight in a hotel in the valley on a half-board basis, in a double room.

 

Food

Breakfasts and dinners are taken at the hotel.

Picnics are not included, to allow everyone to eat as they wish.

Don't forget to pack some food to suit your tastes before you leave (cereal bars, dried fruit, chocolate, etc.).

 

Getting around during the ski touring course

For short transfers to reach the starting point of the tour on days 2 and 3: use your own vehicles (car-pooling possible with the Guide depending on how full the group is).

 

Car pooling

When you register online, you can choose whether or not you wish to carpool to the starting point of your course. Once you have made your booking, you can log back into your Esprit Montagne account to access a section dedicated to carpooling. Here you will find the contacts of participants on your course who are interested in carpooling, enabling you to contact them directly.

 

How to get to Valle d'Aosta

  • By plane via Geneva - you will then need to hire a car;
  • By train, you can get as far as St Gervais-Le Fayet - then you'll need to hire a car;
  • By car via Chamonix Mont Blanc and then the Mont Blanc Tunnel.
  •  

Meeting point on the first day :

In Val de Rhêmes at 8:00 am at the bar of the Granta Parey hotel click here to see the meeting point.

Free parking on site.

 

Departure - dispersal of the group :

D3 between 16:00 and 17:00. Do not plan your return transport before 16:00.

 

Insurance

Travel insurance including cancellation, repatriation and mountain search and rescue is compulsory.

In the event of cancellation of your trip or in the event of an accident, the costs will be borne by you.

For more information: see our General Terms and Conditions.

 

Booking

Once you have booked your place online, we will take care of confirming the booking with the hotel on your behalf (places for online dates have been pre-booked in advance).

 

Accommodation before or after the course

It is possible to arrive the day before the course and stay in the hotel where we have arranged to put you up. This extra night will be at your expense, but will allow you to start the course in optimum conditions, without the stress of arriving by car early in the morning. Contact us to arrange accommodation.

Budget for your ski touring course

THE PRICE INCLUDES

. The UIAGM mountain guide in our team ;
. Half-board accommodation in a 2-star hotel in a double room ;
. Safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe.
 

THE PRICE DOES NOT INCLUDE

. Personal technical equipment: touring skis, sealskins, hiking boots, ski poles, helmet ;
. Drinks, lunches and food to give you the freedom to eat what you want ;
. A lift if required ;
. Anything not mentioned in the ‘price includes’ section.

Photo gallery

Any question?

Contact us

You will also love

What is ski touring?

Ski touring, also known as ski mountaineering, is an outdoor winter sport that allows skiers to venture off the beaten track to explore snow-covered mountains. This discipline is practised in the mountains, sometimes on marked routes in a ski area.

To begin ski touring, you need to be comfortable skiing downhill on black runs, with the descent being made off-piste in snow of varying quality. 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, and many ski resorts also offer ski touring itineraries. For those who want to discover this activity or train in a safe area, you need to be in good physical condition. You'll be working 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 improve your agility.
You'll feel the pleasure of the effort as you pass through breathtaking scenery!