In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationNévache / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions49.23 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Ski touring? A winter dream absolutely within your reach if you're a ski tourer with a bit of experience. We've put together this relaxed tour, ideal for a first-time trip. From mountain hut to mountain hut, in a stunningly beautiful protected valley, we'll progress in the silence of winter. A short detour into Italy to complete the experience—pasta and polenta, anyone? On sunny days, we'll play along the ridges and admire the far-reaching panorama, from the Écrins to the Vanoise, and on snowy days, we'll explore the forest. An unforgettable first tour! This trip is not accessible by splitboard.
The highlights
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A beautiful and easy journey
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A valley classified as wild
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Comfortable and welcoming shelters
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
Advanced level required, both technical and physical, regular practice of sports and ski touring, multi-day trip; therefore, the weight of your pack should be taken into account when assessing the difficulty of the trip.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 659 m
- Average daily descent: 686 m
- Maximum altitude: 2980 m
Management
French
English
Program
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Welcome and warm-up between Névache and Buffère
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 100 m
- Maximum altitude 2200 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You will be met by your guide at the Oulx or Briançon train station, followed by a short transfer to Névache. If you have rented equipment, you will receive a briefing on the week's activities. A leisurely start will take you to the Buffère refuge. After settling in, enjoy a short hike above the refuge to review hiking and safety techniques. Dinner and overnight stay at the refuge.
Day 1 -
Baude Ridges
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 500 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Maximum altitude 2600 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We leave the Buffère refuge to reach the Crêtes de la Baude, which will allow us a beautiful descent to the Chardonnet refuge, where we will spend 2 nights. A particularly friendly atmosphere is guaranteed!
Day 2 -
Grape Pass
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 450 m
- Negative elevation 450 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Col du Raisin, Pointe du Demi, or Pic Ombière: as you can see, the locals love to quench their thirst and have a certain sense of humor when it comes to place names! Another beautiful hike today with a descent down a lovely, wide slope. Straight down the slope or with wide curves, it's up to you!
Day 3 -
Queyrelin Tower
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're going to hike around the impressive Queyrelin ridge. In the heart of the Cerces massif, peace and quiet are guaranteed, and the silence is profound. We'll finish this hike with a beautiful descent on the north face where the snow should still be powdery! We'll stay at the Laval or Drayères refuge.
Day 4 -
Pic du Lac Blanc, a breathtaking view!
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 1215 m
- Maximum altitude 2980 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're crossing! We'll climb the other side of the Clarée Valley to reach the Pic du Lac Blanc (2980m), with its breathtaking panorama of the Dôme and Barre des Écrins! Then we'll descend into the Vallée Étroite via the Col du Vallon, to reach the I Re Maggi refuge, the refuge of the Three Wise Men, at the foot of the Balthazar, Melchior, and Gaspar peaks (no, that's not a joke). Officially, we've been in France here since 1947, but in reality, it's still Italy: the language, the cuisine, the telephone area code...
Day 5 -
Col du Vallon and return to Névache
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Maximum altitude 2645 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Weighed down by yesterday's polenta and pasta, we leisurely climb back up towards the Col du Vallon before descending towards Névache. A long, easy descent brings us back to the minibus. Transfer back to Briançon and the end of our stay.
Day 6
Note
This is an example of a ski touring program in the Clarée/Névache valley. Weather and snow conditions, as well as the participants' skill level, may lead the guide to modify the itinerary or to do certain routes in a different order. We ask that you respect their decisions. We may also need to change accommodations, within the same category, for logistical reasons or due to availability.
In the event of changes to the "Customs and Practices" established by local guide companies, which determine the reasonable number of clients per guide to ensure your safety, Azimut will respect these changes, even if they occur after the trips have gone on sale. Such cases are rare and often linked to exceptional mountain conditions, and you may be asked to provide compensation if the number of participants per guide decreases.
Accommodation
- Comfortable dormitory-style accommodation with half-board, shared toilets and showers.
- Bring a sleeping bag liner, towels are not provided.
Access
Several possible meeting points :
📍 In Cervières in front of the lodge at 8:15 am
📍 At Briançon train station at 8:30 am
📍 Nevache - End of road parking at 9am
You are expected in ski gear for the meeting on Day 1. The departure at the end of the trip takes place at the same location as the arrival point.
We do our best, but we cannot guarantee arrival time at the train station (traffic jams, unforeseen circumstances, snow conditions). We advise you to purchase flexible train tickets. On the last day, return to Briançon is possible but not guaranteed by 6:00 PM.
Go to the starting point
Price details
The price includes
- The organization
- All minibus transfers from one of the meeting points
- Half-board accommodation in a mountain refuge for 5 nights in a dormitory, and packed lunches for 6 days
- Training/refresher course on the use of safety equipment
- The services of a high mountain guide for 6 days and all their expenses (accommodation, meals, transport, lifts)
- Loan of safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe) if people are not equipped
- Christmas and New Year's Day supplements
- The welcome pack
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to one of the meeting points
- The possible rental of equipment
- All drinks, including those with meals
- Extras in the accommodations, and personal expenses
- Personal insurance
- Anything not listed under "the price includes"
- Drinks and personal expenses
Options
- Equipment rental - Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF255.23 / unit
- Equipment rental - Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF224.13 / unit
- Equipment rental - Ski boots : CHF68.61 / unit
- Equipment rental - Airbag bag : CHF118.92 / unit
- Flex fare and insurance
Practical information
Specific formalities
Specifics
Before your departure, check with the embassy or consulate regarding the entry and stay requirements for your destination country. You can also find this information on the France Diplomatie website ( https://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/dossiers-pays/ ).
In the case of flights with stopovers operated by different airlines, also check the entry requirements of the countries you are transiting through.
It is your responsibility to ensure you are in compliance, particularly regarding the validity of your identity documents (for example, some countries require your passport to be valid for at least six months after your return) , visa requirements, necessary vaccinations, and health recommendations. And don't forget to consider any customs restrictions and other potential requirements of your destination or transit country.
ℹ️ Information may change up to the departure date, remember to regularly check official websites.
Equipment
Equipment provided on site
You can rent your equipment from us! The equipment is recent, well-maintained, and delivered at the start of your stay:
- Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles, crampons): €265
- Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons): €225
- Ski boots: €90
- Airbag bag: €125
Equipment to bring
- Ski goggles and sunglasses with UV4 protection lenses. The photochromic lenses adapt to the light and vary from category 2 to category 4 to optimize visibility in both shade and sunlight. Very practical.
- Ski helmet
- Touring skis equipped with touring bindings (we recommend touring-freeride type skis to make the most of descents in all snow conditions and powder)
- Seal skins
- Knives
- Sticks
- Ski touring boots
- Cleats
- Avalanche transceiver (DVA): If you have an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, please let us know when you register. If you don't have any, we will lend you one free of charge.
- Sleeping bag liner for mountain huts
- 1L water bottle, thermos or Camelback
- Duck tape (resistant tape), sunscreen SPF 50.
- Minimal toiletry kit with personal essentials
- Drying towel
Clothing to bring
- Warm hat or headband
- Neck warmer or Buff
- Technical underwear: long-sleeved top and leggings for added warmth under trousers
- Lightweight fleece jacket / synthetic down jacket with hood to wear under the Gore-Tex and provide extra warmth during breaks
- Jacket with a waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore-Tex or softshell, lightweight and compressible to reduce bulk in the backpack
- Trousers with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type membrane (models with leg vents are recommended for uphill sections)
- Lightweight gloves (fleece or softshell)
- Warm gloves with a waterproof and breathable Gore-Tex type membrane
- Silk undergloves
- Mittens are a good solution for very cold days or for people sensitive to the cold.
- Ski socks
