Glacier crossing and ski summits in the heart of Monte Rosa
In summary
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Sports
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Duration4 days
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LevelAdvance
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DestinationMonte Rosa Massif / Italy
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AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions25.81 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Embark on a 4-day ski touring adventure in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif, between glaciers and peaks over 4,000 meters high. Accompanied by a guide, you'll cross several high-altitude passes and discover breathtaking glacial landscapes. The itinerary includes the ascent of the Breithorn (4,164 m), a traverse via the Schwarztor, and an outing to the Cima di Jazzi (3,792 m). After two nights in mountain huts, you'll reach the main objective of this expedition: the Gnifetti Peak, at 4,554 m. Between ascents, ski descents, and nights in mountain huts, this adventure immerses you in the world of high-altitude ski touring.
The highlights
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Reach the Gnifetti Peak at 4,554 m, in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif.
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Linked 4 days of ski touring between glaciers and peaks of over 4,000 m.
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Spend 3 nights in high-altitude mountain huts to experience a true high-mountain expedition.
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
- You are very comfortable skiing downhill, including in difficult snow and on steep slopes (up to 40 to 45°)
- You can ski 8 to 10 hours a day
- You can climb between 1200 and 1700m of positive elevation gain (occasionally more)
- Have you already completed any challenging outings or ski tours in recent seasons?
- You do endurance sports at least 3 to 4 times a week.
- Are you comfortable carrying a bag weighing 8 to 12 kg?
- You have a perfect grasp of conversions and effort management.
- You are comfortable with steep and exposed passages
- You know how to use your safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe) independently
- You can move around on glaciers with the possible use of knives, crampons and ice axes.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average daily elevation gain: 1025 m
- Average daily descent: 1000 m
Management
French
English
A passionate mountaineer, I discovered rock climbing in the Bouches-du-Rhône region before immersing myself in ski touring in the Écrins mountains. Since then, I've explored various mountain ranges, from Mont Blanc to Dévoluy, seeking enjoyment and shared experiences. For me, the mountains represent the desire to experience human adventures and to accomplish projects together.
With 30 years of experience as a high-mountain guide, I share my techniques with you, but above all, my joy in experiencing nature to the fullest. Together, we will explore my vision of the mountains: fabulous landscapes, breathtaking peaks, new cultures, and perhaps… the summit of your dreams!
I'll be waiting for you, whether you're on skis, in climbing shoes, crampons, or simply in hiking boots.
Program
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Day 1
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 400 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
We meet at 10am in Cervinia to get acquainted with the group and the guide. After a briefing on the expedition and a check of the equipment, we take the ski lifts up to the Matterhorn Paradise area, at nearly 3,800m altitude.
We then put on our skis to reach the summit of the Breithorn (4,164 m), an ideal first objective to enter the world of 4,000 m peaks. From the summit, we enjoy a remarkable view of the Matterhorn, Monte Rosa and the peaks of Valais.
We continue with a ski descent on the Verra glacier, before climbing back up to the Ayas Guides refuge, perched at 3,420 m. We spend our first night in the high mountains there.
Day 1 -
Day 2
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After breakfast, we leave the Ayas Guides Refuge to continue our ski tour in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif. We traverse glaciers towards the Schwarztor, also known as Porta Nera, a pass at 3,720 m located on the Italian-Swiss border, between the Roccia Nera and the Pollux.
After crossing this high mountain pass, we continue our trek towards the Monte Rosa hut. This stage allows us to discover new glacial landscapes and continue our acclimatization to the altitude.
We finally reach the Monte Rosa hut, at 2,883 m, where we will stay for the next two nights. The afternoon is free to rest and recover before the next part of the adventure.
Day 2 -
Day 3
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We set off early in the morning from the Monte Rosa hut for another ski tour towards the Cima di Jazzi (3,792 m), a peak located on the border between Switzerland and Italy. This glacial route is a further step in our acclimatization and allows us to explore more of the massif.
As we ascend, we progress through a high mountain landscape, surrounded by the iconic peaks of Monte Rosa. Once we reach the Cima di Jazzi, we begin our ski descent back to the hut.
Back at the refuge, we take advantage of the rest of the day to rest and prepare for the final stage of our expedition. We spend a second night at the Monte Rosa hut.
Day 3 -
Day 4
- Activity Ski touring
- Positive elevation gain 1800 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
We leave the hut at dawn to reach the main objective of our expedition: the Gnifetti Peak, which rises to 4,554 m. We gradually ascend the glaciers of the Monte Rosa massif, in a high-altitude environment where the effort and conditions demand good management of our pace.
At the summit, we take the time to admire the panoramic views of the giants of Monte Rosa and the surrounding Alps. We then begin our long ski descent towards the Col du Lys, before continuing on to Staffal, in the Gressoney valley.
Upon our arrival in Staffal, a taxi took us back to Cervinia, where our expedition ended.
Day 4
Note
Activity times are given as a guide and may vary depending on the weather and the pace of the group.
Accommodation
Guide Refuge Valle d'Ayas
Monte Rosa Hut
Access
We'll meet at 9:30 am in Breuil-Cervinia.
Go to the starting point
Here are the correspondences:
- Departure station > Turin station
- Turin > Châtillon-Saint-Vincent (regional or intercity train)
- Châtillon-Saint-Vincent > Cervinia (direct bus)
It is possible to travel to Cervinia by car and leave it in a car park for the duration of your stay.
Price details
The price includes
- The trip is supervised by a UIAGM guide who knows the region like the back of his hand.
- Accommodation in comfortable Italian mountain huts, where the mountain atmosphere is paramount.
- Full board from dinner on day 1 to the picnic lunch on day 4, an opportunity to savor the flavors of Italian cuisine
- The ski lifts included in the program
- The taxi back on the last day, from Staffal to Cervinia
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Ski touring equipment rental: skis, boots, skins, crampons, avalanche transceiver, shovel, probe (available at the next step of your booking)
- Safety equipment rental: harness, ice axe, helmet and crampons (available at the next step of your booking)
- Drinks and personal expenses
- Day 1's picnic
Options
- Ski touring kit rental - all the essential equipment : CHF228.70 / person
- Mountaineering equipment rental : CHF91.48 / person
- 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.
