Hospice of the Great St. Bernard by ski touring
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationGreat St. Bernard Pass / Valais
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AgeFrom 16 - 65 years
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CO₂-Emissions19.47 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
In a few words
Located between Switzerland and Italy, the Great St. Bernard Hospice is a historic site that has welcomed travelers for almost 1000 years! Beyond the warm and unique welcome within a religious community, this high-mountain refuge is also, and above all, an ideal starting point for ski touring expeditions. During these three days in the area, you will discover the surrounding landscape, which proves to be a true playground for ski touring .
The highlights
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An unusual and warm welcome from the monks of the Hospice
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Cross-border ski touring between Switzerland and Italy
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Historical travel destination
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
Intermediate level ski touring, prior ski touring experience required, comfortable in all snow conditions, maximum elevation gain 1000m per day
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 784 m
- Average daily descent: 934 m
- Maximum altitude: 2902 m
Management
French
You are accompanied by a high mountain guide.
Program
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Welcome to the Hospice of the Great St Bernard
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 850 m
- Negative elevation 850 m
- Maximum altitude 2472 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
We'll meet our guide and the other participants, then depart from Bourg Saint Bernard for the Great St. Bernard Hospice. A pleasant ski tour uphill, perfect for warming up. We'll explore this unique accommodation, which will be our base camp for the next three days. A few safety equipment drills will ensure we're ready for this ski touring weekend.
Day 1 -
Ascent of Mont Fourchon
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Maximum altitude 2902 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
For this second day of the stay, we head towards Italy towards Mount Fourchon from which we have a panoramic view of the Aosta Valley.
Day 2 -
Ferret Window Passes
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 1150 m
- Maximum altitude 2698 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
To end the trip on a high note, we set off early towards the Fenêtre de Ferret mountain passes before returning to the hospice to collect our belongings and enjoy a beautiful descent to Bourg Saint Pierre. Return transfer to Martigny or Chamonix.
Day 3
Note
Weather and snow conditions, as well as the participants' skill level, may lead the guide to modify this program or to complete 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.
Accommodation
- Mountain refuge with half-board accommodation, shared toilets and showers
- Bed sheets are provided, please bring a sleeping bag liner.
Access
If you are coming by car, the meeting time is 9:00 AM in Bourg-Saint-Pierre. If you choose to come by train, meet at 5:00 AM at the lodge in Cervières or at Briançon train station at 5:20 AM.
The stay ends in the afternoon/late afternoon at the same meeting points.
Go to the starting point
Departure from our Lodge in Cervières 5am
🚂 Meet at Briançon train station at 5:20 am
🚗 Parking at the Hôtel Restaurant du Crêt in Bourg Saint Pierre.
Price details
The price includes
- All minibus transfers from one of the meeting points
- Accommodation in a dormitory with half-board in a gîte for 2 nights, and packed lunches for 3 days
- Training/refresher course on the use of safety equipment
- Three days of guiding by a high mountain guide and all their expenses (accommodation, meals, transport, lifts)
- Loan of safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe), if needed
- The welcome pack
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to one of the meeting points
- The ski lifts
- The possible rental of equipment
- Personal insurance
- All drinks, including those served with meals
- Extras in accommodations and personal expenses
Options
- Equipment rental - Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF150.94 / unit
- Equipment rental - Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF123.50 / unit
- Equipment rental - Ski boots : CHF41.17 / unit
- Equipment rental - Airbag bag : CHF68.61 / 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 our partner! The equipment is recent, well-maintained, and delivered at the start of your stay:
- Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles, crampons) = €165
- Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) = €135
- Shoes = €45
- Airbag bag = €75
Equipment to bring
- Ski goggles and sunglasses with UV4 protection lenses. The photochromic lenses adapt to the light and vary from index 2 to index 4 to optimize visibility between shade and light.
- 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.
- 1L water bottle, thermos or Camelback
- Pocket knife
- Duck tape (strong tape),
- Toiletry bag with personal essentials
Clothing to bring
- Warm hat or headband / Neck warmer or Buff
- Ski helmet ( highly recommended )
- 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 for 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 inner gloves. Mittens are a good solution for very cold days or for people sensitive to the cold.
- Ski socks
