Introduction to ski touring between Ecrins, Piedmont and Izoard
In summary
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Sports
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Duration6 days
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LevelBeginner
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DestinationPiedmont / French Alps
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions79.81 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Want to try ski touring ? We've designed this trip just for you! Six days discovering ski touring in the stunning Briançonnais region: the Col d'Izoard, the Écrins National Park, the Italian Piedmont, and the legendary La Grave ski area... Each day brings a different adventure, led by your friendly and knowledgeable mountain guide. You'll progress in a fun and relaxed atmosphere! The icing on the cake? The accommodation: you'll stay in our new lodge in the heart of the charming village of Cervières. A welcoming place where you can enjoy a good local beer and a comforting meal in good company.
The highlights
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A wide variety of wild routes
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A day in La Grave to focus on downhill techniques
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A cozy place to relax.
Photos
Messaoud - verified review - january 2025
Messaoud - verified review - january 2025
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Messaoud - verified review - january 2025
Messaoud - verified review - january 2025
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Sylvie - verified review - february 2024
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
A minimum black run level is required, as well as a basic level of athleticism.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 425 m
- Average daily descent: 1334 m
- Maximum altitude: 3600 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
English
You are accompanied by a high mountain guide.
Our partner works with a great team of guides, chosen mainly for their friendliness, teaching skills, and organizational skills.
Program
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Warm-up - Montgenèvre or Claviere
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 50km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 50 m
- Negative elevation 1500 m
- Maximum altitude 2300 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You will be met by the guide at Oulx or Briançon station: you are expected in ski gear for the meeting.
Departure by minibus to the resort of Claviere (Italy) or Montgenèvre, straddling the Italian border.
Presentation of the week, distribution of materials.
This first day is dedicated to off-piste skiing in the resort to get warmed up : assessing everyone's skill level, learning and/or reviewing safety techniques, and a short ascent using skins to get a feel for it. In the late afternoon, we'll transfer to the small village of Cervières and our lodge (depending on conditions and skill levels, we might even be able to ski directly down).
Day 1 -
Under the Arpelin
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 200 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Maximum altitude 2604 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we'll set off on skis if conditions allow! A leisurely climb through the larch forest , and a breathtaking view is guaranteed when we emerge onto the plateau. We'll continue to the Col Perdu (2479m) and perhaps even to the summit of Arpelin (2604m) if we're feeling adventurous! Back to the lodge for the evening.
Day 2 -
Aiguillette du Lauzet
- Transportation Minibus - 00h30 - 20km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're heading to the Cerces , also known as "the little Dolomites." Beautiful, easy slopes, impressive limestone peaks—what an atmosphere! We're starting the climb to the Col de l'Aiguillette (2537m), from where the view over the Clarée Valley will be breathtaking. A pleasant descent that we can top off with a quick visit to the Bains du Monêtier thermal baths. Soaking in the warm water while gazing at the peaks—now that's a holiday!
Day 3 -
La Grave, a legendary spot
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 45km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Negative elevation 3000 m
- Maximum altitude 3600 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're heading to THE legendary freeride spot: La Grave/La Meije ! This tiny village and its single cable car are world-renowned among freeriders. Why take a cable car, you ask? Quite simply, to practice your descent . With its 2,150 meters of vertical drop, you'll encounter all types of snow, untouched by grooming. Cold, powdery snow at altitude, packed snow in the more frequented runs, transformed snow lower down in the forest... a beautiful variety awaits, in a breathtaking landscape!
Day 4 -
Col des Ourdeis
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Maximum altitude 2421 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, we're playing at home! We'll head out on skis, weather permitting, first climbing the Izoard cross-country ski trail , which we'll leave at the Chalets de l'Izoard to enter a vast cirque with gentle slopes. Panoramic views of the Queyras from the Col des Ourdeis (2421m) . A leisurely descent and a relaxing end to the afternoon on the terrace.
Day 5 -
Serre Chevalier Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 00h10 - 10km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 900 m
- Maximum altitude 2350 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
For this last day, we head to the small village of Puy Chalvin, to ascend into the magnificent valley of the Partias nature reserve. From one plateau to the next, we reach the Serre Chevalier pass (2350m) , where the view, once again, will take our breath away. We enjoy a picnic in the sun, sheltered from the wind, and then make the final descent down the gentle slopes towards Les Combes.
Return to Briançon and then Oulx to finish this stay.
Day 6
Note
Weather and snow conditions, as well as the participants' skill level, may lead the guide to modify the itinerary or to reorder certain routes. Ski touring trips can take place in France and Italy.
Accommodation
This stay takes place in a lodge nestled in the village of Cervières at the foot of the Col d'Izoard . The welcome is exceptional, and the living space is designed for relaxing and enjoyable holidays. The food is simple, natural, and high-quality, with a selection of good beers and wines. Rental equipment is located below the lodge, and our agency and team are just a short walk away.
In case of unavailability at the lodge, the trip will take place in a comfortable guesthouse in the area.
Access
Several possible meeting points :
📍 At Briançon train station at 8:30 am
📍 In Cervières in front of the lodge at 8:10 am
📍 At Oulx train station at 9:15 am
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 and Oulx is possible but not guaranteed by 6:00 PM.
Go to the starting point
🚂 From Paris, take the TGV Paris-Milan - stop Oulx, night train or TER to Briançon station.
Price details
The price includes
- All minibus transfers from one of the meeting points
- Accommodation in shared twin or triple rooms depending on the group composition
- Half-board accommodation in a gîte or lodge for 5 nights, and picnic 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 you are not equipped
- Cereal bars
- 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
- All drinks, including those served with meals
- Extras in accommodations
- Personal expenses, anything not listed under "the price includes"
Options
- Equipment rental - Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles and crampons) : CHF255.23 / unit
- Equipment rental - Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF224.13 / unit
- Equipment rental - Shoes : 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)
- Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons)
- Ski boots
- Airbag
You can select these options by clicking on "Book your stay".
Equipment to bring
- Touring skis equipped with touring bindings. We recommend freeride touring 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.
- Backpack: capacity 32L.
- 1L water bottle, thermos or Camelbak, pocket knife, duct tape, SPF 50 sunscreen.
- A sturdy 90L duffel bag is required; please leave it at your accommodation or in your vehicle. No hard-shell suitcases are allowed.
- Toiletry bag with personal essentials
Clothing to bring
- Warm hat or headband / Neck warmer or Buff.
- 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 ( highly recommended ).
- Technical underwear: long-sleeved top and leggings for added warmth under your pants. Tip: Merino wool has the advantage of being very breathable and antibacterial, so it retains less odor than synthetic materials. Keep this in mind if you need to buy new gear.
- Lightweight fleece jacket / Synthetic down jacket with hood to wear under the Gore Tex and provide extra warmth during breaks.
- Jacket with waterproof and breathable membrane such as Gore Tex or soft shell, 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 membrane like Gore-Tex + silk liner gloves. Mittens are a good solution for very cold days or for people sensitive to the cold.
- Ski socks.
