• Introduction to ski touring in Névache
  • Introduction to ski touring in Névache
  • Introduction to ski touring in Névache
  • Introduction to ski touring in Névache
  • Introduction to ski touring in Névache
  • Introduction to ski touring in Névache
Névache / Écrins Massif

Introduction to ski touring in Névache

5/5 (5 reviews)
Réf : KODSTS

In summary

  • Sports
    Ski touring
  • Duration
    3 days
  • Level
    Intermediate

    Levels

    Ski touring
    Beginner
    For those who have never done ski touring or off-piste skiing but are comfortable skiing down red or black runs. You will ski for 3 to 4 hours a day. You must be capable of skinning uphill for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours, covering an elevation gain and loss of between 300m and 600m per day.
    Intermediate
    For those who have already skied off-piste using ski lifts. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day. Vertical gain can reach 800 m per day.
    Confirmed
    For those who occasionally go ski touring and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing down almost any terrain and ski for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, with vertical gains of up to 1,000 m per day.
    Advanced
    For regular ski tourers. You are capable of skiing down any type of snow on slopes of up to 40°. You frequently ski in powder. You have perfect control over your speed, sideslipping, and both uphill and downhill kick turns. You have prior experience with ski touring or with vertical gains exceeding 1,200m. You are capable of maintaining this level of activity over several consecutive days.
    Expert
    For regular ski tourers: You are capable of skiing down all types of snow on slopes exceeding 40°. You frequently ski in powder and have perfect control over your speed and sideslipping. You have experience with ski touring involving vertical gains of over 1,400m and have previously completed several consecutive days under these conditions.
  • Destination
    Névache / Écrins Massif
  • Age
    From the age of 18
  • CO₂-Emissions
    19.63 kg CO2
  • Type of stay
    This group trip is perfect for travelers who want to experience a sporting adventure with other enthusiasts and be guided.
    Type of stay
    In a group
  • Languages
    🇫🇷
    French
    🇬🇧
    English
    🇮🇹
    Italian

In a few words

Take a long weekend for a sporty and contemplative break at altitude and enjoy the magical setting of the Buffère hanging valley . This trip is for anyone who wants to discover ski touring, or simply take their time, in a group that isn't focused on performance . If you love skiing and the mountains in winter and want to discover this world off the beaten track and away from the hustle and bustle of the resorts, then you've come to the right place. Ski touring is nature skiing , an effort to climb in a pristine environment, rewarded by a peaceful and beautiful setting and the pleasure of an off-piste descent . Your guide will teach you the basic techniques, and you'll enjoy the warm welcome of Aude and Guillaume at their mountain refuge. A little corner of paradise, in a mountain hamlet that you'll find hard to leave .

The highlights

  • Open to beginners in ski touring
  • The refuge's friendly atmosphere
  • Short stay, ideal for beginners
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Photos

Sport

Level

Ski touring

Intermediate

Levels

Ski touring
Beginner
For those who have never done ski touring or off-piste skiing but are comfortable skiing down red or black runs. You will ski for 3 to 4 hours a day. You must be capable of skinning uphill for a minimum of 2 to 3 hours, covering an elevation gain and loss of between 300m and 600m per day.
Intermediate
For those who have already skied off-piste using ski lifts. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day. Vertical gain can reach 800 m per day.
Confirmed
For those who occasionally go ski touring and off-piste skiing. You are capable of skiing down almost any terrain and ski for several consecutive days. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day, with vertical gains of up to 1,000 m per day.
Advanced
For regular ski tourers. You are capable of skiing down any type of snow on slopes of up to 40°. You frequently ski in powder. You have perfect control over your speed, sideslipping, and both uphill and downhill kick turns. You have prior experience with ski touring or with vertical gains exceeding 1,200m. You are capable of maintaining this level of activity over several consecutive days.
Expert
For regular ski tourers: You are capable of skiing down all types of snow on slopes exceeding 40°. You frequently ski in powder and have perfect control over your speed and sideslipping. You have experience with ski touring involving vertical gains of over 1,400m and have previously completed several consecutive days under these conditions.
For those who have already skied off-piste using ski lifts. You will ski for 4 to 6 hours a day. Vertical gain can reach 800 m per day.

The expert's opinion

Introductory ski touring trip to this activity:

Physical level: you must be able to climb an elevation gain of 600/800 meters (3 to 5 hours of effort depending on the snow), and still be fit for the descent! Of course, the guide will set a pace and make a track that allows everyone to enjoy the hikes.

Technical level: you know how to ski off-piste (this is an introductory ski touring trip, but not an introduction to alpine skiing).

This trip is not accessible by splitboard.

Management

During this stay, several supervisors will be present to guide and assist you, ensuring your comfort and safety throughout the trip.
Band : 1 supervisor for 4 to 8 people
Languages ​​spoken:
🇫🇷
French
🇬🇧
English
🇮🇹
Italian
Florian
Florian

A true jack-of-all-trades, Florian is a ski instructor, mountain bike instructor, and mountain guide. The valley holds no secrets for him!

He will always be attentive and will be able to guide you on the best routes.

Jérémy
Jérémy

Jérémy is a child of the valley: born with skis on his feet and passionate about the mountains, he will know how to find you the best slopes to ski in his secret garden.

The supervision is provided by a high mountain guide or an alpine ski instructor, for a group of 4 to 8 participants.

Program

Day 1
Day 2
Day 3
  • map

    Buffère Refuge and Pass

    • Transportation Minibus - 00h05 - 2km
    • Activity Ski touring
    • Accommodation Refuge
    • Breakfast not included
    • Lunch included
    • Dinner included

    We meet in the morning in Névache . From Ville-Haute (1600m), we take the snow-covered track in the upper Clarée valley to reach the Rately bridge. In the forest, we follow the path to the refuge, groomed by the wardens. A steep but short climb leads us to the entrance of the Buffère valley, where we discover the refuge of the same name. We meet Aude and Guillaume , who welcome us for two nights.

    We lighten our packs to continue towards the Col de Buffère (2427m) at the bottom of the valley, from where the view opens up over the Guisane valley and the Écrins massif. A gentle valley for an easy first day and to learn the basics of the activity.

    Day 1

Note

VERY IMPORTANT: The organizers reserve the right to modify the program for any reason (weather conditions, snow conditions, technical level of participants, availability at the refuge, etc.) in order to ensure the best possible experience for you.

Accommodation

🏔️ Mountain refuge - Days 1 to 2
  • 🏔️ Mountain refuge - Days 1 to 2
  • 🏔️ Mountain refuge - Days 1 to 2
🏔️ Mountain refuge - Days 1 to 2

You are staying at the Buffère refuge at an altitude of 2076m. This former alpine chalet, renovated for hikers, has 30 beds in comfortable rooms with duvets. The refuge has 3 bathrooms with hot showers, 3 toilets and a dry toilet outside, as well as a lounge with games and a library.

Access

Departure
Névache, France
Day 1 : 09h30
End of stay
Névache, France
Day 3 - 16h00

The meeting point is Echaillon in the hamlet of Roubion.

Go to the starting point

Access by train
Take the train toGare de Oulx,Gare de BriançonOrGare de Grenoble

🚂 From Paris, you have several options:

  1. Arriving on the Italian side via the TGV Paris-Oulx, you will need to take a direct bus from the station to Briançon. Tickets must be purchased 48 hours in advance of your trip on the SNCF website.
  2. Either Paris - Grenoble then bus Grenoble - Briançon line 55 ZOU, bookable on the website www.autocars-resalp.com
  3. Either Paris - Briançon, by night train or daytime trains:

🚂 From Marseille or Valence : there are direct TER trains to Briançon.

Access by car
Travel to the place of stay with parking available

You can drive to the hotel, where there is a large car park .

🚘 From the South , you go up the Durance valley to reach Briançon.

🚘 From the North and West , you can, like cyclists, pass through the Lautaret pass and its spectacular panorama, or choose the comfort (and its price) of passing through Italy, thanks to the Fréjus Tunnel.

Consider carpooling!




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Price details

The price includes

  1. Accommodation in a mountain refuge for 2 nights
  2. Full board from picnic lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3
  3. Supervision by a high-mountain guide or an alpine ski instructor
  4. Transfers to and from the hike

The price does not include

  1. Round-trip transportation to Névache
  2. Ski touring equipment (rental available)
  3. The mountain passport card
  4. Drinks and personal expenses

Options

You will be able to select these options when booking.
  1. Ski touring equipment rental : CHF104.50 / person
  2. Flex fare and insurance

Practical information

Specific formalities

They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
5/5
(5 reviews)
At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
J

Jean-noel Picard

march 2026
Translated from French
A really great guide!
Published on 31/03/2026
a

angeline

february 2026
Translated from French
I went for a 3-day ski touring discovery trip and it lived up to my expectations: good group, good guide, warm welcome both on site and in the refuge. I'd do it again!
Published on 11/02/2026
L

Luc

january 2026
Translated from French
Great
Published on 08/02/2026

They traveled with us

Discover the authentic experiences of our travelers
5/5
(5 reviews)
At Decathlon, the reviews are reliable.
Reviews displayed in reverse chronological order
J

Jean-noel Picard

march 2026
Translated from French
A really great guide!
Published on 31/03/2026
a

angeline

february 2026
Translated from French
I went for a 3-day ski touring discovery trip and it lived up to my expectations: good group, good guide, warm welcome both on site and in the refuge. I'd do it again!
Published on 11/02/2026
L

Luc

january 2026
Translated from French
Great
Published on 08/02/2026
S

Sylvain

march 2025
Translated from French
A fantastic stay in an exceptional setting. I highly recommend it!
Published on 11/03/2025
C

Clara

february 2025
Translated from French
Really great!! And our guide Jean-Jacques was fantastic and he really shared his love of the mountains with us!
Published on 11/02/2025
The L'Echaillon team
Decathlon Travel Partner

The L'Echaillon team

4.8/5 (152 reviews) • 64 stays
Based in Névache, in the heart of the Clarée Valley, our local partner has been the long-standing expert on this wild territory of the Hautes-Alpes for over 40 years. Summer and winter alike, they open the doors to a pristine environment with a privileged climate, offering virtually every imaginable mountain activity. Your base camp? A welcoming two-star hotel combining tranquility and comfort. With its cozy rooms and a wellness area dedicated to relaxation, the hotel prioritizes hospitality during your stay. It's the ideal address for those seeking to combine sporting pleasures with complete rejuvenation in one of the most authentic valleys of the Alps.
Discover their team and their trips
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