Monte Rosa on ski touring
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration2 days
-
LevelExpert
-
DestinationItaly / Monte Rosa Massif - France
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions8.51 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
English
French
In a few words
Two intense days in the heart of the Monte Rosa massif , for a ski touring itinerary reserved for experienced high-altitude enthusiasts. The start is gentle, thanks to the ski lifts leading to the Mantova refuge at nearly 3,500 meters , the starting point for a gradual ascent to the summits. The first day is dedicated to acclimatization with the ascent of the Vincent Pyramid (4,215 m) , a spectacular introduction. The following day, the route heads towards Punta Gnifetti (4,556 m) , the highlight of the itinerary, before embarking on an exceptional 3,000-meter descent to Gressoney . This trip offers an immersion in a magnificent glacial world, with breathtaking panoramas , eternal snow , and a distinctly alpine atmosphere . Designed for ski tourers with a good command of the sport, this course combines physical performance , technical progression , and the pleasure of altitude , all within a completely different environment .
The highlights
-
Two 4000m peaks in two days
-
Technically accessible and progressive ascents
-
Moderate elevation changes thanks to the ski lifts
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 8h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 1025 m
- Average daily descent: 1750 m
- Maximum altitude: 4556 m
Management
English
French
Danilo and his team
Experienced mountain guides Danilo and his team accompany you on all types of terrain: mountaineering, multi-pitch climbs, ski touring, and high-altitude treks. Passionate and meticulous, they prioritize safety, progress, and enjoyment on every outing. With them, every climb becomes a shared and authentic adventure in the heart of the most beautiful mountains in the Alps.
Program
-
Gressoney - Ascent of the Vincent Pyramid 4215m - Refuge Città di Mantova 3498m
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 950 m
- Negative elevation 750 m
- Maximum altitude 4215 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
In the morning, meet your guide directly in Staffal, the last hamlet at the foot of Monte Rosa, opposite the Punta Indren cable car station. After a quick equipment check, you'll take the first cable car at 7:30 am to ascend to an altitude of 3,275 meters. Once at the top, you'll cross the Indren Glacier towards the Vincent Pyramid. The ascent of the Vincent Pyramid is via an accessible route. Upon reaching the summit, you'll be rewarded with a magnificent view of the surrounding 4,000-meter peaks of Monte Rosa. The descent will be on the vast Lys Glacier, with the Matterhorn, the north face of the Liskamm, and Monte Rosa all within easy reach, while Mont Blanc and its massif will be visible in the distance. Dinner and overnight stay will be at the Città di Mantova refuge.
Day 1 -
Refuge Città di Mantova 3498m - Ascent of Punta Gnifetti 4554 m - Gressoney
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 10h
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 2750 m
- Maximum altitude 4556 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
Today is the big day. We set off at sunrise to avoid the cold. The ascent takes place amidst peaks over 4000 meters high. We pass near the summit we climbed yesterday, but from the Col du Lys onwards, the landscape changes and we cross high plateaus, gradually approaching our goal.
The summit of Punta Gnifetti is the highest peak over 4,000 meters that is relatively easily accessible. From the top, the view is magnificent, with a breathtaking panorama of the majestic east face of Monte Rosa, approximately 3,300 meters high. The Macugnaga ski resort seems to have sprung from a Himalayan landscape; indeed, it is the highest wall in the Alps!
At the summit, we can warm up and rest a bit at the Cabanne Marguerite (4554 meters), located a stone's throw from the summit of Punta Gnifetti (4556 meters). If the refuge is open, we can enjoy the highest pizza in Europe there to recharge our batteries.
Finally, we will have a beautiful and very long descent to Staffal (1850 meters), where our stay will end.
Day 2
Accommodation
Access
Go to the starting point
- Via Chamonix Mont Blanc - you can reach Chamonix by train from the main French airports or Geneva airport - then you can reach Courmayeur, Aosta Valley, via the Mont Blanc tunnel (bus links from Chamonix to the Aosta Valley exist, but if you want to be free to move around, it is advisable to hire a car);
- Via Geneva or Martigny - you can easily reach Martigny by train from Geneva airport - then you reach the city centre of Aosta via the Great St Bernard tunnel (bus connections from Martigny to the Aosta Valley exist, but if you want to be free to move around, it is advisable to rent a car);
- Via Milan/Turin airport:
- Rent a car directly to reach Aosta via the motorway;
- By train
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a dormitory
- Supervision by a high-mountain guide for 2 days
- The lift pass for the ascent on the first day
- Dormitory accommodation with half-board at the Mantova refuge
- The group equipment that the guide takes (ropes, carabiners, ice screws, etc.)
The price does not include
- Ski touring equipment and ski touring boots
- Ice axe and crampons
- Lunch at the Mantova refuge so you can eat what you want
Options
- 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 to bring
- A pair of fairly lightweight and good quality touring skis
- A pair of ski poles
- A good quality pair of ski touring boots (good range of motion and fairly lightweight)
- A harness, crampons and ice axe
- An avalanche transceiver (DVA) + 1 shovel + 1 probe (the Guide will provide these, unless you have your own equipment)
- A pair of ski touring crampons
- A pair of sealskin skis
- 40-liter backpack
- A headlamp
- 2 pairs of warm gloves (ski gloves and mittens)
- A warm hat
- A pair of category 3 or 4 glasses
- A ski mask
- A ski buff
- Two pairs of warm socks
- Your mobile phone
- A small first-aid kit with your personal medications
- Your documents and passport
- A warm duvet
- A thin down
Clothing to bring
- Thermal and breathable base layer (merino wool recommended)
- Thermal and breathable tights (merino wool recommended)
- Warm socks
- Warm and breathable technical fleece
- Windproof and waterproof Gore-Tex (or similar) trousers
- High-quality Gore-Tex jacket or similar, waterproof and windproof
