In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelConfirmed
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DestinationVanoise Massif / Savoy
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AgeFrom 12 - 90 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
We're in the Haute Maurienne valley, where the snowfall is monstrous, thanks to precipitation from the west, but also to easterly winds from neighboring Italy. The place is wild and magnificent, with vast glacial expanses and stunning cirques. We're setting up our base camp at the Refuge des Evettes, superbly situated on its promontory and offering a panoramic view of over 180°. It's bathed in sunshine, the wardens are friendly, and the food is excellent... Perfect! On this short ski touring trip, we'll explore easy slopes and peaks, always using the Albaron as our landmark. Get ready for these long, sweeping turns on velvety snow, transformed just right. A truly wonderful trip, without any grand ambitions, in search of the best glacier skiing!
The highlights
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Vast, wild, glacial landscapes for exceptional skiing
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Accessible technical level
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Easily accessible by TGV
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
Glacier skiing, advanced technique and physical fitness
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 6h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 867 m
- Average daily descent: 734 m
- Maximum altitude: 3400 m
- Exposed Passages: Yes
Management
French
Supervision by a high mountain guide.
We work with a wonderful team of guides. We choose them primarily for their friendliness, teaching skills, and organizational abilities. We listen carefully to our guides, work closely with them, and ensure that their working conditions and compensation are the best possible.
Supervision by a high mountain guide.
We work with a wonderful team of guides. We choose them primarily for their friendliness, teaching skills, and organizational abilities. We listen carefully to our guides, work closely with them, and ensure that their working conditions and compensation are the best possible.
Program
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Ascent to the Evettes refuge
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h05
- Positive elevation gain 900 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Departure from Bonneval to the Evettes refuge at 2530m. A beautiful ski touring ascent, ideal for getting back into practicing kick turns and a good warm-up for the days ahead. No pressure, we're getting to know each other. Settling into the refuge and a short outing or practice using safety equipment.
Day 1 -
Ascent of Pointe Francesetti
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 7h
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Maximum altitude 3400 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Light pack, wild setting. Heading towards the summit of Pointe Francesetti (3425m), an ideal viewpoint for photographing the north face of the Albaron from every angle. Wide turns for the descent of the Grand Méan glacier.
Day 2 -
Ascent to the Grand Mean pass
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 6h
- Positive elevation gain 700 m
- Negative elevation 1200 m
- Maximum altitude 2600 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
From there, we embark on the magnificent descent (often in good conditions) of the Mulinet Glacier. It seems to go on forever until we reach the hamlet of L'Ecot, where we find our vehicle. Picnic lunch. Return to Modane for those taking the TGV. End of the trip.
Day 3
Note
This is an example of a ski touring itinerary. Weather and snow conditions, as well as the participants' skill level, may lead the guide to modify the itinerary or to complete certain routes in a different order. We ask that you respect their decisions.
Accommodation
Evettes Refuge
Access
At the end of your stay, you can leave Modane after 5 pm to catch the TGV back to Paris. We do our best, but we cannot guarantee your arrival time at the station (traffic jams, unforeseen circumstances, snow conditions). We recommend booking flexible train tickets.
Go to the starting point
Briançon Station
Start of the trip - Meeting time: 6:45 am
End of trip - dispersal: in the afternoon, at the same meeting point
Modane - In front of the SNCF train station
Start of the trip - Meeting time: 8am
End of trip - dispersal: in the afternoon, at the same meeting point
Price details
The price includes
- The organization
- All travel from one of the meeting points
- Half-board accommodation in a mountain refuge 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 (shovel, probe and avalanche transceiver with batteries provided), if people are not equipped
- High-quality cereal bars
- The Welcome Pack
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to one of the meeting points
- The possible rental of equipment
- The ski lifts
- All drinks, including those with meals, and extras in the accommodations are not included.
- Personal expenses, your personal insurance
- And anything not listed under the heading "the price includes".
Options
- Equipment rental - Complete package (skis, boots, skins, poles and crampons) : CHF150.94 / unit
- Equipment rental - Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons) : CHF123.50 / unit
- Equipment rental - Shoes : 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 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
- Harness + lanyard with screwgate carabiner
- Avalanche transceiver (DVA): If you own an avalanche transceiver, shovel, and probe, please let us know when you register. If you don't have any of these, we will lend you one free of charge.
- Backpack: capacity 40L.
- Safety tip: Airbag backpacks are highly recommended. Airbag backpacks are a significant safety advantage. In the event of an avalanche, the airbag allows you to stay on the surface, thus reducing the risk of burial. Guides use these backpacks. Encouraging the use of safety equipment, we can rent you this type of backpack at a very competitive price.
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 tights for added warmth under the pants. Tip: Merino wool has the advantage of being very breathable and antibacterial, so it retains less odor than synthetic materials.
- Lightweight fleece jacket / Synthetic down jacket with hood to wear under the Gore-Tex for extra warmth during breaks / Jacket with waterproof and breathable membrane (Gore-Tex type) 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 ascents.
- 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. Merino wool has the advantage of being very breathable and antibacterial, so it retains less odor than synthetic materials.
- If needed, shin protection patches
- 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 permitted.
- Toiletry bag with personal essentials
- First aid kit
