Weekend introduction to ski touring at the Bostan refuge
In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration2 days
-
LevelIntermediate
-
DestinationSamoëns / Haute-Savoie
-
AgeFrom the age of 18
-
CO₂-Emissions11.59 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
In a few words
Discover the joys of ski touring with a weekend getaway in the heart of the Bostan Valley . It's the perfect place to explore this activity, offering numerous opportunities to enjoy yourself on skis, without too much difficulty, all with Mont Blanc as a stunning backdrop. Your guide will teach you the basic techniques of ski touring , as well as safety procedures, so you can progress independently. You'll find a warm welcome at the Bostan refuge for your overnight stay in the mountains. A weekend of pure pleasure awaits!
The highlights
-
A wild setting in the heart of a nature reserve
-
A warm and comfortable refuge
-
A local guide who knows the area like the back of his hand
Photos
Elodie - verified review - march 2025
Fabienne - verified review - february 2024
Fabienne - verified review - february 2024
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
These trips are accessible to the widest possible audience, with hikes of a maximum of 6 hours per day and without any particular technical difficulty.
However, you must be able to hike for several consecutive days with at least 800 meters of elevation gain per day. Accommodation may be basic, or even camping. Regular endurance training is recommended before departure.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 5h
- Average daily elevation gain: 790 m
- Average daily descent: 1185 m
- Maximum altitude: 2709 m
Management
French
Your guide is a true enthusiast! They will lead you along the trails and share their extensive knowledge of the environment. Beyond their expertise in safety and navigation, they will introduce you to the region's treasures: natural (wildlife, flora, minerals, terrain, etc.) and cultural (people, traditions, legends, cuisine, heritage, etc.). They will help you appreciate the group adventure and make your stay unforgettable.
Program
-
Ascent to the refuge - Tête de Bostan
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h30
- Positive elevation gain 750 m
- Negative elevation 570 m
- Maximum altitude 1763 m
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You have an appointment at the Samoëns Tourist Office with the guide at 8:30 am before heading to the starting point by carpooling.
Start your weekend in the charming hamlet of Les Allamands in Samoëns. You'll walk through a beautiful forest, then enjoy incredible views over the Bostan valley. The climb is well worth it, as you'll discover breathtaking panoramas, including views of the Pointe du Tuet and the Dents d'Oddaz. Next, you'll follow a nature trail that will lead you to a mountain refuge at an altitude of 1,763 meters.
If the group is fit, you could even consider continuing to the Col and the summit of Bostan, at 2,406 meters altitude (+ 650m of positive elevation gain).
Day 1 -
Western White Teeth
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 830 m
- Negative elevation 1800 m
- Maximum altitude 2709 m
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
From the refuge, our adventure for the day takes us towards the famous Dents Blanches. Our goal: to climb to the summit of the Western Dents Blanches, which stand at 2,709 meters. However, depending on the group's abilities and the weather, our guide may suggest alternative routes for the day.
You will fully enjoy the beauty and wildness of the area during this new guided day.
Descent back to the bottom of the Bostan Valley in the afternoon.
Day 2
Note
For safety reasons (due to weather conditions or other factors) and in the best interests of the participants, the guide reserves the right to modify the itinerary described above. The itinerary may be reversed depending on snow conditions. If conditions prevent the trip from taking place, postponing the stay may be considered. However, no refunds will be given in the event of adverse conditions.
Accommodation
You will have the chance to sleep in a mountain refuge in the middle of the snow. The overnight stay is in a shared dormitory.
Access
The end time of the stay is an approximate time.
Go to the starting point
🚂 Cluses SNCF train station is the closest to Samoëns. The journey takes approximately 5 hours by train from Paris, 3.5 hours from Lyon, and 1 hour from Geneva.
Price details
The price includes
- Supervision by a state-certified High Mountain Guide
- Accommodation for 1 night in a mountain refuge and shared dormitory
- Half-board accommodation in a mountain refuge (dinner and breakfast)
- Lunchtime picnics and snacks during the day
The price does not include
- Transportation to the meeting point
- Personal ski touring equipment (clothing, skis, boots, skins, poles, crampons, personal first aid kit...)
- Safety kit: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe (available for hire in sports shops)
- Drinks during meals, excluding still water
- All extras at the refuge (drinks other than still water...)
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 provided on site
Equipment to bring
- Ski touring equipment: pair of skis and boots, skins, crampons, poles.
- Mountain safety equipment: avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe
- 30-40L backpack
- Water bottle of at least 1.5L
- Sunglasses
- Sunscreen
- Sleeping bag liner (silk sheet) for nights in mountain huts
- Bath towel
Clothing to bring
Warm, comfortable, and waterproof clothing suitable for ski touring. It's best to layer up and have appropriate clothing for all weather conditions.
- Warm and breathable merino wool base layers, with long or short sleeves
- Fleece and down jacket in case of cold weather
- Waterproof and water-repellent jacket for use in the rain
- Hat, gloves, neck warmer…
They traveled with us
