Weekend ski touring in the wild Briançonnais
In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationBriançon / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom 16 - 90 years
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CO₂-Emissions34.95 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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Languages
French
English
In a few words
Are you already familiar with ski touring and looking for a more challenging trip to put your new skills to good use on a short break? This 3-day intermediate ski touring weekend is for you! We welcome you to our secret hideaway for this short ski touring break that combines wild routes with cozy accommodations . In a small mountain village where the road ends in winter, we've taken over a lodge: the team is nearby, the workshop is right there, and we'll probably stop by to share a beer with you in the relaxation area. 3 days at the ends of the earth for a complete escape !
The highlights
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Wild trails in a pristine valley
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Welcoming and friendly accommodation, dedicated to ski tourers
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The teaching methods of your guide for progress
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 4h30
- Average daily elevation gain: 967 m
- Average daily descent: 967 m
- Maximum altitude: 2855 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 and immersion in the Ecrins region
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Positive elevation gain 800 m
- Negative elevation 800 m
- Maximum altitude 2500 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
You will be met at the Briançon and Oulx train stations by your guide. Transfer to your first starting point. Briefing and distribution of equipment (if you rented any) and off you go! Depending on the snow conditions, we will adapt the outing to the Écrins mountains or to the surrounding area, around the Serre-Chevalier valley. Several descent options are available, either following the same route as the ascent or traversing the north face, depending on the conditions and your preferences. At the end of the day, we will head to our lodge for a cozy evening.
Day 1 -
Col Perdu and Arpelin
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 1000 m
- Negative elevation 1000 m
- Maximum altitude 2604 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Accommodation Cottage
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today, weather permitting, we'll set off on skis from the lodge! A gentle uphill run along the cross-country ski trails to warm up, before crossing a lovely larch forest and emerging into a magnificent cirque. There, we'll tackle the slightly steeper climb, but without many switchbacks. From the Col Perdu, we'll admire the view of the Izoard before embarking on the final ascent of the Arpelin via the ridge. From the summit, a multitude of descent routes will be available. We'll choose the best one, of course! Back to the lodge for the evening.
Day 2 -
Warm House Collar
- Transportation Minibus - 01h - 30km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Positive elevation gain 1100 m
- Negative elevation 1100 m
- Maximum altitude 2855 m
- Exposed passages Yes
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
Today, we'll be setting off on skis again, weather permitting! We'll ascend the same valley, but this time we'll leave the cross-country ski trails to tackle the west face. Once we're out of the Swiss stone pine forest, we'll take a short break at the sheepfold in the sunshine before following the small ridges and the valley that leads us to the Col de Chaudemaison. A fun descent through the valleys and between the Swiss stone pines – pure enjoyment! We'll return to the lodge to collect our belongings and transfer to the train stations in Briançon and Oulx. End of the program.
Day 3
Note
This is an example of an introductory ski touring program in the Cervières valley and the Briançonnais region. Weather and snow conditions, as well as the participants' skill level, may lead the guide to modify the program or to complete certain routes in a different order.
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 :
📍 In Cervières in front of the lodge at 8:10 am
📍 At Briançon train station at 8:30 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: TGV Paris-Milan - stop at Oulx station. 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 2 nights, and picnic 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 (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe)
- Cereal bars
- The welcome pack
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to one of the meeting points
- Ski lifts (Day 1 - approximately €30)
- The possible rental of equipment
- All drinks, including those with meals, and extras in the accommodations, personal expenses
- Drinks and personal expenses
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 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): €155
- Skis (skis, skins, poles, crampons): €125
- Shoes: €45
- Airbag bag: €75
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 and should be left at the accommodation or in the 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 slip 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.
