In summary
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Sports
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Duration3 days
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LevelIntermediate
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DestinationNévache / Écrins Massif
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AgeFrom the age of 18
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CO₂-Emissions19.63 kg CO2
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Type of stayIn a group
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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
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Open to beginners in ski touring
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The refuge's friendly atmosphere
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Short stay, ideal for beginners
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
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.
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 4h30
Management
French
English
Italian
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 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.
Program
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Buffère Refuge and Pass
- Transportation Minibus - 00h05 - 2km
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- 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 -
Echaillon Ridge
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
From the refuge, we'll head towards the Echaillon ridge (2576m) in search of the best slope. There's also the option of a detour into the nearby Cristol valley. Enjoyable routes on gentle terrain.
Day 2 -
Baude Ridge
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 4h
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner not included
On the other side of the valley lies another perfect route for introducing people to ski touring: the Baude ridge and its south-facing slope.
In the afternoon, we collect our belongings from the refuge to descend back into the valley.
Dispersal around 5pm, upon returning from the hike.
Day 3
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
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
The meeting point is Echaillon in the hamlet of Roubion.
Go to the starting point
🚂 From Paris, you have several options:
- 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.
- Either Paris - Grenoble then bus Grenoble - Briançon line 55 ZOU, bookable on the website www.autocars-resalp.com
- Either Paris - Briançon, by night train or daytime trains:
🚂 From Marseille or Valence : there are direct TER trains to Briançon.
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!
Price details
The price includes
- Accommodation in a mountain refuge for 2 nights
- Full board from picnic lunch on Day 1 to lunch on Day 3
- Supervision by a high-mountain guide or an alpine ski instructor
- Transfers to and from the hike
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to Névache
- Ski touring equipment (rental available)
- The mountain passport card
- Drinks and personal expenses
Options
- Ski touring equipment rental : CHF100.63 / person
- 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
Group equipment (compass, altimeters, maps, first aid kit, ropes, etc.) is provided by the supervisors.
Equipment to bring
- A large "garbage" bag to protect your belongings in your backpack
- Highly protective sunglasses
- A sleeping bag liner is mandatory for the refuge.
- The "double-skin" treatment for blisters (available in pharmacies)
- Insulated water bottle, knife, cutlery
Clothing to bring
Try to travel as light as possible; we always tend to take too much, much of which turns out to be unnecessary. At the Buffère refuge, it's not cold, you can shower, slippers are provided, and there's even a well-stocked library!
- A suitable ski touring outfit (1 technical and waterproof jacket and 1 pair of pants).
- Breathable t-shirts and tights.
- Layers of clothing to keep warm: a fleece jacket or a down jacket, and a microfleece.
- Two pairs of warm gloves
- Two pairs of ski socks!
- A very warm hat
- Change of clothes
- A small bath towel
They traveled with us
