In summary
-
Sports
-
Duration7 days
-
LevelConfirmed
-
DestinationNévache / Écrins Massif
-
AgeFrom 18 - 90 years
-
CO₂-Emissions71.6 kg CO2
-
Type of stayIn a group
-
Languages
French
English
Italian
In a few words
Experience a week of ski touring in the Clarée Valley! A stay based at the Hôtel l'Echaillon, combining comfort and the joy of sport. For five days of ski touring in the heart of nature, you 'll discover a pristine valley , renowned for its excellent snow conditions and abundant sunshine thanks to its location between the Northern and Southern Alps . The wide variety of routes allows you to find the best conditions each day and explore new horizons. At the hotel, you'll enjoy delicious cuisine , a warm atmosphere , and a wellness area to relax after a day of exertion!
The highlights
-
Ski-in/ski-out access from the hotel
-
Small group of 8 people
-
The comfort of a 2-star hotel after skiing
Photos
Sport
Level
Ski touring
The expert's opinion
Ski touring trip for those who have already practiced this activity. (If you are unfamiliar with ski touring, we offer a 3-day introductory trip with 2 nights in a mountain hut or a 6-day beginner-level trip.)
Physical level : You must be able to climb 1000 meters (4 to 6 hours of effort per day depending on the snow conditions). You will be skiing for several consecutive days. Of course, the guide will set a pace and make tracks that allow everyone to enjoy the outing.
Technical level : you are familiar with ski touring equipment, you know how to make kick turns uphill, and you have a good level of downhill skiing (you are comfortable in all snow conditions)
In figures
Ski touring
- Average duration/day: 1h
- Maximum altitude: 2571 m
Management
French
English
Italian
Florian is a true Swiss Army knife! Ski instructor, mountain bike instructor and mountain guide.
The valley holds no secrets for him. He will always be attentive and will guide you on the best routes.
Jérémy is a local boy, practically born with skis on his feet and passionate about the mountains. He'll find you the best slopes to ski in his secret backyard.
Program
-
Hotel check-in and reception
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast not included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner included
Meet in the afternoon at the **Echaillon hotel in Névache, welcome and information meeting in the evening. Overnight stay at the hotel in Névache.
Day 1 -
Buffère valley and Echaillon ridge (2571 m)
- Activity Ski touring
- Duration of the activity 5h
- Maximum altitude 2571 m
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short minibus transfer (5 minutes) takes us to Ville-Haute (1600 m) to warm up by climbing the Haute-Vallée trail. We follow the track leading to the Buffère refuge to reach this hanging valley with terrain ideal for ski touring, then we'll reach the Echaillon ridge and choose the best descent route.
Day 2 -
Croix Carail (2369 m)
- Activity Ski touring
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Ski-in/ski-out access from the banks of the Clarée River, at an altitude of 1580 meters, just a few minutes from the hotel. A day to review the basics of ski touring with equipment and the use of safety gear. An 800-meter ascent through a larch forest, before emerging onto a small summit, offers a panoramic view of the valley.
Day 3 -
Creuzet valley and Lenlon ridge (2508 m)
- Activity Ski touring
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
Today we set off to explore another wild valley, starting from the Pont des Armands. First, we must leave the pine forest to reach a small valley at the foot of Roche Gauthier (2749 m) and the ridges of the Cime des Ruines. From there, we can reach the Fort de Lenlon, perched on its ridge, via a final short climb.
Day 4 -
Buffère valley and Baude ridge (2576 m) and crossing to the Chardonnet refuge.
- Transportation Minibus - 00h05 - 2km
- Activity Ski touring
- Accommodation Refuge
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
A short minibus transfer (5 minutes) takes us to Ville-Haute (1600 m) to warm up by climbing the Haute-Vallée trail. We follow the path leading to the Buffère refuge to reach this hanging valley and then the ridge that separates us from the Chardonnet valley.
After the descent we put our skins back on to reach the Chardonnet refuge
Night at the refuge.
Day 5 -
Pointe du demi (2817m) or summit of Pic Ombière (2832m)
- Activity Ski touring
- Accommodation 2-star hotel
- Breakfast included
- Lunch included
- Dinner included
After enjoying breakfast in the mountains, we set off again down the gently sloping valley towards one of the peaks, depending on the day's conditions, to make the most of this last day.
We collect the belongings left at the refuge before heading back down into the valley.
Day 6 -
End of stay
- Breakfast included
- Lunch not included
- Dinner not included
End of stay and departure after breakfast.
Day 7
Note
VERY IMPORTANT: The management reserves the right to modify the program for any reason whatsoever (weather conditions, snow conditions, technical level of participants, logistics…) in order to ensure the best possible experience for you.
Accommodation
The hotel is ideally located, allowing you to set off on hikes without needing a car . It welcomes you in a refined mountain style and offers comfort and light . Just steps from the clear, pristine waters of the Clarée River, it invites you to relax!
Ideal base camps for nature lovers, hikers, skiers or climbers.
Comfortably seated in the main room, you can enjoy healthy, home-style cooking, to which we pay particular attention.
For your comfort, small dormitories with four to six beds are available, all equipped with sheets and duvets. Remember to bring your sleeping bag liner and a flashlight.
Hot showers and toilets inside.
Access
DISPERSION
On day 7 , at the same location in Névache, after breakfast, check-out is at 10:00 AM. Snowshoeing or skiing is possible but unsupervised. Picnic lunches are available (supplement of €14 per person), and you can stay until the shuttle departs for the night train.
However, we absolutely require you to vacate the rooms by 10am.
Go to the starting point
From Paris, you have several options:
Either arriving on the Italian side via the TGV PARIS-OULX
From this station you will need to take a direct bus to Briançon. Tickets must be purchased 48 hours in advance of your trip on the website www.sncf-connect.com
Either Paris / Grenoble + bus Grenoble / Briançon line 55 ZOU, bookable on the website www.autocars-resalp.com
Either arriving directly from Paris/Briançon, by night train or daytime trains
From Marseille or Valence, there are direct TER trains to Briançon.
To travel from Briançon to Névache:
Either by regular shuttle (in season)
Either by taxi or private transport depending on the schedule and the number of people.
When making your reservation, please remember to let us know your arrival time.
Don't hesitate to call us, we'll help you with your application!
Free parking.
You can drive to the hotel, where there is a large parking lot. We'll keep this description brief, given that in this modern age, GPS is standard equipment in our cars and on our phones.
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, a road replica of the ambitious railway project of the mid-18th century.
Consider carpooling! By letting us know your departure city or route, we can connect you with other participants.
Price details
The price includes
- Full board from dinner on Day 1 to breakfast on Day 7
- The night in a mountain refuge
- Hotel accommodation in a triple room
- 5 days of instruction by a high-mountain guide or an alpine ski instructor
- 1 access to the Wellness Area
- Transfers to and/or from the hikes
The price does not include
- Round-trip transportation to Névache
- Ski equipment: €170 for 5 days (skis, boots, skins, crampons) and safety equipment (avalanche transceiver, shovel and probe)
- Cancellation, assistance, repatriation and trip interruption insurance
- Drinks
- Massages
Options
- Ski touring equipment rental : CHF155.52 / 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
- a sleeping bag liner for the night in the mountain refuge
- An airtight container (like Tupperware)
- Highly protective sunglasses
- 1 roll of Elastoplast
- Total face sunscreen
- Earplugs
- Insulated water bottle, knife, cutlery
Clothing to bring
- A backpack large enough to carry your belongings for the day (including your picnic, water, and warm clothes). A volume of 30/40L is a good starting point.
- Appropriate ski touring attire (a technical and waterproof jacket and trousers)
- Breathable t-shirts and tights
- Layers of clothing to stay warm: a fleece jacket or down jacket, and a microfleece.
- A very warm hat
- A neck warmer
- Indoor shoes
- A swimsuit and a bath towel for the wellness area
- Two pairs of warm gloves
They traveled with us
